Just learned my car is on Android 12, from Jan 5, 2024. This can't be latest.

 

This is launch spec.

There are three releases so far:

• Launch spec, SQBR5-180.
• Second build of Android 12, SQBR5-250/April 2024 security update.
• The latest is Android 14, UQBM-286/May 2025 security update.

 

Ok, that is really odd. I wonder why I have not got an of those two builds, and what I should do about it. Dealer time...

Did you get those OTA? Or through the dealer, possibly as VWP?

 

It’s definitely not thur VWP update. I had both done. And I’m still on Android 12.

 

That is considered normal unfortunately, because all these infotainment updates are dealership-applied, not OTA.

I got the second Android 12 release from doing TSB 25-033 at the dealership, then got Android 14 from doing another update myself. You can read more about it here:
https://acurazine.com/forums/zdx-326.../#post17005663

I suspect there is a dependency between releases. In other words, to get Android 14, the infotainment needs to be updated from SQBR5-250.

 

I've decided to risk bricking the car and push for several updates. I will go to the second closest dealer if necessary. These three Service Bulletins are listed as applicable to all trims, all VIN ranges, with zero mention of "if your car has a symptom". This has been the primary push-back from my dealer, that I cannot reliably show a problem. The SB's I want done:

25-033: A11 Radio Control Module Software Updates #1
In particular, for "performance enhancements", "loss of communication with the memory seat module", and "improves UI"

25-034: K73 Telematics Control Module Software Updates #1
In particular, for "customers not able to send remote commands using the AcuraLink application"

25-044: VWP #1
In particular, for "OTA improvements" and "improves torque response time"

Am I missing anything that I should ask for? Mine is a 2024 A-Spec RWD, bought in July 2024. No over-the-air updates since March 2025. Android 12, dated from before I purchased the car.

Lastly, is the risk of bricking high enough I just suck it up and not get any updates?

Thanks.

 

IMHO, you got little to lose. If the infotainment gets bricked, you get a replacement unit with Android 14. If it does not, it would at least be upgraded to the second, more stable Android 12 release. VWP and telematics are must-have.

I think the chance of bricking the infotainment these days is low. The report of many bricking incidents during October/November should be a one-off. Strangely, there are some mentioning of bricked telematics module lately...

 

That's good to know, sonyfever. I think, based on past conversations with the service advisor, the hard part will be getting Acura to agree to do all three service bulletins for me.

 

Get on the phone with Acura Client Relation when you talk to your service advisor. This gives the service manager a little incentive to move forward with the update.

 

As I suggested in a previous thread, you have to tell the service advisor what he/she must hear. If the SB says it fixes X, then you must convince the advisor that X is broken or has not been working, or has failed, etc.
Good luck!
John

 

As has been mentioned, I need to make sure the service guy believes I actually have problems with my car. I've printed all three TSB's I have an interest in. I have highlighted parts of each that I believe are relevant to me. Including highlight the section about "plug diagnostic tool and see if this update pertains to this car" as a way of getting around the "you need to show you have a problem". Like, no dude, it literally says here "plug in your tool to see if I need this update". Is this a confrontational approach to the end-goal of getting my car updated however? Better to simply walk in with a list of issues, but not without the TSB's printed?

And really hoping the service advisor doesn't remember me from the prior visit two months ago...

 

I literarily did the same thing this morning. I quoted the TSB, copied out the parts that I think are relevant to me and then added my own notes. Let me know if you have any suggestions for improvement to increase success.

TSB 25-034 - K73 Telematics Control Module Software Updates #1
Fixes issue where customers are not able to send remote commands using the AcuraLink application.
Notes: Often cannot connect at all and if then commands don’t always work.

TSB 25-044 - 2024 ZDX Vehicle-Wide Programming #1
Fixes Unable to Charge message shown on meter when charging using a Level 1 or 2 charger.
Detection improvements for Rear Automatic Emergency Braking, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Cyclist detection
Notes: Breaks when backing up even when there is nothing there. Shows break messages on clear roads.

