sorry to hear, did you test drive before delivery? I would take this to the dealer immediately to document such issue, we all know they don't have a solution but when and if they do, you will be on the list.

 

Yes, but the test drive was very short - just enough to make sure it actually had an engine and transmission and that the A/C and radio worked. I trade vehicles often and sometimes buy them with only visual inspections instead of test drives. I'd never seen an RDX in person or driven one until I bought mine this weekend. I did document the issue with the dealer. If a software update will address the issue, I'll have it done. If the transmission has to come out, I'll live with it.

 

Another RDX owner here with a disappointing transmission. This is my first post

Have owned the car for 2 weeks/1,100 miles and ours was serviced today. Started the visit with a drive accompanied by a technician, then let him drive as well. He observed the same hard shifts. Otherwise, same process as described by others (snap shots, coordination with tech line), but followed by a recommendation to replace the transmission. Process will take at least a week.

I've driven 4 different '19 RDX (2 Tech models, 2 Advance, all FWD) and experienced different levels of transmission performance. All had a hard shift between 2nd and 3rd, 2 (Advance models) were noticeably more refined otherwise, and the remaining 2 had erratic shifting below and (less often) above that gear range. Used Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ modes. In the better performing models, Sport mode seemed the most refined option. Unfortunately, the model we purchased was the worst of the lot. Ironically, the loaner we have now is the best. While I'm glad it was a productive service visit, I'm anxious to see what the outcome of this will be.

@code3_rdx, any update following your transmission replacement? Could use some good news

 

I got RDX 19 Base SH-AWD. Harsh shifting (jerks) at slow acceleration 10-15 mph.

 

Again, I am going to ask this: Does anyone with a A-Spec have this problem? Please post.

I have driven a NEW A-Spec without this issue...

-Stan

 

It is inherent in the tranny design and has nothing to do with the model or trim selected. All of the 10-speeds are the same. Based on mechanical tolerances, some may show more more signs than others.

 

 

I have read the other threads unless you can offer ADDITIONAL information, it would seem a new conclusion can be reached that this is some kind of a software issue in the models other than A-Spec. (BTW - the lack of data is NOT an answer) I as also aware that the underling power train components are the same. The specific reason I posted the same question a second time was to see if ANY A-spec users were having the issue and had not reported it.

It seems we really need some kind of FAQ created for these issues. It may help Acura determine the problem / solution. It will certainly help my data in communicating the problem to them....

-Stan

 

A-Spec does it. Mine has it, and have talked to other owners who have confirmed the issue as well.

 

 

This is weird. The A-Spec I drove was a FWD... The implication is not all RDX's have this issue...

-Stan

 

 

You do get used to it. I have about 4200 miles on mine now and rarely even notice it. I have either changed my driving habits or just ignore it.

 

@DuBignon Got a call from the dealer today and they received the new transmission on Friday. He said installation should be completed by Thursday or Friday of this week. I miss my RDX...

 

 

Appreciate the update. Was told roughly the same, but would be surprised if the work on ours is done by week's end. Please keep us posted on the outcome, will do the same.

 

Picked up our RDX this afternoon, two days ahead of schedule. Relieved to report that the new transmission seems to have eliminated the hard shifts. Upshifts are smooth, downshifts are noticeable on occasion, but well within tolerance; repeatable hard shift between 2 and 3 is gone. Was told a 'new computer' was part of the service and 500 miles of driving would be needed for a full transmission relearn. Was only able to drive ~8 miles this evening, all in Comfort mode, but so far, so good

 

 

The last time I dropped off my vehicle for service, I was lucky enough that the District Service Manager was there.. During their time with my vehicle, they resolved this problem with what he called a "Vehicle Break-In" procedure. He didn't go into detail and it wasn't on my service ticket, but he said that anyone that is experiencing this issues should report it to their dealer and take the vehicle in for service.

 

As another data point, the tech that worked on our RDX was advised to perform 'the break in procedure' (from his notes) following the first series of snap shots sent to techline. It failed to improve the shifting issues, another set of snap shots were sent to techline, then the transmission replacement was recommended. Sure wish the break-in had worked for us.

Unfortunately, the transmission replacement doesn't seem to be a catch-all fix either. Our RDX is regressing after just one week with the new transmission. Reserving judgment for now and continuing to follow their instruction to allow 500 miles for the transmission to relearn. One positive is that the particularly hard shift between 2nd and 3rd gear does still seem to have been resolved.

 

Yet another data point is that at just over 1,000 miles now, my 2-3 shift is unquestionably becoming less jerky. It still borders on "unacceptable", but I'll give it some more time. Unfortunately, the major vibration that can be felt and heard inside the cabin while stopped in reverse when the engine is cold hasn't improved. I've resorted to backing into my garage in the evenings so that I'm not subject to the vibration when I leave for work in the mornings. I shouldn't have to do that in any vehicle - let alone in this vehicle.

 

I'm not sure if this has been thought of, but since you mention it happening when the engine is cold, it might be a problem with the engine mounts. Many engine mounts are hydraulically damped and maybe the hydraulic fluid is too thick(defective fluid or manufacturing?) when cold and lets engine vibrations through to the chassis. Also, my older BMW has something called an ICV (idle control valve) whose purpose is to help smooth the idle when the engine is cold. Newer cars may be fully controlled by the engine computer, but it might be combination of the engine mounts and poor idle control by the engine control computer.

Hope this helps

 

I had a similar thought regarding engine mounts, but I don't think it's related to the temperature of the mounts since the vibration diminishes within a minute or two.

