fog80

Is there a particular year and combination that reduces the chance of the major identified issues?

• Harsh transmission shifting/lag
• Vibration at 70mph

I am in the market to upgrade from my 04 tls and with a budget of about 20k I was planning on getting a used TLX. I have been discouraged after reading this message board and started researching the BMW 328 and the Audi A4. The users on those boards arent shy about saying how expensive the repairs for those vehicles will be.

So now I'm back to considering the TLX and I'm trying to find a particular combination that will have the least issues. I am not married to any particular year, engine type or all wheel drive, but I would like to get the tech package if possible. In fact if you recommend a different brand...im all ears.

Thanks.

Speed_Racer

You've pretty much narrowed down your choice to a 4cyl with Tech model if you want to get a TLX. I don't think it's known to have the vibration and for sure not the harsh/lag shifting transmission.

wlkeel

Pretty much agree, but I've only had experience with the 4cyl (and it's been a very pleasant experience). Someone else will have to speak to the V6 versions.

genejohn1

Have not had either problem with our 2015 4cyl Tech.

theredia92

I love my 2016 2.4L TLX.

cloudbase

Same here. Trouble free so far.

F23A4

aggybong

Crashmaster

Not all the TLX's have the conditions you mentioned. Even if they did, Acura stands behind their product with a great warranty and has been replacing transmissions and axles or whatever as needed. Fear mongering about any vehicle defect would prevent someone from purchasing just about any vehicle. I have a 2015 TLX Advance and I decided to get the replacement transmission. They gave me a brand new TLX as a loaner for a few days and now my car is great again. It was actually a pleasant experience. As long as the vehicle you are looking for has warranty left, feel fortunate that you are aware of some known issues and can return to Acura to get them repaired. No different than any other make and model vehicle.

dezymond

2015 Advance and have had it for what will be 3 years in November.

Never had any odd vibrations. However, the transmission has been laggy ever since ownership. Digging more info on the transmission itself, seems to be working as it should. I did bring in my car to receive two transmission updates and reset/relearn procedures and they helped for a bit. Transmission has seemed fine ever since I last brought it in to the dealer without any major issues. Sometimes it hesitates, but I suppose that's a characteristic of the ZF9.

AZuser

Had no idea they were so cheap now.

h_dawg

I have a 2015 TLX V6. The car has the 2nd to 3rd hard shift, but other then that it has been pretty dependable. Though it has this rough shift, I am not sure if it will effect the longevity of the transmission in the years to come (car currently has about 42k miles). Looking back, I should have just gotten an Accord V6 with the 6 speed automatic they used to offer. If you are looking for an entry level luxury car, I would definitely consider the Lexus GS350. I often consider switching to a GS

Pens Fan

2018 AWD Tech-5,000 miles and no issues.

Robs252

Rocketsfan

Having been through the hell as one of the early buyers of the 2015's and the subsequent multiple software "fixes" without being able to get a new transmission, I'd say stay away from 2015's. Unless you can test drive one for a while (a few weeks at least), you won't know when or what will eventually piss you off. You have a much better shot if the transmission has been replaced. Beyond the hesitations and klunky shifting at times, there is the, at times, "normal" shifting of the car others don't seem to like. I've driven a 2016 as a loaner for a day or so and it drove far more "normal" than my 2015 ever has. No matter which model you buy, try to drive it for more than the usual 10-15 minute "test drive" or you may regret it.

1995hoo

noclue02

Have 16' TLX 4cyl here and there is a slight vibration once I drive above 75. It is no where near what people reported on their v6 though. There are minor issues with mine but still very happy with it. One thing that bugging me is mine has a strong vibration during idle and Acura said it is normal and refuse to do anything about it. I mentioned this before and when thru the dealer several times, even pointed out other 4cyl loaner cars has none. If you go with the 4cyl, make sure their tranny is updated so you won't have that jerky/lurching feeling when coming to a stop and how bad the idle vibration are.

Gen4MDX

KeithL

I will be honest I never drove the 2.4DCT, btu the lack of SH-AWD was the show stopper. I will live with laggy ZF over no AWD. I know driving the RLX 7DCT it was crisp and quick, never missed a beat. If they do a Type-S in the 6G let's hope they do a 8DCT to go with it!

fiatlux

I too got the 2.4 because I hated how slow and laggy the ZF9 in V6 was. Yes, at times I do wish it had more passing power, especially uphill at freeway speeds, but I find that in the city where I do most of the ddriving I don't miss the power, whereas I know most of the time I would be driven bonkers for the ZF9. The only vibrations it has is at a stop, but that's pretty typical of all Honda 4-bangers and nothing new.

F23A4

KeithL

The 6AT in wife's 16 RDX is light years better than the ZF wither in my 15 TLX or my 19 TLX. This ZF is the biggest piece of crap I have ever seen. People complained about Infiniti's 7AT when it came out and I never had an issue with it in my M37S, I would take that over this ZF any day all day long. In 39K miles I can count how on my hand how many times it hunted fro a gear and it was never laggy. The ZF even in my 19 still at least once a day does something where I say "what the hell is it waiting for".

Robs252

Gen4MDX

KeithL

Yes, but the bar the 15 set was so low it is not hard to beat it. The biggest issue I see is the typical rolling stop then you accelerate and the tranny is confused and slow to react. From a dead stop it seems fine and in most other conditions, but I have said this before if I were buying this is not a tranny I would make a long term commitment to. I leased so I was willing to live with this. I am also picky because I came out of my 14 A6 into the 15TLX and the A6 had an amazing 8AT ZF unit that was flawless all day every day. But then the entire A6 drive train was an amazing piece of engineering, if only the Asians could duplicate that.

jhb31

Same here with my wifes 2017 RDX. Actually the TLX is the only car I have ever owned that I even gave a thought to the trans. Have owned a lot of cars over the years and I can't think of any time I ever thought the shifting was not right. The ZF9 is easily the worst of any car I have driven. Hard to believe they stuck with it for so many years. To me the only glaring issue with the TLX is the trans behavior/button shift and the idle shutoff not having a default setting other than on.

F23A4

KeithL

ntmera

I just jumped 05 5A/T to 15 9A/T (with SH-AWD). The car has 50k miles, and no vibrations or harsh shifting. Absolutely no regrets, but I miss Tilly :'(

fiatlux

I'm 99% sure it was for accounting/marketing purposes. Volvo was also considering the ZF9, but decided to go with an Aisin unit because of the lag:
https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/20...-on-the-leash/

Something something performance crafted precision, y'all.

pyrodan007

That's interesting, I wonder if Acura even tried it before committing to it and delaying the 2015 release due to 'issues'

KeithL

KeithL

Pocketman

For what it's worth, my '15 TLX 2.4 would occasionally have a rough shift while stopping or starting. It really was infrequent. I'm now driving a '17 TLX 2.4 that had zero rough shifts during the first few months. I now get a rough downshift upon stopping 1-2 time per week. Talk to dealer about it yesterday and will be taking it in to make sure the software is up to date, etc..

Gen4MDX

daschwa

So yes, I did have reservations of the quirks on my 2.4 8 speed to the point I considered selling it.

But then I took another standard transmission car for a ride and would find it difficult to go back.