Wow - this feels like Christmas morning and I don't even *own* the V6!!

 

I hope Acura is putting these new build transmissions in the 2016 models that are currently being produced.

 

ATXTLX--

Your post gives me hope--but also a lot of questions. Did they approach you? Or have you been consistently bugging them? Also, was an Acura DPSM involved? Or just the dealer? I hope they find a resolution very soon--or the Audi dealership down the street might have a new customer.

On a different note: has everyone seen the latest Consumer Reports? I quote: "Usually reliable Acura has slipped badly [in the reliability ratings], largely because of transmission and in-car electronics problems in its newest sedans, the RLX and TLX." I guess we're not crazy after all!

 

I had my TLX into the dealership 8 times for the transmission. Many things were tried. None made any difference.

I spoke personally to the DSM, but he just blew me off. My local service manager stayed in contact with Acura.

From what in interpreted from my service manager, there is a really good chance this is coming down as a fix for buyers with early built cars. Mine was built in December 2014.

 

FYI, I received a PM from one of our more childish members letting me know that Karma caused our transmission issues ie, karma is a bitch.

I just thought that I'd let you know

 

To be fair I tend to change cars more frequently than the average owner but that's because I like driving a new car. If we look to the purchases I've directly influenced it's got to be 30 or more.

I'm not sure who I'd write a letter to who would actually read it. But between VCM vibrations that are "normal", the wet blanket of a transmission, and having to argue with and educate the service personnel at my dealership, I'm just sick of dealing with it.

 

That's potentially great news however, Acura does not have long at all as I'm already beginning to look at ways to get out of the car and into a BMW (to me there's zero difference between taking the TLX in for constant software updates and idle relearns and potentially taking a BMW in for something). As I mentioned in my post above, I'm just sick of dealing with it, arguing with and educating the service personnel, etc. In a way it's sad to think of leaving the brand after investing so much time in it over the years but now I'm paying for the most expensive car I've purchased to-date and not only am I reminded of its quirks/faults every single day, I'd almost rather live with them (I don't anymore) than argue more with the dealership about TSBs they don't know about or being incredulous that they say these things are "normal operation" in a $40k luxury car.

 

You are much more patient than me. Maybe my karma was worse?

 

Well my TLX has been to the dealer 5-6 times in 12 months where my TSX went 1 time every 10 months for an oil change. I know a few people who own current gen. 3/4 series who have not had any issues to speak of, but as long as I get a loaner there's no difference. I've given them enough slack over the years because the overall product warranted it but they should not be rewarded for this situation where I/we pay a significant amount of hard-earned money and are both dissatisfied with the product and annoyed with the experience.

 

I had mine in 6 times in 9 months for the issue. The 4G was in 2 times in 3 years.

Yes, very annoying

 

Now that's a first... LOL

 

Indeed but considering the source of that PM... it fits him.

I need to start treating others better!

 

^^ Well, I have always viewed you as a great contributor to this forum and while some enjoy trying to get you wound up, you always handle yourself quite respectfully

 

Yes Stew, you need to learn how to play nice with others... LOL

 

Thanks. I try! Since the TLX debacle, I don't contribute as much.

I found it amusing that I was told that karma caught up with me/

I am hard headed

 

This sounds like great news for those who get a new tranny, or those that get an updated transmission in a 2016 model. I have a late build 2015, and I don't have the shift harseness some have, but if I new the 2016's were getting an updated transmission I would have waited to buy. I did get a great deal though. Oh well... it is only a car.

I wonder at what point in production cars this updated transmission begins to be incorporated (boy I said that backwards).

 

That's the kind of street-rat crazy I'd expect in Rambling.

 

I think this will be Honda's ultimate solution to the ZF 9 speed problem:

JAPAN: Honda develops 10-speed automatic transmission | Automotive Industry News | just-auto

 

10 spd tranny for fwd. I wonder how this affects their vision of making acura an all awd brand...

 

After over a year of lurking, and considering some of the most recent developments, I thought I should finally join the party...

