After paying $38+K and carefully maintaining this wonderful looking brand new car, just at 35K miles, transmission blew up.
If you go on townhall.edmunds.com, you will find plenty of customers noting that MDX & Odyssey transmissions are failing.
Please be are of the major reliability issue as transmission repairs are very expensive.
Known transmission problems reported by many owners, even after owning the car for less than 30-50K miles.
Get refunded! There was a recall. I'm curious that you were not notified:
(See http://auto-recalls.justia.com/content/04V176000-ACURA-MDX-2002.html)
Make : ACURA Model : MDX Year : 2002
Build Dates : 20011016 - 20020930
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 04V176000
Date Owner's Notified: 20040427 Date Received by ODI: 20040415 Date Added to Databse: 20040420
Manufacturer's Involved: AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
Manufacturer's Responsible for the Recall: HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)
Manufacturer Campaign Number: P30/P31
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 1099796
Summary:
ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.
Consequence:
GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy:
ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
Report Initiator: MFR Vehicles Report
Regulation Part Number: Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number:
Notes:
CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATIONS AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Acura MDX 2002, Mileage 56,000: Transmission Problem…watch out…it is dangerous.
I keep hearing noise for months now and expected this would happen. The dealer checked out and found nothing wrong. Well, today my transmission isn’t shifting right. The engine light came on and D5 Light is flashing. It was frightening. The dealer test drove, he shifted into reverse the car kept going forward. Thanks god it happened at the dealer. Sorry it is not under warranty, but I was prepared. I contacted the American Honda Motor Main office and they will do service at no cost. Watch out and get it fixed.
I own an Acura 2002 MDX with 50k on it. There is a reason why we purchased a Honda Acura, due to them being the most reliable cars on the road. Well, this is what I used to think.
My wife has driven this care like my grandmother and now it is having transmission problems.
Through my local shop, we got an IC code P1740 problem
"Problem in 4th Clutch Pressure Switch Circuit"
I have an appointment with the Acura dealer, to do their diagnostic test, to see if they can fix this problem.
If they are recalling for “overheating” problems and “oil cooler return line” problems, they better do the right thing here and fix the car.
“DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004”
Recall ID Number: 04V176000.
This comment here is reassuring: “Consequence: GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.”
Has anyone gone through this recall process?
Cheers,
I own a 2001 Acura TL. I bought it because it was a good value and Honda/Acura had such a good track record for quality and reliability. Unfortunately they seem to have a bunch of transmissions that are of poor design. I received a recall notice just before my first transmission failed. It started to shift strangely. When it downshifted. it would do so very hard jerking the whole car and when it tried to upshift, it would take forever to go into gear. My first transmission was replaced for free at 48,000 miles under the recall. They also extended my warranty to 100,000 miles. Now at 117,000 miles my car is at the dealer to get the second transmission replaced. It is doing the same thing as my first transmission. This is beyond the 100,000 warranty, but ACURA is doing the right thing and replacing the transmission for free otherwise it would cost me in excess of $3500. I hope this new transmission last more than the 50,000 miles I have been getting on my other ones.
I own a 2002 MDX (64K miles) and recently had the emission control indicator light go on for the second time (first time at 35K miles). At 34K the dealer "performed the recall by increasing lubricant", however, now 30K miles later, we are told by the dealer that our transmission needs to be replaced and is not under warranty. The service department called the problem "internal transmission problem/gear slippage". This sounds to me like a continuation of the manufacturer's defect of the transmission. Any advice??
My 2002 Certified MDX Touring started having transmission problems within 2 weeks after purchase (5/2006) at 37,500 miles and still under factory bumper to bumper warranty. First Acura dealer (not the selling dealership, but one closer to me), tested it, kept it overnight, but found no problems. Drove it another week, and the washboard ride re-appeared from the tranny and was also downshifting very rapidly on normal deceleration (slowing for a turn or stoplight). Took it to the selling dealership and their tech rode with me and of course it rode fine, but my description indicated the torque converter was suspect. They kept it and I took a free 2006 MDX loaner home. A call later that afternoon had them telling me to keep the loaner another couple days that they would be replacing the transmission. I have no complaints and think any tranny issues on an MDX is not doubted by a decent service tech. I give Acura 5 stars for stepping up and now it rides like a cloud. The best part was signing the receipt with zeroes in all the payment sections. Anyone who buys a used vehicle that is not a Certified with at least some bumper to bumper coverage is gambling with the odds stacked against them.
My wife has a 2003 Honda Pilot and it's doing the same thing. We took it to the Honda Dealer and they just replaced the transmission fluid and reset the error code and then month and a half later it's doing it again. I'm curious if they honor the recall ID 04V176000. This is frustrating and I don't want to shell out $3000 for a new transmission.
