Diagsheet

2015 Acura TLX · symptom sheet

Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard

  • 80owner reports
  • 8,800median miles
  • 1involved a crash

Newest report Jan 5, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

157 of the 333 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 80 of those describe transmission shudder, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2015 TLX.

Tick what matches of 80 reports

5
25
9
39
17
5

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (5 reports) and the clutch (5 reports).

Recalls and investigations

2 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2015 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

16V-640Sep 6, 2016
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura TLX 2WD and 4WD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the transmission wire harness connections may have insufficient crimps, and, as a result, the transmission may unexpectedly shift to neutral.

Risk and remedy
Risk: If the vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Acura has notified owners, and dealers will, based on the automatic transmission serial number, update the transmission software to prevent the transmission from shifting into neutral due to a faulty crimp, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2017. Owners may contact Acura Client Relations at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KC2.
14V-779Dec 8, 2014
Power Train:Automatic Transmission

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura TLX V6 2WD vehicles manufactured July 14, 2014, to November 12, 2014, and certain 2015 TLX V6 SH-AWD vehicles manufactured August 26, 2014, to November 10, 2014. The automatic transmission parking pawl may become contaminated or the park rod may become dislodged or broken. This may prevent the transmission from shifting into the Park position.

Risk and remedy
Risk: If the shift indicator displays "Park" but the park lock does not engage, the vehicle may roll away increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the transmission if necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 30, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-310-783-2000. Honda's number for this recall is JM8.

NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the TLX

DP26-001opened Mar 6, 2026
Transmission and drivetrain · model years 2021 to 2023

All wheel drive allegation. Closed aug 4, 2026.

NHTSA summary
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has completed its review of a Petition dated January 9, 2026, requesting an investigation into the loss of the optional all-wheel drive capability in model year (MY) 2021-2023 Acura TLX and MY 2022-2023 Acura MDX vehicles. The Petition alleges failures in the interfacing splines between the front wheel drive transaxle and the rear wheel drive power take off unit. Failure of these splines prevents the transfer of drive power to the rear axle, making the vehicle front wheel drive only. The Petition further alleges that this failure reduces vehicle directional control. Most traditional AWD systems utilize mechanical and passive measures. These systems have the tendency to distribute torque along the path of least resistance, such as a wheel that has lost contact with the ground or is on a low friction surface such as ice. To compensate for this, many manufacturers use the brake system to redirect torque to the wheels with more traction. However, in this style of AWD system, a failed drive shaft or similar disconnection prior to the brakes often results in drive power being lost to the disconnected component. The consequence of this loss is the inability to maintain speed with surrounding traffic which increases the risks of collisions and injuries to the vehicle occupants. The Subject Vehicles are built upon a platform that was designed primarily as Front Wheel Drive (FWD). The SH-AWD system functions more as a performance enhancemen

None of these investigations covers the 2015 model year.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 3,000 and 29,752 miles, from the 46 reports that gave a mileage.

4115
1316
817
118
319
520
321
122
123
224
125
126

What owners wrote

“The gears are very jerky i got this tlx at 70k miles and its been jerky ever since. Car looses power when turning from stop the steering get hard sometimes. Transmission chirping noises.”

Filed Oct 24, 2021 · 70,000 miles

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 1 of 80 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.

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