1Louder.....Congrats on your new Lexus! Did you see the 2017 MMC they announced? They changed the front grill and rear bumper. In any event, you will not regret your purchase and while I am still hoping to come back with Acura, the longer they take to come to market with an exciting variant, the more I am drifting away. This week, I did see a black TLX with sport wheels and I must admit it looked really slick.

Hopefully they'll give us a little shot of adrenaline soon and replace this ZF unit all together.....while there is one of those under the hood, I will refuse to even come close to it.

 

congrats, I would be there with you, but can't justify the hit right now. Mine is a late 15 and is not that bad, but annoys me every day I drive it. I will suffer as long as I can then dump it. I am waiting to see if Genesis brings the G80 Sport to US.

 

I recently traded in my '15 9ZF TLX. I didnt have much in the way of the rough 2-3 upshift, but I found the slow and lagging downshifts to be a far worse problem for me.

I now have a 2017 MDX, that uses basically the same drivetrain as the TLX and it shifts, drives and performs worlds better then the TLX did. ZERO issues with the tranny or shifting at all. Whatever Acura is doing with the MDX 9ZF they should do to the TLX.

 

Congrats on the Lexus! I'm sure it's much peppier than your old TLX. I love my TLX after tranny replacement, transmission does get confused here and there, but nothing too bad. Now if the dealer hadn't replaced my transmission back in July I would have gotten out of the car in a heartbeat. Love my TLX now, and I'm excited to see what MMC brings- hopefully a sport hybrid.

 

I was actually settling in to hold out for a while - maybe early next year. But when the car popped up I had to go check it out. 1000 miles on a brand new 16 but for a used 2015 price. I didn't think I'd see that come around again. Good luck with the G80!

 

We still have a 14 MDX and love it. Although ours is the 6 speed, I've driven service loaner MDX's with the 9-speed and agree that's how it should be. The MDX is a very nice ride - hope you enjoy it!

 

I'm outside the range for sure...the last 4 of my VIN is 4923.

 

Congrats 1Louder. Hopefully you have better luck with your Lexus than your Acura. I'm going to hang onto mine for now. I just hit 40,000 miles on it and really have resigned myself to the fact this car will never be a properly-shifting car, but I'm also going to do everything in my power to make sure my next car won't be an Acura. My parents just bought a new car... I convinced them not to buy an Acura, but sadly, they went with a Honda Accord... now I'm even more sad. lol.

 

Huh? Unless im seeing it incorrectly, you are WITHIN range. 2wd v6 up to vin 21489, shawd up to vin 7728. Not sure what you trim is but either way, your 4923 vin is covered under the service bulletin

 

I've been having the rough shifting too, 9Speed SH-AWD. The dealer applied the latest software update about 3 weeks ago and made sure to make me drive it 500 miles. 1-2 is now ok, but 2-3 is hard, with about a second lag before the shift where there's no power from engine to wheels. So you expect it'll shift, it doesn't for about a second, it actually slows down a bit, and then suddenly shifts hard to 3, to the point of jerking you back in the seat.

Anyway, car is back at the dealer as of yesterday, after 500 miles, and they said the "specialist needs to take snapshots to send to the Acura engineering".. But based on this TSB, I should be getting a new tranny.

Let's see what they say today. I'll post an update.

 

They should give it to you, and boy will you be happy with the difference!

 

Yeah, looking forward to it. They're still looking into it.
And into the highway speed vibration issue...

 

In your case even though you took a hit on the trade sometimes it's worth the hit to move on and be done with. Congrats on the Lexus, you'll love it and the refinement their vehicles offer.

 

Even with tbe tranny change. Im really considering getting a cpo gs350 f sport. Found one online, 2014 fsport with 11k miles for 36k. Got all the packages available including the mark levinson sound system. Decisions decisions...

 

I have started the process and we will see how far it goes. Had the SB15-040 version 5 update done in Feb and returned the car a week ago and asked them to follow the procedure in the SB which they did. Both the Tech who worked on the car and the service manager acknowledged the "firm shift" as discussed in the SB. Multiple snapshots were taken in spite of the fact that the SB only calls for one to be taken to verify the update has been done. Based on the Snapshots the Tech Line determined transmission is normal "for that year". So, have opened case with Honda have worked through the Case Manager and he has bumped it to Sergio, the District Field Rep for the Southwest US. Service Manager's reaction, "Good Luck don't think it will happen". He must know Sergio is paid based on how many Transmissions he does not approve.. Its just business. Understand perfectly. The service manager was surprised about the The Consumer Reports evaluation on the 2015 which is also business....lost.

Any suggestions at this point are appreciated.

 

I wonder if the time delay between steps might work against you. Even if you get turned down, I suggest continuing to bring the matter to the dealer's and Acura's attention. They likely have a limited supply of replacements, and may be prioritizing them. Always stay calm, and avoid getting overly angry, particularly with the dealer, as you want them on your side.

