CarComplaints.com Notes: 2015 Acura TLX owners just want a transmission that can get from 1st to 5th gear without feeling like a washing machine full of bricks. A class-action lawsuit wants answers for why the car’s transmission jerks and hesitates just months after the transmissions were recalled and replaced for not being able to shift into park.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
80,894 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2015 Acura TLX drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2015 Acura TLX Owner Comments (Page 4 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #87

Jan 012015

TLX

  • 50 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Harsh shift from 2nd to 3rd gear.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #86

Feb 012017

TLX

  • 28,000 miles
Vehicle shifted into park while driving between 35-40 miles per hour.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #85

May 162017

TLX

  • 61,185 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Acura Tlx. While the vehicle was stopped in traffic, several warning indicators illuminated. In addition, the emergency parking indicator began to flash and the brake lights constantly illuminated. The contact pulled over, shut off the vehicle, activated the emergency parking brake, and restarted the vehicle, but the failure recurred. The contact repeated the process and received the same results. The contact informed the dealer who had the contact reset the vehicle, but the failure remained. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V779000 (power train). The approximate failure mileage was 61,185.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #84

Apr 242017

TLX

  • 17,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

After driving on freeway about 5 hours transmission suddenly went into neutral and a transmission warning light displayed on the dashboard. Numerous big rigs were around me at the time that came close to colliding with my vehicle.

- Temecula, CA, USA

problem #83

Mar 292017

TLX

  • 13,000 miles
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)

- Centreville, VA, USA

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problem #82

Mar 202017

TLX

  • 23,000 miles
New car purchased in 2015. Currently has about 23K miles. Error lights flash on dash including "transmission system problems, blind spot info system problems, vehicle stability assist problem, all wheel steering problem, forward collision warning problem, lane departure waring problem". this is the third time that it has happened. First time, no video evidence of it but we did take it in to Acura to look. No issue found. Second time we had a video, they did a software upgrade. Now again. Along with this, car had a transmission replaced, steering rack and pinion, sub frame, power steering assembly, list goes on.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #81

Jan 192017

TLX

  • 23,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Powertrain: In 19 months of ownership, my 2015 Acura Tlx's transmission has failed twice. The first time it failed (10 months), it would not enter into reverse, drive or neutral upon starting. It took special towing too. The second time it failed (19 months, 22K miles), I was driving in rural Texas at 70 mph and the transmission switched into neutral, warning lights exploded and I had to safely work my way to an exit ramp and onto the frontage road. I then had to wait for 2.5 hours for a tow truck which then resulted in a 2 hour ride in a tow truck to bring it to the dealer. Suspension: Within a week or two of buying the Acura Tlx, the car began to develop a vibration that I could feel through the accelerator and steering wheel. I could visually see it in the passenger seat as it would shake substantially (nearly violently). On a drive, the car shifted violently and momentarily in a lateral motion at 80 mph while passing another car which scared the wits out of my passenger and me. Dealer changed the tires, investigated the passenger seat and the shudder/vibration would not go away. I got sick of taking it into the dealer only for it to return to me in the same condition. After 1 year, the road noise in the cabin grew and my passengers would complain. Finally the dealer identified that the right rear wheel bearing was bad. Once replaced, the road noise and vibration improved considerably. However, when I drive a loaner from the dealership, it drives much smoother than my car so the problem is still not fully fixed. Other: In the first 2 weeks, I noticed that a torrent of water would run down the inside of my rear window and into my back speaker compartment after a heavy rain. It turned out that the back window was not properly installed. A brand new car that has numerous significant manufacturing and quality problems! unacceptable!!!

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #80

Jan 172017

TLX

  • 22,500 miles
The transmission is extremely jumpy, all of the warning lights come on and flash, along with the engine will power down temporarily. For example one time I was going approx 50mph and it powered down to about 30 mph on the freeway. All of the warning lights start flashing, I pulled over turned the car off and then restarted it. The warning lights remained flashing but the engine functioned but the transmission still was jerky. This was happened at least 5 separate times and we have had it in service with Acura several times and each time they try to fix the same complaints with a different fix. Most recently we had it in for repair for a week, we got it back, drove it 200 miles and the same error happened. Acura finally agreed to replace the transmission and I just picked it back up on 1/6/17 and the same error and transmission issue occurred today. We have notified the dealership, the nmvb, Acura customer relations, and now we are reaching out to the NHTSA. We do not feel safe in this vehicle and we are afraid that the transmission will idle down again on the freeway but maybe in a lane that we cannot immediately pull over safely.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #79