TSB 25-033 - A11 Radio Control Module Software Updates #1
Improves UI by adding virtual controls.
Notes: Also slow connectivity or no connection to cellular phone

 

I would start with "I want to like the car, but it has a few issues that bother me" and start walking over the issues. Of course, all of the issues are addressed by TSBs coincidentally:
1. The car would engage front/rear emergency braking out of nowhere. This is dangerous. The front emergency warning does not show visible warning, which is very confusing. The infotainment update adds an orange flashing BRAKE notification in the dashboard, which is much safer (?). -> VWP + Infotainment
2. My car would occasionally lose internet connections, and takes a long time to re-establish access. Google Maps is useless when that happens -> Telematics update

You don't need to confront or question them. Save the energy and just bring up Acura corporate as a reminder that if they don't do it, someone from corporate will talk to them anyway. The dealership is still entitled to reject service (and gets a bad score along the way). In that case, they simply don't care, and it is time you find another dealership to work with.

 

In a normal situation that makes sense. But based on all the input I am hearing, even Acura dealers don't know the car well. Hence, I don't trust that if I tell them symptoms, they will install the TSBs I want. So my approach is, I tell them the TSB and I tell them why I think I need it. Do I put them on the spot and make it look like I just want those updates? Yes. But at the end I think there is a higher chance I get the updates I want. I could be wrong and maybe I should take your approach.

 

Only because I think it's worth saying again - I believe you must tell them that something is broken, as they cannot refuse to fix it, especially if it's mentioned in the bulletin. I tried the "it says it will improve "this" and "that," but the advisor's training of resisting unnecessary work kicked in and he refused. Only when I said, as was mentioned earlier "the emergency braking malfunctions so I turned it off and I don't think that's safe" did they agree to "fix" it with the update. Find something on each of the updates and tell them your car is experiencing the indicated problem.
Good luck and let us know how it turn our!
John

 

John is right. Mulunu I already tried your approach. It didn't work. I asked for the updates. They refused. I'm going to need to convince them I have issues, even if I cannot replicate them. Will try next week. If unsuccessful will drive across town. If a second time, will escalate to customer relations at corporate, but that might not do much good either.

 

Sadly, the service advisor at Elk Grove Acura hopped into my ZDX, clicked into the settings and disabled the brake functions on the anti collision system. Then hopped out and proudly said, "Fixed it".

 

Yeah, it is hard not to feel mad at "advisors" like this person. Is he going to credit you for a feature you paid but cannot use? If you still face similar resistance, just call the corporate bulldozer.

 

Acura Client Relations has been useless to this point. I was blamed for failure to charge issue by both the dealer and Acura Client Relations for using a built in function. Hilariously, a work aid was available to the dealers about this problem, which later became a TSB.

I'm armed with an attorney and we're filing a CA Lemon Law claim after my next visit to the dealership. That appointment is approaching SOON in Jan 2026.

 

You have to play the "safety" card! Disabling parts of any safety system is outrageous and could open people to ugly legal action. What would Honda America do if the advisor turned the ABS system off? You still have brakes, but no more warning about an ABS malfunction! Not good and should be run up the corporate ladder. BTW, that was one of the hooks I used to get the SB download completed - I had turned off rear brake function due to false and violent braking and insisted that it was a safety issue.
Good luck.
John

 

I took your advice and didn't give them the list I mentioned earlier. Instead, I did give them a list of items we have issues with. All were real issues except for one that I know exists on some vehicles but that ours didn't exhibit. I didn't drop of the car but here is what the Acura dealer in essence said. We will test all your concerns. If we can replicate them, we will fix them. If it requires hooking up the scanning tool, it will be $225. They said all these updates come from GM. No surprise here. But it appears that Acura needs to pay GM each time they connect that scanning tool. So they categorically refuse to use the scanning tool unless it's a recall (then it's free of charge) or they can replicate the issue (then it's $225).

I did go through our last service report and realized we actually got the VWP. But Acura explained today, the only reason we got it is because we had an actual recall for the rearview camera. This required them to use the scanner so they also did the VWP despite the fact that they could not replicate that the car frequently did an emergency break when backing up. Without the recall, they would not have used the scanner and therefore would not have done the VWP.

The car has to stay there for the weekend. Since about half a year we are not able to use the Acura app anymore to connect to the car. They were able to replicate that but don't have a solution yet. Supposedly they need to talk to IT. Not sure whose IT.

The takeaway is, if they can't replicate an issue they won't do anything. And for sure they won't give you any update just because it improves the car. So there goes my hope for the update to the radio control incl. the virtual controls.

 

Which dealership came up with this nonsense.... Dealerships buy Techline Connect subscription, which is $5k/year for unlimited cars.

Also, the car is under warranty. They need to bill Acura not you for any fee. This crap was dished to me many years ago, and one corporate call was all it needed to "educate" the dealership....