2002 MDX 77K miles. I started hearing a grinding sound 3 months ago, and took it in to a Manhattan Acura Dealership. The service manager told me that the rotors needed to be cut. I doubted it, since I just changed my brakes, but they insisted that this was the problem. $250 later, it was still grinding, so I took it back, and had a tech ride with me. Of course, it did not grind for him. I did some investigation. It only grinds in the high gear (5th). I'm going to call American Honda next. Anyone find that the car only had transmission problems in 5th gear?
2002 Acura MDX 74K miles. For first time this past weekend started noticing transmission problems. When in 5th gear car would downshift very jerky. As long as I drove in 4th gear or lower it downshifted and upshifted fine. However later found that reverse is barely working - put in reverse and takes a few seconds before it engages. Took to dealer today and they said transmission has internal failure and needs to be replaced for $4500 and nothing else thay can do. Called Acura Client Services and told them this is unacceptable considering the earlier recall did not fix the problem. They have opened a case and I a m waiting to hear what if they plan to do for me.
2002 Acura MDX 74K miles. For first time this past weekend started noticing transmission problems. When in 5th gear car would downshift very jerky. As long as I drove in 4th gear or lower it downshifted and upshifted fine. However later found that reverse is barely working - put in reverse and takes a few seconds before it engages. Took to dealer today and they said transmission has internal failure and needs to be replaced for $4500 and nothing else thay can do since car was out of warranty. Called Acura Client Services and told them this is unacceptable considering the earlier recall did not fix the problem. They opened a case and I heard from the case manager on the same day. The case manager/Acura offered to pay for $3000 of the $4500 repair so I was satisfied. Just know that the dealership is not going to offer this to you and will need to come from Acura Client Services.
2002 MDX 58,000 miles. We love it when it is working correctly unfortunately more often than not something is amiss. Within the first few weeks after buying it (new) we received a recall for the water pump, turned out that ours was affected and the water pump and timing belt had to be replaced. Several weeks later on a very hot day the air-conditioner stopped working. It took three separate visits to the dealership and a dye pack to locate and fix the problem. The brakes have been shimmed twice because of loud clunking noises when braking. One day I tried to reload the CD player and it seized, it was replaced with a new one and the other one was sent back with my Cd's inside, they were returned to me by mail after they were able to retrieve them. I thought the problems were over until last year it started shifted up and down from 5th to overdrive at around 60-65MPH. I took it to the dealer and they replaced the EGR valve set, they also performed the transmission recall inspection and did the oil upgrade. A few months ago it started acting up again shifting up and down around 40-45MPH and making a burring sound. I took it to the dealer today and just got a call telling me that I need a new transmission! so far all of these problems have just been annoying, sometimes it has been so ridiculous we have laughed. The good news at this point is our dealer called acura on our behalf and given the history they are willing to extend our warranty to cover replacement. We should know by the end of the week what the outcome will actually be. It is a shame that such a great vehicle has been plagued with quality issues.
I own a 2002 Acura MDX. At 84000 miles the transmission had to be replaced (after arguing with the dealer) I have 104K now and have had the T/P temp light come on a few times. The last time I was driving in the fast lane and all this oil started gushing out from under the car was told the transmission fluid got hot and the transmission puked LOL... so did I.
Well after spending $266.00 and having the transmission flushed three times (oil stunk really bad) and finding out the dealer that had replaced the transmission had used a rebuilt or a used transmission : (...what do I do now do I still have a warranty I DO NOT KNOW... one dealer tells me I have a warranty until 109K the other looked at me as though I had a clown suit on.
The problem still exist the transmission shift is not smooth at all, and I am scared to speed over 60 as the temp light might come back on and the transmission might want to puke again.
I would like Acura to rectify this once and for all. I plan to call Acura customer service and deal with them directly instead of all these dealers that gives us a ton of bull.
Angry SAM.
I have a 2002 Acura MDX and have now had the transmission replaced 2 times. Not even 100,000 miles and the vehicle's third transmission. I had to threaten lawsuit before Acura stepped forward and paid for it. I have no confidence that this transmission will last any more than the last two. It seems 40-50k miles is the average for problems to appear.
I was just told at 82,500 miles to replace the front and side engine mounts ($600) or it would cause problems with the transmission. I had the transmission replaced at 68,000 miles. They did a good will fix and gave me a loaner, even though they said it was out of warranty so no complaints there.
Now they are stating the timing belt needs replaced. It seems a bit early for that. I noticed a recall on the water pump/timing belt. Does anyone have more information on this?
ACURA MDX 2002 58,000 miles.
I thought it was a reliable car because it's a Honda. I went to the dealer because the transmission slips when it goes to the 2nd gear like the other comments. When the dealer checked out the car, they told me that I need a new transmission, which is 4500 dollars. Can anyone give me some tips and pointers?