2001 Acura MDX
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 224 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 24 MDX model years with reports.
Of the 2001 reports, 9 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 10 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleJan 17, 2020
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL, 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL, 2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey, 2001-2002 Acura MDX and 2000 Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bags in the vehicles, replacing the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138.
Campaign 20V027000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleJan 17, 2020
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.
Campaign 20V026000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, springs, coil springsSep 1, 2005
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN AREAS WHERE LARGE QUANTITIES OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS HAVE INSUFFICIENT CORROSION PROTECTION, AND MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION.
EXCESSIVE CORROSION CAN CAUSE SPRING FAILURE AND A BROKEN SPRING COULD PUNCTURE A FRONT TIRE, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS WITH IMPROVED SPRINGS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 11, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ACURA AT 800-382-2238.
Campaign 05V385000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionApr 15, 2004
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.
GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 04V176000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: power train
131 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Jul 28, 2010
I PURCHASED MY 2001 ACURA MDX NEW. I HAVE BEEN THE ONLY DRIVER. AROUND 115,000 MILES I BEGAN TO HEAR THIS GRINDING/GURGLING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I TOOK IT TO THE ACURA DEALER AND DURING THE FIRST VISIT THEY IGNORED THE PROBLEM AND INSTEAD SUGGESTED REPLACING ENGINE MOUNTS. AFTER THAT EXPANSIVE REPAIR I WAS STILL ABLE TO HEAR THE GRINDING NOISE BETWEEN 25-30 MILE SPEEDS. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND TODAY I FOUND OUT THAT IS THE TORQUE CONVERTER. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WILL COST ME OVER $2000 . . . HIGHWAY ROBBERY !!! THIS MODEL HAD A RECALL ON TRANSMISSION IN 2004 BUT THE ACURA SEEMS TO BE BLIND TO ALL THOSE CLAIMS ABOUT FAILING TRANSMISSIONS AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO HAVE A RECALL ON ALL THOSE TORQUE CONVERTERS? IS IT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE TO LOSE THEIR LIFE? *TR
Power train, Jul 28, 2010
HAVE BEEN HEARING A NOISE IN THE DRIVE TRAIN FOR QUITE SOMETIME. ALSO HEAR A THUMPING NOISE WHEN 4 WHEEL DRIVE IS ENGAGED AND TURN SHARPLY. READING DIFFERENT BLOGS THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE ACURA MDX, BUT ACURA DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL. *TR
Power train, Jul 7, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE; HOWEVER, THREE WEEKS AFTER THE OIL WAS CHANGED, THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING COULD POSSIBLY BE CRACKED AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Power train, Jul 4, 2010
MY DEALER SERVICED 2001 ACURA MDX HAS FAILING ENGINE MOUNTS, AND FAILING TRANSMISSION AT 82,000 HIGHWAY MILES. THE DEALER (HINSHAW ACURA, SEATTLE) SOLD IT TO ME, AND 100 MILES LATER THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. THIS MUST BE A DEFECT, AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. I WILL NOT PAY $6000 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION AT 82K MILES FROM A DEALER SERVICED LUXURY CAR. *TR
Power train, Apr 1, 2010
BEGINNING IN THE SUMMER OF 2009, I HEARD ENGINE NOISES WHILE DRIVING AROUND 35-45 MPH THAT SOUNDED LIKE I WAS DRIVING OVER THE RUMBLE STRIPS AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. OVER THE MONTHS THE SOUNDS BEGAN TO GET LOUDER AND WE TOOK IT IN TO CARX, BUT THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT CAUSED THE NOISE. ON 3-29-10 WE TOOK MY 2001 MDX TO ACURA. THE MECHANIC ASKED ME TO DRIVE IT AT 28 MPH SO THAT IT WAS AROUND 1500 RPMS. IT MADE THE NOISE NUMEROUS TIMES FOR HIM AND HE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT WAS WRONG. HE SAID IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. I'VE HAD MY 2001 MDX FOR 3 YRS AND IT'S NOT UNDER WARRANTY SO WE REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER TO A TUNE OF $2,400. I'M NOT HAPPY ABOUT THAT ESPECIALLY AFTER SEEING SO MANY TORQUE CONVERTERS AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ON THIS WEBSITE AND OTHER COMPLAINT WEBSITES. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL AND IT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. I WON'T BE BUYING AN ACURA OR HONDA EVER AGAIN.
