2002 Acura MDX
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 221 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 24 MDX model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 11 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 5 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
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
Engine and engine cooling, engineAug 28, 2002
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SEDANS, COUPES, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES, A TIMING BELT TENSIONER PULLEY ON THE WATER PUMP IS MISALIGNED AND COULD CAUSE THE TIMING BELT TO CONTACT A BOLT ON THE CYLINDER HEAD. EVENTUALLY THE BELT COULD BE DAMAGED AND FAIL.
IF THE TIMING BELT BREAKS, THE ENGINE WILL STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WATER PUMP AND IF IT IS ONE OF THE DEFECTIVE PUMPS, THE WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 30, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
Campaign 02V226000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: power train
134 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Sep 19, 2013
DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED AND ENGINE REVVED UP TO RED LINE. CAR HAD NO POWER AND LOST SPEED. CLOSE CALL WITH OTHER VEHICLES, INCLUDING SEMI TRUCKS. HAD TO PULL INTO FAR RIGHT LANE AND WAS ONLY ABLE TO GO AROUND 30 MPH SINCE THE CAR CONTINUED TO REV AND THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED AND DISENGAGED. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND D5 LIGHT ON DASH STARTED FLASHING. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IN INVESTIGATING, THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL YEAR. CAR IS WORTH $6500 IN GOOD SHAPE, BUT WITH THIS ISSUE, IT IS NOW ONLY WORTH $2000. *TR
Power train, Aug 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 195,239.
Power train, Electrical system, Mar 21, 2013
DRIVING BACK HOME FROM LAS VEGAS, NV ABOUT 150 MILES AWAY (UTAH) THE A/T LIGHT CAME ON. LOOKED IT UP ONLINE IT STATED AUTO/TRANSMISSION OIL TEMP IS HIGH.DECIDED TO PULL OVER AND LET IT COOL DOWN AT THE NEAREST GAS STATION. DECIDED IT WAS OK SINCE THE TEMP IN UTAH WENT DOWN THIS WAS AROUND 2 PM. ABOUT 10 MIN LATER WHEN WE GOT BACK ONTO HIGHWAY THE A/T LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THEN THE CAR STARTED TO SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE BAY. WE PULLED OVER TOOK A LOOK AT IT REALIZED NO PUNCTURE TO THE LINES AND FIGURED THE PRESSURE BUILD UP FROM TRANNY SPAT OUT FROM WHERE YOU USUALLY POUR FLUIDS IN. WE TRIED GETTING OFF HWY FOR SAFETY AND ENDED UP MIDDLE ON NO WHERE. THEN WE WAITED TIL 5 PM AND AS THE WEATHER COOLED DOWN WE STARTED THE DRIVE AGAIN. THE ENGINE WAS FINE THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T LET ME PUSH IT PASS 3 1/2 RPM SO WE DROVE ABOUT 50-70 MPH. WE REACHED COLORADO THEN SPENT THE NIGHT. THE NEXT DAY IT STARTED TO SNOW, THE TRANSMISSION DECIDED TO STOP RESPONDING IT WILL GO INTO GEARS BUT IT WILL STALL AND GO BUT IT WOULDN'T LET ME GO PAST 2 RPM. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEN WE DECIDED TO TAKE THE CAR TO AUTOZONE. THE O2 TEST STATED: LOW TRANNY OIL, TORQUE CONTROL SOLENOID SENSOR, AND ELECTRICAL SENSOR. THEN WE HAD THE CAR TOW TO NEARBY TRANSMISSION SHOP THEY RAN SOME DIAGNOSTICS AND SAID THE GEARS ARE SLIPPING AND THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REBUILT. TOTAL COST IN REBUILT 4100.00 OUT THE DOOR. CAR IN ON 3/4/13 CAR WAS DONE ON 3/19/13. *TR
Power train, Jan 11, 2013
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED ON THE DRIVE BACK TO LOS ANGELES FROM LAS VEGAS. *TR
Power train, Sep 24, 2012
I WAS DRIVING AND THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I STOPPED AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO AN ACURA DEALER. *TR
Power train, Sep 6, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER AND LEFT IT PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO REFERRED HIM TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
Power train, Apr 21, 2012
ON MY WAY TO HOME FROM WORK, I NOTICED THAT MY ACURA MDX MAKES GRINDING AND SHUDDERING SOUND WHEN INCREASING SPEED AFTER A STOP OR FROM SLOW SPEED. WHILE GOING ON STATE HIGHWAY AT 50/MHP SPEED, THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP. THE CAR DRAGGED ON THE ROAD FOR ABOUT 25 FEET AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE DRIVING LANE AS I COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE ON TO THE SHOULDER DUE TO LOCKED FRONT WHEELS. THE LADY BEHIND ME DRIVING AT THE SAME SPEED WAS ABLE TO JUST STOP HER SUV WITHIN SIX INCHES OF THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE. IT SCARY AND FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE FOR BOTH OF AS MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY STOPPED IN DRIVING LANE IN ABOUT 5 TO 7 SECOND FROM 50/MPH TO A COMPLETE STOP. MY VEHICLE COULD NOT BE PUSHED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DUE TO LOCKED FRONT WHEELS. THIS WAS A NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE I HAD FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE. I WAS SEARCHING ON INTERNET TO SEE IF OTHERS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM. I WAS AMAZED TO FIND HUNDREDS OF COMMENTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FROM THE OWNERS OF MDX FOR MODEL YEARS THAT RANGE FROM 2002 TO 2010. THEY APPEAR TO HAVE THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WHERE THE SECOND GEAR JUST FREEZES. I AM WONDERING WHY THE SHA HAS NOT INVESTIGATED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND FAULTS WITH HONDA'S LACK OF WILLINGNESS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. SOME OF THE COMMENTS ON INTERNET SAYS THAT THIS HAPPENED TO THEM ON HIGHWAYS.. *JS
