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Acura MDX Transmission Problems

967 messages,  Last post on May 06, 2013 at 9:22 AM

You are in the Acura MDX Forum.

What is this discussion about? Acura MDX, SUV


 
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Messages Page 15 of 98

#135 of 967 2003 MDX Transmission Failure by rednsx

Nov 15, 2009 (3:29 pm)

My wife's MDX (88,000 miles) transmission would not engage while in a drive-thru. After restarting the car, it became drivable. I drove the vehicle to the mechanic that normally work's on my work truck. He advised me of Acura/Honda transmission problems and suggested I contact the local dealer regarding a possible Acura factory extended warranty. Of course, the service writer I spoke with at the dealership said there was no transmission recall for this year MDX but would contact me with the repair cost. The following day I was notified the replacement cost of the trans. would be $3545.00. I was not amused. After reading several post on this forum, I contacted Acura Corp. Office. They indicated I would need to have the local dealership service manager request a decision from the Acura Area Service rep. Within an hour they offered to reduce the repair cost to $1733.00. Although not cheap, it was still $1812.00 less and was repaired in 3 days (with a free loaner car). I asked the manager what affects the decision in these matters. He said they consider regular maintenance ( at the dealership), condition of the vehicle (not abused) when offering repair assistance. I also believe Acura knows there are issues with their trans. and on a case by case situation will offer assistance. Although it's disappointing to have a major problem at this milage, Acura (in my case) made things a little more acceptable. Would I buy another MDX? Probably not.
   
PS Thanks to all of the people who post on Edmunds. I have learned much in the past regarding other vehicles and wanted to add my experience to the discussion.

#136 of 967 Re: 2003 MDX Transmission Failure [rednsx] by gugy68

Nov 15, 2009 (4:34 pm)

Replying to: rednsx (Nov 15, 2009 3:29 pm)
I had a similar issue as you. The dealer contact me and offer to reduce it to $2500.
I declined the service. I took my 2003 MDX and did a major flush and transmission oil clean up. For my surprise the noise and vibration that I was felling earlier is pretty much gone. But I already decided to sell/trade in the car before year's end.
I was very disappointed by Acura and I feel even if I paid for the transmission job, hey would only offer 36k for the service and I think at this point there is no guarantees that at 37k the same issue will arise again reading most of posts here.
I will only consider an Acura again if I have at least 100k miles warranty on it.

#137 of 967 2003 MDX Transmission Failure by jmdeur

Nov 17, 2009 (8:23 pm)

My MDX lost its transmission today at around 94,000. No noises, etc. - just stopped applying power to the wheels while driving down the street. There's no Acura dealer in town, so had it towed to the local Honda dealer. After the perfunctionary "did you get the transmission fluid changed per schedule" (yes), he started looking up replacement prices for new transmissions. Looks like some folks have been successful in resurrecting their MDX transmissions by getting a flush - any consensus on that? Looks like others have gotten some assistance in the past from Acura in splitting replacement costs for what would appear to be a fatal design flaw (or flaws) - has anyone had success recently in this (and what approach worked - call their 800 number, etc.)? It's astounding to see that even on just one board that half a dozen or more MDX owners have lost transmissions in just the last couple of weeks. After dropping nearly $1000 on a new starter earlier this year, $3000+ for a transmission is likely to lead to quick disposal of this rapidly aging POS - especially with the timing belt replacement looming in the near future. First and last Honda/Acura product for me.

#138 of 967 Re: 2003 MDX Transmission Failure [jmdeur] by madmommy3

Nov 18, 2009 (7:15 am)

Replying to: jmdeur (Nov 17, 2009 8:23 pm)
bummer. more and more failures keep cropping up. I did do a 3 year/36K mile warranty on my new transmission but reality is, it's the same transmission. So we too will have a limited life on this car. We could start a class action chain and see where it gets us. I too have the timing belt looming. We still figured though, why fix a $4000 problem with a $30,000 solution (new car minimum). So we licked our wounds and are keeping it until our van is paid off. What a waste of money. it's beautiful still but we know that trouble is looming. We found the radiator problem AFTER the tranny failed so not sure which came first (if we would have flushed or replaced radiator first, perhaps no tranny failture) but that does't seem to be the case in the overall design. Ours choked at 70K miles. I too will never buy another Acura. But I have been loyal to Honda for years so I am not sure if I will completely give up on Honda but will certainly entertain other options where before it would be a no brainer. Stay tuned and let's see where this all goes!

