JayTeeL

Just curious how many of you 4Gers have had issues with your torque converter had had to have it replace. Seems like it's a fairly common issue. Specifically it keeping the transmission in too low of a gear and causing loud vibrations when RPMs are below 1600 while driving.

ejbrandt

I am taking mine in for those same symptoms. How long did it take to fix? Also, is Acrua aware of the issue.

TLbullet

i'm glad there are others that this issue is driving them crazy...i started thread last month..same issue. I went to two different dealers..both said it's normal sound/feel. I'm shocked. The last dealer i had the Service manager drive it..he heard sound and vibration....he said if it was TC it would be much worse. He said its just the car trying save gas and shifting to next gear early. He's hoping for TSB to come out on it.....I guess im expecting too much from how my Acura drives. My 11' MDX (or 07' mdx when i had it) had no such issues. DRIVING ME NUTS!!!!!!

JayTeeL

Mine is scheduled to be replace Aug 1st they had to order the TC and then schedule it around when they had a loaner available They said it would probably take a day to fix. I'm getting a loaner and everything will be covered under warranty. My dealership didn't indicate it was a common issue. I told them I believed the torque converter to be the issue and drove it with a tech. They then took my car back into the shop for about 30 minutes and came out and said it was the torque converter. Pretty simple diagnosis and repair for me. I've heard others have had issues with dealerships diagnosing the issue. Your best bet is to drive it with a tech.

TLbullet

I have the issue pretty much when im either maintaing speed or accelerating slowly. If i use paddle shifters or accelerate quickly i dont have the issue... Does it sound like similar issue? I do mostly local driving..when i hit and maintain around 30 or 40 mph (between 3/4th gear or 4/5th gear) I have the vibrations/low rpm. SAme for u?

JayTeeL

Definitely sounds the same. Some times I get it a little. Sometimes it's horrible. It's pretty easy to replicate the issue on my car. Possibly why it was so easy to point it out to the tech. If you use sport mode you'll never have the issue as it keeps the car in a higher gear longer. I can get mine to do it with the paddle shifters if I shift to a higher gear early enough.

JayTeeL

...btw I have a '10 MDX and have never had this issue there. I believe it is only affecting the TL's.

sdelia

Just had mine replaced 2 weeks ago, much better for the most part, but there is still a bit of judder if you're really looking for it but not nearly like it was before!

stars_fan

The 10+ models are having the torque converters and software update done left and right. There are a bunch of complaints on mdxers.org

Hogan9166

iTrader: (1)

Had mine done.

NBP04TL4ME

We have an 07 MDX and have had it replaced twice so far. Both covered under warranty, so no out of pocket expense.

RIneuron

Had mine replaced, took a day, and problem is much improved. There are other threads here describing the vibration at about 1400 rpms. The S mode workaround does help, but kills mileage.

tenstrum

Anyone know if this is happening on the 2012 models?

rosefresh99

My 2009 TL SH-AWD has the same problem ( vibration at low acceleration about 1200 to 1600 rpm) . I took a car to 2 dealers ( different places) and finally, the torque converter was replaced. There is no vibration at low acceleration for now . However, I still feel judder (not shudder) at low speed. Does anyone have the same issue?

Buffa

I thought I read on another similar thread that it only affects the 5 speed autos? So 2011 and older.

VictorTVS

I took my 2011 FWD TL AUTO with 30k miles to Fountain Acura, Orlando with exactly same symptoms
1) Judder at 30-40 mph mainly when shifting from 3rd to 4th (in Auto mode)
2) Loud grinding noise during that time
3) RPM fluctuation (rapid drop and raise) between 45-50mph

Dealer diagnosed Torque Converter requires replacement. They ordered the part and waiting for their call.

vsordyl

I have a 2010 Acura TL- Took it in for the torque converter recall and had it replaced in December 2012. February 18, 2013 - an oxygen emission sensor light came on after refeuling. Thought I just didn't tighten the cap so I pulled over and re-tightened the cap and my car sounded awful- pulled over and had no antifreeze or oil to speak of which is weird because I had an oil change January 2, 2013 and my indicator stated 70% oil life. I had the car towed to Acura. I had 72,000 on the car the powertrain warranty expired @ 70,000. Diagnosis right now is a bad cylinder head #2 and an Error message P0302.