Maybe time have changed.

 

At what point do we consider class action lawsuit for lack of support while under warranty?

I'm really curious how any of this would have been handled if it were an MDX instead, because I really don't know. Would they refuse to do any particular TSB like this? Refuse to do software updates. Refuse to do an update for an improvement unless a problem or a code was thrown?

 

From perplexity.ai:

There’s a big difference between a TSB and a recall, and that’s what drives your “rights” here. A TSB is guidance to dealers on how to fix a known issue; it is not, by itself, a mandatory repair campaign the way a safety recall is. In practice, you usually cannot force a dealer to apply every TSB “just because it exists,” especially for software, unless there is a documented concern that matches the bulletin.
What a TSB actually is (and isn’t)
• A Technical Service Bulletin tells dealer techs: “If a car shows X symptom or code and meets these conditions, here is the approved fix.”
• Unlike recalls, TSBs are not automatically performed on every affected vehicle, and the manufacturer generally does not pay the dealer to apply them without a qualifying complaint or symptom.
• Many OEM warranty and service bulletins explicitly require that the technician verify the concern or fault code before the repair is claimable; some even state that routine checking/installing software updates is not reimbursed.
So, a TSB gives the dealer a procedure and a way to get paid if the condition exists; it does not, by itself, create a legal right for you to demand the work in all cases.
Do you have to show a problem, code, or symptom?
In most real‑world dealer environments:
• Dealers are expected to verify a symptom or code that matches the TSB before doing the work under warranty.
• Many service departments will decline to apply a TSB if:
• They cannot reproduce the problem or see the code, or
• The bulletin itself says “only perform this repair if condition X is present.”
• Some owners report that dealers will proactively apply certain TSBs when the bulletin explicitly says it applies to all vehicles in a range, but that is the exception, not the rule, and often depends on whether the manufacturer pays for it.
You always have the right to ask, and the dealer can always do the work as a customer‑pay repair (you pay labor/time) even if the manufacturer will not reimburse them under warranty. But there is usually no legal right to free,There’s a big difference between a TSB and a recall, and that’s what drives your “rights” here. A TSB is guidance to dealers on how to fix a known issue; it is not, by itself, a mandatory repair campaign the way a safety recall is. In practice, you usually cannot force a dealer to apply every TSB “just because it exists,” especially for software, unless there is a documented concern that matches the bulletin.
What a TSB actually is (and isn’t)
• A Technical Service Bulletin tells dealer techs: “If a car shows X symptom or code and meets these conditions, here is the approved fix.”
• Unlike recalls, TSBs are not automatically performed on every affected vehicle, and the manufacturer generally does not pay the dealer to apply them without a qualifying complaint or symptom.
• Many OEM warranty and service bulletins explicitly require that the technician verify the concern or fault code before the repair is claimable; some even state that routine checking/installing software updates is not reimbursed.
So, a TSB gives the dealer a procedure and a way to get paid if the condition exists; it does not, by itself, create a legal right for you to demand the work in all cases.
Do you have to show a problem, code, or symptom?
In most real‑world dealer environments:
• Dealers are expected to verify a symptom or code that matches the TSB before doing the work under warranty.
• Many service departments will decline to apply a TSB if:
• They cannot reproduce the problem or see the code, or
• The bulletin itself says “only perform this repair if condition X is present.”
• Some owners report that dealers will proactively apply certain TSBs when the bulletin explicitly says it applies to all vehicles in a range, but that is the exception, not the rule, and often depends on whether the manufacturer pays for it.
You always have the right to ask, and the dealer can always do the work as a customer‑pay repair (you pay labor/time) even if the manufacturer will not reimburse them under warranty. But there is usually no legal right to free, proactive TSB work without a matching concern.
Special case: software updates
Software‑TSB behavior is even more conservative:
• Several manufacturer and NHTSA‑filed bulletins explicitly say that warranty labor will not be reimbursed for routine checking/installation of available software if there are no related symptoms.
• Many service advisors will therefore say “no update available” or “not needed” unless:
• You report a specific problem the TSB addresses, or
• They see a related DTC or behavior that the TSB calls out.
You can still request software updates, but if the car is otherwise operating normally, expect one of three outcomes:
• They refuse under warranty but offer to do it customer‑pay.
• They quietly apply it as a courtesy (depends heavily on the dealer and brand).
• They insist they must see the symptom or code first.
Practical tactics as an owner
• Use the TSB language: When you ask, reference the exact symptom or code the TSB describes (e.g., “intermittent blank screen,” “rough cold start,” “DTC U0xxx”), not just “I want all updates.” This makes it easier for them to justify the claim as addressing a real concern.
• Document intermittent issues: Photos, videos, or OBD screenshots can help convince a dealer that the condition exists even if it doesn’t show up during a quick test drive.
• Ask about customer‑pay vs. warranty: If they say the OEM will not cover it without a symptom, ask what it would cost as a customer‑pay software update or TSB procedure; some shops will do it for a modest diagnostic fee.
• Know the recall vs TSB line: If the item is a recall (safety defect), they are obligated to perform it regardless of symptoms and cannot charge you. If it is only a TSB, it is discretionary and condition‑based.