I have a 8/14 build V6 Tech FWD (CBP/Espresso) that I bought in September 2014. Traded in a 3G Tech for it. As with many, my transmission didn't exhibit its awesomeness until a few hundred miles into ownership. I got the full gamut- harsh shifting 1-2 and 2-3, hesitation, downshift acceleration, etc. A coworker who used to work in a service department (not Acura) said that it should smooth out once the tranny learns how I drive. So I waited it out...

At 5,000 miles it was still jerkin' along. Took it in for its 5,000 mile service, reported the issue, and was told that all that was normal operation for this tranny. They took no action. I called BS, but didn't press it because by then I had been reading this forum and knew there was no real fix.

At the 10,000 mile service, I reported the same issues again, and they applied TSB-15-40 and the other ones. For me, 15-40 made some improvements, but like most others, didn't really fix the issue.

At ~12,000 miles, I decided I had had enough and started looking for a BMW. But I generally like my dealership, so I decided to give them a chance to make it right. I e-mailed the GM and Service Manager, and explained that I love the car, but that I can't get over the horrible transmission, and that I was looking to trade it in. They replied "don't do that just yet. Bring it back in and we'll take another look" So I did, and they reapplied the updated version of 15-40. Of course, it made no difference, except that the above issues seem worse when driving in Normal. I use Sport 99% of the time.

The Service Manager did say that there is a "major update...version 2.0" coming out maybe in January or February, and would I be willing to give it until then. He believes that will be the grand fix. I said sure, but that I was skeptical because 15-40 had done next to nothing. I have yet to decide what's worse- the 9 speed tranny or a $10,000 bath and higher payment to get into another make/model.

So we'll see what comes early next year. In the mean time, I am very interested to see if anyone else is as fortunate as ATXTLX.

 

Version 2.0 sounds neat. Maybe that is the new transmission? I can't imagine a software patch fixing this. If there was a version 2.0 of a software patch, I don't think Acura would have replaced my tranny..

 

If anyone is in the Austin, TX area, I would invite you to come test my car. Plus, it would be fun to drive someone else's TLX.. and maybe to see another TLX in Austin. They are rare.

 

My thoughts exactly. That was the first I had heard of a major software update that was supposed to fix everything.

I'm no car expert, but it sure seems like there would be a solution already if it were strictly software...

 

Thanks TLXausdenBergen for the note - at least a little hope is better than what we have now.

I would be shocked if Acura started replacing full transmissions for anything less than a catastrophic safety issue. That has to be what, $3-4000 per car? They aren't going to wipe out all the profit they've made so far.

I would strongly suspect that they are taking a two-pronged approach:

1) Do something to appease current owners so they stop complaining and the critics go quiet via SW fix
2) Get a better solution all together for 2017 and beyond that bridges the gap between now and when the 10-speed comes on line (probably what you are driving if I were to guess)

So now I have this new thing that the acceleration curve from 1-2-3 when the engine is cold is just goofy. With constant pedal pressure the car surges and pauses, surges and pauses. It's small, but noticeable. Things are just getting worse.

 

Are you guys still experiencing the problems with the updated TSB-040? Looks like it was updated in October 16.

http://www.urvi.net/forumfiles/SB/B15-040.PDF

Apparently it worked for another member..

https://acurazine.com/forums/fifth-generation-tlx-2015-415/new-hope-rough-shift-issues-937641/ (<---link)

 

Went to Acura this morning for my 2nd go round for the hard shift issue. My MO was to have them note in their system that I'm unhappy and have brought the car in for the shifting issue multiple times, which was achieved, although I left 30 mins later with my car because the tech said since I already came in for the 040 update, there's nothing more they can do until a new TSB is released.

They didn't mention a new "update" coming in Jan or Feb either..

I have ~3200 miles on my car

 

So I called Acura just now after I saw that 040 has been updated and just wanted to share with you all that the service rep told me that since my VIN doesn't fall in the range noted on the TSB, they will not apply it to my car as they would not get paid by Acura.

pause.. breathe in breathe out

I calmly let him know that I already had the TSB update applied to my car and at that time my VIN didn't qualify either. He said to me that the tech probably just applied it to see if it would work. At this point I'm frustrated and said, it did work, but wasn't a complete fix, and that if I am experiencing the symptoms described in the TSB, why can't I have the update applied regardless of the VIN range.

