18 problems related to power train have been reported for the 2003 Acura MDX. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Acura MDX based on all problems reported for the 2003 MDX.
Driving up a hill in this 2003 Acura Mdx and the transmission failed. Came to a stop in the middle of the street. Several cars almost hit me. Checked online and this vehicle has a known problem of the transmission going out around 70,000 miles. A mechanic started changing it out in my driveway . Then winter came. It's been sitting in my driveway ever since.
Tl the contact owns a 2003 Acura Mdx. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled without warning. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the transmission seemed as if it was slipping while driving. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 265,000.
Transmission automatically shifts from drive to neutral while going down the highway. It's dangerous to be in traffic and lose the ability to accelerate. I have replaced the shifter and had it adjusted numerous times. Acura refuses to accept responsibility for this problem, even though there are innumerous complaints on this very issue. This is a safety concern.
The contact owns a 2003 Acura Mdx. The contact stated that once the ignition was turned to the on position, the shift lever failed without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 12v573000 (electrical system). The approximate failure mileage was 200,793.
Torqe converter going out shattering noise third gear 30 to 40 mph about 1500 rpms there has been over 100 complaints online about the same issue.
The contact owns a 2003 Acura Mdx. While accelerating from a stop light, the vehicle went in reverse with the shifter still in the drive position. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Vehicle went into nuetral when aproaching a stop. This repeated several times throughout my trip (approx. 25 miles). I have kept up with transmission services and maintenance schedules since ownership Feb of 2012. I have read of several complaints regarding the same symptoms from other owners. Why is Honda not willing to further investigate ?.
While traveling at around the speed limit on a busy freeway the vehicle suddenly started coasting without any warning. Stepping on the gas caused the engine to rev but no acceleration, which made it extremely dangerous to try to pull the vehicle to the shoulder with the right lane heavily occupied by 18 wheeler trucks that are long and respond slowly. Any speed you loose, particularly after applying some brake to move from one lane to another, cannot be regained to safely maneuver with flow of the traffic and make the subsequent lane change even more dangerous. After towing to an Acura dealer it was diagnosed with a failed transmission and costs $6,100 to replace with a rebuilt transmission. Although the vehicle is beyond its warranty period, it is nonetheless disappointing to have an Acura fail in this fashion considering that there are many lower cost vehicles that easily last beyond 100,000 miles without transmission issues. The vehicle certainly met its warranty requirements, but it is really the sudden nature and crash risk of this failure that is a bigger concern. I later learned from 3 CO-workers that had similar transmission experiences with their Mdx. Two were 2001/2002 Mdx with approx 100,000 and 80,000 miles. The 3rd was a 2006 Mdx with only approx 55,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2003 Acura Mdx. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, it rolled away and crashed into a pond, becoming completely submerged underwater. The vehicle was destroyed and was not diagnosed to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 145,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Acura Mdx. The contact stated that while parked, the vehicle rolled away into a nearby lawn and came to a stop. There was no property damage or injuries. The contact was a certified mechanic, who replaced the gear shift cable himself, which corrected the problem. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
I was putting my car into drive on a hill and it rolled backwards. Called a tow truck and had a mechanic look at it and told me I needed a new transmission and I was lucky I didn't hurt anyone. There are a lot of kids in our neighborhood. $3900 later. I have read all sorts of problems with this yr/make with their transmissions. Why isn't their a recall?.
Entering freeway from on ramp vehicle acted like it was in neutral even though it was in drive. As I accelerated from 40 mph the rpm's raced but the car slowed as if it were in neutral. I was almost rear ended thankfully I let off the gas and the tranny then grabbed and I was able to accelerate to freeway speed. I have been told by dealer that both tranny and torq converter are no good. Vehicle has been serviced per Acura recommended service at same dealer since bought new.
This problem started a few years back my wife was driving the vehicle out of the garage at hartford hospital she said she stepped on the gas and the car would not move,this did not happen again for several months,when the weather got colder it started to happen more frequent,then in the spring it went away again I thought it might be a sensor it would never happen when I drove it ,this winter it has done this many times we took it to capitol transmission in hartford last summer they did not find any problems but said it could be the trans or possibly a sensor no definite answer so do I fork up 4 grand or wait till it has a code or blows up while driving the fluid has been replaced almost every year drained and filled with Honda fluid this last time I flushed out the whole system ( I am a automotive tech ) I do have some invoices from Honda for the fluid.
While crossing an intersection, the transmission suddenly shifted to neutral and the car won't move anymore. Me and my family were trapped in the middle of a busy intersection and were almost hit by a truck because of our unexpected stop. We are lucky that the truck missed us. I can't imagine if this happens on a railroad crossing. This problem keeps happening from time to time, all in low speed like coasting to a stop sign or traffic light, also on highways when slowing down for traffic, then the vehicle won't move anymore. I heard that the Acura/Honda transmissions have serious defects, from lubrication to material used to make gears. Especially the material used for 1st gear, which fails prematurely and causes the transmission to malfunction. This is a very dangerous defect that could endanger not only the passengers' lives, but also a public safety issue.
Driving on highway at 65mph and car goes into neutral. Had towed and it was a tranny. Car had 97k miles. Acura said it would not cover the repair and that it would cost me 6k to repair. I had it taken to a local shop and repair cost me 4k.
The ignition park-shift interlock has failed, allowing the ignition key to be removed from the ignition switch without the automatic transmission being shifted to park.
As I was bring my husband home from major back surgery our 2003 Acura Mdx started to slip into neutral as we were leaving the hospital. This was one hour away from our home! in shifting through the gears, I finally got the transmission to catch at d3. This happened several times to us as we were traveling through a city and had to stop at several stop lights. Every time we stopped, it was the same scenario. D3 seemed to be the 'ticket' gear to get it to catch. I came home and made an appointment at a local garage. Thankfully I went to drop it off two days early, as the car completely stopped moving on our way to the garage and I had to call and have the vehicle towed. For a luxury vehicle, I am sadly disappointed as I love everything else about the car. I can't wait to see the price tag on this repair and for the number of complaints with the transmissions going bad, I would think that there would have been a recall by now.
Key can be removed in any postion of the transmission after turning off.