I drive a 2017 Acura RDX Advance AWD. Vehicle has 82,000 miles on it, complete up to date servicing, with early oil changes/all fluid changes regularly. The temperature has dropped in the Midwest area where I live and I am noticing a loud, moaning/groaning/noise that comes from the vehicle at 15mph when slowing down at traffic lights and stop signs. It happens every single time I come to a stop or approaching a complete stop. I heard it once or twice this summer but ignored it but now it is occurring at every stop on every single drive. I spoke to my dealer and they said they've never heard of anyone with a problem like this and have previously already done all the looking into my transmission due to a different, past issue. They said no software or hardware issue is causing this in terms of the transmission.

Has anyone experienced this before? I swear I saw a similar post some time back and someone had mentioned a possible transfer case going bad. Would very much appreciate the input from the community here! Feeling very disappointed from this experience and worried this is all noise for a catastrophic issues in the future.

 

Brakes could be worn or glazed.

 

I have to agree with samiam_68. This sounds more like brakes than transmission or suspension issue.

 

Might be tires...slipped belt or just inherently noisy tires.

 

Just as a quick update: I drove my vehicle for the past few days slowing down for stops and lights WITH and WITHOUT using brakes and it makes no difference. The noise persists with applying brakes or without. I have also noticed that this is when the vehicle has not warmed up yet, on the first 1-2 miles of my drive. Total drive usually 4-5 miles. Once I've driven for 15-20min the noise goes away. Seems to come up early in the drive when everything in cold which also explains why this issue rears its head during fall and winter time. I see many have seen the post but just a comment on whether they experience this issue or not would be very helpful! Thank you

 

It looks like that your problem is really with cold start. There are many things can cause noises at cold start: belts, a/c compressor, power steering pump, and carbon built-up etc. I would change the transmission fluid if you have not never changed it. It might help you to help you to identify if it is related to transmission. I have the same model as yours and have not experienced the problem.

 

So you've ruled out brakes, time to isolate the rest, is it suspension, is it wheel bearings, is it coming from the front or the rear. THrow the car on jack stands and rotate the tires and see if you hear the sound isolated to a specific wheel.

 

Could be wheel bearing issue as was mentioned above. Your description sounds like an issue I had with a Nissan vehicle many years ago, groaning when slowing down.

 

I have this issue! It’s difficult to replicate in my case. Some mornings it is louder than others. The sound, to me at least, sounds like a fan turning on every time I am coming to a stop. But like you said, temperate makes a difference and it eventually goes away. Some days it’s louder than others. I don’t know what it is and have not taken any action. OP did you find anything?

 

MidwestRDXer - Have you been able to isolate the noise? One thing you can try is changing the fluid in the transfer case and transmission. Both are pretty easy to do on these vehicles.

Do you hear any noise when you accelerate in the morning?

 

I have not found a solution yet! Its getting more concerning as time goes on and I am getting ZERO help or interest to dive into this deeper from my dealer. Have you found a solution? Attached is how it sounds for me.

 

I have so far only been able to confirm it is the transmission. When I hear the sound, as I am approaching a stop, if I move the shifter to N, the sound goes away. It’s back again when I move back to D. It doesn’t seem to affect performance so far and goes away after the car is warmed up. So I have not bothered much.

 

Hi, did you find a solution to this issue yet?

 

I was never able to find a solution for it. No one on this forum was helpful or able to give good advice. I see a NHTSA complain for this exact issue someone else had and similar rough downsifting I have but it is annoynous so I have no idea how to reach out to that person. I do worry it could be my torque convertor or transmission filter that needs changing but no dealer that I call or person I ask can confirm if these noises and sounds are indicative of that failing part or issue.

Do you have this issue? If so, please record and add a audio clip so we can compare and see if others have this issue and if its called something else.

 

I just bought a 2013 rdx that does this exact noise, if u ever figure it out ill be sure to let you know. I’m an Acura tech myself and have been stumped. It’s so intermittent but sometimes it’s so loud and drives me nuts