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In less than a week, my ZDX has displayed error messages on the dash(equivalent to a Check Engine light). Last Monday, without warning, the charge stopped and the error message appeared. I took it in to be checked at an Acura Service Center and they were unwilling to service my ZDX in the first month of ownership and wanted to schedule an appointment after the first 30 days had passed. After a discussion with the dealer's general manager, the service department was willing to plug a diagnostics into my ZDXX and clear the trouble code. After waiting for nearly 4 hours to update the vehicle software to match the diagnostics, I was told it was a charging, invertor or CPU issue. My ZDX was returned without the error message displayed.
Well, 4 days later, the charge once again halted, without warning, and the error message is back. Being Easter, the dealer is closed and I left a message for the service department at a different Acura dealer for a diagnostic to be run again.
I feel like I bought a $45k brick if I can't charge at home.
Any ideas?
Anyone know of an Acura ZDX tech in NorCal worth their beans?
Neillo Acura in Roseville was able to solve my problem with the Brake Booster module, which repeatedly disabled cruise control and one-pedal driving, although it required waiting a month for the part.
Can you explain more about the circumstances in which you are getting the error messages? Charging at home? Level 1 or 2? (i.e., portable charger or Level 2 wall charger?)
My ZDX does not charge at home in either level 1 or 2. I can go to an EVGo network charger and make it work.
As to the error codes, I can plug in the Acura portable charger, the charge begins(indicated by the green flashing light on the dash by the window and the green bar in the dash. After a few seconds or minutes, the vehicle fails to recognize the charger(not sure whether mechanical or digital) and then the dash goes red with the message not recognizing the charger. Once I start the car after that, a red warning light appears on the dash near the charge remaining indicator. When I went into Acura of Stockton the first time(Apr 16), the error code they pulled indicated a malfunction in the on-board charging, the inverter or the CPU(processor). Acura of Stockton cleared the error code and sent me on my way. 3 days later the same thing happened. Same failure to charge and the warning light on the dash. I dropped the vehicle off last Monday(Apr 21) at Acura of Modesto and the service rep(Mark) texted me the issue was the on-board charging module. Now 5 days later, the story has changed and they supposedly do diagnostics daily and upload the data to Acura Tech Support. When I ask for an ETA for completion, Eric Angelo, the service manager, states he can't confidently give me an ETA because the "car's technology is new" and Acura Tech Support has no clue what the problem actually is.
So far the Acura Tech Support is lacking any answers. Acura of Modesto's service manager is already giving me the excuse "it's new technology", giving me the highest confidence it will ever get fixed. I already opted into the Acura buyback program with Acura Customer Relations, but who knows how long that process is going to take. Acura of Modesto management has been less than willing to even respond unless prodded by Acura Customer Relations repeatedly. I do have a commitment for an appointment with the owner of the dealership this Wed to discuss options moving forward.
I'm hoping it's not the on-board charging module. It's been on backorder and the estimated wait from Acura is 3-6 months minimum.
Really sucks, I've had the car just over a month(32 days) and it's been in the shop 3 times for 8 days so far, and counting.
The humorous thing, the salesman emailed yesterday, asking if I would refer him some business. He has been the best part of the process and I feel bad for him being involved in this situation.
As I was reading this thread I was thinking/wondering to myself if the OP should bring his ZDX to a Cadillac dealer. I don't know how much of the underpinnings of the ZDX are the same as the Lyriq, but might be worth a try.
Another option is Lemon Law Arbitration.
I thought of doing that. The Lyriq owner forums is where I'm finding the most information to date on this. I'll see how my meeting goes this Wednesday with the owner.
I thought of doing that. The Lyriq owner forums is where I'm finding the most information to date on this. I'll see how my meeting goes this Wednesday with the owner.
I certainly hope your dealer has you in a loaner and your meeting goes well on Wednesday. Have you given any thought as to what you want or will be willing to accept coming out of the meeting?
I would be very open to a hybrid, but I personally have less than zero interest in an EV. Not because of what you are going through, although it does give me pause, its the infrastructure or lack thereof
I've got quite the list of requests I'm compiling as I think of them. The list is growing daily.
