Recall 16V640 affects 8,354 2015 Acura Tlx vehicles for faulty transmission wire harness crimps. Repair will be free at any franchised Acura dealer once available.
Acura is recalling 8,354 2015 Tlx vehicles because insufficient crimps in the transmission wire harness connections can make the transmission unexpectedly shift to neutral. That loss of drive power raises crash risk, and the Acura dealer repair will be free once the remedy is available.
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What's wrong?
The transmission wire harness in the 2015 Acura Tlx is the electrical link between the transmission and its control system. It carries signals that help the automatic transmission choose and hold the correct gear while the vehicle is moving. Those connections need firm crimps, which are tight metal connections around the wire terminals.
In recall 16V640, some wire harness connections were not crimped tightly enough during manufacturing. A loose crimp can interrupt the signal inside the transmission control circuit. When that happens, the transmission can malfunction and unexpectedly shift into neutral, cutting power from the engine to the wheels.
The warning sign listed for owners is an unexpected loss of motive power. In plain terms, the car stops pulling even though the engine is running, because the transmission has shifted to neutral.
Who's affected?
| 2015 Acura Tlx | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 8,354 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2015 Acura Tlx sedan is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
An unexpected shift to neutral can cut motive power while the vehicle is moving, which raises crash risk. If the vehicle loses drive power or feels like it has slipped out of gear, ease out of traffic and contact an Acura dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Acura dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015 Acura Tlx is included in this recall.
- Contact Acura Client Relations at 1-888-234-2138 to confirm the current repair instructions for recall number 16V640.
- Ask a franchised Acura dealer whether your transmission serial number needs the software update that prevents an unexpected shift to neutral.
- Bring the recall notice if Acura sent one, and ask the dealer whether any transmission replacement applies to your VIN.
- Drive cautiously until Acura confirms the repair is complete. Pull over safely if the transmission shifts to neutral.
What happens at the repair
The remedy is listed as under development, so do not assume the final dealer visit can be scheduled yet. Once Acura opens the repair, an Acura technician will check the automatic transmission serial number and update the transmission software so the transmission does not shift into neutral from the faulty crimp condition. The final dealer repair will be free once available. Repairs paid before the owner notice are handled through the new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because warranty coverage would have provided the repair at no cost.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| September 2, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| September 2, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 6, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| October 31, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| January 13, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| January 13, 2017 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V640?
Recall 16V640 covers 8,354 2015 Acura Tlx vehicles with transmission wire harness connections that have insufficient crimps. Acura says the transmission can unexpectedly shift to neutral, increasing crash risk. Dealers will use the automatic transmission serial number and update the transmission software for free.
What should I do if my 2015 Acura Tlx is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V640. If it is, contact a franchised Acura dealer and reference recall 16V640 or Acura recall number KC2. The dealer will confirm the transmission serial number and perform the free software update.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Acura dealers will perform the recall repair free of charge. The remedy is a transmission software update based on the automatic transmission serial number, and federal recall law requires the manufacturer to provide the covered recall repair at no cost.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an unexpected shift to neutral while driving. If that happens, the vehicle loses drive power, and Acura says that increases the risk of a crash. Confirm the VIN, then arrange the free dealer repair if the vehicle is included.
What if I bought my Acura Tlx used?
The free recall repair still applies to a used vehicle. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether this 2015 Acura Tlx is included, then call a franchised Acura dealer with recall 16V640 or Acura recall number KC2.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V640000 |
|---|---|
| Acura customer service | 1-888-234-2138 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V640 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V640000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →