I am having an issue with my car vibrating around 1500 RPMs anywhere between 30 to 65 mph in ECO, NORM, and Sport mode. I noticed when I am in Sport+ mode then I don't have to worry about anything because my RPMs are higher than 1500 RPMs in all gears. I don't think it is good for my car to drive around normally in Sport+ mode. Has anyone else experience any such problems or have any ideas what could be the cause. This problem has been so annoying that I have been thinking about taking a lost on this car and getting an Infiniti.

 

Have you ever considered taking it to the service department for them to investigate?

 

Any chance it is the VCM kicking in? VCM is turned off in Sport + mode.

 

I brought it to the dealership and they are saying it is normal from Acura HHQ.

 

So the VCM kicks in around 1500 RPMs?

 

I have driven the 2013 V6 Accord and all I can say is that the VCM vibration was definetly noticeable between 1500-1800 rpms. I know this car is not an Accord but I think they are very similar, my opinion I course.

 

I don't think it is VCM it is just jugging at too low revs. In a perhaps CAFE driven attempt to squeeze an extra mpg on the EPA cycles. I really think all car engines are happiest over 2000rpm under any kind of load.

 

I should redrive the V6 MT Accord and see if it vibrates under loads at 1500 rpm...it doesn't have VCM. Then again it is lower geared so that lessens the issue too.

 

WRONG! It is VCM. I'll speak for the OP and say that the vibration isn't constant, it comes and goes in an on-off fashion, and before the engine fully warms up (and VCM is allowed to engage) the car is silky smooth at those same RPM in the same gears. Maybe a 4cyl would be lugging at those RPM but not a V6. I know because I've driven non-VCM J series (including my MDX), my car does the same thing as the OP is describing, and I'm working with my dealer to resolve the issue or get me out of the car.

https://acurazine.com/forums/problem...-920442/page2/

 

jeich182,

So you are saying that this is the VCM kicking in? So you have a vehicle with the same issue? Please let me know what comes out of it if you are able to trade back in. I am getting so irritated with my situation that I might do same thing. Thanks.

 

Are you using premium fuel? Hows the air pressure in the tires?

VCM is notorious for causing vibrations on older models but not so much on newer ones. Using poorer fuel can especially cause it on the older models. If fuel is good and so are the tires, then have the dealer check the motor mounts.

 

Almost all the autos lug these days whether 4 or 6s, in a programmed in bid to game EPA scores. It kills driveability and takes away any sense of life in the machine. I have to say personally the only Honda I have driven with obvious VCM vibration was the original Accord hybrid. But vibration issues were indeed an issue which regularly caused the active engine mounts to fail. The "solution" was to implement a 4 cyl v4 mode. Having allegedly solved the issue they went back to 6/3. Evidently more work to do. I say get rid of it, as I think the mpg benefits aren't great enough, but some people are getting stellar mileages in accord V6s and are very happy. By Acuras should be less about mpg.

 

csmeance,

I do use the high octane gasoline. Also wanted to run this by you. I don't know your experience level with vehicles but wanted to see your opinion. When I bought the car brand new, about 1000 miles into it I noticed a vibration even when I let off the gas for a few seconds. I brought in my car to the dealership and they were duplicating my codes and getting codes. The following is what was changed in order. First call was advised to swap engine mount modules from known good vehicle, no change. Second was advised to swap ECMs from know good vehicle, no change. Third call was advised to replace engine room harness, no change. Fourth call was advised camshaft position sensor, front injector sub-harness and engine harness, no change. Fifth call advised to swap know good crankshaft position sensor and check camshaft endplay, no change. Sixth call advised to inspect connectors and found no problems. Seventh call advised to swap known good ignition coils and spark plugs and remove valve cover and inspect valve train, no change and no problem found in valve train. 8th call advised to unplug front and rear mounts and check for change in vibration, no change. 9th call advised to perform various voltage checks at different connectors, sensors, and modules and then was advised to swap out known good ECM again, vibration was gone and code cleared and didn't return. My dealership ordered a new ECM and test drove for 115 miles and didn't get vibration or codes. Now it took the dealership about a month to fix this vibration and code issue and simply because the vehicle was really new. So there was a lot of back and forth between the technicians and engineers at Acura HHQ.
This current vibration around 1500 rpms and not in the Sport+ mode is what I have been experiencing since I got my car back from the dealership. I have brought my car back numerous times but they have simply told me this is normal operation. Thanks for anyones time in providing me some information that could help fix my issue.