Yup they got me in a loaner, a MDX. I sent an email mentioning I need a better quality loaner, another ZDX or the equivalent listed below.
From my email: Please have a ZDX A Spec AWD(or it's equivalent), available as a loaner by Wednesday April 30 @10am. Equivalent being another Acura ZDX, Lucid Gravity, BMW iX, Volvo XC40, Rivian R1, Audi Q6 or Q8, Polestar 3, Cadillac Lyriq, Lexus RZ350 or Mercedes EQS. If it turns out to be an Acura ZDX, I have a preference for white(HINT: Elk Grove Acura and Niello Acura Roseville have several in white).
I certainly hope your dealer has you in a loaner and your meeting goes well on Wednesday. Have you given any thought as to what you want or will be willing to accept coming out of the meeting?
I would be very open to a hybrid, but I personally have less than zero interest in an EV. Not because of what you are going through, although it does give me pause, its the infrastructure or lack thereof
I'm trying to move on from hybrids. I have been driving/owning hybrids for the last dozen years or so. last one being a Lexus. Super reliable and decent MPG(40-44), with zero problems.
I've got quite the list of requests I'm compiling as I think of them. The list is growing daily.
Yup they got me in a loaner, a MDX. I sent an email mentioning I need a better quality loaner, another ZDX or the equivalent listed below.
From my email: Please have a ZDX A Spec AWD(or it's equivalent), available as a loaner by Wednesday April 30 @10am. Equivalent being another Acura ZDX, Lucid Gravity, BMW iX, Volvo XC40, Rivian R1, Audi Q6 or Q8, Polestar 3, Cadillac Lyriq, Lexus RZ350 or Mercedes EQS. If it turns out to be an Acura ZDX, I have a preference for white(HINT: Elk Grove Acura and Niello Acura Roseville have several in white).
I’m not exactly sure why you think a dealership would go out and buy a competitor’s car just to use as a loaner for you, or add another vehicle to the loaner fleet just to appease your color preference. What do you think you bought, a Bentley?
I’m not exactly sure why you think a dealership would go out and buy a competitor’s car just to use as a loaner for you, or add another vehicle to the loaner fleet just to appease your color preference. What do you think you bought, a Bentley?
I'm trying to be sarcastic, sorry you missed it...
Charging issues on Ultium usually come from three sources: charging port, BECM control module, or battery itself. From what you described, I think it is the charging port that needs replacing because you can do DC charging just fine, but not AC. The DC current goes through the lower plug of CCS port, and AC current through the upper part. So the symptom is a good indication that the upper receptacle is at fault.
I think there is a code for charging port related issues, so if that is the only thing failed, should be easy to find out. The charging system and the battery are heavily instrumented and monitored by the diagnostic system. I am curious why it seems so complicated to debug. I hope there is not a bigger problem underneath.
@sfprankster Just curious how your meeting went today. When you have an opportunity please share how things went if you are willing to.
10 days in the service center and the techs could not repeat the error I've experienced twice so far. So basically I got my ZDX brick back without anything repaired or replaced. The Acura Tech support made the official call to return my vehicle unrepaired. At this point, I'm basically waiting to receive the next charging failure error message. The next time it happens, I'm heading to a higher volume dealership(Niello in Roseville or Auto Nation in San Jose) where the techs may have more experience with the ZDX.
The dealer did offer to reimburse me for an after market charger of my choice, which is on the delivery truck today. I'm hoping it's an issue with the portable charger and the on-board charge scheduling not being compatible, but I can't confirm this is actually the problem. I am mentioning this from discussions with a couple of service techs in another area, But it's all a guess.
Charging issues on Ultium usually come from three sources: charging port, BECM control module, or battery itself. From what you described, I think it is the charging port that needs replacing because you can do DC charging just fine, but not AC. The DC current goes through the lower plug of CCS port, and AC current through the upper part. So the symptom is a good indication that the upper receptacle is at fault.
