I have new RDX, 1100 miles. In traffic if I slow down and then need to accelerate, the engine seems to miss and hesitate and I risk my life. Yesterday I was entering Route 80 by the GWB and a tractor trailer was barreling down and the hesitation could have resulted in a bad accident.

So I slow down and then it often happens when I need to accelerate and merge.

Any ideas?

Thanks very much

 

Is is a function of the cylinder deactivation kicking in?

 

Feels like it could be.

 

It's the transmission I think. It's an electronically controlled manual transmission. It might be in between gears right when you hit the gas causing the hesitation.

 

No, it's not.

 

The dealer told me it is....

 

I always found the RDX to have more than adequate throttle response and acceleration under all conditions. From your description something must be wrong. Get it checked out.

 

OP, did you not test drive the vehicle?
first thing I do, is test the power delivery.
different engines have different characteristics, and power delivery or the lack there of is important.
it's important to find where the sweet spots are.

 

How is the idle on your engine? Any vibration or shaking?

 

I have a 2013 AWD with tech and I have never had this problem. Engine responds immediately. You need to get this fixed. Not the dealer that told you it's a electronically controlled manual transmission! It is not. Regular automatic controlled electronically like all are today.

 

That's right. However, there are double clutch transmissions (DCT) which are pretty much computer controlled manuals. My daughter's Ford Focus has one. So do some BMWs, Porsches, F1 cars, etc. But not Acura. DCTs are a completely different animal.

 

^^ DCT....coming soon to an Acura near you

 

I've experienced what OP is describing. It's never so severe that I fear for my life, but if you're deccelerating then quickly try to accelerate, depending on how many cylinders are firing, what gear you're in, and where your RPM's are, it can take a second or two before you hit the power band. I don't think this would be different than any other vehicle with a conventional automatic transmission. My daily driver is a 5 speed civic so I'm used to always being in the proper gear, and it definitely feels like the RDX struggles to read my mind sometimes. Not something I'd blame Acura for. If it's a consistent problem for you, perhaps pop it into sport mode when approaching traffic situations where you will need to accelerate quickly.

 

Too many variables to blame one thing.
Car could have been downshifting, sensed and incline, valves etc
Sometimes if i mash the gas i'm gone, other times it takes forever to accelerate, maybe for your driving style you should just leave the car in S mode for the higher revs and it will/or you can manually shift it.

 

Belecad,
Finally someone else describing the significant problem I am also having.
First it's an intermittent problem. I go a few days and the driving experience if fine, then suddenly it happens several times within an hour.


I have lifted my foot, so have zero throttle and am about to, or just beginning to, make a slow speed turn and begin to depress the accelerator again and the car just bogs down completely and I am out of ALL power, for one to three seconds, then it comes in full blast. It can be really scary as I expect an unobservant driver could rear end me, or something. I have been too busy to look at the revs and see if they have died, but it feels like I have lost ALL power to the engine and have to wait powerless until it comes back.


So far I have been to TWO dealers and they shake their heads and on test drives (sometimes with me in the car) the problem cannot be replicated.
My car is the 2013 spec RDX with technology package and 4WD.
I am really scared to allow my wife to drive the car but nobody at Acura seems able to help. I have discussed it 4-5 times with dealers I the hope that they see others with the same issue.

 

I should add that in all other respects the engine and powertrain characteristics are completely normal. Very smooth at idle and under normal acceleration. I have driven a large number of cars and have NEVER experienced anything like this issue. t does NOT feel like the car is struggling to find the right gear. It feels like all power is shut off and the engine is suddenly slowing the car down very abruptly. So I am presuming that the engine may even be totally switching off while in a gear trying to stop the car until suddenly the power is back on and I accelerate abruptly a few seconds later.

 

Sorry for the third post but I am trying to give as exact information as I can to describe the issue.


Note just before it happens I have my foot "off" the accelerator and the car is "coasting". i.e. totally normal behavior. The problem ONLY arises when I begin to depress the accelerator again to get some acceleration and I am usually turning and that is the point in which the car seems to "hit a wall" i.e. the car slows suddenly abruptly for a few seconds before the power comes back.

 

bump

 

I have an 02 tl and while on freeway in 5th gear and gently push the gas so it doesn't downshift the car hesitates and shakes. Scanned car and its a random misfire. All coils were tested and are good. New NGK double platinum plugs. What's wrong?? I need help

 

Hi All,

Adding on to this thread as it seems to be the closest thing to my current issue.

For the past few months I have been experiencing very poor shifting and acceleration. From a stop the car is very slow to very engage and get going. RPMs shoot way up (~2,500) without a whole lot of response. I know what you're thinking, low fluid. Well, I've checked and rechecked fluid many times and have even topped the fluid off without a ton of success.

I have taken it to the dealer twice and each time they found nothing wrong (shocking, I know). I performed drain/fills myself and the dealer confirmed the fluid was of decent quality and proper level. The most recent service advisor said a service bulletin might be released at some point in the future which might help. (not holding breath for that one).

So a few weeks back (after the trip to the dealer) I performed another drain/fill to see if it would help (only did 2X, since that's all the fluid I had). Right away the transmission acted better (Hooray!). I fell in love with the car again. Then 2-3 weeks later it reverted back to its old poor self. (Boo!)

Not sure what my next step should be. I'm thinking about 1 more drain and fill and if that doesn't provide a lasting solution, I'll take it to the dealer. I guess my question is, what questions should I direct to the dealer? I've seen a few different threads about solenoids. Could that be something?

Appreciate any help!

 

Boy it sure does sound like cylinder deactivation. Before I bought my 2016 RDX I had read about similar problems with the V6 engines in Honda Accords which made me hesitant about purchasing the RDX but I have to say that I have never yet felt the engine deactivating and reactivating. Any transition has been as smooth as butter. (now - LKAS and ACC is a totally other story!) I certainly was surprised (and disappointed) when I saw the Acura brand on JD Power's list of Top 10 Most Unreliable Brands.

 

The engines in the 2013-2015 RDX are slightly different than the 2016-2017 RDX. In the 2013-2015 the cylinder deactivation went 6-4-3 cylinders. In the 2016+ it’s only 6-3 cylinders. Plus, in the 2016+ they (Acura) supposedly smoothed things out and the 2016+ has a more linear torque curve. That may have something to do with it?

 

Hello,

Yes, I am inclined to think it is the solenoid on the torque convertor clutch. But I am told the solenoid actuates only after 40 mph or so, I feel lethargic performance in the lower gears, where the speed doesnt increase proportional to the tachometer, just loud revs. It doesnt seem to pack the punch like it used to, slower throttle responses and upshifts. Mine has run 18000 miles and the Acura dealers are no good. Even had the corporate acura dickhead take a look at the vehicle, he only blabbered without thinking. I will probably go outside and get it examined. But please keep me posted if you find a fix.