Howdy! This is my first post here. Glad to have found this forum! The info here has come in handy. I recently bought a Certified 2011 RL with 47K miles. After driving it a bit I noticed that the gas pedal and steering wheel would vibrate at 1500RPM. I checked this forum and read about engine mount problems that some folks were having. Sure enough, I took my RL to the dealer and they ended up replacing the front and side engine mounts. Apparently there's a service bulletin that recommends this be done.

Here are some questions that I hope someone can answer. Should the rear engine mount also have been replaced? Not sure if they should all be replaced at the same time or not. Also, the steering wheel hardly vibrates at all but there's still a little vibration. It's much less than before. Is this normal?

I appreciate any info that can be shared. Thanks in advance!

 

If the rear mount wasn't broken, I don't see why it would need to be replaced, but I haven't read the service bulletin.

When does the vibration in the wheel occur?

Also, welcome to the forums!

 

the first engine mount that goes is the side mount, then the front mount as it cant handle the extra load.

the rear rarely goes out.
and the old adage of "if it aint broke, dont fix it" applies here. As it wasnt broken and doesnt need to be replaced.

 

Thanks for the replies! The little bit of vibration that I'm feeling is when I accelerate but it's no where near what it was before. Its probably OK and maybe my imagination. I plan to drive it some this weekend to get a better feel. Thanks again for the info!

 

I would expect motor mount vibrations to be worst at idle. You will also experience clunking or jerking when shifting between P-R-D.

If it's while it's moving, it is more likely on the axels some where and most likely tires. If it goes away after driving long enough to warm the tires, they could be getting "flat spots" over night that work themselves out with driving. Check your tire pressure since the temp is dropping.

 

I can also state I was told the rear mount rarely goes.

But before I had my mounts replaced earlier this year, I had no vibration or shifting issues, but I had some chunkiness riding over choppy washboard and rutted roads. I was thinking I had bad struts (replaced 2 years ago) but I think it was engine movement I was experiencing. After the mounts were replaced the car again felt tight and solid, not unlike the experience changing out the failed struts.

 

I drove it some today and the vibration was definitely there. I plan to make a service appointment to have it checked out. Here's what's happening: if I place my hand at the bottom of the steering wheel there's a slight vibration when I accelerate. I noticed that it also happens when the car is in a high gear (6th gear) where I'm coasting and I accelerate. it's slight so it's not a big thing but my 2007 MDX didn't do this and neither does our 2013 Honda Civic. It feels like something's not right. Hoping they can check and see what may be wrong. I'll share findings once they check it out. Thanks again for the responses!

 

By the way, I meant to mention that this happens even after I've been driving it a while. I have nitrogen in the tires and they're all at proper inflation so maybe that rules them out. I plan to have them checked as well.

 

I took the car to the dealer and they did some additional tests. Unfortunately they couldn't find anything. I was told that they've had others complain about the RL's steering wheel having a slight vibration when accelerating but there's nothing they can do since it's just the way it is. Can anyone confirm that this is normal? Thanks!

 

Hey VA2011RL,

Last year I bought my 2011 RL Advance Certified Pre-owned with 13,000 miles for $35k. I have never felt the vibration on RL, I've owned two RLs, and I have never felt a vibration from the steering wheel or the pedals. I would consider my car vibration free. I don't think this is normal, try another Acura dealer? My younger sister owns an 07 Civic, and when idling and around 2000RPM, the vibration on the steering wheel was crazy. I ordered a couple of motor mounts, had my mechanic put them in. The Civic has been working perfectly without a vibration ever since.

 

Thanks for the info!! I plan to get another opinion. Has anyone had any experience escalating an issue with Acura?

 

Your best bet is a second opinion. The only thing I have heard of corporate doing is helping out on cost of repairs for known issues outside of warranty or making a bad repair right. If the service writer can't find work to do, Acura isn't going to make them do something on your opinion. What would they do anyway if they don't know what to fix?

I would venture to say there is nothing wrong with your car anymore. You have an internal combustion engine spinning 25 times a second about 3 feet away from you. You aren't going to get away with no sounds or movements. Could it be that you are looking for an issue since you started out with one?

 

Thanks for the info!! I hope you're right! I'll share if they find anything.