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jan 3, 2012
I PURCHASED THE 2002 MDX ON 12, JANUARY 2004. AT THAT TIME I QUESTIONED THE HARD SHIFTING FROM FIRST INTO SECOND. IT WOULD LURCH, SHUDDER, AND JUMP FROM STANDING STILL TO FIRST GEAR, ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE GEARS. I WAS WORRIED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD BE DAMAGED AS WELL AS OTHER PARTS. ON 27 JULY, 2004 THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO ROCK FRONT AND BACK, WITH LOUD GRINDING AND METAL TO METAL SOUND. THE DEALER EXPLAINED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE AT AND AN OIL JET COOLER WAS NEEDED. OVER THE NEXT 7 YEARS I HAD MY MDX SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP. EACH TIME I WOULD COMPLAIN ABOUT THE NOISE AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 20-30 AND 35-45. AGAIN I WAS TOLD NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE ENGINE BROKE THE SIDE MOTOR MOUNT, AGAIN I WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. FINALLY ON 6 JULY 2011 WHILE DRIVING 75 ON INTERSTATE 71, MY TRANSMISSION REVVED INTO THE RED AREA ON THE GAUGE, ATF WAS BLOWING OUT THE BACK AND COVERED THE BACK WINDOW. I PULLED OVER AND THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED ON THE SPOT. THE MDX WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WERE I WAS TOLD THE OIL JET COOLER HAD A DRAIN NUT, THAT CAME OUT, THUS RELEASING THE ATF. THE DRAIN PLUG AND ATF WAS REPLACED, BUT AGAIN I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING COULD BE DONE AS THE DEFECT WAS A PART AND NOT COVERED. THE SHOP MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THE SHOCK AND SPRING WAS RUSTED AND LEAKING FLUID. I WAS TOLD THAT BOTH MOTOR, THE TIMING BELT, THE SHIFTER CABLE AND CONNECTION, OUTER TIRE ROD, BOOTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR 5 MINUTES AND DISCOVERED THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION. I CONFIRMED THE RECALLS ON THE SHOCKS COILS TRANSMISSION, AND MULTITUDE OF OTHER COMPONENTS. I HAD THE TIMING BELT, EVERY BELT, WATER PUMP, AND MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACE AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP IN TOWN. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM. AS LONG AS THERE ARE 2002 MDX'S ON THE ROAD AND HONDA ACURA IGNORE OR DENY THE PROBLEM. THE RISK OF DEATH IS GREAT. *TR
Power train, Dec 8, 2011
I HAVE A 2001 ACURA MDX WITH 80K MILES. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING MY TRANSMISSION AS IT IS SHOWING SIGNS OF TRANSMISSION LOCKAGE. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, I NOTICED THE TRUCK JUST SEEMED TO MAKE A REALLY HARD BRAKE, LIKE SOMEONE WAS PUMPING THE BRAKES WITH A LOT OF PRESSURE. I TOOK IT TO ACURA AND THEY DENIED ANY GOODWILL REPAIR! THIS WILL MOST LIKELY BE MY LAST HONDA/ACURA AS I HAVE LOST FAITH IN THEM AND THEIR REPUTATION. WOULD THIS HAVE HAPPENED DURING RUSH HOUR, I AM SURE I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR WORSE KILLED. I BELIEVE IF I DROVE IT ANY LONGER THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AND OTHER COMPONENTS LIKE THE AXLES, MOUNTS, ETC...WOULD HAVE BEEN DISABLED. *TR
Power train, Dec 2, 2011
PURCHASED NEW, A 2002 ACURA MDX. FIRST TRANSMISSION REPLACED 2 MONTHS SHY OF 7 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY AT APPROX. 47,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION WARRANTY ENDED WITH THE EXPIRATION OF THE 7 YEAR WARRANTY (2 MONTHS). THE CAR WOULD SHUDDER, SEIZE, RENDERING IT A SAFETY ISSUE. NEXT TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 87,000 MILES. SAME SYMPTOMS, SHUDDERS, GEAR SLIPPAGE, SEIZING, AGAIN RENDERING THE CAR UNDRIVABLE. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY BACK IN WITH SO. BAY ACURA IN TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, RECEIVING THE THIRD TRANSMISSION. THESE SAME SYMPTOMS HAVE BEEN REPORTED BY SEVERAL HUNDRED CUSTOMERS AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT WOULD CONSTITUTE A RECALL. I ONLY SEARCHED FOR LIKE COMPLAINTS FOR AN HOUR SO I AM QUITE CONFIDENT I COULD LOCATE SEVERAL THOUSAND. THIS SAME TRANSMISSION FAILURE HAS BEEN REPORTED IN THE NY TIMES. SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS IS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT SO I AM WORKING ON A CLASS ACTION SUIT WITH OTHER OWNERS AS THE CAR IS UNSAFE AS A FAMILY VEHICLE. ALSO HAD THE CAR TESTED EXTENSIVELY AT OTHER TRANSMISSION FACILITIES. *TR
Power train, Nov 4, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,000.
