Automatic Transmission Torque Converter problems of the 2003 Acura MDX

Multiple safety and recalls on this vehicle including air bag system,abs,transmission shift sensor, emission build up causing clogging in exhaust system, map sensor torque converters, differential issues,rough idle and shift interlock solenoid issues. Fluid leaks and brake sticks also air bag light wont go off.

Torque converter failure caused shards of metal to be transmitted into the transmission causing total failure of every gear in the transmission. I was driving on a divided highway at a high rate of speed when I experienced a sudden complete loss of power in high volume traffic. All lights lit up on the dash such as vtm-4, malfunction indicator lamp and gear was flashing. I was almost hit while trying to get to a safe location to pull over. Prior to the car dying I never had any indication of malfunction nor any driving issues or problems accelerating.

Failing torque converter. Very common problem for this vehicle but Honda refuses to recall and stand behind this safety defect.

I think it is about time that we all push NHTSA to make Acura/Honda recall all these Mdx from 2001 to 2012 to have these torque converters and transmissions replaced and fixed once and for all!!! this is very dangerous as there is no sign when these cars are going to lock up and go from 75 mph down to 40 mph and then stays at 40mph till you can get off the highway to an exit. I swear maybe somebody needs to get seriously hurt when they get rear ended by someone that has no clue why you have come to a sudden change of speed. This week it's different then before, now it almost threw me through the windshield had I not had my seat belt on. Though when your not expecting a cars transmission to halt so fast it still scares the life out of you and then try and get over to the breakdown lane. This is my 2nd repair or rebuild of all these items and for the cost of these cars when new Acura should be sued and made to pay to fix these drive train defaults!!! come on NHTSA you know they are in the wrong and lets get these cars fixed too once in for all before more people are killed or seriously hurt.

Tl- the contact owns a 2003 Mazda Mdx. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the transmission and the torque converter needed to be replaced. The contact was also included in NHTSA campaign id number: 15v045000 (air bags) and was waiting for the part to become available and was not able to schedule the recall repair within a reasonable timeframe. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. Djr.

When I first purchased my Mdx (used 32k miles) I had an issue with shuddering between 35-45 and it would feel like it wouldn't go. It took until my car was at 55k miles for a service tech to finally here the problem and diagnose it correctly. I had to replace the torque convertor and transmission. Then again at 124k miles I heard the exact same noise!! I took the car back to Acura and was told they could not duplicate the noise . . . Of course they couldn't. I said I had this problem before, you replaced my transmission, you know this is a defect of Acura/Honda. They insisted it wasn't the problem but in fact I needed a catalytic convertor. So, I replaced the catalytic convertor at $1,100. 00 and drove off the lot with same shudder ( it represented itself within the month)!! they said I have to bring back and drive with a tech. I have yet to get it back there because of my work schedule their lack of accommodations for saturdays. Now I am at 160k and am trying to get the car back in and they are acting like they have no idea what could possibly be wrong. This is extremely frustrating! out of warranty. Working on possibly a 3rd transmission. . . It is crazy and unsafe! I bought an Acura because of the quality reputation they have. I am very disappointed. I have even called Honda and they are useless. If you are not constantly buying a new Honda product and servicing them at the ridiculous prices they do not find you a loyal customer therefore do not want to help you!!! please make them own their defaults!!.

When driving my 2003 Acura Mdx (SUV), last fall, the transmission began to slip out of gear at low speeds. It would be in 3rd gear as I would slow to make a turn or enter a parking area. When I finished a turn and began to accelerate, the car was no longer in gear and the engine just revs as if it was in neutral. In traffic, I would have to bring the Mdx to a complete stop (rpm to zero) and then the transmission would re-engage and move forward again. Soon, I was having to put the car in a lower gear to get it to move forward and each time the car decelerates, the transmission slips. In moving traffic, having to make a complete stop in the middle of a street or when entering the highway, etc. , is dangerous. I have stopped driving the car because I cannot trust it to keep moving in regular traffic. I was not aware of the torque converter bulletin / recall on the car (I am second owner), even though I have kept up with scheduled maintenance. I contacted Acura (hoy fox Acura, el paso, TX) for assistance, but they were dismissive when they discovered I did not purchase my Acura from them. Acura north America customer relations has also been contacted, and are telling me the vehicle is out of warranty (it currently has 200,000 miles, but is no longer safe to drive due to the transmission failure). I have reviewed and researched a huge amount of 2003 Mdx transmission failures from 45k miles to 200,000 miles (my issue began at about 150,000 miles). Documentation online reflects that Acura Mdx has been plagued with transmission problems. There is also literature and documentation linking transmission failure to the torque converter issues in this model. This is my first Acura, and I do like it enough to purchase another one. Not sure I will be that "loyal", though, after this situation. Many owners suggest filing a complaint with NHTSA.

Torque converter shudder or vibration between 35 and 40 mph. ****also transmission slipped while driving on the highway. The SUV acted as if it was in neutral and wouldn't move even though I was pushing the gas and the rpms went up. I was almost rear-ended by the driver behind me but he was able to quickly switch into another lane, then miraculously my SUV started to go again. It also happened again in the middle of an intersection while I was driving. Luckily the oncoming traffic was far enough away and the transmission picked back up in time and I was able to get out of the way. I had my children in the SUV, a 6 month old baby girl and a 6 yr old boy. Its a seven passenger vehicle so it should be expected that children may be in the SUV. I don't think Honda/Acura should wait until someone is killed or seriously injured to issue a recall. Its not even just about the cost of repairs, what about the value of people's lives? does it need to be on the news first for a change to occur? owners of the 2003 Acura Mdx need to know that there is a potentially deadly safety defect with this vehicle and repairs need to be made ASAP!.

