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Acura MDX Transmission Problems

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

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Messages Page 28 of 98

#265 of 967 Any advice for my 2003 MDX? by jbwiv

Jun 02, 2010 (12:33 pm)

Guys,
 
We bought a 2003 MDX from a local reseller with 61K miles. The warranty expired at 60K. It now has 99K
 
A month after we bought it, we experienced transmission slips on occasion...often when turning but sometimes just moving straight on. The car would come out of gear, rev up in RPMs, then catch with a loud bang. I took it to the local dealership here and they charged me $550 to flush the transmission and a bunch of other fluids saying that that should fix it. It didn't. They then said they just couldn't repeat it.
 
We've lived with it ever since. However, last week my wife said it simply wouldn't go over 5 miles an hour, yet RPMs were going up.
 
I came home and checked the transmission fluid. Instead of the pink I'm used to, it was chalky white. I went to the dealership, bought some fluid, came home and put it in. The car drove fine for the next 30 minutes. Parked it and saw fluid dripping out of the bottom.
 
I called my local dealership and asked for help. He was a bit of a jerk, saying that he couldn't help me because:
 
1. I didn't buy the car there.
2. I didn't use them regularly for maintenance. I change all my own oil and fluids typically, so oh well.
 
So I took it to the local Cottman's. They said that a heat transfer from the transmission to the radiator had breached, and that the radiator coolant and transmission fluid had become mixed. This is why it looked chalky when I checked the fluid. They said a radiator replacement and transmission flush might just fix the issue. So, I paid them $650 and they did it.
 
Drove ok for about a week, although it did seem to be shifting a bit rougher. Yesterday, it started slipping on my wife again after she had been waiting on my daughter at school (in gear). I drove it around today, and couldn't get it to repeat for myself *until* I stopped at a drive through. Suddenly, when moving from the first drive thru window to the next, I got the slip. It just goes up in RPMs but doesn't move forward as fast as you'd expect it to.
 
I called Cottman's, and they said the suspected there was still some coolant in the transmission and that I should come out for another flush. If that didn't do it, it would need a replacement transmission. $2500.
 
I called Aamco...the quoted $1400.
 
I took it to a local Honda (non-dealer) service place, and they said $4K. They said that if I went with Cottman's or Aamco, I'd just be replacing the transmission with another transmission with the same defect and that the $4K would insure I get a factory-rebuilt tranmission with the defect resolved.
 
I'm usure what to do, and hope you can help me.
 
1. Is it worth trying to call and complain again to Acura? I hate to do it, but I'm in the leadership of a company with over 5000 people, so I'd think that my word my carry some weight, but probably not. What should I do? Who should I complain to?
2. Is it really risky to go with Aamco?
3. Anything else you can tell me that would help? This thing is *sinking* me financially.
 
Thanks guys! I appreciate it!

#266 of 967 Re: Any advice for my 2003 MDX? [jbwiv] by b30

Jun 02, 2010 (2:36 pm)

Replying to: jbwiv (Jun 02, 2010 12:33 pm)
Wow, I have the same story, only my 2001 MDX had 230K miles when it started. It only slips in between first and second gear at slow speeds and only after taking my foot off the gas, coasting a bit and then pressing the gas again. If I accelerate without backing off, it never slips. I also can not make it happen when I try.
 
I did get a new tranny from Aamco at $3500 after both the dealer and Aamco both said it was a tranny problem. Aamco offer a by far better warrenty on the new tranny. Now I have a new tranny and still have the problem. Now Aamco says it is the power control board and they can fix for additional $1200. I am going to take to the dealer for their opinion.
 
Anyone know what the power control board does and what are the symptoms when it goes bad?
 
Need help!

#267 of 967 Re: Any advice for my 2003 MDX? [jbwiv] by madmommy3

Jun 02, 2010 (6:27 pm)

Replying to: jbwiv (Jun 02, 2010 12:33 pm)
If you are stuck with it, go to a reputable tranmission dealer that has a 3 year warranty on their work. We did so (they are members of some transmission dealer network so if it busts on the road, supposedly any tranny shop in their network will fix it. We paid $2500 plus a new radiator which was full of metal or something for another $350. So far so good but we only drive it as our second car and not very far. No road trips other than 100 miles or so. You can complain to Acura but it goes on deaf ears. They don't care. You can hire a lawyer but again, they will play the "not properly maintained game. Some of the big tranny shops low ball the cost up front and go up from there. My mechanic who was not going to get the work warned me of that. You will get a reused tranny with new guts. $1400 doesn't really cover that so beware. Check around. $4K at honda is steep b/c they automatically change the brains of it as well (I forget the term for it...so it's $3000 or so plus another $800 for the brains plus some sealing stuff). You may or may not need the brains, but you will get a 36K 3 year warranty, or you should and given that many have recurring tranny issues, that is worth gold. You can ditch it just before it expires. Sad but ture, sorry you had to join our club.