 

Sergio is the same guy who drives a R32 and loves Audi. Good luck getting anything from him. Incase you do get, let me know. He wasted an hour of my time and kept repeating the same thing and went so far as to say there were no late build 2015's with the dealer anymore.

 

I am also seriously considering this route once I break even. Even though I got the tranny replacement, I am getting increasingly tired of how erratic it still shifts. May go for Lexus GS350 f-sport or a V8 manual.

 

I'm VERY happy with my Lexus. True there was a moment of pain in the pocket book, but now it's behind me, I feel great. The best part is I can just stop thinking about it. In all fairness I have some obsessive elements to my personality so stuff like this tends to rattle around in my head more so than your average person, but the relief of not thinking about it combined with such a great car has been a welcome change. I walk into the garage and smile. Good luck with your decisions!

 

KKANNR Do you have contact information or last name for Sergio?

 

So I forgot to ask this when I got my transmission replaced; does anyone know what kind of warranty is in effect for replaced transmissions? Are we just covered up to 6 years, 70,000 miles from date of car purchase as in the original warranty or do replaced transmissions have separate warranty terms??

 

Misery loves company... This is my first post as I decided to look around for others that have gone through the same problems I have and know there are plenty out there. I'm in the battle phase now as my dealer has tried twice (without success) to remedy the existing transmission. So now, I'm pressing Acura to end this with a new transmission as my patience is wearing thin. The hard shift as many know here is just one of a string of issues that includes lagging and a strange experience when using the paddle shifter. I traded in my 2006 TL for this and am disappointed with Honda/Acura. I've had 4 Acura's and 5 Honda's... how does this level of lousy support happen? The TL was a great car as is my wife's 2011 TL. The TLX is a disaster in comparison... but gorgeous!

If this isn't fixed, I will also consider Lexus or Infiniti going forward but like someone else has mentioned, I hate to take a dump on this car.

One note... I was given a loaner 2016 TLX while they were servicing my car. I noted the same problem but more subtle so now I'm wondering if will ever be right... trying to remain calm

Good luck to all of you!

 

You will want to separate out that which is endemic to the design of the transmission (slower, delayed shifts 4-5 7-8 8-7 5-4) which will be present even on a 2016, and HARD shifts, which were prevalent on 2015s but typically not often present on a 2016. The former is typical, and enedmic to the mechanical workings of the transmission.

 

So I just picked up the car last night after the finally replaced my transmission. Shifting is MUCH smoother now, no hint of the hard shifts. I only drove it a few miles, but I sure hope that continues to be the case.

Background :
The car is a '15 V6 SH-AWD. Originally it was experiencing the hard 1-2 2-3 shifts. I took it in a month ago, they applied a new software update as per the latest and updated TSB (the update corrected the VIN ranges). The software update fixed shifting 1-2 but 2-3 got even more messed up. Per the directions in the TSB, after 500 miles of driving I took the car back to them. It took them a couple of days to investigate and send snapshots to Acura. Finally they told me they need to replace it.

As a separate note, they could not reproduce the vibration of the whole car at "legal speeds"!! Yes, kind of hard to reproduce a 65-75 mph vibration st 55...

 

NoTrace - believe it or not, here in Canada, when I initially reported the vibration issue to the dealer, they were not helpful at all. And they gave me the EXACT same answer - "I cannot have my technician go beyond the speed limit, with here in Ontario is 100k/h - 60mp/h". I could not believe the service advisor would be this dismissive. But slowly, by applying more pressure, the service manager took over the initial, dismissive attitude changed to more accommodating and understanding. My issue is not fixed yet, but they have been working on it for a month now and they do not argue with me anymore. Problem is the dealer can only do what the Acura Service Engineer is telling them to do. And of course, Acura Service Engineering DOES NOT KNOW (at least not yet) what the issue is, what causes it and what part to use to fix it.

 

I'll offer the 8-speed in my Lexus doesn't do any of that. Shifts are seamless, quick, paddle shifting is immediate, and there are no delayed shifts. Maybe the 9-speed trips some kind of threshold mechanically than an 8-speed doesn't have to deal with - I'm not that fluent in transmission design. But as an amateur observer, if my 8-speed works great I think it's a failure of the overall 9-speed design that these "characteristics" exist.

Unless 9 is the magic number where things get different....

 

It isn't a matter of the number of gears alone. It is a matter of how this PARTICULAR transmission is designed. In order to cram it into a small space, it uses two dog clutches that get moved on the 4 <> 5 and 7 <> 8 shifts. Those dog clutches have to be aligned - they are really gears, not what one typically thinks of as clutches - which requires getting them synchronized before engaging - which means that the transmission takes a while to do that - which means delays during shifts.

