ACURA MDX 2015 Suspension Noise
#161
I just returned from having the work authorized in service bulletin 16035 completed. Rear shock noise is completely gone and the car sounds like a $50,000 Acura should! I'm not an engineer but was told the shock was replaced as the original ones were creating the noise. Not the most specific explanation but it worked so I didn't press it. For those of you still struggling with this just take the bulletin # with you and the rest should be easy. Good luck.
#162
Yes, very solid sounding and not that hollow "boom" that came from the rear compartment before. Drove me nuts and I had planned to trade because of it. Sounds like a high end suv should now. Very happy!
#163
Hmm ok. I will have to try and reproduce this hollow sound to my dealer then. They don't just see the TSB and do the work. They always require me to drive with a tech.
#164
dont know why they would care.....they get paid to do he work. My dealer knew about the problem as it existed on all 2014-2016 MDX's and he had other complaints. Find a street with plenty of potholes before you test drive.....the tech should be able to hear it. As a last resort you might try a different dealer if that's an option.
#165
Just returned from a 50 mile drive that took us across a wide variety of roads and streets. Back roads that were graveled and rough, small town city streets that were full of pot holes and patches and a secondary highway with open concrete joints and numerous patched areas. That drive would have been unbearable (for me at least) prior to the recent fix Acura provided for my 2015 MDX's rear suspension. It's riding and sounding like a new premium suv now. I don't understand why it took Acura so long to deal with the problem but the new springs they now provide are great. Very happy!
#166
I will be taking my 2014 MDX in for the thumping rear end problem soon.I hope this works.It has been a pain for 2 years.I will report back on whether it is successful or not.Best wishes to all of you in getting this repaired.
#167
Racer
Let us know if they take your word for it and perform the TSB, or if the Tech has to confirm the issue. Thump to you is not a thump to them. If the Tech says its normal, then that is the bummer.
#171
Well,I have my MDX back after taking it in for Bulletin 16-035 rear suspension thump issue.I have just driven it for a short test drive,but I can definitely tell that the loose feeling clunk over potholes and such is not there anymore like it was before.The ride is more solid and a definite improvement.If you have this problem,I now believe there is a fix for it.Hope this information helps to get the word out.I will try to report on down the road on whether it continues to keep working..
#172
Well,I have my MDX back after taking it in for Bulletin 16-035 rear suspension thump issue.I have just driven it for a short test drive,but I can definitely tell that the loose feeling clunk over potholes and such is not there anymore like it was before.The ride is more solid and a definite improvement.If you have this problem,I now believe there is a fix for it.Hope this information helps to get the word out.I will try to report on down the road on whether it continues to keep working..
#173
Safety Car
Cars.com
https://www.cars.com/articles/2014-2016-acura-mdx-suspension-issue-1420690230335/
2014-2016 Acura MDX Suspension Issue
By Tom Torbjornsen
September 13, 2016
2014-2016 Acura MDX Suspension Issue
By Tom Torbjornsen
September 13, 2016
2016 Acura MDX;
Cars.com photo by Evan Sears
CARS.COMThe problem: Drivers may hear a rattle or clunk coming from the rear due to faulty rear-suspension dampers or rear upper damper mount bushings.
Vehicles affected by service bulletin:
- 2014 Acura MDX
- 2015 Acura MDX
- 2016 Acura MDX
Corrective action: Dealers will replace both the rear suspension dampers and rear upper damper mount bushings.
Warranty info: This service is being performed free of charge under a special service campaign.
What owners should do: Call your local dealer with your vehicle's identification number to determine if it's involved in this service bulletin. You can also call Acura at 800-382-2238 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 888-327-4236. Reference TSB No. 16-035.
Need to find a dealer for service? Go to Cars.com Service & Repair to find a local dealer.
Editor's note: This is only 1 of dozens of service bulletins issued each month by automakers. Please check your automaker's website to see if your vehicle has any service bulletins pending.
Read more at https://www.cars.com/articles/2014-2...02ilwJBolK7.99
Last edited by TSX69; 09-13-2016 at 06:31 AM.
#174
Took my '15 MDX for the TSB yesterday. It was clear that they hadn't heard about it. I showed them the pages I had printed out from the link above. They have ordered the parts and and are working on it. Will keep you guys updated once I get the car back.