Bottom line
• You can always ask that a TSB (including software updates) be applied.
• You generally do not have a right to have all TSBs performed for free with no problem present; most makers require a matching symptom/code for warranty payment, and dealers follow that.
• If you are willing to pay out of pocket, a dealer has more flexibility, but policies and willingness vary by brand and dealership.
Nothing here is legal advice; it is a general description of how TSBs and warranty practice work. If you ever run into a safety‑related concern or recall issue, that’s handled under different, stronger rules than standard TSBs.

 

Sign me up for that. Honestly I don't blame the dealerships, because Honda does not train them well on how to handle GM EVs. It is so pathetic that customers like myself need to dig into the GM world to find out all the shoulda woulda. Honda's reluctance to admit GM actually made a reasonably good product, and their hesitation to properly support ZDX, completely ruined this car. They told us it would be a full-cycle car, oh yeah. I feel a class action lawsuit is warranted on this ground alone.

The fiasco is unacceptable, and I have lost confidence in Honda/Acura overall. They are thinking fancy things like rocket, VTOL, jet, Asimo AI, and kind of neglect the car business. Multiple F1 championships went wasted because there is no road car to share the glory. I can go on and on, the point is, sooner or later, we will all outgrow Acura.

 

After reading about what a TSB really is and the limited rights we have normally as a car owner over TSBs (as opposed to recalls), I'm not quite as upset as I used to be.

 

This is a comparison from AI regarding upgrades/bug fixes/new features comparing different car brands. I guess the annoying part is that Acura doesn't car(e) much about pushing upgrades, bug fixes and new features over the air to our ZDXs while for most other car companies that seems to be a regular thing. We just have to live with the bugs and live with the fact that we won't get any new features. We still like the car but I don't think we will be buying another Acura.

 

Guys just FYI, this weekend I witnessed one person bricking the infotianment when he tried DIY update. He has SQBR5-180, the launch infotainment software. It looks like the update path from launch software isn't fully resolved yet. If dealerships refuse to update the infotainment, this is probably the reason.

The symptom he reported sounds familiar. On the first try, the infotainment screen blacked out after the USB update progress bar reached 50-something %, and stuck there for a long time. Subsequent attempts to run USB update only lasted until 57%, then the infotainment said "Update failed, visit dealership".

 

I think the bricking mystery has been solved. It looks like SPS2 downloads Android 14 USB update files, regardless of the infotainment software version. There must be something about SQBR5-180 that clashes with Android 14, so updating from SQBR5-180 is no-go, but updating from SQBR5-250 is fine.

The million-dollar question is then, is it possible to pull SQBR5-250 USB update files from SPS2 server? Probably not, otherwise Honda would not be replacing infotainment modules, but if I learn anything new I would post here.

 

I've decided the best course of action was to use the email-and-contact us link on the dealer website, so that I can have a written confirmation of a denial if they still choose to go this route. If they won't do the updates I will try the next closest dealer. If necessary will escalate to Client Services. I did not want another face-to-face conversation with no paper trail on this matter. I brought up the issues I have that I believe are pertinent to all three of the TSBs, and mentioned that I am very happy with the car overall (which I am).

Fingers crossed.

 

I did bring it to a second dealer. They tried to replicate all issue but of course failed, after all they are sporadic. But if they can't reproduce the issue they will refuse to do a scan and therefore refuse to update any component. They also made it pretty clear why, i.e. risk of upgrades and technician time. I think it's hopeless to get bugs fixed for this car unless it's something that constantly happens.