#268 of 967 2001 MDX Transmission Failed by junaid5

Jun 02, 2010 (6:58 pm)

My 2001 MDX has 132k miles on it and last Friday started to slip gears.
 
Went to Acura and it is the Transmission. Scanner code was P0730. Talked to service manager and Acura CS, both did not offer any assistance. Cost to repair by dealer is $4100.00
 
Any advice. (I still do not want to sell it)

#269 of 967 2003 acura MDX torque converter by jamesmartinez

Jun 07, 2010 (7:19 pm)

Replying to: lk25 (May 07, 2010 8:19 pm)
My car is at the dealer for an intermittent problem that started even when the car was still under warranty. The car would shudder when coasting at around 50mph but once it starts accelerating, it is fine. I was told that the problem is with a torque converter and was quoted $2500 (parts $1100 plus labor).
 
They said that it is no longer under warranty and so I have to pay the full amount.
 
The car only has less than 75k miles on it. What course of action can we take since looking through the Internet postings, this seems to be a common problem with Acura and I feel that they should take responsibility for fixing the problems at their cost.

#270 of 967 Cost of Repair by signguy2

Jun 08, 2010 (5:55 am)

Don't accept their proposal. I had the same problem with the torque converter, here
on Long Island in New York, the dealer charged me $1000. and Acura picked up the rest. My vehicle had 92,000 miles at the time. Acura knows that they make a
lousy product and want to pass along the buck. Make some noise, insist to speak
to an Acura rep. Don't accept what they are trying to do to you. These are expensive autos and they should stand behind their product. Good Luck

#271 of 967 Re: 2006 acura mdx tranny (t converter) problems [kobbe] by nickntiffany

Jun 18, 2010 (7:41 pm)

Replying to: kobbe (Sep 29, 2009 10:22 am)
I have a 2006 acura mdx that just turned 70000 miles. While driving at 15 to 30 mph it makes a high pitch grinding sound. Let me know what you have learned and if the dealer compensated you for anything. Thank You,
 
Nick email nickntiffanymsn.com

#272 of 967 2003 MDX transmission failure by evazhang21

Jun 21, 2010 (12:29 pm)

I have a 2003 MDX, which had a transmission failure when I was driving it last week. It was a terrible experience, since I stopped in the express way. I had to drive it to the curb using the 12 gear and had it towed to the dealer.
 
The dealer said the transmission has a internal failure, so it has to be replaced. They offered $4,700 for the service.
I am very disappointed with Acura. The millage of my car is only around 70,000 miles. As a luxury brand, this is intolerable.
The dealer is negotiating with Acura right now and I hope they can offer a little discount, because $4700 is totally over my budget.
But no matter what, I don't think I will ever buy another Acura.

#273 of 967 Re: 2003 MDX transmission failure [evazhang21] by jslivon

Jun 21, 2010 (2:51 pm)

Replying to: evazhang21 (Jun 21, 2010 12:29 pm)
Our '03 MDX transmission failed at 107k miles. We had an extended warranty that expired a month before the failure. It was our second Acura from this dealer. I argued to the dealer's service rep. that paying the $4,500 for a new transmission was unacceptable considering Acura's reputation of a premium quality vehicle. We found this blog on Edmunds and told them we were aware Acura was covering up a defect.
 
They called Acura in CA a few times, Acura first offering to pay 75% then a few days later to pay 90%. We took that offer.
 
Acura will pay for some costs. Make the dealer call Acura in CA. Tell them that you know these transmissions are defective. Report them to the Better Busness Bureau if they won't reduce the charges. Print out some of these blogs for documentation.
 
PS...your new Acura transmission will have a 3yr./36 month warranty. Use it up, then buy a Ford. That's what we'll do.
 
John

#274 of 967 Re: 2003 MDX transmission failure [jslivon] by lushlife

Jun 21, 2010 (3:46 pm)

Replying to: jslivon (Jun 21, 2010 2:51 pm)
Well done...They are clearly aware they have a problem on their hands with the 2003 MDX transmissions but they are still trying to keep it quiet by settling with individuals who complain. It is just a matter of time before someone is killed in an accident because of this. Meanwhile, evazhang should follow your advice.
 
Michael

Messages Page 28 of 98

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