2002 Acura MDX review from North America

Transmission went out at just over 10,000 miles.

Error in owner's manual or in dealer's repair manual, as far as required maintenance.

I am so disappointed in this car and the fact the transmission went out after only 10,000 miles. The worst part is this could have been a very nasty and dangerous situation as my wife and two kids were in the MDX on at least three occasions on the same day before we brought it to the dealership, when the transmission slipped out of gear and they were making a turn or in an intersection. Luckily cars were able to stop or go around them. An expensive new car, heck any new car, should not need a new transmission after only 10,000 miles. This is my first and most likely last Acura product.

My wife brought the MDX in for the 7,500 mile service and she was told we needed to have the VTM (center differential for all-wheel drive) fluid changed. She paid the $120 to have this done and when she brought it home I looked in the owner's manual and went on line to the Acura web site and both said the first time that fluid should be changed is not until 15,000 miles. I called the dealer and they said their shop manual stated it should be changed at 7,500 miles. So who's telling the truth?