Transmission Failure Problems of Acura MDX - part 1

Three times while travelling on the interstate my vehicle suddenly shifted into second gear while I was trying to accelerate, and got stuck there. It suddenly dropped my speed from 70 mph to 30. I was presented with several alerts on my dash (emissions failure, sh-awd failure, transmission failure). I was able to continue driving at 30 mph until I could get to a safe area. After I turned off the vehicle and waited for a period of time the warnings would clear. I was finally able to get the vehicle to a dealership while the warnings were present. I was told after diagnosis that the transmission software needed to be updated. After the update the problem has not presented itself again. I was told software updates are not covered under warranty unless they are a recall issue.

See all problems of the 2016 Acura MDX 🔎.

Total transmission failure while under incline load driving, leaving vehicle unable to maneuver in traffic to reasonably get to safety.

See all problems of the 2005 Acura MDX 🔎.

The contact owns a 2002 Acura Mdx. While driving 55 mph, the vehicle felt as if the brake pedal were depressed quickly and the accelerator pedal were suddenly depressed inadvertently. When depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to move and would suddenly engage and operate normally. The dealer diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 04v176000 (power train). The contact notified the manufacturer of the failure. The failure mileage was 220,000.

See all problems of the 2002 Acura MDX 🔎.

Transmission failed today 123k. Called customer service what a joke. Emissions light on and air bags are faulty. What a lemon. Nevet buy Acura. On a city street car just down shifted and stopped. Needless to say it was 20 degree's outside. Acura doesnt see thus as a safety hazard? confused and mad really mad. I cant believe they are still getting away with this. I've had my fill with foreign junk. I froze walking home think I have frost bite on my fingers.

See all problems of the 2004 Acura MDX 🔎.

The contact owns a 2002 Acura Mdx. When the contact shifted the vehicle into park and removed the keys from the ignition, it began to roll independently. As a result, the contact's vehicle crashed into another vehicle. The air bags deployed. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The dealer diagnosed that the transmission interlock failed. The approximate failure mileage was 171,000.

The transmission cooler connection blew out of the radiator, unfortunately there is no oil pressure switch for transmissions so I had no idea that the trans fluid was pouring all over the road. Lucky for me I was just leaving the house and my friend saw it and stopped me. Upon looking at the part -it has only 3 threads and I have found out this is a common thing for Mdx and pilot SUV's. I could have been in an accident due to the transmission failure that has resulted from this failure by others as I have seen on your site example:. ( pilot ex-l 244hp 3. 5l sohc 24-valve automatic transmission failure).

Transmission stopped working. Failed while I was driving the car. The car basically coasted to a stop. There seem to be numerous complaints about the 2003 Mdx transmission failing. Acura is reimbursing some drivers, but not others.

See all problems of the 2003 Acura MDX 🔎.

For the last two days after driving the car for 5 minutes while driving 30 mph the car would not accelerate and revs at high rpms instead of going into gear. Transmission failure. When trying to go up hill at low speed the engine will just rev and not move forward. Appears this is an ongoing known issue with the transmission of 2003 Mdx vehicles. Have contacted acrua for assistance.

Transmission failure.

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The contact owns a 2012 Acura Mdx. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle shook violently and the transmission failed to respond. A few moments later, the vehicle stalled without warning. In addition, the engine would emit a clicking sound when in operation. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 14,900.

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Automatic transmission failed on the drive back to los angeles from las vegas.

The Acura Mdx that we (myself and my wife) own began to show pronounced transmission problems during October, 2012. We purchased the vehicle only one month prior. Initially, after inspection by the dealer, we were told that the issues we were having with acceleration and downshifting related to clogged fuel injectors, but the problem did not diminish once they were cleaned. The vehicle would "rev" at high rpm's during acceleration and would "bang" and jolt when the vehicle downshifted. We had a thorough transmission inspection and learned that the vehicle's transmission was failing. It had a limited warranty which allowed for a used replacement transmission, which was installed by aamco in warwick, ri. Our out of pocket cost was still approximately $600. 00.

While driving the SUV in a busy street 30-45mph felt the vibration, grinding, the triangle distress sign came on and felt the vehicle is going to stall. Managed to get the SUV to the parking lot on the right side. The SUV completely stalled there and we got it towed to the Acura dealer. They looked at it and the technician gave us the initial diagnosis as "radiator has blown coolant line , fluids have cross contaminated and will take a lot of time to bleed out, also possible transmission failure in the process would need to retest drive after radiator replacement to see if transmission works".

2002 Acura Mdx transmission failure, transmission failed at 71k miles and cut power from engine to wheels in the middle of the street. There are many reports of this similar thing happening to Mdx owners. The transmission is defective!.