I think there is a code for charging port related issues, so if that is the only thing failed, should be easy to find out. The charging system and the battery are heavily instrumented and monitored by the diagnostic system. I am curious why it seems so complicated to debug. I hope there is not a bigger problem underneath.
The error codes I was told were only general errors, nothing indicating the charge port itself. The first service center mentioned the the codes indicated the on-board charging system, inverter or the CPU(processor) were the possibilities. The second service center mentioned the error code indicated it was the on-board charging system. A day later they backtracked and gave the "I don't know" response.
I figured the symptoms ruled out the inverter possibility, since the errors only occurred during AC charging and never with a DC fast charger.
From a discussion I had with an Acura tech, I have gone in and removed all scheduling parameters from my ZDX. So I've tried to charge, using the portable charger, Monday night and again last night and the green light is blinking on the dash. For now anyways. I just have the feeling the red light is going to appear anytime now.
I don’t remember the error messages I received, but your symptoms sound similar to what I experienced six months ago. I originally opted for the portable charger, and had a dedicated plug installed for it. I was occasionally able to get a successful charge, but most of the time it either failed immediately, or charged for some period of time before failing. My installers indicated that this was due to a conflict between the circuitry in the portable charger and the GFI that is required to be placed on the circuit by California code. According to them, about 10% of installations have this problem. They (the installers) gave me a deal on a wall charger, and re-did the installation for free. Since then I have had no single issue with the wall charger. I will note that I have done a fair amount of level 1 charging away from home without any problems; it was level 2 through the portable charger that failed.
I was never given the option of anything but the Acura portable charger. The finance director claimed the home charger was recalled and crammed the portable charger down my throat.
After multiple emails requesting documentation of the charger recall, the finance director finally came clean and stated he "heard" of the recall when the ZDX first released in May 2024. Hence the dealer's offer to reimburse me for the after market charger.
I'm hoping this corrects the issue. Emphasis on "HOPE".
Did you bring the portable charger to the Acura dealership to see if they can replicate the issue there?
Yup.
The dealer had the portable charger all 10 days my brick was in the service center. I mentioned all the symptoms to the service center and Acura Tech Support had slew of questions on Day 2, on the circumstances on how I received the errors.
Did they at least offer to RMA/warranty the charger? I appreciate the good faith effort and purchasing a 3rd party charger on their dime
It was all me forcing their hand on getting them to reimburse me on an after market charger. They wanted to make the issue disappear and never responded until Acura Client Relations began messaging them to answer my emails and calls.
I'm sure you are but you need to make sure you are documenting everything. Good ammunition if/when you need to go to arbitration under the Lemon Law. Sorry this is happening.
I'm sure you are but you need to make sure you are documenting everything. Good ammunition if/when you need to go to arbitration under the Lemon Law. Sorry this is happening.
That's why I only use email to communicate. No phone call communication eliminates the he said/she said syndrome. My friend is an attorney and she's already on it. One more error code and we can proceed with the Acura buyback program.
Hilarious the finance director wonders why I have any issues with the dealer. He states this is all because of Acura and I should be only directing my ire at the manufacturer. When it mostly began because of his claim the Acura home charger was on recall and proceeded to force me to take the portable charger. .
To say I don't want anything to do with Acura/Honda, is putting it mildly.
Last edited by sfprankster; May 8, 2025 at 08:04 PM.
I had similar issue (started during my trip from Ottawa to Toronto during a storm). Dealer couldn't solve it.... but they reset all the codes and wash the car. Problem solved. Technician said that there is a sensor at the bottom of the car where manages breaks and regen, if that sensor gets dirty, it will block things in software for safety reasons. To be honest, I started to wash my car properly (touch less carwash ) and I haven't had that error since.
I had similar issue (started during my trip from Ottawa to Toronto during a storm). Dealer couldn't solve it.... but they reset all the codes and wash the car. Problem solved. Technician said that there is a sensor at the bottom of the car where manages breaks and regen, if that sensor gets dirty, it will block things in software for safety reasons. To be honest, I started to wash my car properly (touch less carwash ) and I haven't had that error since.