Jun 152016

TLX

  • 18,000 miles
I have been to the dealer 2 times for transmission problems. The car has poor acceleration and hesitates shifting. When ur trying to speed up it has a delay which has gotten me very close to 2 accidents. Shifting is also very rough, it kicks in hard. The dealer did a transmission update and the problem persists. Took it back again they scanned for codes and said they can't find any issue. I feel this car is dangerous and the transmission needs to be replaced before an accident occurs.

- North Bergen, NJ, USA

problem #78

Nov 042016

TLX 6-cyl

  • 15,000 miles
My name is [xxx], in 2014 I walked into marin Acura (located in marin, California) and leased a 2015 Acura Tlx. This was especially an exciting model due to it redesign. Within the first year of my lease I received a recall letter in the mail stating that their was a defect in regards to the transmission. I brought the vehicle to the dealer and they "fixed" it and sent me on my way. One year later, again, I received a letter in the mail from the automobile devision located at your corporate headquarters at 1919 torrance blvd, ca (NHTSA recall # 16V-640). The letter clearly states "if this malfunction were to occur, it could result in an unexpected loss of motor power, which could reduce vehicle control and increases the risk of a crash?. it also states that the ?fix" will become available December 2016, todays date is November 7th, 2016. I have been driving this vehicle for 2 out of my 3 year lease and the transmission has been recalled twice consistently every year. I have put my two children and wife into this vehicle now knowing that the car could have possibly put my family and myself in physical danger and even death. Not because driving is dangerous but because there have been manufacturing defects with the transmission of this Acura model and year. I cannot describe what it feels like to have that on the mind of a parent. I see this being handled in one way. Acura takes away the car and refunds me my total vehicle lease investment along with my down payment. Please take this matter into serious consideration as I am fully prepared to legally escalate this matter beyond the consumer-company level. I can't imagine how many Acura 2015 Tlxs there are nation wide. This experience has been a disaster financially, emotionally and according to Acura potentially physically. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- El Cerrito, CA, USA

problem #77

Jan 012016

TLX

  • 19,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I feel my safety is in jeopardy when I drive this vehicle. Any time the Tlx's brakes are applied and the accelerator is immediately pressed, the vehicle stalls and I have to let off of the accelerator for the transmission to catch and then the car will go. This is especially true at stop signs. This is what has almost gotten me killed multiple times. In one instance, I stopped at a stop sign, I pressed the gas to go because I had enough time to go before the oncoming car got to me, however the vehicle wouldn't go, so I floored the accelerator twice and nothing happened. The third time the vehicle horribly jerked and threw me out into traffic in front of the oncoming vehicle. After backing up, another problem, the vehicle continues to go in reverse for an additional 12 inches. 12 inches that should not be necessary when switching driving directions. This can be noticed on incline and no incline.

- Siloam, NC, USA

problem #76

Aug 142016

TLX

  • 400 miles
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.

- Palmyra, PA, USA

problem #75

Jul 262016

TLX

  • 12,000 miles
With only 12000 miles and less than a year of having the brand new vehicle, the transmission went out completely and left me stranded. It was acting a bit funny that morning driving, when I went to start it again, all warnings went off and I was unable to put the car in gear.

- Smyrna, GA, USA

problem #74

Feb 012016

TLX

  • 3,000 miles
Please investigate Acura on their 8 and 9 speed transmission. The transmission hesitates and jerks between shifts, is unresponsive to downshifts (unless it is in sport mode), reluctant to up shift at times, grinds at certain speeds and you can move the car a half foot in park. Most time, this is frustrating and upsetting for an upmarket vehicle, some times it is concerning as you feel you cannot control the car and could cause an accident. I have taken it back to Acura 5 times and despite software updates and a "new" transmission, nothing has changed. I met with the Acura mid-atlantic rep and he said this is the way the transmissions behave so Honda can meet the government fuel economy requirements. I had a high-gear transmission before this car and never had these issues. I have read about the same problem on other sites and in car magazines yet Honda/Acura is doing nothing about it besides "software updates." This transmission, produced by zf and installed in other vehicles such as Chrysler/Fiat has the similar issues. What can be done about a product that is clearly faulty? thank you.