Power train, Mar 27, 2010
I OWN AN ACURA 2001 MDX WITH A SLIPPING TRANSMISSION. AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP SAYS IT WILL COST $3,400.00 TO REPLACE (FIX)
Power train, Mar 12, 2010
01' ACURA TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, SPUTTERING AND LOCKING UP. 113,000 MILES. LOCKED UP ONCE ON INTERSTATE WITH ME AND MY SON IN THE CAR, AND LUCKILY WE WEREN'T IN THE WAY OF ANYONE OR WE COULD HAVE BEEN HIT. FOUND SEVERAL, SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET WITH PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. VERY DANGEROUS!! *TR
Power train, Mar 1, 2010
WHEN THE CAR NEARS 45 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION STARTS SLIPPING. THE CAR STARTS JERKING AND ALMOST STOPS. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT MAKING A LEFT TURN OR MERGING INTO TRAFFIC WHEN IT FIRST OCCURRED. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD COMPLETE LOCKUPS AT 55 MPH. I'M WONDERING IF ANY ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM. FORTUNATELY, I DID NOT BECOME A FATALITY. I WAS VERY NERVOUS ABOUT DRIVING TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE TRANSMISSION IS BEING REPLACED. *TR
Power train, Feb 23, 2010
AM A SECOND OWNER OF 2001 ACURA MDX WITH 84,000 MILES, OWNED SINCE APPROX 35000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING HOME THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP, CAUSING HIGHER THAN NORMAL ENGINE SPEED WHILE UP SHIFTING. DOWN SHIFTING WHILE SLOWING TO A STOP CAUSED SUDDEN AND SEVERE ENGINE BRAKING AND VERY ROUGH SHIFTING. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. NO PRIOR ISSUES NOTICED, AND VEHICLE HAD MAJOR SCHEDULED SERVICE IN THE PAST. TOOK TO LOCAL INDEPENDENT SERVICE AND WAS INFORMED TRANSMISSION WAS A TOTAL LOSS REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. CONTACTED ACURA CLIENT SERVICES, AND TOOK TO DEALER WHO WILL ONLY COVER 25% OF REPAIR. MY COST WOULD BE NEARLY $4000. THIS TRANSMISSION HAD A SERVICE RECALL IN 2004, BUT REPAIR DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE A GOOD ONE. TRANSMISSION DESIGN APPEARS TO BE DEFECTIVE.*TR
Power train, Feb 17, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE ACURA DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 154000
Power train, Feb 9, 2010
I HAVE A 2001 ACURA MDX, LAST YEAR IT BEGAN NOT SHIFTING INTO 2ND GEAR AND I COULDN'T GO OVER 20-25 MPH. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL ACURA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING. AFTER INSISTING, THEY HAD ME BRING IT IN FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT AND THEY SAID IT WAS MY TORQUE CONVERTER. I HAD ANOTHER MECHANIC TEST IT AND HE COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING AND SUGGESTED IT WAS MY TRANSMISSION. ACURA WANTED TO CHARGE BE $3-4,000 TO REPAIR. DIDN'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY FOR A CAR REPAIR THAT SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON A CAR I SPENT $40,000 ON. NOW AGAIN, IT IS DOING IT. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS AND I CANNOT BELIEVE SOMEONE IS NOT MAKING THEM CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP. *TR
Power train, Feb 5, 2010
2001 ACURA MDX TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND BANGING. TORQUE CONVERTER SURGING IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. BAD DESIGN, TRANSMISSION FAILING TOO SOON. ONLY ABLE TO DRAIN 3 QUARTS OUT AT A TIME. FLUID GETS DIRTY AND OLD TOO SOON BETWEEN SERVICE DATES. *TR
Power train, Feb 4, 2010
