Transmission Failure problems of the 2001 Acura MDX

Transmission failure.

The contact owns a 2001 Acura mds. The contact stated while driving 35 mph the transmission failed. The gears locked between second and third gear and began to shift as if something was popping in the transmission. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed that the transmission needed to be replaced at the contacts expense. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that he would be responsible for the repair cost since there were no recalls or warranty on that vehicle. The failure mileage was 102,350.

The contact owns a 2001 Acura Mdx. The contact was attempting to accelerate from a complete stop yet the vehicle begin to jerk violently. The vehicle resumed normal operation but within two miles, the vehicle began thrusting and jerking again. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where the contact was informed that the transmission had failed and would need to be rebuilt. The contact located a recall for the failure (NHTSA campaign id number: 04v176000 -power train: automatic transmission) but was advised by the manufacturer that they would not assist if the vehicle was not serviced by an authorized dealer. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 154,000.

Transmission failure caused by plugged fluid cooler in radiator. Following occasional undiagnosed high transmission temperature fluid warnings when towing a trailer, car shifted unexpectedly into 2nd gear at highway speeds. Just prior, shifting had become slightly erratic, including sharp engagement above idle when pulling away. Erratic behavior was noticeable, but not disconcerting. Once the transmission started shifting into 2nd gear at highway speeds, the vehicle was slowed, and pulled off the highway briefly to cool. Upon restarting, erratic shifting continued. Trip completed by holding car in 2nd gear. Vehicle operated normally next morning driving to shop. Diagnosis was computer unable to determine what gear transmission was in. Shop performed complete transmission overhaul. Car then operated normally - until trailer towing again attempted. Trailer had been towed with indetical loading for some 6+ years without problems, including mountain passes in 3rd gear. Now when towing transmission overheated without warning in cold weather, including over-temperature light, & transmission fluid spraying out, wetting the underside of the car & exhaust system, creating smoke cloud. Repeated attempts to fix were unsuccessful until transmission shop finally found fluid cooler integral to the radiator plugged solid, allowing no fluid flow through that cooler or the factory-installed towing package cooler. Warning! if you have an older Acura that experiences transmission fluid overheating, radiator replacement is likely needed. It is likely that the overheating hastened the failure of the transmission. The severe deceleration of the vehicle when downshifting on its own into 2nd gear at highway speed could easily have resulted in a serious accident. Transmission problems are common with this model of vehicle. I am surprised that Honda has not done something about it.

Transmission failure of 2001 Acura Mdx at 74k miles. Many, many (hundreds) complaints on-line with same issues (mdx and sister vehicle the Honda pilot). Dealership pretends there is no issue with these cars yet it is documented all over the place. We need a recall, this is terrible. We are out $3000 to fix it with a local transmission shop; Acura "offered" to fix it for $3500. They also told us that since we didn't get it serviced at a dealership "we were looked badly upon" when making their "offer". We all want to sue them as this is supposed to be a quality vehicle and Acura is not taking any responsibility. We cannot afford this. Also, some owners are on their 3rd transmission in these cars b/c it's the same faulty transmission that goes in. We don't feel safe nor do we feel like we can drive it much. We barely drive it at all now. This is well documented in Acura forums for 2001-2004 models (not sure about later models) and hundreds of Honda pilots as well. Help us!!!!!.

My 2001 Mdx transmission began hesitating when shifting (84. 849 miles). I immediately parked the vehicle and then had it diagnosed by a local mechanic who followed the owners manual instructions and flushed the transmission. Modis scan for codes, none in memory. Transmission fluid was extremely black and full of small metal debris and fiber material. Flushed several times with same results. Called Acura dealer to check warranties, etc. They advised that the ecu causes transmission failure and that it along with the transmission would need to be replaced, warranty expired. Ecu are known to short out and will cause new transmission to burn up if not replaced. Acura should have recalled the ecu long ago when they knew about the problem. The failure of this component could cause transmission failure resulting in a crash.

Transmission failure on 2001 Acura Mdx-leading up to determining the actual problem, car's performance deteriorated over a two-year period. Dealer performing services on the car misdiagnosed car problems on several occasions.

