2009 Acura RDX radiator failure

[Buzzman]

Hey folks, a friend of mine has a 2009 RDX that just had the radiator fail.
Transmission fluid mixed in with coolant, and now her transmission is apparently shot. Huge repair bill estimate.
It's the same problem as R51 pathfinders (2005-2011).
Acura has absolved all responsibility, and basically said tough crap.
Then they pitched her on a new RDX.
I saw the offer sheet they gave her, and it was an insult. They reduced the trade in value of her old RDX by the estimated cost of repairs.
I went back to the dealership with her and ripped into the manager about how poorly Acura has represented themselves, and that they need to step up and take some ownership of the problem.
I also reminded them that as a luxury division of Honda, that this catastrophic breakdown does nothing to enhance their reputation and image.
Now, a few questions: Has anyone seen or heard of this radiator failure on other Honda or Acura products?
Secondly, she (with my help) are actively shopping around for an alternative solution/vehicle, while Acura works up a new offer.
We are looking at a BMW X1 and X3 for starters.
I'd also like to look at an Audi Q5, among others.
Any opinions or first hand experience from NICO members who have owned or dealt with vehicles in this class and price range would be much appreciated.
My friend has gone quite sour on Acura and the RDX, and wants to wash her hands of the whole mess right now.
I'll update the new Acura dealer offer when I see it.
Thanks in advance.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Wow that's rough. Too bad you can't just try power flushing the trans a couple times and seeing if it would work.

Your friend should also test drive some Infiniti EX and FX models (or whatever they are calling them these days). I've heard mixed stuff about the BMWs and Audis, but I don't think I've ever met anyone that didn't like their EX.

[Buzzman]

Wow that's rough. Too bad you can't just try power flushing the trans a couple times and seeing if it would work.

Your friend should also test drive some Infiniti EX and FX models (or whatever they are calling them these days). I've heard mixed stuff about the BMWs and Audis, but I don't think I've ever met anyone that didn't like their EX.

Replacing the rad, and flushing the transmission a few times, was discussed.
It actually started acting funny about 3 months ago, but then settled down again.
It started acting up again (shifting and slipping erratically) a few weeks ago, and got progressively worse.
By the time she got it to the dealership, it was pretty much undriveable.
The treatment she received at this dealership completely turned her off either fixing it, or buying a new Acura.
As of this morning, she made a deal for a demonstrator 2016 BMW X1, with only 5,000 miles on it.
Even with full disclosure to BMW on the condition of her RDX, they still gave more for the trade-in than Acura would.
Also, being a demo, she avoids the usual new car fees, like eco taxes, delivery charges and stuff.
She got what she wanted, and washes her hands off the whole Acura experience.
I think she did pretty good.

[ScrapMetal]

Maybe she should try a similar SUV/CUV whatever thing from a non luxury brand. Transmission fluid in the radiator? Coolant in the transmission? Seems like some overly complicated gimmick to cool the transmission. Luxury vehicles are over engineered for no damn good reason. I would drop the luxury meme and go for something like a CX5 from Mazda, heck or maybe even a mid size CUV from the Koreans, those things are looking sharp. Good luck to her.

[Jesda]

A lot of radiators on a lot of cars have transmission coolers built in. When the wall separating the two fluids fails, they mix and terrible things happen.
Happens to BMW, GM, Nissan, Ford, Honda, and Chrysler products just to name a few. It sucks. Switching brands doesn't get around the problem nor does it necessarily result in better customer service.

Buy an external transmission cooler and bypass the one built into the radiator.

[Bubba1]

This ^ Complexity has infected most major car marques, especially the upscale ones. Have you consulted an independent mechanic about your problem, by chance? Basing your opinion solely on a dealer's opinion (who is more interested in getting you to trade on a new/newer vehicle might be a significant part of the problem. I avoid them for everything except warranty issues. Unlike Veedubs, you have an old Acura that can be repaired by anyone. I'm not suggesting Midas, Jiffy Lube or a chain, but an actual garage with real mechanics recommended to you by friends/neighbors. You might find it's something worth fixing and not an item to toss in the towel and dump the vehicle.

[Buzzman]

Bubba1: I totally agree re: independent assessment.
Unfortunately, it wasn't my vehicle, and by the time she got me involved, her old RDX had already been at the dealership for two weeks. She was driving a rental.
The dealership had already given her an offer sheet for a new RDX, and that is when she got me involved.
I think she knew she was being short changed, and wanted my opinion. I agreed. She was being screwed over.
I spoke with the Acura sales manager (with her present) and told him what I thought.
I don't think he liked having me getting involved. I think he saw her as an easy mark.
He promised to get back to her within 48 hours with a better offer. Right.
It was at this point that my friend just made up her mind to dump the vehicle.
I also went to a trusted independent service garage, as you suggested, and spoke to the owner there about her problem.
He couldn't estimate the cost of repairs based on just a verbal assessment (mine), but agreed that the costs she was quoted for a new rad and transmission flush were way out of line.
The big unknown here is whether the transmission was truly shot or not. I believe it was (just my uninformed opinion).
All this to say that she bit the bullet and bought the BMW.
I would have liked her to shop around a little longer too, but she wanted to get this done, and to get out of the rental (which she was paying for).
As for settling for a "lesser" vehicle, well, you have to know that she is a doctor, and likes her marque stuff.
I just wish she had gotten me involved at the beginning. Oh well. It's done now.
Thanks for everyone's feed back. Always appreciate it.
Hey, can't believe it will be ten years this winter that I joined this site.
Always learning.
Cheers.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Yup, if she's happy, that's all that matters.
Maybe she didn't make out the best on the vehicle she got, but it sounds like its a lot better than the path Acura was steering her down, so in that regard, its a victory.