On this date I could not hear an approaching emergency vehicle due to a shudder vibration noise from my power train auto transmission. The emergency vehicle almost crashed into my vehicle and in so doing causing a potentially very serious traffic accident. The shutter noise was the result of a long standing Mdx mechanical problem with the transmission ( perhaps torque converter). I have attempted to survive the cause of a recurring mechanical problem by very frequent tran fluid changes over the years but the problem has kept occurring since 40000 miles in year 2007. I remain very afraid that the transmission will fail or hinder me again causing a more critical problem the next time. Law enforcement officials considered the noise and shutter as a Acura product defect. I respectfully seek goodwill consideration and repair of my transmission malfunction.

Car began to shudder at 40 mph, then goes away. Recurring more frequently now. Took to dealer. Car would not shudder when he did test drive. Said nothing seems to be wrong. Began researching on my own and there are numerous complaints about this problem. Torque converter.

Torque converter and transmission failed at 99600 miles, not to mention two motor mounts. These repairs are between $6-7k. This is unacceptable for a higher end car. Car would vibrate and shudder around 40 mph a few years ago with only 35k miles on the car, and of course Acura could not replicate. Now that it's out of warranty, they hear it. This car is a total lemon- please help protect consumers- Honda/Acura greed has stopped them from stepping forward and owning a problem they have known about all along. Consumers should not be paying for Acura's flawed design, that should be coming straight out of their profits.

Bought used Acura Mdx 2003 in 2004 from carmax still under manufacturer warranty of 50,0000 miles. Have recurrent torque converter/ transmission problems. Car periodically grinds, shudders, and hesitates while driving around 25-40 mph. . . . Causing near accidents several times. Replaced transmission with refurbished transmissions at approximately 53,000 miles in 2006, and again at approximately 61,900 miles in 2007. Now in Jan. 2011@ approximately 119,000miles, Acura dealer diagnosed the same torque converter problem requiring a third transmission replacement. . . . Basically, this 2003 Acura Mdx will have four transmissions in it's life time. This vehicle has been serviced per Acura service schedule at primarily Acura dealers. This is a major safety nightmare waiting to happen and as a concerned consumer and parent, request the government to investigate this safety issue and if warranted, warn the public of potential dangers.

2003 Acura Mdx. Consumer writes in regards to transmission failure while driving. The consumer stated while driving 75 mph on the highway, the vehicle suddenly went into neutral. The consumer stated he/she tried every gear, but the vehicle would not move. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the he/she was informed the transmission had indeed failed. The second incident occurred two years later, when all of a sudden, the consumer heard a noise coming from the vehicle. The next day while on the way to the dealer, the vehicle went into neutral again and the consumer had to pull over. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where they replaced the transmission, torque converter, timing belt, water pump and engine valves.

My 2003 Acura Mdx was vibrating/shuddering between 30-45mph. Dealer advised faulty torque converter @ $2,200. The 2001 & 2002 models were recalled for same issue. When torque converter fails, metal shavings can make their way into transmission, causing transmission failure. Acura is having ongoing repeated issues. Will they deny transmission issue at the expense of my families safety. Many with same vehicle have had some dangerous situations.

I was driving on I-75 when my transmission failed, car went from going 70mph to dropping all rpm's and driving as if it were in neutral. Torque converter had to be replaced, this was at 91,000 miles. Luckily, I had extended warranty or this would have been a $3,000 repair and could have been very dangerous if other cars were following closely when the transmission failed! a vehicle in this price range should not be failing so early. I am not at 93,000 miles and have an electrical issue when I turn the a/c on, all of my gauges are lost and the battery is drained, but the alternator and the battery have both been tested and are ok.

Torque converter defect on our 2003 Acura Mdx. Many similar reports.

I have a 2003 Acura Mdx. In June of 2008, I was told that the torque converter needed to be replaced. I was told that the sound it was making would eventually get louder. No one told me that the torque converter was associated with the transmission. In April 2010, I talked to a private mechanic who explained that he had many customers come to him who were experiencing problems with the torque converter and he directed these clients back to the dealership for repair. He explained that this is a common problem with the Mdx and the dealership should take responsibility for the repair. I talked to my dealership and I was told by two service advisors that this is a common problem with this vehicle. No one bothered to tell me this when I initially brought the vehicle in for inspection. I was told that it is no longer under warranty and I'm expected to pay the cost to have it repaired.

My car along with many other Acuras between 2001-2005 have a problem with a very significant shudder vibration that lasts a few secs, usually at speeds between 35-40. If you read the blogs you will see hundreds of other consumers say the same thing: Acura says they can't replicate the noise. When the car is out of warranty, then suddenly they can replicate it and they say they have to replace either the torque converter or the entire transmission, charging $2000 +. This is a major problem and should have been a recall, please help us hold Acura accountable for this known problem! these cars are too expensive for such a big problem so early on.

There is a clunking noise coming from the brakes when starting out going either forward or reverse and applying the brakes. On occasion, when the vehicle is put into gear, there is a grinding noise coming from the transmission, torque converter, clutch or some part(s) that is being pressed together with another.