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
221 reports, newest first.
Power train, Jun 20, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND DECELERATED WITHOUT BEING PROMPTED. NONE OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,034. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 155,530.
Power train, Jun 17, 2014, crash
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WEST BOUND ON HWY 50 JUST WEST OF POLLOCK PINES CA. I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY DOWNSHIFTED TO LOW GEAR AND SPUN OUT OF CONTROL . WE GLANCED OFF THE CENTER MEDIUM WITH MINIMAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. MY WIFE AND I WERE VERY SHOOK UP. I SWITCHED SPOTS WITH HER AND MOVED THE CAR OFF THE FREEWAY. WE DROVE THE VEHICLE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME (10 MILES) USING BACK ROADS NOT GOING OVER 20 MPH. WE CONTACTED NIELLO ACURA OF SACRAMENTO AND THEY TOLD US TO BRING THE CAR TO THEM AND THEY WOULD SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO FOR US. THEY TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $5,500 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION AND THEY WOULD NOT TAKE CARE OF THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF THIS HAPPENS TO SOMEONE ELSE, THEY MIGHT NOT BE AS LUCKY AS WE WERE. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE (THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTING UNEXPECTEDLY). I ASKED THE ACURA DEALER ABOUT THIS AND THEY TOLD ME THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY HAD THE FIX INSTALLED IN 2004. IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, OTHER PEOPLE COULD BE EFFECTED OR EVEN INJURED. OVER THE PAST YEAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A COUPLE TIMES BUT WITHIN A DAY OR TWO IT WOULD GO OUT. NOW THE LIGHT IS ON. THE CODES THAT ACURA TOLD ME ARE P700 AND P730. *TR
Power train, Jun 4, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENGINE MADE A FLUTTERING NOISE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY OVER A SIX MONTH PERIOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Power train, May 12, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO MAKE NOISES WHILE GOING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED. A PRIVATE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Air bags, Apr 21, 2014, crash
AIR BAGS DID NOT INFLATE WITH FRONT COLLUSION. CAR TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF US. FRONTAL IMPACT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 17, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNOCCUPIED AND PARKED, IT ROLLED AWAY AND THEN CRASHED INTO TWO OTHER PARKED VEHICLES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH CYLINDER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 10, 2014
CAR LOCKED ITSELF WITH DRIVER AND PASSENGERS INSIDE CAR. NO ONE COULD OPEN DOORS FROM INSIDE. THE MANUAL UNLOCK WOULD NOT UNLOCK DOORS. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK HIS DOOR BY OPENING WINDOW AND USING THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES. *TR THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. ON ANOTHER INCIDENT WHILE PARKING, THE VALET ASKED TO TURN CAR OFF LEAVE CAR KEYS INSIDE CAR. AS DRIVER LEFT THE CAR AND CLOSED THE DOOR, THE CAR LOCKED ITSELF (WITH THE KEYS INSIDE). THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE IN THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.
Suspension, Feb 13, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, A DRAGGING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR
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
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Aug 20, 2013, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE BUT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE MAINTAINED SPEED DESPITE THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO A CEMENT WALL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT BUT INSTEAD, DEPLOYED SEVERAL MINUTES LATER. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED LACERATIONS, A FRACTURED TOOTH, INJURIES TO THE HEAD, WRIST, RIBS AND BRUISES. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED AN ELEVATED BLOOD LEVEL, BRUISING, DISCOMFORT, AND IRRITATED EYES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
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.
Visibility, Mar 28, 2013
DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND OUT OF NO WHERE MY BACK PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW EXPLODED FOR NO REASON, NO OTHER VEHICLES WHERE NEAR US SO NO DEBRIS OR OBJECTS HIT MY WINDOW. I GOT GLASS IN MY HAND AND ARM. *TR
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
Vehicle speed control, Jan 31, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED AND THE RPM INCREASED EXCESSIVELY. THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED VERY HARD AND THE STOPPED IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Power train, Jan 11, 2013
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED ON THE DRIVE BACK TO LOS ANGELES FROM LAS VEGAS. *TR
Air bags, Dec 29, 2012
MY DAUGHTER WAS LIVING IN MICHIGAN AND THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON AND SHE DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO MAKE OF IT AND THERE WAS NO ACURA DEALERSHIP AROUND WHERE SHE LIVED. SHE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR AND THEN MOVED BACK TO CA. I SAW THAT IT WAS ON SO I CONTACTED AN ACURA DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT HAD BEEN UNDER AN EXTENDED BUT WE WERE NOW PAST THE 150K LIMIT. I TOLD THEM THAT IT CAME ON BEFORE THAT BUT THEY WOULD NOT HELP. THEY TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR BOX AND IT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAD IT REPLACED AND IT AGAIN SHOWS THE SRS LIGHT ON. THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY WITH THE SRS LIGHT ON. THIS SHOULD OF BEEN A FACTORY RECALL RATHER THEN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WE DID NOT KNOW ABOUT. *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.
Electrical system, Aug 20, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE SRS AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE SENSORY BOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED OF A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 101,000.
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.