Service bulletin B15-053

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	10108743
Published by NHTSA	2017-07-31
Manufacturer's number	B15-053
Manufacturer's date	2017-05-17
NHTSA component	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

NHTSA's summary

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.

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, Transmission control module

Trouble codes named

P0430

Vehicles listed
ACURA MDX	2014, 2015, 2016

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

Recalls for the same vehicles and component
13V571000	2013-11-14. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

A recall listed here may apply to some of the same vehicles. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle.

Other bulletins for the same vehicles and component
BBOM01062023	2023-01-11. Service bulletin. Dealer Message - During development, the idle stop enable criteria was mis-set allowing idle stop to improperly engage while battery health is low. Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop, the vehicle may not automatically restart. In most cases, the client can immediately restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pushing the Start button.
B23-002	2023-01-11. Service bulletin. Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or low cranking torque. Typically, the client can immediately restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pressing the ENGINE START/STOP button. NOTE: If 23-001 Product Update: PGM-FI Idle Stop Software Update is applicable to the VIN, the PGM-FI software must be updated first before the warranty extension applies. Acura is extending the warranty coverage for valve adjustment and starter replacement related to this condition to 10 years from the original date of purchase with no mileage limitation.
B23-001	2023-01-11. Service bulletin. Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Typically, the customer can immediately restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pushing the ENGINE START/STOP button.
BTS-151101 V2	2021-05-14. Service bulletin. Replacement TCMs don’t come with trim data. After installation, you need to run a teach-in (hydraulic pressure characteristic calibration) procedure with the HDS. The problem is that A/T DTC P287C (transmission adaptive values not learned) is set, which prevents teach-in. This happens because the TCM is programmed to look for trim data any time the ignition is cycled. If the TCM doesn’t see that trim data, it sets A/T DTC P287C. If any DTCs are set, the TCM won’t initiate teach-in and, as a result, can’t learn the trim data. It’s a classic catch-22 situation.
JK9-0001381	2021-05-12. Service bulletin. To ensure Acura have the best ownership experience, new software is sometimes released to improve the operation of our product. Recently, we released a software update for the audio, navigation, and hands-free phone systems in your navigation-equipped MDX. This software update provides functional and graphical improvements to make the systems more user friendly.
ONLKG603082019	2019-03-15. Service bulletin. Owner Notficiation Letter - Our records indicate that a PRODUCT UPDATE has not been completed on this vehicle, refer to the address card for the affected VIN. Your MDX previously had the transmission replaced because of a leaking 9-speed automatic transmission fluid (ATF) warmer. As the issue was under investigation when the transmission was replaced, your vehicle needs further action before it is completely repaired.
ONLKG303082019	2019-03-15. Service bulletin. Owner Notification Letter - Our records indicate that a PRODUCT UPDATE has not been completed on this vehicle, refer to the address card for the affected VIN. The automatic transmission fluid (ATF) warmer was improperly manufactured and may allow the engine coolant and ATF to mix. If the coolant and ATF mix, the engine and transmission may be damaged and require replacement.
B16-062	2018-10-15. 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.
BPaS04022018901	2018-04-23. Service bulletin. Dealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2015-2016 TLX V6s & 2016 MDXs with a client complaint of a no-start condition that requires the 12V battery to be replaced. To fully understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
B16-063	2018-04-16. 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 or A/T 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.