2018 Acura RDX Power Train

I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious transmission defect on my 2018 Acura RDX that materially worsened after an Acura-authorized warranty repair addressing a known torque converter defect. Acura issued a warranty extension / service campaign for the torque converter on certain 2017–2018 RDX vehicles. Prior to this repair, my vehicle did not exhibit any severe jerking, slipping, or unsafe shifting behavior. After the Acura dealer replaced the torque converter under this program, the vehicle immediately began experiencing violent and unpredictable jerking during gear changes, worsening over time. These behaviors create an unsafe driving condition, particularly in stop-and-go traffic, intersections, and merging situations. I returned the vehicle to the dealer multiple times after the repair. As the problem worsened, I provided video documentation clearly showing the abnormal transmission behavior. After further evaluation, the dealer acknowledged the issue and determined that the transmission requires replacement. Acura Corporate declined coverage, stating the vehicle was no longer under standard warranty, despite: -The issue beginning immediately after Acura’s warranty repair -The torque converter being an integral component of the transmission system -The vehicle being in a worse and unsafe condition after Acura’s work I am requesting that NHTSA: -Review whether Acura’s torque converter warranty extension repair fails to adequately address associated transmission damage -Determine whether Acura vehicles repaired under this program are being returned to consumers in an unsafe operating condition -Assess whether Acura is improperly denying responsibility for post-repair transmission failures directly related to related to the covered defect

The vehicle has developed a serious transmission defect involving harsh shifting, delayed engagement, and repeated slipping into neutral while driving. Since picking the vehicle up from Key Acura after an inspection, the condition has worsened significantly. The “Check Engine” light, the flashing “D” indicator, and the transmission warning light are now consistently illuminated. Prior to the dealer visit, these warning lights were intermittent; they are now on at all times. The vehicle can unexpectedly lose propulsion or fail to accelerate, which creates a safety risk during normal driving, especially when merging, crossing intersections, or turning. The symptoms are consistent with the known torque converter and transmission issues documented in Acura Service Bulletin 23‑029, which applies to 2017–2018 RDX models. The dealer inspected the vehicle but did not perform repairs, and the drivability and safety concerns have become more severe since the visit. Acura/Honda Client Relations has been contacted and a case is open, but no resolution has been provided. This defect poses a significant safety concern due to the sudden loss of power while the vehicle is in motion.

This is a history of getting work done on my car, the transmission hesitates and shifts very hard into the next gear, a software update was done to correct the issues and after 1100 miles it was back. 6,812 11/15/2018 Oil and filter, inspection $41.00 14,035 6/18/2019 B service rotate tries, oil and filter and other inspected items $169.53 21,635 1/8/2020 Inspection, oil and filter, inspect other items, rotate and balance tries, replace rear differential and transfer case fluid, rear wiper, engine air filter $287.24 26,823 12/15/2020 Inspection, B service, oil and filter, inspected items, rotate and balance tries, minder #2 replace cabin air filter, minder #3 trans fluid replaced, $578.87 34,364 09/07/2021 Oil and filter and rotate tries $74.15 09/13/2021 updated maps $104 09/26/2021 All new wiper blades 10/2/2021 new battery in my remote 37,651 12/16/2021 inspection, emissions, brake fluid change and replace rear differential fluid $334.46 41,783 6/16/2022 Oil and filter and new tries, Tires 235/60r18 Michelin Primacy MXM4 ($1,161.44 tries), all wheel alignment, since trans was acting up they did 10qt fluid and software update to the trans $2,116.23 42,290 7/5/2022 transmission acted up, I shut the car off and back on and no issues 12/3/2022 transmission acted up, I shut the car off and back on and no issues 12/13/2021 new battery in Nancy’s remote 48,090 12/13/2022 new wipers front and back 48,096 12/14/2022 coolant changed, tires rotated, cabin filter, air filter, and inspection $462.04 48,160 12/17/2022 emission system failure, disconnected battery also trans acted up again 49,409 2/26/2023 trans going into second hesitated then shifted very hard into second, then the emission system failure, blind side failure and transmission failure’s, I turned off the car and restated, the emission system failure still showed, the other were gone and the transmission was OK for the rest of the drive

Stopped at a red light, I was waiting for the opportunity to make a right turn. When the right lane was free of traffic I began to turn into that lane, but an approaching car made a lane change as it neared the intersection, and I let my foot off the accelerator for a split second before I realized I was too far into the lane. I tried to accelerate quickly to avoid getting rear-ended, but my Acura RDX's transmission hesitated and the engine raced in neutral. Fortunately the appoaching car was able to swerve back into the left lane and thus avoid hitting me. Not all drivers are as attentive as that driver had been, and I felt very fortunate to have not been hit. My husband and I have taken the car into the dealership multiple times, but they are unable to duplicate the transmission problem, though it continues to occur. We feel this random hesitation in the six-speed transmission during a crucial accident avoidance manuever could easily result in a collision.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 ACURA RDX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AND PARKED ON AN INCLINE, THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE, OPENED THE TAILGATE, AND THE ALARM SOUNDED. THE CONTACT WALKED OVER TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, WHICH WAS AJAR, BUT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL AND KNOCKED THE CONTACT OVER. THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN IT WAS ON LEVEL GROUND. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIBS AND A FRACTURED PELVIS, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER (PRIME ACURA, 395 PROVIDENCE HIGHWAY, WESTWOOD, MA 02090, (508) 921-1900), BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REQUESTED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.

THIS IS RELATED TO COMPLAINT #11143782. TWO MONTHS AFTER MY GAS TANK WAS REPLACED DUE TO A FAULTY CONNECTION BETWEEN IT AND THE FILLER PIPE, THE BOLTS HOLDING THE REAR PROPELLOR SHAFT CAME LOOSE AS I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY CITY STREET, MAKING THE CAR UNDRIVABLE. AT THAT TIME, MY CAR HAD 3761 MILES ON IT. THE CAR HAD TO BE FLATBED TOWED TO THE ACURA DEALER, WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THE BOLTS HAD "BACKED OUT AND THE SHAFT WAS RUBBING ON SAFETY HOLDERS." THE BOLTS WERE REPLACED WITH OEZM BOLTS WITH LOC-TITE.