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Acura fuel pump, tank and stalling recalls: what owners should know
Six recalls, and half of them are the same defect: the low-pressure fuel pump inside the tank can fail and stall the engine. Honda filed that in May 2020, expanded it in March 2021, and expanded it again in December 2023 to cover 2013-2023 vehicles, sweeping in Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, RLX and TLX. The other three are distinct. The 2021-2023 TLX can have an improperly welded fuel filler neck and tank that leaks gasoline. A fuel injection ECU software error can stall 2021-2025 TLX Type S and 2022-2025 MDX Type S. And 2014-2019 ILX sedans can have a deformed tank that makes the fuel gauge read wrong. TLX, MDX and ILX recur most across the group.
Warning signs to watch for
- Engine stalling or losing power while driving, on the fuel pump and FI-ECU recalls
- A smell of gasoline, which the TLX tank weld notice singles out as a reason to act urgently
- A fuel gauge that reads inaccurately or a float that appears stuck on affected ILX models
- Running low or out of fuel sooner than the gauge suggests
- The notices do not describe a warning light or advance alert before a fuel pump failure
Is it safe to keep driving?
No recall in this group carries a stop-driving or park-outside order. The TLX fuel tank weld leak is the most serious, because leaking gasoline near an ignition source can cause a fire, so if you smell fuel treat it as urgent rather than routine. The fuel pump and FI-ECU recalls involve stalling or a loss of power in traffic, which Honda says to schedule promptly but does not tell owners to park for. The ILX gauge recall is the mildest, but keep the tank fuller than usual so a wrong reading does not strand you.
What the free repair involves
The repair depends on the recall. Dealers replace the fuel pump assembly or fuel pump module on the three stalling recalls, replace the entire fuel tank assembly on the 2021-2023 TLX weld recall, and inspect and replace the fuel tank as necessary on the ILX gauge recall. The Type S stall recall is a reprogram of the FI-ECU software. Every one of these repairs is free of charge.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 1 |
| high | 4 |
| medium | 1 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-01-23 | Acura and Honda Pilot software glitch can stall engine | high |
| 2024-12-19 | Acura TLX fuel tank weld can leak gasoline | critical |
| 2023-12-18 | Honda and Acura fuel pump can fail, stalling engine | high |
| 2021-03-25 | Honda and Acura fuel pump can fail and stall engine | high |
| 2020-05-28 | Honda and Acura fuel pump failure can stall the engine | high |
| 2019-01-24 | Acura ILX fuel gauge may show wrong gas level | medium |
Common questions
I've received more than one fuel pump letter. Do I need all of them?
The 2020, 2021 and 2023 recalls are separate campaigns that expanded to cover more model years, so a vehicle can fall under more than one. Give the dealer every recall number you received and have them check your VIN against all open campaigns.
How do I know if my TLX fuel tank is actually leaking?
The strongest sign is a gasoline smell around the car, especially after filling up. The notice covers improper welding of the filler neck and tank, which can allow fuel to escape. If you smell fuel, get it looked at right away.
Does the Type S stalling recall need new parts?
No. For 2021-2025 TLX Type S, 2022-2025 MDX Type S and 2023-2025 Honda Pilot, dealers reprogram the fuel injection electronic control unit software. It is a dealer visit rather than an over-the-air update, and it is free.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.