#139 of 967 2003 MDX Transmission Failure II by jmdeur

Nov 19, 2009 (7:12 pm)

Just an update on post from a couple days back. The next morning after having the now transmission challenged MDX towed to the local Honda dealer, got a call from their service manager. He'd contacted the nearest Acura dealer (about 30 miles away) and learned from his counterpart there that Acura would likely cover most, if not all of the cost of replacing the transmission. Called the Acura dealer and spoke to this guy. Of course, his first question was whether this MDX had ever been in for service there - hell yes, just had a starter replaced there earlier this year. He said he'd have to call Acura to see what they would offer. A couple hours later he called back and said they'd cover 90% of the cost for the replacement, if we could get the MDX up to their shop. He'd also give us a loaner for the duration (unlike the Honda dealer). So, rode up in the tow truck with the MDX ($95 tow charge, but that's less than car rental would be down here, so no complaints). It may be early next week before they can get to it - yep, another MDX with a broken tranny is ahead of us (this poor soul was driving down from Chicago on his way to a funeral when his 2001 lost it while tooling down the interstate - geez, these things must be dropping like flies). Anyway, feeling better than a couple days ago, but still wondering what they were drinking when they designed this beast.

#140 of 967 My 2003 Current status by pvargyas

Nov 22, 2009 (4:04 pm)

Bought my 2003 MDX new in June 03. Very reliable until about 95K. Then I am getting a slight vibration about 40-45mph. Have had flush at about 40K. Took it to dealer. Said needs a new torque converter. About $1750. Said I woul wait. However said I had 2 motor mounts cracked. Dealer replaced for $600.00! Talked to several mechanics about trans. Suggested a power flush and add a bottle of Lucas trans fix. Merlins did it for me and now no problems up to 101,000. Cost me $99.00.
Coming up on timing belt at 105K. Dealer said $2150 including water pump. My Merlins shop has done these before, 6.6 hours labor, $660.00 plus parts. Looks like timing belt kit and water pump part kit are $325.00. Suggested new plugs and wires at same time. Its a shame on the trans issues, I really like this car!

#141 of 967 Bitten by the MDX Transmission Issue by raedmunds

Nov 30, 2009 (12:05 pm)

Broke down on Thanksgiving with signs of transmission issue. My wife's car is an '03 MDX with 110k miles. Garage kept and well serviced including all manufacturer suggested maintenance. Car was fine and then a minute later, transmission started slipping and became inoperable. Got it towed to my local Acura dealer. $4000 for a new transmission. Oh by the way - must align the car after the trans replacement - that will be another $99. Requested Acura to help offset the costs to no avail. Tried both via dealer and via Acura Customer Care directly. Bottom line - they would rather lose a customer for life then to share in the cost of the repair.

#142 of 967 Re: Bitten by the MDX Transmission Issue [raedmunds] by madmommy3

Nov 30, 2009 (12:14 pm)

Replying to: raedmunds (Nov 30, 2009 12:05 pm)
welcome to the unfortunate club. at least you are not alone! we had to do the alignment, radiator and tranny in our fail swoop. Note that they charge $4000 to also include the new tranmission brain (computer) even if it's not broken. You might try a local tranny shop and get a better deal and an extended warranty if you choose to keep the car. Sorry you have to face it at Christmas. We shopped and got it for $2500, not $4000 plus the radiator and alignment came to about $3K plus $200 for extra warranty. Now we just don't drive it much. We decided not to reward Acura for bad behavior.

#143 of 967 2003 MDX Failure III by jmdeur

Dec 02, 2009 (5:04 pm)

Replying to: raedmunds (Nov 30, 2009 12:05 pm)
One final update on the story from posts 137 and 139. Our MDX was returned last Monday evening (told dealer that we'd be gone Thanksgiving week, so guess they decided to put off the work until we got back). As promised, Acura picked up 90% of the charges, so the bill at the dealer was around $350 (plus $45 for the first tow to the local Honda dealer, $95 for the second tow up to the Acura dealer 30 miles away, and the $100 for the car rental while the MDX was at the Honda dealer - the Acura dealer provided a loaner for the duration of its stay with them). Not exactly cheap, but not as bad as originally anticipated. Now, what to do with it before it needs to have the timing belt replaced next year...up until this year, it performed well with no maintenance other than new tires, a brake job, and the scheduled checkups/fluid changes, but after $1000 for a new starter in Jan and now $600 for the transmission, the $ are starting to pile up.

#144 of 967 downshift by birdie5

Dec 06, 2009 (2:29 pm)

Have a 2006 MDX with 38000 miles on it. When coming to a stop it has started to make a hard downshift between 40 - 30 mph. Had a 2000 Odyssey that went through three transmissions so I am a little paranoid. Any suggestions?

Messages Page 15 of 98

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