I know the transmission issues have been well documented with the 2015 model TLX's. I thought I'd share a slightly different take.

My friend has the same 2015 I do, and when he purchased it, it was very obvious his transmission was not right. The jerk from 2nd to 3rd was felt like it sent a shockwave through the car. I was a lucky V6 owner - I had zero problems with my transmission other than the occasional, albeit mild, surge coming to a stop, and there was a hint of the second to 3rd 'clunk' but you really had to look for it - but nothing like my friends - and reading everything I know the TLX transmission is just not that great to begin with. I'm a lucky one!

Fast forward two years and as I am approaching the end of the CPO powertrain warranty with 80k+ miles, I thought I'd have the transmission checked out at the dealer for the subtle clunk from 2nd to 3rd. It really didn't bother me, but I figured if it was documented and something went horribly wrong in the next year out of warranty it might buy me some goodwill.

To my surprise, Acura said the first step was to update the PCM software, but they were unable to perform the update due to an error they were getting so they were going to need to replace the transmission.

OMG! It feels like I left the shop with a brand new car!!! Forget about the clunk, the entire shift ratio feels completely different, the car feels like it gained 50hp, and the annoying delays in acceleration are GONE! Sports mode feels like sports+ on steroids (without the downshifts of course). Shifts are fast and smooth. It's mind-blowing what a difference it made. My biggest gripe (and I may have posted prior about this) was my car would stay in first gear for what seemed a micro-second, and I always felt it prematurely shifted to 2nd (although it was a smooth shift) and there was always considerable power/torque loss on that shift, then always felt it would prematurely shift into 3rd as well - making for a very odd power band. Not to mention 2-3 in Sports+ would result in a near 2-3 second delay with the paddle shifter.

The old transmission would feel good and right under heavy acceleration where each gear would near red-line before going to the next, but that's not my driving style.

It really is amazing, and I've fallen in love with my car all over again. With a GROM on the way for wireless carplay my life is complete. I just thought I'd share this - I know so many said their car felt so much better with the new transmission - but I always thought they were referring to it simply being smoother than what was surely an unbearably clunky 2-3 shift. If you have a 2015 and still under any warranty - have it checked out! You might be pleasantly surprised.

 

Wow, that's impressive that Acura replaced what must be a c. $4k or so transmission for you for free. Awesome!

 

Thanks for sharing! When I had my 2015 V6 FWD I was also fortunate enough to have my transmission replaced as well. It was a night-and-day difference. Glad you are enjoying your "new" car!

 

I got my transmission replaced last year and it is completely night and day difference. Sure the ZF9 still hangs onto gears for too long sometimes and doesn't shift super smooth 1-3 still, but it is significantly better than what it was when I first had it replaced. It is essentially a new car now.

Also anyone with a 2015 v6, Acura extended the powertrain warranty to 10yrs/unlimited miles. Even if you aren't the first owner. The 2015 took a lot of crap, but Acura did right by addressing the issue this way. Sometimes it just take multiple trips to complain, like it took me 4 times to bring it in before the ATF warmer showed contamination (didn't even make it to the radiator yet).