2001 Mdx transmission failed and was replaced with rebuilt transmission by dealer. This was after 4 visits over 9 months complaining about a shudder between 40 - 45 mph. Another repair shop (non-dealer) had diagnosed a faulty transmission on the first visit. Transmission fluid was burnt. Dealer refused to accept that diagnosis and replaced egr valve (had already been replaced once), 4th gear pressure switch, and one time claimed not to be able to reproduce the problem. Dealer denied knowledge of any history of transmission failures in this model, despite many documented cases which I discovered after the transmission failed. In retrospect, the car was obviously dangerous to drive the entire period from the first occurrence till the replacement. Acura cs has refused any sort of good will reimbursement, partial or otherwise, due to the fact that all service was not exclusively done at a dealer. Honda/Acura is stone walling the public about these transmission problems, and a dangerous and defective product remains on the market for each consumer to discover for him/herself. It is only good luck that none of my family was killed or injured, and it is just a matter of time before some unsuspecting person is. Please investigate and force Honda/Acura to do the right thing and recall these transmissions and replace them at their cost.

Transmission failure. The automatic transmission failed without warning at 87,000 miles.

2001 Acura Mdx transmission failure. Driving on the freeway at 60 mph the car almost stalled before getting in proper gear (automatic transmission??). No accident. But looking at several wed sites on the topic, I realized that I was not the only one in the same situation. I would consider that the transmission should not be a safety hazard after only 67k miles on the car. What are you waiting for to take action? a death?.

I purchased a '01 Acura Mdx as a pre-owned vehicle on October 23, 2003. The car ran great except for the occasional recall. The first recall was done at 35,000 miles for the front springs and then at 39,000 miles for the transmission overheating issue. On March 17,2006 I was traveling down the highway when I completely lost all power to my vehicle and have to swerve off the road to avoid getting hit. I was quite scared. After pulling off to the side of the road I got out of my vehicle to see if there was anything wrong externally and there wasn't, but I noticed that the check engine light had come on. I immediately brought it into my dealer and had then check the car over. They stated that the check engine light indicated a total transmission failure. They told me that this type of thing was common in these cars and that the recall was supposed to fix the issue. Apparently it hasn't. At 77,000 miles my transmission failed and Acura wants nothing to do with it. Their headquarters have stated that the two problems, the recall and my transmission issue are unrelated. After doing a consider amount of research on the internet I've noticed these cars are known for transmission issues and that a total transmission failure can result because the recall was not done properly or because the recall didn't catch the problem in early enough. My problem is that the car was driven 40,000 miles before the recall was done and during that time some damage had to have been done to the transmission to warrant this transmission. My question to you is, where do I go from here?? Acura wants nothing to do with the car because they know it is a major safety defect in there vehicles. In the least they could have provided me with a rebuilt transmission, but they denied even that request. They should be stopped!!.

Premature transmission failure on 2001 Acura Mdx.

I had just picked up our Acura Mdx that morning after getting a maintenance check-up completed. Later that day after picking up my son the check engine light turned on and for some reason the light that illuminates around the gear the car is driving in was blinking. It seemed like the car was going haywire. After all that, the car suddenly starts to surge and is having a difficult time accelerating. I called the dealership and was told to bring it over immediatly. Each time the car was at a stop the car would not accelerate properly even if I had pushed down on the gas pedal all the way. The car barely made it half way up the drive way and I ended up just leaving it right there. The Mdx has cut-off while driving about 5-8 mph, about 4-5 times now. The Mdx has had a history of stalling and all indicator lights turning on while driving. Before the transmission failed, the Mdx has had the egr valve replaced due to another stall after the engine was running for sometime already. The Mdx did have a jet kit installed at 76,847 miles, but after 16,248 miles the transmission failed and replaced and I got billed for it. I believe that the transmission should have been replaced in addition to the jet kit and should be covered by Acura since they put out a defective transmission.

'recall campaign' issued for 2001 Acura Mdx transmission failure. The dealer informed the consumer his vehicle did not exhibit the heat discoloration of the second gear when it was inspected on August 23, 2004, so the dealer installed the a/t oil jet kit instead of replacing the transmission. On Feb 25, 2005 8,000 miles after the oil jet kit was installed, the transmission failed while the consumer was driving. The specific component of the transmission which was affected by the safety recall was the component that failed. Recall #04v176000.

I have a '01 Acura Mdx which I purchased used. I have had several warranty issues with this vehicle since then. Because I purchased it used (it was imported from canada which I did not know and I also did not know it voided any warranties that Acura had on it) Acura refused my plea to honor the transmission recall on this vehicle. I was on a Acura forum and read where one Acura customer transmission failed because of this recall. I have tried numerous times and have talked to numerous Acura employees. They all told me to take a "hike". Can you help. . I believe that if this is a recall and there is a defective part which could potentially cause death, they should fix it at no charge.

Consumer received recall 04v176000 notice concerning transmission failure, which was taken care off. Currently, when shifting gears vehicle shook , the gears seemed to strain . Manufacturer was not contacted.