#175
Scheduled my appointment to get this TSB done on our '16 MDX (along with a couple other minor issues). They had to push the appointment out more 2 weeks because of the Takata airbag recalls. Par for the course with Acura thus far. I'll report back after it's done.
#177
Instructor
For the life of me, how would other dealers risk of getting bad reviews from customers on an issue where there is a TSB for it. Some dealers would kill to get great reviews from customers. I even pointed out the TSB to them and they are aware of it. Acura will pay them for the fix and it is work that makes them busy. Maybe the techs are being lazy, I don't know. I sent an email to the service manager to state my displeasure. How can you make a case for it when 2 of their techs dismissed the issue as normal? They scheduled me to leave my car there on Monday to have an extended time to diagnose the issue. In my experience, that extended time with the dealer doesn't really do anything. Just the normal BS when you pick up your car.
#178
Racer
Went to dealer today for A/C bolt recall and suspension noise. Tech did a ride along, nothing but smooth roads, so unable to duplicate. Last resort, is the Service mgr will drive it and see what happens. They will not perform tsb, unless it can be replicated. As I mentioned before, its all subjective as to what is Normal. In some respects, I understand what they are saying.
#179
Instructor
The frustrating part is the tech says it's normal because all other 2014 to 2016 has the same design flaw in the suspension. Yes, it would sound normal because most of it have the same issue. Some techs are not even aware of the TSB and the clunking issue with the RLX and MDX. Acura even posted a video of the clunking issue for the RLX in the Acura owners website. For the owners, it's really frustrating knowing that there is a fix for your concern but the tech keeps on dismissing the clunk as normal. I don't think owners of these type of vehicles would waste their time going to the dealership if they don't see any issues with their car.
#180
Racer
Yes very frustrating. The tech that rode with me looked at work order and asked, "Why is there a TSB number on here". Service writer told him the customer put that down. It would have been better if the TSB would say repair is for customer satisfaction. Although, it is not mentioned in the TSB for the tech to verify the noise. It just goes to Repair procedure.
#181
Instructor
Yes very frustrating. The tech that rode with me looked at work order and asked, "Why is there a TSB number on here". Service writer told him the customer put that down. It would have been better if the TSB would say repair is for customer satisfaction. Although, it is not mentioned in the TSB for the tech to verify the noise. It just goes to Repair procedure.
I agree, I think most TSB should have that "for customer satisfaction" words in there. It is really for customers' satisfaction, for those who complained anyway. And not all owners are going to come in and will request to get the all the TSBs applied.
So after visiting 2 dealers to have this TSB applied, and both techs said they didn't hear anything unusual or excessive clunks, I went to another dealer close to my work for the first time. I was hesitant to go there due to the reviews, but I really wanted this issue get fixed. A tech rode with me and confirmed that he heard unusual clunks over bumps. He also told me to go to this street where there's alot of bumps and potholes. He thinks it's also a bit excessive for this kind of vehicle. And luckily, I did not have to schedule to go back there to leave my car and get a loaner. The service advisor was able to get me a loaner and I left the car there yesterday. I mentioned to the tech that there is a TSB that may fix the issue, but I did not push it. He said he's aware of that TSB. He's going to test drive it again to pinpoint the noise. It was a pleasant experience from a dealer I didn't consider the first time.
Seriously, without these forums, a lot of owners had probably traded their Acuras already. It's a big source of info for the owners.
#183
Is this suspension noise TSB same as that for RDX? Last month I took my RDX to dealer for suspension noise. They didn't even test ride with me. They said that they have their own testing area and eventually changed the shocks while I was waiting. Now it rides like new. I'm so disappointed to hear similar complaints from MDX owners, was looking to upgrade to an MDX at some point .
#184
Instructor
If you can, try visiting other dealers. Hopefully, you'll get yours fixed soon.
#185
Instructor
Is this suspension noise TSB same as that for RDX? Last month I took my RDX to dealer for suspension noise. They didn't even test ride with me. They said that they have their own testing area and eventually changed the shocks while I was waiting. Now it rides like new. I'm so disappointed to hear similar complaints from MDX owners, was looking to upgrade to an MDX at some point .