Purchased a 2002 Acura Mdx based in large part on prior vehicle reliability found with Acuras and hondas. Transmission on this $40,000+ vehicle, though properly flushed (ahead of mfg. Intervals) and maintained, failed at just over 110,000 miles and at 45 mph with the car effectively "seizing", creating a road hazard. Acura dealer refused to cover the costs of repair, though '01-'02 Mdx transmission failures are well-documented, and instead "generously offered" (after my goodwill complaint; their term) to knock off appx. 20% from the $4,300 replacement cost for the replacement transmission. Given this unit's known design problems and Acura's incredibly short-sighted handling of the goodwill procedure (during which I volunteered to pay up to $2,500 of the new transmission's cost; ie over 50%), will never purchase another Honda or Acura product again.

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.

2003 Mazda Mdx transmission failed, and I was nearly killed when another car barely missed hitting (t boning, my car) my stopped car. My car went to shift into 2nd when the transmission failed, went into nuetral, and came to a dead stop. The transmission fluid has been replaced twice in last year, dealor said it was dirty. This didn't make sense since its a closed system. Something must be braking down.

While driving on a routine errand, the automatic transmission failed in the middle of the road. The car was not moving on shifting to drive. Found transmission fluid on the road under the vehicle.

At speeds between 30-50mph when the engine is under a slight load and the rpms are attempting to hold between 1100-1400, there is a loud vibration and shudder. The rpms jitter back and forth jumping by about 100 rpms or so as it tries to hold a steady speed. I had it checked at a local transmission shop and they recommend that I replace the transmission because the problem will just continue to get worse until the transmission completely fails. . Read more...

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.

2003 Acura Mdx with 146,000 miles on it. Automatic transmission failed on Saturday, August 18, 2010 three hours from home and 27 miles from a dealership.

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.

2004 Acura Mdx transmission failure . 81000 miles with jerky action, smoke in the hood. Smell of burnt oil. Metal part under the part burnt as liquid. No coverage and 7000 dollar costly replacement. No warranty.

I own a 2002 Acura Mdx with 130k miles. The transmission failed while I was in vacation 2 hours from my home. The car was towed to the local dealer and I was charged $4700 to have the transmission replaced. After doing some research on-line, I found that transmission failure on Acura Mdxs is a common problem. It is unacceptable that a premium car such as an Acura should have such a high incidence of transmission failure. Acura should have recalled these vehicles given that the transmission could fail while one is driving leading to increased probability of a serious accident.

My 2003 Acura Mdx had the transmission replaced at 44,000 miles. Around 80,000 miles I noticed the transmission failing again. Specifially the tourque converter making the shudder and vibration again. I let me dealer know, but they did not detect an issue. Now at 102,000 miles and after my extended warranty has expired Acura is expecting me to pay for 60% of the repair of a clear defect in the transmission of this year of the car. So far it has not caused an accident, but I am afraid to keep driving without performing the replacement.

Transmission failure.

2003 Acura Mdx. 105,000 miles. It was fully services at santa monica Acura upto 90,000 miles. I was driving my in seattle, highway I-5 north bound. At 60 mph speed, transmission just stopped totally. Vehicle ran freely. My 2 kids, wife were with me. It was scary as hell. I slowly changed lane in busy Friday traffic, was able to go to shoulder. Called police, then aaa to tow the car to Acura of bellevue. They said today, transmission gone bad. Wants $4000 to fix it. I called Acura corp office. They have denied to cover any cost because this is out of warranty. 2001 & 2002 Mdx had recall. With same transmission, this vehicle should have same problem. I can imagine a huge number of people fixing transmission on Mdx vehicles; and Acura not taking any responsibility. Please, someone, please take notice. And follow up on this case. This is a defective vehicle, Acura should extend transmission warranty and cover all transmission failure costs of their vehicles.

Transmission failure on Acura 03 Mdx.

2003 Acura Mdx transmission failure, when starting the car in park the car jumped forward about 18-24 inches, this has happened 3 times in the last year, transmission was replaced at 45k miles and is experiencing the same problems again at 88k.

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!!!!!.

Acura Mdx transmission failure / catalytic converter.

See all problems of the 2006 Acura MDX 🔎.

Family in 2003 Acura Mdx with 92,000 miles on it at highway speed when vehicle comes out of gear, unable to drive, towed to repair facility. Transmission has failed and must be replaced.

2003 Acura Mdx transmission failure.

2002 Acura Mdx transmission failure at 109100 miles, extend warranty expired @ 108,462 miles. There was a recall for the transmission that required Acura service department to do an inspection, but there have been countless transmission problems with this model vehicle. The replacement cost is $4400 which is what the dealership is charging me. It seems cheaper to buy another vehicle. There have to have been thousands of others on year models 2001-2005 Acura Mdx suvs.

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.