 

I'm curious as to how many days total your car has been in the shop for all of this? At this point I would become very familiar with the lemon laws in my state If I were you...I've been in a similar situation to yours twice. Once with a car and once with a motorcycle in two different states. I got "buy backs" and replacements in both cases, but it did take a full year both times. Other than my frustrations and all the personal time I had spent, I did come out ahead financially in the end. Good Luck, No one should have to go through all you have with a new car. When they start telling you there's nothing they can do or tell you "it's normal" it's a pretty good sign that it's "your move".

 

I was looking closely at the lemon laws here and their fixes were within timelines. In this state if a dealership has your car for 30 days then it qualifies for lemon law. My car unfortunately was in the shop for 28 days.

 

But after 28 days it doesn't appeat that the problem has been solved...? Have you driven any of the "known" good vehicles?

 

I've driven 2 3G MDX', 3 2G RDX', and 2 V6 TLX'. In all of the SUVs VCM was barely perceptible, as it should be. In the SH-AWD TLX I drove it was perceptible but not nearly as bad as it is in my car (V6 FWD) and apparently Str8crzy82's as well.

 

I would imagine it's cumulative. In most states I've lived in, One of the criteria is 30 cumulative days in the shop during the first year of ownership. Some states will allow for the fact that it's still not fixed and that the dealership or manufacturer actually performed many specific mechanical diagnostics looking for something that they now claim is "normal".....that's going to be a red flag to any arbitrator or consumer advocate. I would take it in again at the first sign of the issues changing even the slightest knowing it's a safe bet you will reach 30 days in the shop prior to one year of ownership. In the mean time I would file the documents you have with the state agency that administers the lemon laws in your state and patiently know that at the end of the year you will be contacted for a "buy back" and or replacement. Trust me, it can seem like a cruel waiting game. Manufacturers know that many customers will just fade away, and the States won't do anything until the end of the first year of ownership.
Even if they fix it sometime in the near future, who wants a new car that has been taken apart and put back together to the extent that yours has? Good Luck and please keep us all posted.

 

That's quite a lot of work that was done to try and rectify the issue!

Some of it makes sense while other portions do not such as the harness replacements. I honestly feel that this is an issue with the engine harmonics and isn't something that is being caused by the end user.

The TLX I drove had 2K miles on it and had a noticeable vibration when around 1000-1300 RPM, esp in the 40-50MPH range. I was using 93 octane and it was perceivable but not invasive in any way. When I used 91 octane, there was a bit more drone and it was a tad louder but it still wasn't that invasive. Either way, that shouldn't be happening on a new vehicle.

I'd honestly ask you to go to your dealer and test drive another TLX like yours and see if it has the vibration. If it does not, I suggest you pursue Lemon Law and Acura Client Services to replace your car.

 

csmeance,

I just got my vehicle back from Acura with some updates with the transmission and I am still getting that vibration. When I had my loaner car, I would get the same issue. Looks like I am stuck with this vehicle unfortunately.

 

I'm sorry to hear they don't have update to fix the vibration. It isn't much of a consolation, but you can disable the VCM by switching over to Sport+ mode. Let's hope they are working on a permanent solution for the vibration.

 

All,

It is not likely the VCM. I just read an article about the the 9 speed ZF built transmission and the problems they are having with it in all the makes that it has been used in. One of those problems are vibrations in low gears. See link below. My parents have a 2015 RDX with VCM and it runs flawlessly...no vibrations at all.

