Acura TLX harsh shifting problems

Filed Oct 2, 2026 · PA

transfer case spline failutre- a loud clunk, front wheel spin, and fluid leaks

Filed Jun 8, 2024 · Transmission · NC

The transmission is slow, hesitant and jerky in models with the v6 engine. I almost got into a major car crash due to the transmission’s very hesitant behavior. Other owners have experienced this slow and clunky transmission behavior, after looking in many online forums. The transmission has been way since the vehicle first came out but Honda still has not addressed the issue with the 9 speed transmission. This poses a huge safety risk to me and all other owners.

Filed Jun 7, 2022 · Transmission · FL

Auto start-stop system failed on several occasions, the car shut itself down Since then every time I start the cat I disable it. Transmission feels clunky, there is kick to it between 2nd and 3rd gear, many complaints found on the web. Bought the car with 16xxx miles 2 years old.

Filed Sep 24, 2020 · Transmission · 16,000 miles · NV

The transmission have notice of vibration and rough shifting between 30 to 45 MPH.

Filed Oct 10, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · MA

The transmission is jerky, clunky, bounces to a stop, bounces and lurches forward when stopping, will take 2-3 seconds to respond to pedal push and then take off. It's very dangerous in stop and go traffic. It's very dangerous when stopping for pedestrians. It's very dangerous when driving, period. Here is the link to all of my documents regarding the case: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ppup9uyz-cxivpdursj1dd07wjxewoak

Filed May 21, 2019 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · AL

Transmission is really rough when shifting to gears 1,2, and 3. It is getting worse the more I drive. Also, very slow and rough shift from park to drive. When I am driving uphill from a full stop, I hear a loud thud and feel a hard jerk when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear and 2nd to 3rd. When I am driving downhill and approaching a stop, it dangerously accelerates the car forward after shifting down to 3rd, 2nd, and 1st gear. It is also very abrupt and jerky during those shifts down.

Filed Aug 9, 2017 · Transmission · 50 miles · TX

Harsh shift from 2nd to 3rd gear.

Filed Mar 30, 2017 · Transmission · 13,000 miles · VA

Vehicle purchase made on 2/28/2016. I have been to the dealership numerous times for various issues since then, mostly for transmission issue. The issues include jerky shifting from 1st to 2nd, and 2nd to 3rd. Acura client relations decided to replace the transmission on my fourth visit/complaint. The rough shifting has somewhat improved, but it is still there. My last visit at the dealership and a test drive with district manager(dm) yielded: a) this is perfectly normal characteristic of the new 9-speed transmission. A feature that comes with wonderful fuel economy. B) vibration from vcm (variable cylinder management). I have never had this issue until the transmission replacement. Yet again, dealership states it is perfectly normal to show this 'characteristic'. Dm's response to my question, "how/why did I not experience this issue on my first full year?" was, "what gas do you put in? Costco? They got less additives. There's carbon buildup forming in the engine". That was the response on a 13-month old vehicle. C) chirping noise from engine room. From research, it may be related to 'high pressure fuel pump' or 'insufficient belt placement', which acura has tsb out for servicing. But, dealership claims they cannot duplicate the noise, even with a recording of the sound. (it has to be audible during the test drive, they say)

Filed Aug 14, 2016 · Transmission · 400 miles · PA

Extremely inconsistent operation of 9 speed zf transmision. Have taken to dealer numerous times where they admitted the rough shift but said it was performing properly. Issues with transmision are as follows. Lags when up shifting in first two gears before neck snapping up shift to next gear. In midrange gears vibratatin can be felt while up shifting. Transmission is slow in down shifting, sometime starting off in second gear. Car drifts back a foot in park.

Filed May 2, 2016 · Transmission · CA

Car has 15k miles-from the time of purchase of my 2015 tlx shawd, vehicle exhibits ( 1)rough shifting, (2) unpredictable transmission response on downshifts on highway affecting the throttle and (3) freefall feel when downshifting on downhill. Issue (1):service bulletin done to "fix" the shifting, and although better, still exhibits the rough shift. Brought the car 3 times to acura and response is "working within spec" even when the tech noticed the hard shift and compared it to a 2016 model with no shifting issue. Now every time I know the 2-3 shift is coming, I anticipate a hard shift and have to tighten my neck muscles just in case it jerks and could cause a whiplash feel. Issue (2): when stepping on the gas pedal to make a pass on the freeway, transmission reaction time is unpredictable when at times, nothing will happen for 2 seconds, then the car will surge. This poses a safety issue due to: a. Not being able to keep up with the speed of incoming traffic due to delayed reaction and, b. The sudden surge after the 2 second delayed-reaction could result in hitting the car in front. Acura released tsb 16-012 to fix this issue but does not cover earlier VIN, which include mine. Issue (3):when going downhill and car downshifts, whether manually or automatically, car surges forward giving a freefall feel before it slows down. Again tsb 16-012 was supposed to fix this but does not cover early VIN ranges. Acura continues to insist that the transmission is within spec and yet, the 2016's have a different part number for their transmission. The fact that it performs differently also proves otherwise that the early versions are faulty.