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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 44 of 97

#427 of 967 2003 MDX by jgrafton

Nov 01, 2010 (2:21 pm)

We have a 2003 MDX and i have noticed that the transmission? kind of shudders at about 1500 rpm and the tach jumps up about 200 rpm goes away when i accelerate. Just turned 98k miles and after reading some of these posts i think there may be a serious problem developing. It has done this for at least a year now. The nearest Acura dealer is 90 miles away so i just can't stop by. Is there anything that can be done to extend the life like an oil and filter change? Some have received assistance from dealer...is this still a possibility or do i have to wait until the transmission completely fails? We almost traded for a 2008 MDX but now got second thoughts.

#428 of 967 Re: Best of luck [titovalencia] by jgrafton

Nov 01, 2010 (2:59 pm)

Replying to: titovalencia (Oct 18, 2010 7:05 pm)
Have you heard back from the dealer yet? Has your transmission failed and if not can we just replace the torque converter? One last question...where did you get the information about the transmission problem?

#429 of 967 trade it if you can! by madmommy3

Nov 01, 2010 (4:02 pm)

the inevitable is coming and some are on their 3rd tranny. if you have the money, ditch the car while you can still drive it in and get a fair trade. If you trade it when it arrives on a flatbed, you don't have any room to negotiate. And, verify that the 2008's are not problematic. my two cents, from someone who did the very thing (and got an excelletn trade and new price on a honda pilot) after forking over $3000 on a new tranny and radiator and then experiencing noises and potential failure on the new tranny within 5K miles.

#430 of 967 Additional Resources by kpsmith999

Nov 02, 2010 (8:11 am)

Here is a "Must Read" article about the MDX & Pilot transmission problems:
 
http://www.ehow.com/about_5597120_acura-mdx-transmission-problems.html

#431 of 967 Re: 2003 MDX [jgrafton] by prijay

Nov 02, 2010 (12:06 pm)

Replying to: jgrafton (Nov 01, 2010 2:21 pm)
2003 MDX with 95,000 miles transmission failed 2 weeks ago with no warning whatsoever, Just got the transmission fixed form the Acura dealer, Honda picked up 75% of the cost but still i had to fork out $1000 for my share. The new tranny came with 3 years / 36,000 mile warranty. Initially Honda wanted to pick up 50% of the cost but i stood firm and told them i need them to pick up more and finally settled for 75% Honda/ 25% Me, still not happy but better than paying $4500 for a new tranny. Also got the timing belt and water pump changed when i got the tranny fixed. Not sure how long i will keep the car but want to use it for at least 1 - 2 years more, hopefully it will not give any more problems. Members please chime in if i need to know anything more since i plan to use the car for 1 - 2 years, will it last without any issues? Please comment based on your experience

#432 of 967 Re: 2003 MDX [prijay] by jgrafton

Nov 02, 2010 (12:37 pm)

Replying to: prijay (Nov 02, 2010 12:06 pm)
Where is the dealer located that helped you out? I called my nearest dealer (90 miles away) and need to take it there for a test drive. Not thrilled about taking day off work to have it checked. Suprised that dealer stood behind replacement with age and miles on the vehicle. We want to keep the MDX but reluctant to do so knowing all the potential problems even after it gets repaired.

#433 of 967 Re: 2003 MDX [jgrafton] by prijay

Nov 03, 2010 (6:01 am)

Replying to: jgrafton (Nov 02, 2010 12:37 pm)
I am located in South Florida and the dealer is Rick Case Acura, but it is up to you to present your case, the dealer in my case only submitted the paperwork to Honda, i had to talk to Acura Client Care and the Service manager at the dealership to let them know that there is a issue in the MDX transmission and Honda is aware of it.
 
First of all you need to find out if it is a transmission problem. If it is then read this forum which has all the info you need to make and present your case, that is exactly what i did.

#434 of 967 Re: 2003 MDX [jgrafton] by wwest

Nov 03, 2010 (9:34 am)

Replying to: jgrafton (Nov 01, 2010 2:21 pm)
"...shudders..goes away when I accelerate..."
 
Your torque converter's lockup clutch is failing.
 
While you'll likely have to have the TC replaced you can avoid future failures by disabling the SH-AWD system except when you have expectation or suspecion that it will be needed.
 