ZF 9-speed Automatic Problems Mount, Chrysler Releases Third Update for Cherokee - News - Car and Driver | Car and Driver Blog

 

I blamed it on VCM because of you comment that it didn't happen in Sport+ mode. The VCM vibrations were mentioned in one of the TLX One-Pack videos I believe.

It does sound like the ZF 9 may have been released before they could work out the bugs.

 

Even thought there appears to be some issues with the ZF9 I have confidence they will be worked out in due time.

 

Agreed, they will work out the transmission issues. It just doesn't sound like it was ready for production. Acura/Honda has a reputation for high quality vehicles. I hope this doesn't damage that reputation.

 

Just because other cars can and do have that does NOT mean that's what this is. I've been going through this for two+ months with my dealer, driving multiple cars, sending data to CA for the engineers, etc and it's VERY frustrating. This car can be smooth as silk all the way down to 1100 RPM at 40mph with no lugging and no vibration until the VCM engages and then the rumble/vibration starts (most typically in the 1300-1700RPM range depending on gear and speed). Blip the gas and it immediately goes away for a few seconds until the light load condition returns and it switches back to 3 cylinders and the vibration returns. Even passengers like the Acura techs. who drove with me could feel it on their own without me telling them it started. They know it's VCM but they're saying it's "normal operation for this car at this time".

 

My V6 Tech just recently started this behavior since just after my last ECM software update. Strong vibration through the steering wheel around 1500 rpm and 40-45 mph.
I'm almost at 7,000 miles on the odometer. This vibration definitely DID NOT occur EVER during the first 5,000 miles.
Don't know if it's software related, cold weather related; transmission related, or VCM related. But I do know that it is extremely noticeable and annoying!

 

Click here, just saw that DC's WJLA7 news @5 today Wed. will have a story on Accord vibration issues.

 

When I click on the link, I see an article about the CR-V, not the Accord. Since the CR-V does not have VCM, the vibration has to be due to a different issue.

A Honda spokesman is quoted stating the usual refrain: "This is a characteristic of the vehicle." I guess the old standby of "no other car has this problem" is no longer plausible in the internet era. Catching on fire was characteristic of the Ford Pinto back in the day, but it did not mean there was not a problem.

 

Last gen CRV was even worse, especially when lumbering along (at too low revs) at suburban speeds. But most CRVs have a different vibration pattern at idle in gear. It is not so noticeable in Accords which may have a more more rigid body and better engine mountings. The same engine basically is in the TLX 4 banger...which doesnt suffer it at all at idle, but can vibrate when lumbering along. It has always irritated me in the CRV but most people don't notice it for some reason. The current model drives way better in Sport. and if it is a real issue at idle put it in neutral - how effing hard is that...no I would rather feel nauseous. We should all drive manuals - then all these transmission issues would be gone.

 

I've been back to the dealer twice for the low RPM vibration issue. At first it seemed to happen around 1300 rpm, but it's crept up to 1500, and it's more irritating than ever. My car has almost 5K on the odometer now. Both the dealership and Acura customer service claim this is a normal condition for the car. There is even an explanatory video on their website. This does not change the fact that it should not happen! I am stuck, but if you are considering buying a V6 TLX, think again!..... (or come see me; I might just have a car for you.)

 

I had a RDX for 20 months. This [supposedly VCM] dreaded vibration [at low speeds, 1200-1500 rpm] and the jerky trans in stop/go city traffic (I also had a couple of other issues, mainly related to clunky suspension, squeaky brakes, and numb steering) killed all the fun.
I brought the vehicle 4 or 5 times to several dealerships service departments to complain about this situation (my main complain was always the VCM subtle vibration, I thought that I could live with the other issues) and was always played the normal specs card [as well as the other RDXs in the lot behave the same BS]. I decided to call corporate Acura and they chose to do nothing about it; ...
so I only had one way out, I had to dump the RDX