Power train, Oct 20, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING IN SECOND OR THIRD GEARS, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE WITH A VIBRATING SENSATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THE MANAGER ADVISED THAT DUE TO THE MILEAGE AND THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE, THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES FOR THE SAME EXACT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO HONOR THE WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,127.
Power train, Aug 17, 2011
TORQUE CONVERTER ISSUE (VIBRATION/SHUDDER/GRINDING BETWEEN 20-50 MPH WHILE ACCELERATING). ACURA RECOMMENDS REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER. ACURA HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED THIS AS A PROBLEM, DESPITE THE REPEATED INCIDENTS OF FAILURE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO ADDRESSED BY ACURA!!!! IT WOULD BE SAFE TO SAY FROM SIMILAR COMPLAINTS THAT I'VE READ ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE ARE PROBABLY THOUSANDS OF MDXS THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *KB
Power train, Aug 17, 2011
TORQUE CONVERTER ISSUE (VIBRATION/SHUDDER/GRINDING BETWEEN 20-50 MPH WHILE ACCELERATING). ACURA RECOMMENDS REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER. *KB
Power train, Aug 16, 2011
MY VEHICLE IS SHUDDERING ON THE 2ND TO 3RD GEAR UPSHIFT. LOSS OF POWER. THIS IS OCCURRING WITH GREATER AND GREATER FREQUENCY, AFTER JUST A SHORT TIME OF DRIVING. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT I WOULD NEED A RE-MAN TRANSMISSION. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THIS BEING RELATED TO THE KNOWN RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM, THEY STATED THEY WOULD BRING THIS UP TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER'S REPLY WAS THAT THEY DON'T KNOW ME WELL ENOUGH, SO THEY WOULD NOT LOOK INTO THIS ANY FURTHER, AND WOULD FIX THIS DEFECT. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE RECALL WAS CLOSED FOR THIS VEHICLE, AND THAT ONLY AN INSPECTION WAS DONE; THERE WAS NO JET KIT INSTALLED, NO TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT DONE. THEY INSPECTED, AND SENT IT ON ITS WAY, AND NOW IT IS FAILING. I FEAR THAT THE CONSEQUENCE OF THIS KNOWN RECALLED DEFECT NOT BEING CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER, WILL BE TRANSMISSION LOCKUP AT SPEED, LEADING TO A CRASH. *KB
Power train, Aug 16, 2011
2002 ACURA MDX TRANSMISSION FAILURE, TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 71K MILES AND CUT POWER FROM ENGINE TO WHEELS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF THIS SIMILAR THING HAPPENING TO MDX OWNERS. THE TRANSMISSION IS DEFECTIVE! *KB
Power train, Aug 9, 2011
PURCHASED A 2002 ACURA MDX BASED IN LARGE PART ON PRIOR VEHICLE RELIABILITY FOUND WITH ACURAS AND HONDAS. TRANSMISSION ON THIS $40,000+ VEHICLE, THOUGH PROPERLY FLUSHED (AHEAD OF MFG. INTERVALS) AND MAINTAINED, FAILED AT JUST OVER 110,000 MILES AND AT 45 MPH WITH THE CAR EFFECTIVELY "SEIZING", CREATING A ROAD HAZARD. ACURA DEALER REFUSED TO COVER THE COSTS OF REPAIR, THOUGH '01-'02 MDX TRANSMISSION FAILURES ARE WELL-DOCUMENTED, AND INSTEAD "GENEROUSLY OFFERED" (AFTER MY GOODWILL COMPLAINT; THEIR TERM) TO KNOCK OFF APPX. 20% FROM THE $4,300 REPLACEMENT COST FOR THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION. GIVEN THIS UNIT'S KNOWN DESIGN PROBLEMS AND ACURA'S INCREDIBLY SHORT-SIGHTED HANDLING OF THE GOODWILL PROCEDURE (DURING WHICH I VOLUNTEERED TO PAY UP TO $2,500 OF THE NEW TRANSMISSION'S COST; IE OVER 50%), WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER HONDA OR ACURA PRODUCT AGAIN. *TR
Power train, Jul 24, 2011