The SH-AWD system, in effect, LOCKS the "virtual" center diff'l even on highly tractive surfaces, a serious NO-NO for an actual 4WD. Worse yet, it LOCKS that diff'l EVEN when turning and/or turning while accelerating. Having the SH-AWD system's rear drive capability engaged on a tractive surface along with the front drive will ALWAYS result in some level of drive line windup and/or tire scrubbing. Engaging both front and rear drive when turning tightly or accelerating into a turn, PURE STUPIDITY(***)...!!
 
Apparently the lockup clutch in the TC just happens to be the weakest link in the MDX drive train.
 
*** Actually the really stupid part is the engineers trying to make a silk purse from a sow's ear, converting a base FWD vehicle, PATENTLY UNSAFE FWD, into a F/awd compromise.

#435 of 967 Re: 2003 MDX [wwest] by jgrafton

Nov 03, 2010 (3:59 pm)

Replying to: wwest (Nov 03, 2010 9:34 am)
Will it make any dirrerence if i get fluid changed to prolong the failure? To disable the AWD do i simply push the button on the dash that has the four wheels on it?

#436 of 967 2001 Acura MDX Touring transmission problem by godb4marky

Nov 03, 2010 (10:51 pm)

I have a 2001 Acura MDX Touring with factory tow package that had 196,000 low impact HIGHWAY miles on it before the transmission went out. The transmission fluid was flushed & filled every 30,000 miles, I drove it lile a grama (never accellerated to force a downshifted), & never towed anything really heavy or very far. The transmission gave all the classic signs of going out (dark fluid, metal shavings on drain plug, hard / jerky shifting, delayed shifting (with rpm acceleration until gear was met), and even tires chirping from improper shifting on a long mountainous trip towards the end of its life. When it finally went out I was on a local trip on the freeway, jerky shifting turned into only having a very jerky 1st, 2nd, 3rd gears & reverse gear. I limped it back to my garage, did research, & got estimates. The "Ball Acura" dealer here in San Diego, CA quoted me just over $5,000 to include a the installation of a rebuilt transmission unit, rebuilt torque converter unit, and refurbished computer (the computers are not the problem) , with a 36,000 mile parts & labor warranty. This price did not include a new, larger transmission cooler. The small original transmission coolers are evidenced to be the root cause of the MDX transmission problems in the first place (overheating). Next I looked at junkyarddog.com (essentially the google of junkyard car parts), & found that the best they could offer was a used transmission with 97,000 miles on it for $1,500 without the torque converter, transmission cooler, or computer, not including installation, and only with a 30 day parts only limited warranty. Next I tried getting auto shop quotes on rebuilding my original transmission, torque converter, and replacing the tiny, inadequate original transmission cooler with a larger, upgraded, and adequate cooler. I received quotes from $6,500 with no warranty, to $1,600 with a 36,000 mile towing, parts, & labor warranty from Sunrise Auto in San Diego. I went with Sunrise Auto for obvious reasons. I now have my MDX transmission and torque converter fully rebuilt; I also have a brand new transmission cooler installed, & I am covered by a full 36,000 warranty on towing, parts, labor, & even a free loaner car if I need one. All this for $1,600 cash. I almost fainted when I saw the original transmission cooler that they pulled out. It looked like 2 small black sticks. When I saw the new one they installed, I was very impressed, as it looked like 4 solid, beefy, silver, branches like a real cooler should. Btw, the new coolers are inexpensive and VERY effective. If you do not have the new, larger, and upgraded cooler on your 01-06 MDX then GET one. They are not expensive, they actually do what their name says (transmission coolers), they save your transmission from death (9 out of 10 transmissions on every car fail due to overheating). $100 bucks now will save you thousands down the road. Read the reviews and listen to people who have been there. The original coolers in 01-06 are garbage (factory tow package or not), shame on Honda for using the same sized coolers as their civics in a 3.5L V-6 engine. Also, change the transmission fluid regularly, and do it right. Its the one procedure that you want to do by the book (drain & fill 3x). Lastly, don't pay $5,000 at the dealer for them to remove your transmission system, replace it with someone elses rebuilt transmission system, and not install an upgraded cooler, and then turn around and rebuild the one you gave to them so they can charge someone else $5,000 to put it into their car. Get quotes, get a 36,000 mile warranty, & have a good, fair mechanic rebuild, & reinstall your transmission, torque converter, & put in a nice, big, adequate transmission cooler. Thanks for reading & God bless. I'm out.

Messages Page 44 of 97

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