Common rumor about the reliability of Acura AWD vehicle
 

I hear all the time people around me and mechanics I talk to say how the transmission on Honda’s awd system is unreliable. I have never heard about any failures of these systems I have a 2012 TL Fwd, 08 MDX SHAWD. Other cars around me are 2011 TL SHAWD(200k miles), 2005 MDX awd (310k miles), 2006 MDX awd (270k miles). These have been totally solid cars and haven’t had any trans issues nor any issues with the awd components.

On the the forums I have never seen anyone talk about a failing awd component. Rarely a transmission issue on the forums I’m on (4G TL). Where did this myth come from?
i know early MDX and TL had trans issues but they were not at all limited to awd models

Me neither...Never seen any complaints on the awd system itself. People generally complain about the infotainment system and that's about it. May be some quality issues like squeaks and rattling.

My previous 2007 Rdx, I owned it from 126000km to over 200000km and didn't have any issue with the awd system. The tranny did act up once but that's because the battery was dying. Current 3g Rdx is perfectly fine.

Transmission problems I've heard of on older fwd acuras but never a reliability issue with the ones on awd cars.

Must be an urban legend like big foot or the chupacabra.

Trans failures were the 98-04 automatic V6s. My TL (2G) killed 2, and the third was starting to slip in 1st when I got rid of it.

Never really heard of any issues with the AWD systems, aside from 2G CRV rear diffs.

There have been higher-than average torque converter issues with the 4G but nothing compared to the problems in the late 90's and early 2000's. But that's the transmission, not the AWD system. As far as the clutches and differential goes in the SH-AWD system - I haven't heard of any problems at all. The only issue with the 4G is the potential propeller shaft issue but it's been relatively minor and more of an annoyance than a catastrophic mechanical failure.

The automatic was invented in 1921 and then widely used by GM in the 40s. You'd think after all these years, an automatic would be reliable on any car. Frig, stop changing things unless there is a major breakthrough and stick with something reliable.