Table 1 shows one common service brakes related problems of the 2010 Acura MDX.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes problems |
I was driving and prior to hitting my brakes, several alert messages popped up and a voice started reading them out. The messages are still saved on the Acura's computer, but since the car is in the shop right now, I don't have access to recall them exactly. The only one I remember said that the vehicle stability assist and tcs may not operate and it tried to direct me to find the nearest Acura dealership. There was also a message about abs. When I pressed the brakes, there was minimal resistance, and the car didn't stop whatsoever. It didn't skid or slide, there was no brake pressure at all. I had a few seconds to decide if I wanted pull into a ditch and probably flip the SUV, pull into oncoming traffic, or hit the car in front of me that was stopped at a red light. I ended up choosing the latter and hitting the car, after my car didn't decelerate or brake whatsoever. The alert messages remained accessible on the computer of the car after the accident and I can retrieve them after the car is repaired. There was significant damage to the front of the SUV, but I am obviously most concerned about the safety of the car being that the brakes were not functional during to the accident whatsoever. The brakes were functional after the accident and the car had been restarted, so the problem is concerning for sure, but intermittent.
I am writing with respect to a defect in a 2010 Acura Mdx (vehicle id #: [xxx]) that I previously leased. On August 27, 2012, my wife was driving said vehicle on the merritt parkway in CT. The electrical system and engine of the vehicle completely shut down while the car was in motion and my wife lost control of the car and could not bring the car to a stop and eventually the car rolled to a stop. My wife was terrified by the incident and called 9-1-1. After waiting a while, the car was able to be restarted and we brought it to the dealer where we had leased the automobile. The dealer ran a series of tests but could not identify a reason for what happened, and drove the car for several minutes, but told us they could not replicate the problem. We were, of course, no longer comfortable driving the vehicle and immediately terminated the lease. I subsequently had a series of communications with Acura client relations at 1919 torrance blvd. M/s 500-2n7e, torrance, CA 90501-2746 (800-382-2238) during which I ultimately learned that there were additional tests that Acura could have performed to determine the cause of the problem. I inquired as to what those tests were, whether those tests were performed on the car and, if so, what the test results showed, and if the car was ultimately repaired. However, I did not receive any response from Acura. Accordingly, I am writing to advise the NHTSA of the above, and to seek the assistance of the NHTSA in obtaining answers to the questions that I have asked Acura. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).
The contact owns a 2010 Acura Mdx. While the contact was driving down an incline approximately 20 mph, the brakes were engaged yet there was no response. The contact veered off the road and traveled over a curb. The brakes were applied numerous times before the vehicle engaged and began to decelerate. The engine was then turned off to allow the vehicle to come to a complete stop. The vehicle was then towed to an authorized dealer where a road test and an inspection were performed. In addition, photographs were taken of the vehicle. The technician was unable to detect the cause of failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000.