Acura halts sales of TLX sedans with V6 engine

Acura has issued a stop-sale order to its dealers and notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of a potential safety defect with new Acura TLX sedans equipped with a V6 engine and nine-speed automatic transmission.

The problem is that transmission components in the TLX might have been damaged during manufacture, according to a technical service bulletin issued by Acura. As a result, the shift indicator could indicate that the transmission is in park when it is not, which could allow the vehicle to roll away. (Learn how a TSB can help you save money and might reveal safety issues with your car.)

An representative fromthe automakeer confirmed the stop-sale order for the Acura TLX and stated that NHTSA has been informed of the problem. He had no further comment other than indicating that a more complete statement will be forthcoming pending NHTSA’s review of the situation. Issuing a stop-sale order and notifying NHTSA are typically the first steps an automaker takes in initiating a recall. (Learn what to do if your car gets recalled.)

The stop-sale order comes just months after Acura TLX models equipped with the new nine-speed transmission went on sale. Four-cylinder versions use a different transmission and are not included in the stop-sale order.

In our test of a TLX V6, we found the push-button shifter to be awkward to use, but we didn’t experience any other problems.

—Jim Travers

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