Virtually every vehicle on the road has had an idle air control valve since fuel injection became common in the 1980's. Once electronic throttle control became common by the mid-2000's, the throttle blade was used for idle speed control instead of the idle air control valve. The function of the idle air control valve is not to "smooth the idle" per se, but to simply maintain the desired engine idle speed under various loads and operating conditions.

Interestingly, the engine idle speed while stopped in reverse with a cold engine is a few dozen RPM's higher than while it is in drive. This doesn't make any sense. My 2018 Accord had the same engine and transmission as the RDX and it didn't exhibit these characteristics. The 1-2-3 shifts were a bit jerky on occasion, but nothing like what RDX owners are experiencing.

 

 

 

 

So got to drive the wife's RDX today to Church. Noticed that it has about 1100 miles on her now. We are not experiencing the harsh shifting or jerkiness at all. When it was "new", I did notice just a tad of the shifting issues (and wouldn't call it harsh) but today I experienced nothing and my wife has said it's been smooth as well during her normal driving. On our latest tank, she got 28.2mpg.

 

WOW! What does she do?... Drive downhill with a tail wind all the time?

 

She doesn't drive at all like I do...very easy on the gas and it's flat in FL which helps a lot too.

 

The 10AT contains three brakes (B1, B2, and B3) and three clutches (C1, C2, and C3) that engage in specific combinations to select the desired gear.

During the 2-3 shift, clutch C2 is released using clutch pressure control solenoid valve C while clutch C3 is applied using clutch pressure control solenoid valve B.

Clutch C3 is also applied when downshifting from 6th to 5th and when shifting into reverse.

The rough shift could be caused by:

1) Clutch C2 disengaging a bit early causing shift flare followed by shift shock when C3 engages.
2) Clutch C3 engaging too quickly causing shift shock.
3) Clutch C3 grabbing due to more friction than the shift timing was programmed for.

I am by no means a transmission expert, but I do understand some basic principles of operation and don't understand why this 2-3 shift issue can't be easily resolved with a software update.

 

Took my delivery on September 26, 2018; car was being built on end of August somewhere between the 27th & 31st, 2018.

I've driven about 500 miles so far and have not experienced hard shifting between 2nd and 3rd. Smooth shifting so far. 60% city (hills), and 40% highway.

I've been driving on Comfort (haven't touched Sport/Sport+), and haven't really "pushed" the car hard. Still doing the break-in period style driving (steady acceleration/no lead footing/no redlining/etc.).

 

We experienced the harshness in shifting for the first two weeks, then switched to driving only in Sport mode, which eliminated 90% of the problem. With over 2k miles on it now, the transmission is operating very smooth with no problems.

 

@DuBignon I finally got my car back from the dealer after 7 weeks of missing it. Apparently my dealer ordered a new transmission and for some reason it was delivered to the wrong dealer. FedEx was sent to pick it up and take it to my dealer and they refused the pick up. So in the end my dealer had to order another transmission! They replaced the transmission as well as the torque converter. Runs like a dream right now as I have only driven it about 20 miles after picking it up from the dealer. We will see...

 

That is great news, congrats. Please keep us posted on the performance over the coming weeks/months.

Did they mention anything about that being an updated transmission and/or torque converter from what was originally shipping with the car?

 

Good news indeed. This could very well be the reason why Acura hasn't announced a "solution" to a well-known problem: cost. It is probably banking on drivers who don't notice or care enough (like most leasees) to make a case for a new transmission replacement. This goes back to the points made earlier, keep harassing your dealer, don't settle, especially if you going to own the car for a long time.

 

You know what is funny is that my wife just finished talking with Acura Customer Care and the guy mentioned that when he talked to the dealer they said the 2nd transmission didn't work and they had to order another one. When we picked up the car, our advisor was on lunch so we haven't had a chance to talk to him. I will find out whether it is an updated transmission or what is going on. Acura Customer Care is working with us to compensate for all the trouble. Will keep you updated.

 

Appreciate the update, @code3_rdx. Ours started to regress toward the end of week 1 with the new transmission, will be very interested in the outcome of your replacement. Sad to report that we have about 400 miles on the new transmission and are about to return to the dealership to troubleshoot again Strangely, there seem to be better performing days peppered in with the bad, but the overall trend is toward the same concerning state as before.

 

I took my car in a few weeks ago for this same issue. After saying they were able to reproduce it, they then started to backpedal and say that other cars were experiencing the same thing and that Acura said nothing came up as "wrong" with their diagnostics.

What have others done to get the dealership to take this issue seriously? I see someone was able to get a new transmission... The harsh jerk is just crazy bad and I'm at 1500 miles.

 

In my case, the issue was so significant that the tech acknowledged it, did the snapshot procedure for Techline, and Techline eventually recommended a transmission replacement. According to our service notes, the clutch break-in procedure was recommended by Techline first, the tech performed it, but it didn't improve the performance. The transmission replacement recommendation followed.

It should be underscored that the new transmission has *not* remedied the hard shifting, surging, hesitating, etc. with our RDX. As I mentioned in my previous post, the car drove fine for about 4-5 days following the transmission/torque converter replacement and about a month and ~700 miles later has now regressed back to where it was before. We have a follow up service appointment tomorrow and will see if they can remedy the issues. Will post the results here.

 

Ugh. That is extremely frustrating that even a new transmission didn't solve the problem? At least you got your dealership to acknowledge it... mine told me verbally they were able to reproduce, but then backtracked on it the next day.

With all of these people experiencing this problem, you would hope that they would be trying to solve for this. Maybe they're just hoping that people don't raise hell about it.