Engine

COMMON PROBLEMS: Oil Leaks, VTEC Solenoid Leaks, Rough Idle, Misfires, Oil Consumption

The V6 runs strong, but oil leaks show up once these cars get some miles on them. A spot on the driveway. A burnt smell after you park. The VTEC solenoid can seep or act up and throw a code when it does. Misfires and a rough idle sneak in as the plugs and coils wear down. Some owners catch the oil level dropping between changes too. We check where the oil's going and pull the codes before we say a word about repair.

Transmission

COMMON PROBLEMS: Harsh Shifting, Jerking at Low Speed, Delayed Engagement, Torque Converter Shudder, Warning Lights

This is the one people ask about most. The early TLX with the eight-speed dual-clutch got a lot of complaints about rough low-speed shifting, a jerk or a hesitation in stop and go, right where you feel it most. The nine-speed on the V6 had its own quirks. A delay dropping into gear. A shift that lands harder than it should. A torque converter shudder feels like a rumble under the seat. Fluid matters more on these than people think.

Cooling System

COMMON PROBLEMS: Water Pump Leaks, Coolant Loss, Overheating, Thermostat Failure, Radiator Leaks

The water pump wears out like it does on most cars, and the leak usually starts small. A drip. A sweet smell once the engine cools off. Coolant can also weep from an aging radiator or a thermostat housing that gave out. Problem is, a slow leak stays quiet until the gauge climbs on a hot day, and by then you're already in a bad spot. We pressure test the system and find where the coolant's escaping.

COMMON PROBLEMS: Squealing, Vibration When Braking, Premature Wear, Grinding, Soft Pedal

The TLX is heavy and quick enough that brakes wear faster than people expect. A squeal at low speed is usually the pads getting thin. A shake through the pedal when you stop points to warped rotors, and it only gets worse the longer you drive on them. Grinding means metal on metal, and that's past due. A soft pedal is its own thing. Get that one looked at right away.

Suspension

COMMON PROBLEMS: Clunking Noise, Worn Bushings, Uneven Tire Wear, Steering Vibration, Rough Ride

The TLX feels tight when it's fresh, then the bushings and control arm parts wear and you start to hear about it. A clunk over a speed bump. A knock turning into a driveway. Worn parts pull the alignment off, so the tires wear uneven and the wheel shakes at speed. A car that used to feel planted starts feeling loose and busy on rough roads. We check the front end for play and read the tire wear to see what's actually worn.