I can only HOPE it's that easy...
Good thing for me then, I wash my cars weekly, wax every other week.
Have your car received any OTA update? FYI there are reports from other Ultium cars that after BECM OTA update, the car ignores charging limit/schedule until the settings are toggled again.
Have your car received any OTA update? FYI there are reports from other Ultium cars that after BECM OTA update, the car ignores charging limit/schedule until the settings are toggled again.
Hope this incident is just that. Good luck!
I have no idea if it did or not. How do I check?
I escaped on a mini vacation and the charging worked the whole trip, although is was all DC fast charging along the way. .
I have no idea if it did or not. How do I check? I escaped on a mini vacation and the charging worked the whole trip, although is was all DC fast charging along the way. .
Go to Settings > Updates > Updates and History. OTAs are listed as "Software Update: xxx."
Have your car received any OTA update? FYI there are reports from other Ultium cars that after BECM OTA update, the car ignores charging limit/schedule until the settings are toggled again.
Hope this incident is just that. Good luck!
Looking at the images I posted, the update was long before I leased the ZDX.
Indeed, I am surprised that GM have not yet updated all ZDXs to the most recent OTA level.
Anyway, hopefully it was just a software glitch on your car.
My ZDX just produced the same charging error code yesterday(Friday). Same warning light on the dash again too.
I'm stuck in limbo trying to get a level 2 charger installed using the $500 AHE credit and found out from an AHE rep, via email, a return order was in process for my ZDX, invalidating the promotion. I confronted the dealership and a sales manager claimed the dealership would be to much financial burden for them, and I should bear the loss of my brick I was sold.
Sad to say, the next step is to take my brick to a different Acura service center and see if they can perform a miracle and find the root cause of the issue. If not, it's off to an attorney.
That is unfortunate. I don't know, it shouldn't be this hard to find out why. Maybe the Acura techs should call their Cadillac friends. They seem to fly blindly - I think they need to update all control modules first before they look any further into the issue.
That is unfortunate. I don't know, it shouldn't be this hard to find out why. Maybe the Acura techs should call their Cadillac friends. They seem to fly blindly - I think they need to update all control modules first before they look any further into the issue.
My Acura dealer's service manager, says the new technology is too difficult for them to diagnose properly.
I told him the technology is not going to slow down anytime soon and he needs to retire. Strange was he offended at my remark.
This is the third time for the charging error to pop. I was willing to spend my time to go to a higher volume dealer for warranty service, but not after my conversation with the dealer's sales manager last Friday. Tomorrow, I'm headed to a small dealer with previous experience on the bricked ZDX. I should be in and out in a few hours with nothing more than the error code cleared and them saying they couldn't find anything wrong. One more time after that and I have fulfilled my "good faith" efforts to have the issue corrected and the CA Lemon Law automatically triggers with my options of having the dealer replace the vehicle or a full refund + attorney fees.
At this point, I'm getting another Lexus hybrid, this EV experiment was a complete failure in my opinion.
My Acura dealer's service manager, says the new technology is too difficult for them to diagnose properly.
I told him the technology is not going to slow down anytime soon and he needs to retire. Strange was he offended at my remark.
This is the third time for the charging error to pop. I was willing to spend my time to go to a higher volume dealer for warranty service, but not after my conversation with the dealer's sales manager last Friday. Tomorrow, I'm headed to a small dealer with previous experience on the bricked ZDX. I should be in and out in a few hours with nothing more than the error code cleared and them saying they couldn't find anything wrong. One more time after that and I have fulfilled my "good faith" efforts to have the issue corrected and the CA Lemon Law automatically triggers with my options of having the dealer replace the vehicle or a full refund + attorney fees.
At this point, I'm getting another Lexus hybrid, this EV experiment was a complete failure in my opinion.
I am with you on your disappointment?, i mentioned before everytime i have an error i bring my car to wash and problem (so far) being solved. Stupid i know. Without being overly technical, my understanding is that there is a break sensor under the car and triggers bunch of safety functions? However that being dirty doesn't help much (i think design flaw).
