2001 Acura MDX Touring review from North America

Transmission went completely out 70,000 miles.

I have an Acura 01 MDX Touring (my 3rd Acura) that I purchased new in Asheville. I have done all the service and then some at the dealership.

I have been complaining about the transmission o not changing correctly since about 35,000 miles. On each service visit it seemed to get worse. I have even had the transmission fluid changed before scheduled at about 50,000. Each time I complained the tech in Asheville said they test-drove it and everything was OK. Next Acura did a recall on my transmission and again I took it in and hoped it would be fixed. After picking it up this time the trans seemed to be slipping and making noise. I took it right back the next day. I was told that it had been check and an oil kit added and it would be fine and did not need repaired. I took it in again the last week of March this year to get an oil change and check the trans again. This time when I picked it up the tech said it had been thoroughly checked and I could need struts soon. I told them It dosen’t need struts!! The trans is changing gears unnecessarily.

On the 2nd of April on my way to Wilmington NC the transmission went out near Florence SC. There is no Acura dealer In Florence so I called the dealership in Asheville. They told me the transmission was not under warranty and it sounds like I may need to have it replaced. If I wanted to tow it back to Asheville of course they could do the work at my cost, but maybe I could call the 800 numbers on my window. I called that number and was told they only cover paint warranties. I finally got in touch with Acura corporate office and talked to a very helpful fellow! He had me have the truck towed to Acura in Columbia SC. I am so glad I took it there where I received nothing less than award winning service. The service tech was very helpful and professional and treated me as if my vehicle was new and I had just purchased from their dealership, when in fact I am from Asheville and my truck was out of warranty. Acura replaced the transmission with what they called a “good faith” repair realizing that I shouldn’t need a transmission at less than 80,000 miles on a high-end vehicle lake a MDX. I am so glad that when the transmission went out I was not in Asheville. I also wish the dealership would have admitted that they were having lots of problems with these transmissions.

I still love my MDX.

It just had a bad transmission and the dealership wouldn't admit it.

The transmission that is in my truck now seems to be starting to have the same kind of problems as the first one. I think it is a re-built, but can't be sure, they didn't tell me.