TRANSMISSION FAILURE OF 2001 ACURA MDX AT 74K MILES. MANY, MANY (HUNDREDS) COMPLAINTS ON-LINE WITH SAME ISSUES (MDX AND SISTER VEHICLE THE HONDA PILOT). DEALERSHIP PRETENDS THERE IS NO ISSUE WITH THESE CARS YET IT IS DOCUMENTED ALL OVER THE PLACE. WE NEED A RECALL, THIS IS TERRIBLE. WE ARE OUT $3000 TO FIX IT WITH A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP; ACURA "OFFERED" TO FIX IT FOR $3500. THEY ALSO TOLD US THAT SINCE WE DIDN'T GET IT SERVICED AT A DEALERSHIP "WE WERE LOOKED BADLY UPON" WHEN MAKING THEIR "OFFER". WE ALL WANT TO SUE THEM AS THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A QUALITY VEHICLE AND ACURA IS NOT TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY. WE CANNOT AFFORD THIS. ALSO, SOME OWNERS ARE ON THEIR 3RD TRANSMISSION IN THESE CARS B/C IT'S THE SAME FAULTY TRANSMISSION THAT GOES IN. WE DON'T FEEL SAFE NOR DO WE FEEL LIKE WE CAN DRIVE IT MUCH. WE BARELY DRIVE IT AT ALL NOW. THIS IS WELL DOCUMENTED IN ACURA FORUMS FOR 2001-2004 MODELS (NOT SURE ABOUT LATER MODELS) AND HUNDREDS OF HONDA PILOTS AS WELL. HELP US!!!!! *TR
Power train, Jan 19, 2010
I PURCHASED MY 2001 ACURA MDX NEW. . . I HAVE BEEN THE ONLY DRIVER. . .AROUND 100,000 MILES I BEGAN TO HEAR THIS GURGLING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. . . I TOOK IT TO TWO ACURA DEALERS AND ONE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. . .ALL INDICATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS SHOT AND THAT I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF OVER $3,800 . . . HIGHWAY ROBBERY . . . I HAVE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND BESIDES THE NOISE BETWEEN 35 - 50 MILES PER HOUR, IT CONTINUES TO RUN GOOD. . . I NOW HAVE 127K+ ON THE VEHICLE AND ITS STILL GOING. . . .I PLAN TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SOON. . . . I'M TIRED OF THE NOISE AND THE REDUCTION IN GAS MILEAGE. . . *TR
Power train, Jan 15, 2010
WE PURCHASED A 2001 ACURA MDX, USED, FOR OUR 18 YEAR OLD SON. WITHIN 9 MONTHS, IT BEGAN SHIFTING POORLY. OF COURSE, WITH A YOUNG DRIVER, HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON. JUST BY HAPPENSTANCE, WE WERE TAKING IT AROUND FOR TIRES, OIL CHANGE, ETC. THEY PULLED THE TRANNY DIPSTICK AND SAID 'YOU'RE TRANNY'S SHOT'. WE HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE CAR LOT SERVICE DEPARTMENT, WHERE THEY CONFIRMED. THEN, LUCKILY, WE WERE AT JUST UNDER 122,000 MILES, WHICH IS WHERE MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD HAVE EXPIRED! IT WAS REPLACED UNDER THAT WARRANTY, WITH MY ONLY HAVING TO COME OUT OF POCKET JUST OVER $700.00, WHICH I PAID FOR BETTERMENT B/C I ELECTED TO GET A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION, RATHER THAN A USED ONE WITH ALMOST AS MANY MILES ON IT AS THE ORIGINAL! I HAVE LOOKED AND ASKED AROUND AND I AM NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM THAT THERE IS, INDEED, A RECALL ON THE TRANNY ITSELF, JUST ON THE CONVERTER, WHICH WAS NOT REPLACED IN MY CIRCUMSTANCE. BUT, IF SOMEONE KNOWS DIFFERENT OR LEARNS ABOUT A RECALL LATER, PLEASE POST! *TR
Power train, Dec 16, 2009
LESS THAN 100 YARDS FROM WHERE MY WIFE STARTED OUR 2001 ACURA MDX WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AND ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD CLUNK AND SLID IN THE SLUSH TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE. WOULD NOT ALLOW US TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR PARK. IN NEUTRAL THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE EITHER. THERE HAS BEEN A TRANSMISSION RECALL BUT ACURA TOLD ME I WOULD NEED TO TAKE IT TO AN ACURA DEALERSHIP TO RESEARCH THE PROBLEM. WE LIVE 5-6 DRIVING HOURS FROM THE NEAREST ACURA DEALERSHIP. IT IS NOT LOGICAL TO TRY AND GET IT THERE. OUR LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP IS CURRENTLY INSTALLING A REBUILT TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE DONE TODAY. ARE HONDA AND ACURA NOT ONE AND THE SAME CORPORATION? I'M LOOKING FOR SOME ASSISTANCE WITH THIS. IT WAS A SAFETY RECALL AND QUITE AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. THANK GOD MY WIFE WASN'T GOING ANY FASTER. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF THE VEHICLE. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE US!! *TR