Anyone out there have a similar experience or any advice for me? I heard even after the torque converter was replaced they literature indicated I could still have problems. Could this have led to the bad cylinder? Or does anyone think like I do that I have a defective part? No way should this be happening on a luxury car- my dream car @ 72,000 miles in my opinion.

jusrushem

my 2010 is having the problem. parts on order. they thought i was lying

Oswald Vater

Certain Honda Odys have similar TC problem and most owners have found a fix in swapping out the Tranny fluid with Amsoil synthetic. This from threads on odyclub.com. Not done this personally either on either wife's Ody or my TL but plan on doing so at some future point. FWIW

Blaze9

My RPM just used to drop below 600 when coming to a stop, causing vibrations for a split second. They upgraded the firmware, I'm not sure if that's a related issue or not. It solved it so far though.

datTeeCK

Wow. To be honest my 2010 had the exact same problem awhile back and figured it was just me. Like almost everyone else had said when maintaining around 30-40 I would see my RPM moving up and down and also hear a really weird sound which thought to be the scrap guard scraping something -lol- .But yeah it's definitely the torque converter, had it fixed at the dealership and fixed the problem completely.

jusrushem

i hope they fixed the problem well.

iamdk72986

Hi, new member here. How loud is this vibration? Is it something easily noticeable? I'm not the first owner of my car so I don't know what's considered "normal" and what's considered "faulty."

jusrushem

youll feel it. studdering, & lack of power in 2nd gear

Cygnusx

i have sometimes a shutter when taking my foot off the gas around second gear and also a metallic rattling noise at around 2500 rpm . The shutter comes and goes and the rattling is getting louder. You think thats the Torque converter?

jusrushem

yep.

Desertdog

Yes. The 2012 has the same problem.

Acura11TL

VictorTVS, did you have your torque converter replaced? If so, did it fix the problem?

jayare627

My 2012 AWD has the exact same symptoms right between 30 and 45 mph, mostly local driving. It's getting noticeably worse and sometimes gets "stuck" when I try to put my foot into the pedal to kick it out of doing it and shakes the whole car. I just haven't had the time to take it back yet. I am regretting giving up the 6spd MT every single time it happens.

NBP04TL4ME

"stuck" doesn't sound good and I love my 6 speed....

tommyjoboy

Dealer changed fuel pump, did not fix it on my 2012 TL. He now not sure what to do now.. Still waiting..

NBP04TL4ME

Your dealer thought replacing your fuel pump would resolve a transmission issue?

Have you had the software upgrade yet?

tommyjoboy

Yes!! He thought it was a fuel issue causing the shuddering.

NBP04TL4ME

https://acurazine.com/forums/4g-tl-2009-2014-123/replaced-torque-converter-09-tlawd-still-feel-judder-876311/
https://acurazine.com/forums/4g-tl-problems-fixes-297/anyone-do-torque-converter-transmission-program-recall-870425/

tommyjoboy

Wow!!

NBP04TL4ME

Yes - sorry. Those were two I quickly found. There are other threads as well.

You might want to try the software fix/upgrade if you haven't already.

tommyjoboy

It's like if I was driving a manual tranny and trying to go up a up in 5th gear, and the only way to make it stop is by giving it gas to make it downshift.. If I wanted a manual I would have bought one.. dealer is finally going to look at it next week.

NBP04TL4ME

You could paddle shift in the meantime......
Good luck next week. Make sure you read up and show up informed so they aren't throwing more parts at it a la a fuel pump........

tommyjoboy

Well dealer called and said after checking with corp they ordered a TC. Sure hope that fixes it!!

NBP04TL4ME

Keep us posted