One problem related to transmission solenoid has been reported for the 2002 Acura MDX. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Acura MDX based on all problems reported for the 2002 MDX.
Driving back home from las vegas, nv about 150 miles away (utah) the a/t light light came on. Looked it up online it stated auto/transmission oil temp is high. Decided to pull over and let it cool down at the nearest gas station. Decided it was ok since the temp in utah went down this was around 2 pm. About 10 min later when we got back onto highway the a/t light came on again. Then the car started to smoke from the engine bay. We pulled over took a look at it realized no puncture to the lines and figured the pressure build up from tranny spat out from where you usually pour fluids in. We tried getting off hwy for safety and ended up middle on no where. Then we waited til 5 pm and as the weather cooled down we started the drive again. The engine was fine the transmission wouldnt let me push it pass 3 1/2 rpm so we drove about 50-70 mph. We reached colorado then spent the night. The next day it started to snow, the transmission decided to stop responding it will go into gears but it will stall and go but it wouldnt let me go past 2 rpm. Check egine light came on then we decided to take the car to autozone. The O2 test stated: low tranny oil, torque control solenoid sensor, and electrical sensor. Then we had the car tow to nearby transmission shop they ran some diagnostics and said the gears are slipping and the whole transmission needs to be rebuilt. Total cost in rebuilt 4100. 00 out the door. Car in on 3/4/13 car was done on 3/19/13.