Ask the Car People.SM


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


 
Go to NHTSA to file a safety complaint.
 
Or call Monday-Friday (8 am to 8 pm ET) (888) 327-4236 TTY: (800)424-9153

Messages Page 83 of 98

#815 of 967 Re: Grinding noise at 40mph in 2003 MDX [bigmistake] by dc1225

Mar 15, 2012 (3:41 pm)

Replying to: bigmistake (Mar 15, 2012 1:42 pm)
yup. I am not going to purchase Acura anymore. They've lost me as a customer. I am moving on to Lexus. Lexus is only slightly more than Acura. With Acura, you'd basically have to have Extended Warranty for as long as you own the vehicle. With that extended warranty money, I'll spend it on Lexus.
  
Screw Honda/Acura. I hope another Tsunami wipes out the Honda plants.
  
I don't have the time nor the resources to do this but something you may want to consider. I only paid $22k for my car on used mdx. If I had spent another 20K on new Acura, I would be suing them in small claims court, no doubt.
  
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/04/small-claims-court_n_1317241.html
  
http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2012/02/car-owner-heather-mills-sues-honda-- - over-2006-civic-hybrid-mileage-claims-and-wins.html
  
http://articles.latimes.com/2012/feb/02/business/la-fi-autos-honda-lawsuit-20120- - 202

#816 of 967 Re: Grinding noise at 40mph in 2003 MDX [bigmistake] by littlebits

Mar 15, 2012 (3:56 pm)

Replying to: bigmistake (Mar 15, 2012 1:42 pm)
Took my 2010 MDX for service and one recall notice. While I was there I was informed that there was another recall for the transmission fluid. Long story short, Acura is fully aware of the problems addressed here in this forum. I too complained to the dealer regarding the delay/hesitation between gears. The dealership kept insisting this was normal and I even test drove two other MDX (2010 and 2011) to see if this was true. According to my service rep this change of fluid should help with this delay/hesitation. Recall notices are on their way to 2010-2012 owners. Feel free to contact your dealership. I have not received mine however the dealership was very proactive in getting it serviced and corrected while I was there on March 10th.
 
I am debating trading in my car before something major happens. From what I continue to read in this forum I do not want to wait until it's too late.
 
Good luck to us all!

#817 of 967 Re: Grinding noise at 40mph in 2003 MDX [dc1225] by wwest

Mar 15, 2012 (4:38 pm)

Replying to: dc1225 (Mar 15, 2012 3:41 pm)
"..I am moving on to Lexus..."
 
From the frying pan and into the FIRE.
 
I have now been closely watching, monitoring this FWD to F/awd issue for nie onto 12 years. Insofar as I know, can tell, there NO manufacturer that has as of yet solved this "equation" suscessfully.
 
With the advent of the introduction of the '01 RX300 Lexus was forced to, HAD to, totally abandon the new F/awd system that they initially introduced with the '99 RX300. Even with these changes, major changes, it wasn't until the adoption of DBW with the new RX330 that the driveline, mostly transaxle, failures declined to an acceptable (to Lexus) level.
 
In the meantime RX300 owners were left without a functional F/awd system. In 2010 Lexus switched to an entirely new F/awd system, the one Ford, Escape/Mariner, had earlier encountered so many problems with. Ford is solving their problem by simply dropping the product line.
 
It remains to be seen whether the new RX350 F/awd system will pass muster. Lexus has added an ability to lock the system in "awd" mode but my guess is that will soon be discontinued, if that isn't already in the works.
 
Driver's in the general case CANNOT be relied upon to make judicious, reasonable, use of that "awd" functionality, and most certainly cannot be relied upon to always remember to turn it off once the slippage condition has passed.
 