Power train, Dec 15, 2009
THE 2001 ACURA MDX AT APPROX.110,000 BEGAN A GROWLING NOISE AT 30-35 MPH AND IN 5TH GEAR AT 1200-1500 RPM. VEHICLE TEST DRIVEN BY LINDSAY ACURA IN COLUMBUS, OHIO. REP. ADVISED THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS STARTING TO GO BAD AND IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT COULD CONTINUE TO BE DRIVEN WITHOUT PROBLEMS. REPAIR ESTIMATE WAS $2100. *TR
Power train, Dec 14, 2009
PURCHASED 2001 ACURA IN 2007 WITH 90K MILES, RIGHT AFTER PURCHASE WIFE BEGAN TO NOTICE A "FLUTTER" SOUND FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IT SOUNDED LIKE YOU DROVE OVER VERY SMALL SPEED BUMPS. AFTER 2 DIFFERENT TRIPS TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS THEY REPORTED THEY NEVER HEARD ANYTHING. GRADUALLY THE SOUND BECAME MORE AND MORE PRONOUNCED TO THE EXTENT I WAS WORRIED THAT CAR WOULD LOCK-UP WHILE DRIVING AS I HAVE HEARD/READ OTHER HAVE DONE RESULTING IN A CRASH. I TOOK AGAIN TO THE DEALER RECENTLY AND THEY REPORTED THE PROBLEM NOW AS A COMMON TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. THE TSB AND DEALER STATED I NEED TO REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND PCM. THE PCM OR ECU IS THE COMPUTER MODULE THAT CONTROLS THE WHOLE ENGINE. IF THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED OR WORE OUT, WHY DOES THEIR TSB AND ACURA SERVICE RECOMMEND REPLACE THE PCM/ECU? COULD IT BE PCM/ECU IS THE ROOT OF ALL OF THESE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND CAUSED THE TORQUE CONVERTER TO FAIL? $2600 AFTER FIGHTING FOR REDUCED PARTS AND LABOR COSTS. GREAT CAR, BAD VERY BAD TRANSMISSION. I WON'T BE BUYING ANOTHER HONDA PRODUCT. *TR
Power train, Nov 30, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE ACURA DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 215,000.
Power train, Nov 19, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. ALSO AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH THE VEHICLE WILL SHIMMY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT AN EXPENSE OF $2300.00. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. HOWEVER, FIVE YEARS PRIOR THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
Power train, Jul 30, 2009
DRIVER IS ABLE TO REMOVE KEYS TO CAR WHILE CAR IS IN DRIVE AND ENGINE IS OFF. *TR
Power train, Jul 20, 2009
I PURCHASED THE 2001 ACURA MDX ON 3/29/05 FOR $24,000.00 W/APROX.57,000 MILES.THE 1ST INCIDENT WAS IN 11/23/07 WITH 90,000 MILES I FELT VIBRATION AND METAL GRINDING SOUND AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED FOR A SECOND THE DEALER STATED THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED,IT WAS CHANGED AND IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRENTY.THE 2ND INCIDENT WAS THE SAME AS THE FIRST EXCEPT I WAS ENTERING THE HIGHWAY, IT WAS ON 5/12/08 AND THE VEHICLE HAD 93,000 MILES AND THE DEALER STATED ONCE AGAIN THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED,IT WAS REPLACED AND STILL UNDER WARRENTY.THE 3RD INCIDENT IS THE SAME AS THE OTHER TWO WITH MUCH LOUDER SQUEALING.NOW 6/25/09 WITH 106,000 MILES THE DEALER STATES AGAIN THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ONLY THIS TIME I AM NOT UNDER WARRENTY.THE DEALER SALES PERSON AND TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BE REPLACED SINCE THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME.I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED CORRECTLY THE FIRST TIME INSTEAD OF PUTTING BAND AIDS ON IT.SPOKE DIRECTLY WITH ACURA AND THEY SWEAR THAT ONE PART HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE OTHER.I BEG TO DIFFER AND TOLD THEM THAT I KNEW ALOT ABOUT CARS AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL IF THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILS.THEY WANT TO PUT ANOTHER TORQUE CONVERTER AT MY EXPENSE,THIS IS NOT RIGHT AND IS A HUGE HAZARD TO ME AND MY FAMILY THAT INCLUDES 2 SMALL CHILDREN. I DID A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUES ON THERE 2001 ACURA MDX. PLEASE HELP ME, NO ONE ELSE SEEMS TO THINK THIS IS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND A HUGE SAFETY RISK. *TR