Here are two videos (the first explains it better, the second shows how they actually work)



Dog Clutch Demo - ZF 9HP 9-Speed Transaxle Operation - Part 1 of 2 - YouTube

 

Just had my transmission replace by Acura and I am very pleased with the way the new transmission shift. No more hard 1-2 or 2-3 hard shift. Nothing but smooth shifting.
My TLX was a 11/14 build date. I only had occasional hard shift when the engine was still warming up. But what I dislike the most was the delayed downshift. (I wanted the new
transmission more for the improve downshift than the hard shift issues - Had a 2016 loaner for comparison). I feel that they finally have the fix for those of us who weren't completely satisfy with our transmission. Thank you to all of you early member who stayed persistent with Acura regarding this issue. It made it easier for me to have my transmission replace. My story was simple:
I followed and waited until final revision of sb15-040. Took in my car for the software update; Drove 500 miles; Took it back and got approve on my new transmission (Transmission
replacement took about 2 week). I do feel that your dealership has to follow all the steps on the SB15-040 and submit those snapshot to get the transmission approval. And that
your Acura dealership is willing to far and beyond for you. My dealership and service advisor did so and I am very pleased with their service and how they took care of me. There still hope for Acura.

 

Vteck -- let me know if when you are gently cruising at various speeds whether it seems to shift into too high a gear and almost start lugging (a low rumbling). As soon as you give it a bit more gas it will go away.

 

Mine does this since the new transmission. To me, it feels exactly as you say; the car is in too high a gear on flat road for the speed being driven.

And yes, if I put my foot down slightly, the transmission downshifts and the phenomenon goes away.

Reminds me of driving a manual too slow in too high a gear where the engine struggles/vibrates as the gear is too high, thus RPM too low.

 

Exactly. It's like the TCM is a wee bit too aggressively programmed to get into the highest possible gear, probably in the never-ending pursuit of the best possible MPG. Glad to know I am not the only one observing this. :-)

 

Mine does this also. I'm pretty sure it's the VCM kicking in...

 

Got the new transmission and it is a serious upgrade. Shifts great. SB 15-040 version 6, which applies to early 2015 builds, did the trick and I was able to get everyone on board and read it carefully. Once the 500 miles post update are over and the "client returns and is still concerned" go to replace transmission. Thanks to everyone who gave advise on the thread it made the difference.

 

Same here -- I picked up my TLX w/ the replacement transmission on Saturday and it is a drastic improvement.

 

That's what I thought too at first, but I watched the MID carefully as well as the Tach and I really do think it is the gearing. I once started a 5MT Toyota Corolla in 4th gear just to show how good my clutch control was, and my sense is it too aggressively moves into the highest gear it can whatever speed you're at. I've observed the phenomenon at 30 mph with no VCM apparently in effect, and at 75mph with full VCM on. I'll see what the service tech says when I take it in for an oil change.

 

I'm considering trading in my 2010 TSX for a 2017 TLX V6 AWD but reading about these transmission issues is starting to make me reconsider. From what I have read, the replacement AT that people are receiving, fixes most of the issues? Anyone know if these issues have been resolved with the 2017 TLX?

 

^Issues are gone on 2016 models, at least for the majority of the owners. I am a 2016 owner and I love my car.

 

The outright failures and hard shifts have been fixed. Slower shifts than you are used to on your TSX still occur between gears 4<>5 and less noticeable between 7<>8. TAKE A TEST DRIVE to see how you feel about it.

 

I took my early August 2014 build TLX in because the Transmission wasn't far from cratering completely.

I had it in back in January for the 2-3 shift fix. It was pretty good until about the end of August. It still had a long delay on downshift to pass and would speed up when trying to use engine braking. Meh, I can live with that.

What I couldn't live with was the following.

From a stop...apply gas, hesitation then go. You could tell the engine was struggling then something lets go and the car moves.
1 to 2 was a sloppy slow shift like the bands were slipping
2 to 3 Jerky. Hard
3 to 4 and 4 to 3 - Squeek from the engine compartment
4 to 5 Shudder
7 to 6 or 6 to 5 occasional shudder on a downshift

Coming to a stop 2 to 1 . Heavy shudder, every time.

I currently have around 29k miles and I suspect it was going to crater soon.

The technician drove it and ordered a new tranny. I'm in a loaner RDX. I really do not like this RDX. It feels cramped. Rides ok I guess, I just do not like it.

I'll post back after the new transmission goes in.

 

I had my transmission replaced a couple of weeks ago (I have a September 2014 build TLX) and the car is MUCH more pleasant to drive. The 2-3 jerky shift is finally gone and Sport + mode is now fun to drive in (it was painful with the old transmission). I still would not call the new transmission "butter smooth" like others have reported on this forum (my 4-5 is a little rough), but again much better than before. The dealer also had to replace the drive shaft along with the transmission (I was told that a rubber seal was completely torn?).

Now if Acura could could only fix the highway vibration problem...