So, 2000 miles after changing the tranny fluid and my tranny failed on me. I am at 112000. I was about 1/2 mile from my house on the start of a 300 mile trip. It started shifting erractically and very hard. It was picking random gears to go into and chirping the tires. I turned around to head back to my driveway (thank God it didn't happen in the middle of nowhere). Then it was barely staying in gear. After pulling over and letting it sit for a minute, I tried again. It was stuck in 2nd gear all the way to my house. My tranny had been affected by the recall and had whatever done to it around 40000. However, as far as the extended warranty goes (the 7 yr 9 mo/109000 miles), my car was not covered. My VIN is outside of the cutoff for it (plus i am slightly over on miles anyway). Just dropped it off at Acura today for the "official" diagnosis. They called me back to say I needed a new tranny. I asked what it was going to run me and they said that it is a full goodwill replacement and I shouldn't have to pay anything. I thought it was pretty awesome. I was hoping for some assistance but did not expect 100% coverage (especially since I am past the 109000 miles and not covered by that warranty anyway). When I spoke with the mechanic right after it went out, he said changing my fluid is what did it. Does this mean I should never change it? Several other mechanics told me the same thing. I had it changed at a Honda dealer (who are refusing to return my phone calls when I try to speak with them) so I am assuming they used the right fluid. I just thought it sounded weird that changing it is what made it fail. Should I keep changing it in my new one or just leave it the way it is?

 

And they gave me an 08 RDX to drive around while they got my car

 

Sounds like an awesome dealer. To hell with the Honda dealer, they more than likely used the correct fluid. Most Honda auto transmissions have the ATF ZF-1 fluid (or whatever it's called). You're lucky it went out now instead of at 150K/2 years later when the Acura dealer probably would've done nothing.

 

Just picked it up today. Drives normal as ever. Total bill was $0.00. Dave Mungenast Acura of St. Louis definitely took care of me.

 

i had a friend have the same problem he changed his fluid and the tranny went a few days later he was told the same thing so i asked a few mechanics and they not to change it after you have a certain amount of miles just add if needed
thats good they changed it for free hopefully mine wont give me any problems the 7 years will be up before i get close to the mileage for the warranty