Service bulletin B16-065

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

The communication, as NHTSA indexes it (as of 2026-10-19)
Type	Service bulletin
NHTSA id	10108304
Published by NHTSA	2017-06-30
Manufacturer's number	B16-065
Manufacturer's date	2017-03-24
NHTSA component	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

NHTSA's summary

"SERVICE BULLETIN - A JUDDER FROM THE TORQUE CONVERTER LOCK-UP CLUTCH MAY BE FELT WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20 AND 60 MPH. THE PROBLEM IS TYPICALLY DIAGNOSED AS A BAD TORQUE CONVERTER. AMERICAN HONDA INVESTIGATED THE JUDDER AND FOUND THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS NOT CAUSING THE JUDDER AND THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT DAMAGED BY THIS JUDDER. THE JUDDER IS CAUSED BY DETERIORATED TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID DETERIORATES QUICKER THAN EXPECTED WHEN IT IS EXPOSED TO INTERMITTENT HIGH HEAT LOADS UNDER SPECIFIC DRIVING CONDITIONS. A SOFTWARE UPDATE IS AVAILABLE TO MAINTAIN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TEMPERATURE WITHIN THE DESIRABLE RANGE UNDER ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS JUDDER."

The document

No address for NHTSA's copy can be built for this communication. Ask the dealer for it by the manufacturer's number.

Components

Electrical system, Transmission and driveline, Automatic transmission, Software, Torque converter

Vehicles listed
ACURA RL	2012
ACURA RLX	2014, 2015, 2016, 2017

Listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned: the document says which.

Other bulletins for the same vehicles and component
BBOM09152020	2020-09-22. Service bulletin. Dealer Message - Today, September 15, 2020, Acura is announcing a stop sale and emissions recall for certain 2017-2020 MDX Sport Hybrid and 2014, 2016-2020 RLX Sport Hybrid vehicles that may not properly clear specific diagnostic trouble codes (DTC). Presence of these codes may prevent the vehicle from passing a smog test. Refer to your eResponsibility report or do an iN VIN status inquiry to determine which units in your inventory are affected.
B20-040	2020-09-22. Service bulletin. "Service Bulletin - When the PCM detects a malfunction in one of the odd number transmission gears, it will set one of the following DTCs: -P073F (unable to engage gear 1) -P074B (unable to engage gear 3) -P074D (unable to engage gear 5) -P074F (unable to engage gear 7) Due to inappropriate calibration of the PCM, the OBD system cannot properly clear the transmission permanent DTC as required."
B19-004	2019-02-10. Service bulletin. Service bulletin - The transmission judders, shudders, or surges while driving. The transmission fluid has deteriorated prematurely.
B17-034	2018-03-05. Service bulletin. Service bulletin - The MIL comes on with DTC P0430 (front bank catalyst system efficiency below threshold [Bank 2]). The PCM software may misinterpret sensor inputs as a deteriorated catalytic converter.
BVE02142018901	2018-02-26. Service bulletin. Dealer message - Every Service Bulletin requires you to take an HDS snap shot and use the job aid or Tech2Tech to confirm the judder/shudder is coming from the torque converter.
B17-034	2017-10-21. Service bulletin. Service bulletin - The MIL comes on with DTC P0430 (front bank catalyst system efficiency below threshold [Bank 2]). The PCM software may misinterpret sensor inputs as a deteriorated catalytic converter.
B17-034	2017-09-27. Service bulletin. Service bulletin - The MIL comes on with DTC P0430 (front bank catalyst system efficiency below threshold [Bank 2]). The PCM software may misinterpret sensor inputs as a deteriorated catalytic converter.
B16066	2017-08-31. Service bulletin. Service bulletin - After the software update, some vehicles based on how they are driven (extreme conditions) may still experience ATF deterioration after updating the PGM-FI system and the shudder may return. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque converter (TC). There is no damage to the TC, but because the ATF has deteriorated, it needs to be changed even though the ATF Service Due message has not appeared. Make sure the software is updated by referring to the INSPECTION PROCEDURE.
B16065	2017-08-31. Service bulletin. Service bulletin - A judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60 mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque converter. American Honda investigated the judder and found that the torque converter was not causing the judder and the transmission is not damaged by this judder. The judder was caused by deteriorated transmission fluid. The transmission fluid deteriorates quicker than expected when it is exposed to intermittent high heat loads under specific driving conditions. A software update is available to maintain the transmission fluid temperature within the desirable range under all driving conditions and eliminate the potential for this judder.
B16045	2017-08-31. Service bulletin. Service bulletin - A judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque converter. American Honda investigated the judder and found that the torque converter was not causing the judder; rather, it was caused by deteriorated transmission fluid. The transmission fluid deteriorates quicker than expected when it is exposed to intermittent high heat loads under specific driving conditions. American Honda is working on a software update that will maintain the transmission fluid temperature within the desirable range under all driving conditions and eliminate the potential for this judder. American Honda will revise this service bulletin when the software update is available.