Power train, Apr 19, 2009
MY 2001 MDX TRANSMISSION BEGAN HESITATING WHEN SHIFTING (84.849 MILES). I IMMEDIATELY PARKED THE VEHICLE AND THEN HAD IT DIAGNOSED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO FOLLOWED THE OWNERS MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS AND FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION. MODIS SCAN FOR CODES, NONE IN MEMORY. TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS EXTREMELY BLACK AND FULL OF SMALL METAL DEBRIS AND FIBER MATERIAL. FLUSHED SEVERAL TIMES WITH SAME RESULTS. CALLED ACURA DEALER TO CHECK WARRANTIES, ETC. THEY ADVISED THAT THE ECU CAUSES TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND THAT IT ALONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, WARRANTY EXPIRED. ECU ARE KNOWN TO SHORT OUT AND WILL CAUSE NEW TRANSMISSION TO BURN UP IF NOT REPLACED. ACURA SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THE ECU LONG AGO WHEN THEY KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT COULD CAUSE TRANSMISSION FAILURE RESULTING IN A CRASH. *TR
Power train, Feb 3, 2009
I AM WRITING TO NHTSA TO REPORT A TRANSMISSION LOCKUP INCIDENCE ON THE HIGHWAY OF MY 2001 ACURA MDX SUV. ON 1/23/2009, WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH, THE CAR HAS ABRUPTLY STOPPED TO LOW 30 MPH AND ALMOST CAUSED A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT TO MY FAMILY. THE CAR DIDN'T HAVE ANY WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD CONSOLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CAR HAS 148,000 MILES AND IT'S IN A GOOD MECHANICAL STANDING (WITH REGULAR INTERVAL MAINTENANCE). SINCE THEN, I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS VEHICLE IS KNOWN TO PRODUCE SUCH SYMPTOM. IT'S CLEAR THAT THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION HAS DESIGN ISSUE AT ITS BEGINNING, AND AT HIGH MILEAGE, IT MIGHT EXACERBATE MORE SEVERELY. SHOULD NHTSA REGULATE ACURA TO CONCERN MORE FOR THE SAFETY OF ITS CUSTOMERS? ACTION THAT ACURA CAN HELP COULD BE AS ISSUES NEW ERRATA BULLETINS OR COURTEOUS ACCIDENT PREVENTIVE MEASUREMENT TO MAKE ITS OLDER(HIGH MILEAGE) CAR SAFE. I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT TO ACURA BUT DIDN'T THINK IT HAS ANY USE. FOR ONE THING THAT ACURA FACTORY WON'T MAKE ITS CUSTOMER SAFE IS TO COLLECT ACTUAL OLDER HIGH MILEAGE FAILURE TRANSMISSION AND INVESTIGATE FOR PREVENTIVE SAFETY MEASUREMENT. ACURA SHOWED NO INTEREST DESPITE MY EFFORT IN TALKING TO THEM. I HAVE DRIVEN CARS WITH FAILURE TRANSMISSION, BUT HAVE NOT EXPERIENCE ONE THAT LOCKS UP AT HIGH SPEED IN HIGHWAY. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE SYMPTOM IS TOTALLY NOT ACCEPTABLE. SURPRISINGLY, I WAS ABLE TO FIND REPORT OF MANY MDX TRANSMISSION LOCKUP CASES ON WEB. SHOULD THERE BE LAW TO PREVENT HIGH MILEAGE UNSAFE MDX GO RIDE ON HIGHWAY UNLESS SOME SAFETY INSPECTION HAS BEEN PERFORMED. AND, THIS IS FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHERS. I AM CURRENTLY HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSE. *TR
Power train, Jul 7, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING 20 TO 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SHIFTS GEARS THEY FAILED TO SHIFT. THERE WAS A THRUST AND THEN THE GEAR SHIFTED VERY HARD INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THIS FAILURE OCCURED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS ALSO A RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.