[Almatti]

We have a 2016 MDX with the technology package (52,000 miles). This has been the case since we purchased the vehicle new. We've had it in the shop multiple times, only to hear that nothing is wrong. I would never buy an ACURA again for what this car has put us through. Again, garage kept, lightly driven, etc.

I can't speak to a 16 MDX (had a 19 MDX Advance, and a 22 MDX Advance B4 the current 25 A-Spec Advance MDX), but I think there are some vast differences and improvements in the new model. I posted that I had some Jerkiness / Lagging in the Tranny in my 25 , but with 3100 miles on it now, it seems better in that regard. To the best of my recollection, my 22 may have had some early "jerkiness/lagging" , but with 23K miles ion it in February 2025 when I updated to a 25 (lease) she was running well, and responsive with very good instant response when cruising and stepping on the gas . It was driven almost always in NORMAL mode. The SH_AWD system is very hard to beat!

 

[Almatti]

When my car was at the dealer for two recalls, I asked them to check why the transmission seems to jerk when my foot is off either pedal and I am coasting down and crossing the 20mph mark. I only have 2500 miles on the car after a year and do mostly in town driving so I am constantly experiencing this jerkiness. The dealer claimed it was normal behavior for the 10 speed transmission. Overall, I love the car for comfort and all the convenience features but it is NOT a luxurious or as smooth of a ride as I was expecting.

Gadgetfreak, did u try the ECU/TCM reset? It may help. I find the jerkiness or really a bit of Lag, is better after doing that. The real flaw is when cruising at close to highway speeds, then hitting the gas to feel a bit too prolonged lag reaction.

 

[Almatti]

Yes, as follows: hit the start button Without your foot on the Brake, 2x ...all the idiot lights will be on; then put the throttle to the floor , holding it there for a full 30 second count (1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi), the release the gas, then start the car normally. Then drive it Hard ( as one guy told me, Drive it like you stole it). This resets the Learning feature of the ECU/TCM which me many newer cars have. Can't guarantee success, but you may feel the difference in the way it drives. I do this every 4-6 weeks, since I drive mine locally in suburbia on similar routes. These cars "Learn" the way you drive.

 

[Almatti]

I think a Key to this is once you do the reset proceedure (which was applicable to the last 6 vehicles I have owned [Leased} ) is to Drive it Hard using hard Throttle bursts from Traffic lights, getting on highways, etc. Play with the Throttle with pushes and letups, the pushing it, etc. Remember, you are trying to have the ECU "re-learn" the driving manners. Use the Sport Mode too -On & Off.

 

[Almatti]

This is what I have been saying all along. The majority of my driving is around town with stop-and-go traffic hovering above and below 20 mph. The jerkiness is crazy. I love driving my wife's Ionic5 EV for that reason. On the highway, things are so smooth and the cabin/seats are SO comfortable.

I droven similar circumstances being retired making local daily stops (helps to get oput of the House LOL) , in Suburbia cica the same speeds or little higher. 90 % of the Time in Comfort or Normal mode she's running with much less Jerkiness now that I have over 3K miles on it. I do find LAG when at highway speeds say 55ish , then step on it, there ios some LAG that I do NOT recall in my 22. Last point, I used to detect that Lag at slower speeds at first with the "jerkiness" - that is better in Comfort and Normal Modes. Moreover, with both the 22 and now the 25, when I would want to pass on the highway, i would push the Tranny button going from D to DS yielding a quicker response with more pep in its Step. Then switch back once the pass was made. Same with the Use of pure Sports mode. Sometimes I will put it into Sports dynamic Mode and DS tranny mode - that is Transforming!!

 

[Almatti]

My 2023 mdx advance had the same issue but constantly driving had changed that. With mine the gear in D mode always went to S drive mode driving under 30 miles when I had the vehicle at 50 miles. It changed after 3000 miles and began smooth driving. I think it came from the vehicle software which is monitoring to pick the best driving mode leading jerking many at times.

You bring up an interesting point regarding this issue. Although I posted something along these lines regarding my previous 22 MDX, that I recalled it was bit "Jerky" and a little Laggy early on. I don't know exactly the Mileage Benchmark, but then the 2 drove more smoothly , less Jerkiness and less lagging. When I turned that 22 in (leased) on a new lease for the 25 A-Spec Advance, she was running very well .........I still get a little Remorse for not buying it in February. With my 25 with 3300 miles, I sense less Jerkiness (yes occasionally still at first drive), and travelling at 30 MPH or so, no real Lag. Yes, the ECU does "learn: the way you drive the MDX (and all the other makes too ) so the constant repetitive driving patterns are registered into the ECU. I drive almost daily in the very same manner in Suburbia with the occasional longer highway trips. That's why I do that Reset about 1X a month.

 

[Almatti]

From my experience, it may help with the laggy. I define Lagging almost like a Turbo lag vs slight Jerkiness in gear shift up or down. I feel lag when cruising at over 50 mph or so, then hit the throttle to pass and find a pretty long Lag for the downshift. Sometimes, I hit the tranny button to put it into DS , then hit the gas for more instant response. I did that in my 22 as well early on and at other times. As you know if you put the MDX into Sport Dynamic Mode and DS on the tranny, she Flies !!! It's like a different vehicle all controlled by computer engine throttle and tranny TCU computer management software.

 

[Almatti]

Hotlin3, try the reset posted in the thread and elsewhere. It may help with having the ECU /TCU relearn the way it drives. It's a simple procedure . Try it, nothing to lose!

 

[Almatti]

Don't forget to Drive It Like You Stole It......as mentioned in a post actually pertaining to an Infiniti I had. The meaning is to drive it harder , harder throttle from stops, etc. forcing the re learning. Eventually as you drive in your in normal manner, it will settle back . That's why I do it every month or so. Good Luck, hope it helps.

 

[Almatti]

Absolutely, I’ve just tried it and taken a short drive. I will put some miles on and report back. I should have mentioned I bought it with 7k miles worth of driving habits before my own. So maybe this really will make a difference.

Have you been able to apply the reset? Do you feel any difference?

 

[Almatti]

I think I can honestly say that some of the initial Jerkiness in the low Tranny shifts is better. I have hit the 3300+ mile mark on my 25 MDX, and I believe the tranny has exhibited less jerkiness. I'm not sure if the resetting has directly affected it, but even B4 I did another Reset last week, it did seem better than previously. Some posters did state that to give the car some more time and mileage, it will smooth out.

 

[Almatti]

That is how it was described to me via a Forum Post and/or a You Tube video. It was identical to the reset procedure in a previous Infiniti I had too. I believe the aggressive Driving at least in the first few drives forces a Re-Learn in the ECU/TCM. In Theory anyway. From what I have surmised, driving in that typical leisurely manner on suburban roads, the on board computers "adjust" to that manner.

 

[Almatti]

8,800 now

I would be all over the Dealer complaining. Let them go out with you and drive in the situations you are feeling this overly aggressive downshifts while just cruising at local speeds. There could be something wrong with the Tranny. Let them check it out thoroughly with you in the car.

 

[Almatti]

I find driving it more , now at 4k miles, the tranny seems more smooth with less jerkiness. I also play with the throttle a little. Pick up my foot a little, then hit the gas . This is while driving locally in Suburbia.

 

[Almatti]

JUst brought in my 25 A-Spec Advance to dealer for this - seemingly intermittent jerky (hard shift) and some lagging on hitting the throttle at 40-50 MPH or so. In addition ,I have been Bit by this Steering Wheel Rumble bug when automatically going into position with Auto Entry / Exit system. That seems to happen after first time driving. After a stop and then starting the car, a Distinct "rumble" is heard as the Steering wheel goes into position (but not when it extending, only Up and down). There is a DIfferent Thread on that.