WELL I BOUT THIS CAR ABOUT A YEAR AGO AT ABOUT 112K MILES ..AND WAS A PROUD OWNER OF A 2002 ACURA MDX...WAS GREAT FOR A WHILE UNTIL I STARTED NOTICING SLOW ACCELERATION WHILE PRESSING ON THE GAS...THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT AT FIRST....TOOK IT FOR A SERVICE TO ACURA DEALERSHIP ...TOLD THE SERVICE DEPT ABOUT MY ISSUE AND THEY ARE THE ONCE WHO RECOMMENDED THE 120K MI SERVICE MADE ME FORGET ABOUT THE REASON I BROUGHT IT IN THE FIRST PLACE ...NOW 3 MO LATER MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON AT 128K MI AND THEY TELL ME MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING BAD ....THEY KNEW THIS WHEN I TOOK IT IN THE FIRST TIME..BUT OF COURSE INSTEAD OF TELLING ME THEN THEY LET ME SPEND $2K ON SERVICE AND NOW TELLING ME ITS GOING TO COST ME $5K FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION ...THANKS! I AM PRETTY TICKED COMING TO KNOW THAT THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AND THEY ARE NOT DOING A THING ABOUT IT ! *TR
Power train, Jun 22, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHUDDER OR VIBRATION BETWEEN 35 AND 40 MPH.[XXX] TORQUE CONVERTER REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Equipment, Jun 14, 2011
THE CAR WILL MAKE A VIBRATION SOUND AT RANDOM INTERVALS. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT SPEED YOU ARE DRIVING AT OR THE TYPE OF ROAD. ADDITIONALLY, IT FEELS AS THOUGH YOU ARE BEING PUSHED BACK BY THE WIND WHEN THE VIBRATION SOUND OCCURS. AT THIS TIME NO WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED ON THE CAR FOR THE NEW NOISE. ONE REPAIR SHOP CONCLUDED THAT IT WAS THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ANOTHER PLACE FEELS IT IS THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS ALREADY REPLACED ONCE ON THIS CAR DUE TO A DIFFERENT NOISE. THE CAR HAD TO GO TO THE SHOP THREE TIMES TO FIX THE FIRST NOISE. THE CAR WAS FINALLY REPAIRED AFTER A WEEK AND AFTER A NEW TIMING BELT, TENSIONER AND PULLEY, WHICH HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED. THEY ALSO REPLACED THE DRIVE SHAFT, IDLER PULLEY AND COMPRESSOR BELT . *TR
Power train, Jun 1, 2011
BOUGHT 02 MDX AND HAVE HAD NO ISSUES. BEGAN NOTICING A STUTTER WHEN ACCELERATING. NEVER THOUGHT MUCH OF IT SINCE VEHICLE PERFORMANCE WAS NEVER COMPROMISED. RECENTLY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND HAD CODE READ. INFORMED IT WAS A GEAR RATIO MISMATCH. CALL ACURA DEALER AND WAS INFORMED I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE NON-SERVICEABLE TRANY@ ~$2000! RESEARCHING, FOUND REAMS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
Power train, Apr 25, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT GEARS INDEPENDENTLY. WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
Power train, Apr 3, 2011
2002 ACURA MDX FREQUENTLY HESITATES SHIFTING AT ABOUT 1200-1500 RPM. PROBLEM BEGAN AT AROUND 110, 000 MILES AND EXPECT IT'S THE TORQUE CONVERTER OR FAULTY TRANSMISSION THAT IS SO PROMINENT WITH THESE VEHICLES. *TR
Power train, Mar 31, 2011
I HAVE A 2002 ACURA MDX. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR JERKED VIOLENTLY AND THE D5 BEGAN TO FLASH. THE TRANSMISSION WAS LOCKED AT LOW GEAR AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. MY CAR NEARLY RAN OVER BY A TRACTOR TRUCK. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE MOUNTS ARE BROKEN, WHICH ARE SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS FOR 2001-2002 ACURA MDX MODELS. HOWEVER, ACURA WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR
Power train, Mar 6, 2011
2002 MDX TRANSMISSION SHUDDER, VIBRATE, NOISY BETWEEN 20 TO 40MPH. DEALER INSTALL A/T OIL JET KIT TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM IS NOT SOLVED. *TR