So in the end I'm going to get it applied when I take my car in for an oil change next month. Pretty lame

 

I think the larger issue is we paid good money for these cars and the fix from Acura does not seem to be 100%. I'm constantly peppering Acura and Honda on Twitter about this issue and have yet to hear back. I'm holding off on having the update applied until I have my first oil change. I've owned many Honda products over that past 20 years and I'm not a happy customer. We went through something similar 2012 Honda Pilot and sold the car b/c the engine had to rebuilt on a 2 y/o car. I'll wait to see what the final fix is.

 

I agree which is why I sort of threw the keys to my TLX back to them

 

I'm close to that - I'm going to email my salesman that I've know for 12+ years to let him know about the issue. Time will tell. Transmission issue aside, it's still the best deal for the money and a helluva car.

 

I just might go see what my options are. There is a 2016 RLX SH-AWD Hybrid on the lot I'm drooling over. Couldn't hurt to ask.

 

Don't test drive that RLX or .. it'll be all over but the crying

 

^ I know. I sob quietly just looking at it. I take it you are enjoying yours?

 

Yes, this thing drives and shifts like the TLX should have. The ride is smoother and the extra tech is nice.

That model you are talking about has HUD too *cry*

 

^ It's way beyond my price range, but a used 2016 in a couple years......

 

I contacted the NHTSA this morning. I'm sure nothing will come of it but we'll. RLX Sport Hybrid - very sweet ride. Like 1Louder, outside of my price range.

 

You guys are fed up with your Acura so you're going to buy another, more expensive one? What are you? Audi drivers?

If the tranny issue pissed me off as much as some of you guys, the last thing I'd be doing is looking for ways to give Acura more of my money.

 

The TLX is my fourth Acura in addition to two other Honda. All of them have been bullet proof. And the TLX is a near perfect car really, it just has a turd of a transmission. I've no real problem buying another Acura, but I'm going to be a LOT more informed about the major parts next time, and I doubt I'd buy a first model year again. But I'd say that about any car really.

I don't blame the car, I just blame the transmission.

 

Consumer Reports names 20 worst cars for reliability

Acura should be embarrassed to make a list like this. Instead they seem to continue to deny that this transmission has any issues. Has anyone at Acura actually driven one of these?

For a company like Honda/Acura that has prided itself for quality they have handled this situation poorly. When you have a problem it is ALWAYS better to get in front of the problem rather than ignore it or claim that it does not exist.

I've had 10 Honda/Acura cars in the past 20 years and this it the first one that i have seriously considered getting rid of after 6 months of ownership.

Come on Acura. Own up to your problems and make them right.

 

rgpolson - there are a few of us who feel the same way. I sent a letter to honda today stating that my wife and I owned 10 honda products (Honda + Acura) over the past 20+ years and after this experience (and a 2012 honda pilot engine rebuild @ 44,000 miles) I'm ready to walk away.

However, I love the car... I really do. the trans issue just brings it down. I'm sure there will be a fix unless they only fix the ones where people complain. The question is how do you fix the problem if its a design issue - replace transmissions (that's expensive for Honda... really expensive), buy the 'broken' cars back (again, really, really, really super expensive), give current TLX owners sweetheart deals on the TLX MMC (could be a possibility), keep fixing with s/w updates (very likely) or just wait it out (again, likely).

The biggest thing Honda has to worry about is their reputation since there has been enough talk about it in the mainstream media where the average person will read about the issue, not just enthusiasts on the car forums. As you stated, Honda needs to get out in front, admin they have a problem and promise to resolve it in a way that satisfies its current and future customers.

I know this sounds like a broken record but sometimes we need to vent. My wife is upset but not as angry as I am. I love how Acura says 'Its that kind of thrill' They must mean when the tranny hesitates as you're pulling into traffic.