As for something that constantly happens, our Acura app simply doesn't connect to the car at all. The dealer says that's a Honda IT issue and they (the dealer) can't work on that. We have an open ticket with Honda IT. It has been a week or so. We got a couple of messages that they couldn't fix it yet and indeed it still doesn't work.

We very much liked our Honda Pilot which is why we felt somewhat confident going with Acura. And while all-in-all we like the ZDX, I doubt we will by another Honda/Acura.

 

Let us know if you get any resolution on the App, as mine connects about once every 15 to 20 times I try - just often enough to suck me in with a little hope! It's mostly worthless, as what app would anyone use that when it does connect usually takes 1 to 3 minutes to do so? Imagine your text, weather, game, etc., app taking that long!
Thanks, and please let us know.
John

 

So far no reply from my Acura dealer. Do they ignore web form emails? Do they ignore TSB requests? Do they just ignore me? Don't know, but I'm not going to get my paper trail on this.

I lurk on Lyric forums. It's the same over there with Cadillac. Some dealers will do SW updates for customers, most will not, unless a problem is obvious and repeatable.

I'm chalking this up to an Ultium issue, not an Acura one now.

 

Spoke on the phone with a service rep at North Austin Acura and I have an 8:00 am appointment to look at the car. So this is progress. He stressed that OTA's are not recalls, and they need to replicate an issue. But hey, before the guy refused to even look at my car at all. He said it would be helpful to bring the three TSB's I'm concerned with, highlighted with what I think my issues are.

Progress.

I'm learning not only from the Cadillac forums, but from people at work, that this dealer behavior is common, even with ICE vehicles. Dealers won't just do a TSB for you because you want it done, it must address an issue you have.

At this point my number one concern is the VWP, since that appears to be required to get further OTAs. For example, the one from October 2025 that my car has not received, and this is probably why.

 

​​​​​​​
Now I'm wondering if this is my angle. It is not 100% clear, but it seems that 25-044 is required to get further OTAs. Wording appears just vague enough that this is not absolute, but it certainly seems so. And I have not had the October OTA (last one was March). So, if I am not getting OTA's, and 25-044 is required to get OTAs, then I should be covered, correct? And it seems that 25-044 should really be preceded by 033 and 034 and not done in isolation.

Thoughts? This is the approach I will take if the first outcome with the dealer is they decide nothing needs to be done.

 

You have to go into the dealership with as much info as possible. Most have been instructed to avoid working on the ZDX altogether. If you find one willing to look into the issues, feel extremely lucky. I've spoken to well over 20+ Acura service managers all across the US and very few are helpful and play the "It's new technology" card to avoid making an attempt at repairs. To me, after releasing the ZDX in 2024, Acura/American Honda had to have the technology in early 2023 at the latest. This standard response is as pathetic as it gets.

For now, I'm working with the Acura of Pleasanton service manager, Mike Sullivan on the bugs/glitches. At least Mike make a concerted effort into situation and dose some research into situation. I'm scheduled for my next visit on Wednesday next week.

So GOOD LUCK on your next adventure with your local Acura dealer!!!!! If you are a Star Wars fan, MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!!!

 

Forget about OTA, it doesn't matter if you find someone willing to update the car for you. Manual update checks the software version of a control module, and bring it to the latest software available if needed.

There are three domains of software update on GM platform:
1. Infotainment (25-033): Due to lack of official info on bricked infotainment, I doubt you will find any dealership dare to try this. As mentioned in the other thread, doing USB update twice is the solution, as long as the first USB download has a file named 85xxxx.mnf (which is SQBR5-250), then you know the delivery issue has been fixed for ZDX as well. Android 14 USB update has 86xxxxx.mnf.
2. Telematics (25-034): This is a standalone update as well. It is a must-have, because the network speed is like 2.5G vs 4G. I think dealerships are ok with doing this (25-034).
3. VWP (25-044): Everything else. Most dealerships do this step when they talk about updating ZDX.

 

Got there for the appointment I made yesterday afternoon. "We can't look at the car until Monday". WTF? What is the point of the appointment?

Going back Tuesday now. Had a different service advisor but he also seems optimistic, while still telling me that TSBs are not automatic. But like I said, guy #1 wouldn't even let the car into the service bay. So now two other service advisors are at least letting the car into the bay.

 

Try this in the presence of a service advisor or service manager.

Go into Setting>>Vehicle>>Update>>Search for Updates. The responding screen. The screen that appears states to contact your local dealership to ensure your vehicle is up to date.

 

That is awesome.