- Falls Church,, VA, USA

problem #73

Jun 062016

TLX

  • 11,000 miles
Hi, I have a problem with my transmission and I can push the car a feet or so when the car is in park. Or if parked in an incline I the car moves back atleast one fourth to half tire rotation. I saw a recall NHTSA recall no. : 14V-779 that had VIN ranges from begin :[xxx] end :[xxx] my VIN number is well within this range and neither dealership or Acura has any knowledge of the recall applied. I also don't see any recalls listed in safecar.gov as for this car as well. Need assistance is making sure either the recall is applicable or if its done already need necessary documentation. 'information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

problem #72

Jan 012016

TLX

  • miles
My 2015 Acura Tlx hesitates when changing gears, does not accelerate when gas pedal is pushed and the shifting out of parking position is noisy and harsh. Acura has provided a defect code for my complaints (03214) and software updates (operation number 1255A2 and 1255C9), which have been performed on my vehicle. None of these have fixed the problem. Lemon law favored in the manufacturer's side and the arbitrators say it is not a nonconformity. Honda's lawyer says that I did not take it in enough times and that hesitation for a moment is not a concern. Acura says they would not change my car because they all drive the same and that I am just not used to driving a vehicle like this one. The biggest problem with the car is that as it comes to a stop at an intersection or traffic light, it lurches forward extremely harshly as if I was hit by another vehicle in the rear. This is so bad that I have been experiencing lower back pain and have to take pain killers at times. And of course, I have to take this into account every time I have to brake, in order to avoid an accident. You must know how frustrating it is to have to worry about this each and every time I am reaching a stop sign or traffic light.. the car does it sometimes and others it doesn't, so I have to try and predict how it is driving that particular day. This takes away from me the ability to control my car in an emergency situation.also, there was one time when I needed to make a left turn and my car felt as if it were in neutral, did not accelerate and then after a moment decided to drive forward. Thankfully no car was coming, if not it would have been an accident. I have to now make sure that cars are far enough so that if it does hesitate again I won't be putting my family and I at risk. I hate having to drive my vehicle because it is unpredictable and I feel very unsafe.

- Hialeah, FL, USA

problem #71

Oct 172015

TLX

  • 1,000 miles
Can you please investigate the 2015 Acura Tlx with the 9sp transmission? there is unintended acceleration when slowing down, unanticipated surging, and unexpected hesitation when attempting to accelerate. This is a known issue within Honda but there has been no recall or public fix from Honda. I included the purchase date of the car but the above happens at various times. acurazine.com/forums/5G-Tlx-problems-fixes-420/9at-hard-shift-1-2-2-3-A-919230

- Monroe, CT, USA

problem #70

May 132016

TLX

  • 5,000 miles
I have a 2015 Acura Tlx 4cyl. It is a very nice looking car however there is something wrong with the transmission. I have taken it into the Acura dealership and they have confirmed that there is something wrong however they are not sure what. All they tell me is that there are no codes coming up telling them what it is. They just tell me that everything is documented so if and when there is a recall I have proof that it has been ongoing. When you are stopped and then proceed to go the car will jerk and hesitate to shift to next gear. This can happen while you are driving also, if you have to brake and then start again. Its very upsetting I have owned Acura before, the Acura TL and the Acura integra, both cars had a high performance. This car not so much. When is Acura going to do something about this?? there hasn't been just one episode this is an everyday occurrence.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #69

Jul 312015

TLX

  • miles
I own a 2015 Tlx V4 tech and there seems to be an obvious problem, which the dealerships seems to neglect, with the transmission. I've had my vehicle checked out 2 times since I first purchased it back in July of 2015, and the dealership tech. Specialists know it is there but they aren't able to resolve the problem even through a "software update". the problem is that the vehicle jerks forward, sometime when making a stop it launches forward- as if someone had rear-ended me. The secondary problem is that when I merge onto the freeway there is a major lag and the transmission fails to shift. Takes about 3 seconds to engage to full speed which in terms it's extremely hazardous because of of other vehicles that cease to slowdown and give me the right-of-way. I demand the manufacturer be aware of this issues that I contemplate on a daily basis before something tragic happens to me or my fellow Tlx drivers.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #68

May 022016

TLX

  • miles
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.

- Simi Valley, CA, USA

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