#818 of 967 Grinding noise at 40mph in 2003 MDX by my4thhonda

Mar 20, 2012 (2:20 pm)

My MDX is 146k miles and starting to give me the "Shuddering" sound when driven between 25-45 MPH. Today I had Acura dealer look at it for $ 125.00 charge and said it is the Torque Converter issue and plus few others, here is the list:
 
Torque Converter: $2700.00
Front and Right side Engine Mounts: $ 550.00 (with TC change)
 
I declined the work for now. I am thinking calling AHM and also looking for any firm willing to do a Class Action. If there is a Class Action already in works ..please let me know..Thanks

#819 of 967 Re: Grinding noise at 40mph in 2003 MDX [my4thhonda] by jslivon

Mar 20, 2012 (2:27 pm)

Replying to: my4thhonda (Mar 20, 2012 2:20 pm)
You'll need a new/rebuilt transmission; $4,500
 
Also, two motor mounts are broke, not one. If you never had the timing belt or spark plugs replaced at 110k miles, it's overdue. You'll also need new front lower control arms & balljoints.
 
I have 160k miles my 2003 MDX and it's very well maintained. I'm speaking from experience. I forced the transmission issue with our dealer at 110k miles and they got Acura to pay 90% of they trans. cost.
 
You'll just have to decide if it's worth keeping.

#820 of 967 Re: Grinding noise at 40mph in 2003 MDX [bigmistake] by jlp2008mdx

Mar 29, 2012 (11:20 am)

Replying to: bigmistake (Mar 15, 2012 1:42 pm)
What did you end up finding out was wrong? What was wrong with the transmission causing that grinding noise? I have experienced a similar issue with my 2008 MDX where it has on a few occasions made that noise after driving on the highway for a couple of hours. Like a grinding/whining noise.

#821 of 967 Re: Grinding noise at 40mph in 2003 MDX [jlp2008mdx] by dc1225

Mar 29, 2012 (11:30 am)

Replying to: jlp2008mdx (Mar 29, 2012 11:20 am)
that grinding/whining noise is def. torque converter problem in transmission.

#822 of 967 2004 MDX Transmission broken by ih8acura

Apr 23, 2012 (11:26 am)

I have a 2004 MDX with 111,000 miles on it. Last week as I was driving to work my MDX red lined and started to lose speed. Fortunately, I was right next near an off ramp and was able to pull off safely while coasting. But just like all the other posts on here, it was because of a broken transmission.
 
I received quotes to have it rebuilt ranging from $2500 - $3500. That price varied by the length of the warranty.
 
I contacted the Acura dealership to see if there was a possibility they would be able to assist in covering part of the cost to get it fixed. The guy in the service department I spoke with was very dismissive. It was almost as if he was on the defensive from dealing with other people who have had this issue. Either way, I'd expect more courtesy from a dealership I spent $40k at.
 
My fear is that if I invest so much into my MDX now to fix this issue, how much will I have to spend next year and the year after. It seems like the MDX just turns into a money pit once this problems start to occur.
 
On the converse, if I trade in my MDX for a new vehicle (it def. wont be for another Acura) I will have to spend money on monthly payments for the next 60 months. It seems like a no win situation.
 
... For the record, I purchased my MDX from Springfield Acura in Springfield, NJ.
 
Maybe if we start posting the name of our dealerships, they will step up to the plate and contact Acura to complain that their business are being hurt for selling vehicles which have known defective parts. Or at the very least, bring the shotty customer service to their attention.

#823 of 967 Re: 2004 MDX Transmission broken [ih8acura] by curious52

Apr 23, 2012 (11:49 am)

Replying to: ih8acura (Apr 23, 2012 11:26 am)
Many others in this forum who have had the same trouble you've reported have also run into rudeness at Acura dealers/service managers. You are right-- they are tired of MDX torque converter complaints. It is shocking that Acura has failed to address this issue with older MDX vehicles. I have a 2010 MDX which developed a faulty TC at just 35,000. A replacement was made under warrenty. But about two months ago, I received an "advisory" saying that software for the transmission needed attention. The lack of honesty and the rude behavior will (after my purchase of six Acuras overr the years) will be steering me to the new medium sized SUV now offered by Infiniti. Check it out.

#824 of 967 Re: 2004 MDX Transmission broken [curious52] by wwest

Apr 24, 2012 (9:31 am)

Replying to: curious52 (Apr 23, 2012 11:49 am)
My best guess would be that now that the MDX models with the SH-AWD system are also having TC failures the software revision will involve less "robustness", lowering the functionality, of the SH-AWD system.
 
Less functionality of the system = lower driveline stress/HEAT overall.

Messages Page 83 of 98

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement