Why does my Acura RLX transmission shudder or hunt between gears?

Short answer: Often it's how the RLX is programmed: early upshifts for fuel economy and grade logic on hills. Change the transmission fluid if it's overdue and ask about resetting the learned shift settings. On the Sport Hybrid, electrical problems can also cause odd behavior.

Symptom: RPMs bouncing between 3rd and 4th on slow uphill drives, shudder at 25-50 mph, slightly jerky shifts, or the transmission feeling like it slips.

What to check first

1. Try Sport mode to see if it smooths out.
2. Check when the transmission fluid was last changed.
3. Ask a dealer to reset the transmission's learned settings and check for updates.
4. Read codes, especially on the Sport Hybrid with electrical symptoms.
5. Test the 12V battery if lights stay on or the car won't shut off.

Likely causes

1. Shift logic (grade logic and fuel economy tuning). The transmission is programmed to upshift early for fuel economy and to hold gears on hills, which can feel like hunting. Sport mode often smooths it.
2. Old transmission fluid. Fresh fluid can help shift feel. One car at 78k miles had no fluid change on record.
3. Learned shift settings need a reset. The transmission learns how you drive. Owners suggest resetting these 'adaptations' if shifting feels off.

What it usually costs

One Sport Hybrid owner paid $700 at the dealer and the issues came back. Other owners didn't post prices.

Is it safe to keep driving?

Mild hunting is usually OK to drive. If it slips or the car has electrical faults, get it checked.

DIY or shop?

Using Sport mode is DIY. Fluid changes and resets are shop jobs for most owners.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Recalls: NHTSA lists 7 recall(s) for the Acura RLX in these years, and none is for this problem. Recalls for the RLX include fuel pumps (20V314000, 23V858000) and timing belts (19V298000) on certain years. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of a recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• Plain words: The complaint count below shows how often owners reported problems that mention these words to NHTSA. A count is not proof of a defect.
• NHTSA complaints: 13 keyword-matched complaints for Acura RLX 2014–2020 (of 113 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-11-05; keywords: transmission, shudder, shift, hesitat, jerk, surge, slip) (NHTSA returned no data for 2 model-year queries). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In Just purchased 2016 Acura RLX. on Reddit r/Acura, a 2016 RLX owner at 78k miles felt the car unable to decide between 3rd and 4th on slow uphill drives, with RPMs bouncing. Replies called it Honda/Acura grade logic, and others suggested a transmission fluid change and resetting the transmission's learned settings, which fixed weird shifting on another owner's TL.
• In 2018 RLX transmission on Reddit r/Acura, a 2018 RLX owner felt shuddering at 25-50 mph and jerky shifts, and the dealer said it was normal. Replies said the transmission is tuned to upshift early for fuel economy, and Sport mode mostly smoothed it out.
• In Selling my RLX Sport Hybrid on Reddit r/Acura, an RLX Sport Hybrid owner had bouncing RPMs, slipping-feeling shifts and electrical problems, like lights staying on and the car stuck in accessory mode. The dealer charged $700, and the problems came back within a month.

Quick tip

Start with fresh fluid and a reset before accepting an expensive transmission diagnosis.

Vehicle focus: Acura RLX 2014-2020, including the RLX Sport Hybrid.

Safety / mechanic note

A transmission that slips or an electrical fault that keeps the car on can leave you stranded. Verify with a mechanic.