NHTSA declines defect investigation into Acura all-wheel-drive complaints

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has denied a petition seeking a formal safety-defect investigation into reported loss of all-wheel drive in certain Acura vehicles. The petition concerned model-year 2021–2023 Acura TLX and 2022–2023 Acura MDX vehicles equipped with the company's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system. The petitioner alleged that a mechanical failure could stop the vehicles from transferring drive torque to the rear wheels, effectively leaving them in front-wheel-drive operation. NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation reviewed complaints submitted by the petitioner, reports held in agency databases and other available information. The agency concluded that the evidence was unlikely to support a finding that a motor-vehicle safety defect exists. NHTSA therefore determined that a further investigation was not warranted and formally denied the petition.