NHTSA Complaint #11564809 — 2019 ACURA TLX

The contact owned a 2019 Acura TLX. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the contact was hearing an abnormal ticking noise. The contact stated the check engine warning was illuminated and the fuel gauge showed a decrease in fuel level. The contact stated she observed that black smoke was emitted from under the hood and the rear of the vehicle. The contact pulled off of the highway. The contact stated that the vehicle was vibrating as she pulled over, she stopped the vehicle and exited due to smoke entering the passenger cabin. The contact said she had turned the vehicle off and she observed the smoke appeared to diminish, however, she noticed that there was a leak coming from the engine compartment and the liquid from the leak had ignited and another fire had started. The contact stated that the liquid fire had stopped combusting and as she approached the vehicle to retrieve personal items, the vehicle burst into flames at the engine compartment. The fire department and the police arrived. The fire department extinguished the flames with water. The police filed a report. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The contact stated that her insurance provider declared the vehicle a total loss. The contact stated that before the engine fire she had taken the vehicle to a dealer who had diagnosed a failure for a similar abnormal ticking sound and had replaced the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle fire had occurred one week after the engine had been replaced. The contact stated that she had researched online and related the failure and subsequent fire to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.