General Motors recently notified Honda of a problem affecting the Acura ZDX. More specifically, some all-wheel drive SUVs have unreliable software that unexpectedly activates the anti-lock brakes, releasing brake pressure into the service brake system.
American Honda Motor's investigation determined that there is a defect related to motor vehicle safety, with the Acura brand promptly deciding to recall 5,031 examples of the ZDX. The zero-emission crossovers were manufactured in Spring Hill, Tennessee, by General Motors between December 19, 2023 and August 1, 2024.
The software flaw in the electronic brake control module causes the anti-lock brake system to be overly sensitive during braking events below 25 miles per hour (40 kilometers per hour) on dry surfaces. The Detroit-based manufacturer and American Honda Motor say 2WD vehicles are not affected.
Honda did not receive any field reports or warranty claims potentially related to the subject condition prior to submitting the recall documentation to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. As expected, the remedy software corrects the wheel slip detection. Acura dealers have already been instructed to update the ECBM software at no cost to affected owners and lessees.
Recall notices will be mailed on or about September 23, 2024. Alternatively, and more convenient than wasting precious dealer time, ZDX owners and lessees can update over the air. Given that GM notified American Honda Motor of the defect, it is almost certain that the problem originated with the largest of Detroit's Big Three automakers.
Photo: Acura
Before relaunching the ZDX on the BEV3 platform, Acura used the nameplate for a poorly selling crossover utility vehicle with a coupe-like roofline. Dubbed a four-door luxury sport coupe despite sporting a hatchback-style tailgate, the first-generation was offered for the 2010-2013 model year with a naturally aspirated V6 hooked up to an automatic transmission.
Acura failed to sell more than 3,259 units for the year, with U.S. deliveries declining from the aforementioned volume in calendar year 2010 to a paltry 1,564 units in 2011. The second-generation ZDX totaled 338 deliveries in the first half of 2024, although the actual number could be higher due to the dealership software cyberattack from June 2024.
Twinned with the Chevrolet Blazer Electric vehicle and Cadillac Lyriq, the Acura ZDX is also related to the Honda Prologue. Starting at $64,500 before destination charge and federal tax credit, the ZDX is advertised on Acura's website at $499 per month for 36 months with $5,999 due at signing. Both dual- and single-motor configurations feature 102-kWh batteries. The single-motor ZDX A-Spec model offers the greatest riding range, with 313 miles (504 kilometers) combined.
By comparison, the ZDX A-Spec and dual-motor Type S are rated at 304 and 278 miles, or kilometers, respectively. The most expensive spec of the bunch is the ZDX Type S Performance Wheel & Tire at $74,500 plus $1,350 destination charge.