If you're going to upgrade to an MDX, go with the 2017. I think all 2017 don't have the damaged rear suspension/dampers and the 9 speed is really smooth, unlike the 2015 TLX V6 I drove as a loaner. Plus, the paddings (especially on the door armrests) are well padded compared to my 2014 and 2015. I think the 2017 is pretty much sorted out. Although, we still don't know how reliable the ZF9 transmission is.
#186
Here are some of the links for the RDX suspension noise TSB
TSB 16-059 - Pop or Clunk from the Rear Suspension in Cold Weather Applies To: 2013-16 RDX - ALL - ALL 2017 RDX - All 2WD - From VIN 5J8TB3...HL000001 thru 5J8TB3...HL009835 2017 RDX - All 4WD - From VIN 5J8TB4...HL000001 thru 5J8TB4...HL015307 http://www.urvi.net/forumfiles/SB/B16-059.PDF http://techinfo.honda.com/Rjanisis/p...nu/B16-059.PDF
This was the thread I created when my car showed suspension noise. As you mentioned it was also episodic. https://acurazine.com/forums/second-...-noise-946143/
In case the previous links didn't work. Here's the thread about all TSBs for RDX. This one is for the 2016 onwards updated RDX. It June's affect all 13-15 cars as well. https://acurazine.com/forums/second-...letins-928631/
TSB 16-059 - Pop or Clunk from the Rear Suspension in Cold Weather Applies To: 2013-16 RDX - ALL - ALL 2017 RDX - All 2WD - From VIN 5J8TB3...HL000001 thru 5J8TB3...HL009835 2017 RDX - All 4WD - From VIN 5J8TB4...HL000001 thru 5J8TB4...HL015307 http://www.urvi.net/forumfiles/SB/B16-059.PDF http://techinfo.honda.com/Rjanisis/p...nu/B16-059.PDF
This was the thread I created when my car showed suspension noise. As you mentioned it was also episodic. https://acurazine.com/forums/second-...-noise-946143/
In case the previous links didn't work. Here's the thread about all TSBs for RDX. This one is for the 2016 onwards updated RDX. It June's affect all 13-15 cars as well. https://acurazine.com/forums/second-...letins-928631/
Last edited by Comfy; 10-21-2016 at 10:45 PM.
#187
Big up ya self, BO!
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Gainesville, VA
Age: 45
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Wow, seeing several people being turned down by their dealerships makes me feel lucky. I took my 15' MDX for service, and inquired about the TSB. They called me later in the day, and told me they couldn't hear any noise in the suspension, but nonetheless agreed to perform the TSB. I definitely notice a difference in the quietness of the new suspension, but the ride quality still feels about the same. I'm glad Pohanka Acura agreed to make the change, and I hope those that are getting turned down get a chance to get the TSB done elsewhere, or fight their dealership to finally agree to perform it. I had to wait four days for the parts to come in, but in the end, it was worth it.
#188
I'm happy to hear that they issued TSB 16-035 for the rear. Like some others posted I am hearing noise from my front suspension when going over speedbumps or potholes, has anything been issued for the front suspension? Also my 2015 tech is out of warranty, I assume a TSB done by a dealer would be free of charge? thanks
#189
I'm happy to hear that they issued TSB 16-035 for the rear. Like some others posted I am hearing noise from my front suspension when going over speedbumps or potholes, has anything been issued for the front suspension? Also my 2015 tech is out of warranty, I assume a TSB done by a dealer would be free of charge? thanks
#190
6G TLX-S
^^^^^
Agree that TSB's are not free, out of warranty.
But at least Acura has found a fix to cure its problem, rather than having owners to live with the annoying noise all the time.
Agree that TSB's are not free, out of warranty.
But at least Acura has found a fix to cure its problem, rather than having owners to live with the annoying noise all the time.
#191
Ok so my 2015 MDX is out of warranty so it wouldn't be covered for TSB's. So if I were to ask my local mechanic to check for possible suspension noise issues is there anything other than the following I should bring up?
1. Check overall suspension torque and condition of parts
2. Check tension on emergency brake cable
3. Check condition of rear suspension bushings?
Anything else I should ask him? thanks
1. Check overall suspension torque and condition of parts
2. Check tension on emergency brake cable
3. Check condition of rear suspension bushings?
Anything else I should ask him? thanks
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