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.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 20, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE RECALLS ON HIS VEHICLE TO REPLACE THE TIMING BELT AND THE WATER PUMP. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V226000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE) WAS REFERENCED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY REPLACED THE WATER PUMP AND THE TIMING BELT, BUT COULD NOT PROVIDE THE REPAIR DATE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED, BUT COULD NOT PROVIDE A DATE AS WELL. THE CONTACT IS EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH HIS VEHICLE AND WANTS TO KNOW WHEN IT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Power train, Structure, Feb 24, 2009, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHENEVER THE SPEED REACHED BETWEEN 20-35 MPH, THE GEARS WOULD STICK. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR BEGAN ILLUMINATING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE REPAIR, THE GEARS BECAME EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO SHIFT THAN BEFORE THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING FROM THE REAR AND ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST ACURA DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE BRACKET FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD ISSUE A NEW TRANSMISSION, BUT WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS FOR THE INTERMEDIATE BRACKET. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,900 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
Power train, Feb 19, 2009
2002 ACURA MDX TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 109100 MILES, EXTEND WARRANTY EXPIRED @ 108,462 MILES. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION THAT REQUIRED ACURA SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO DO AN INSPECTION, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN COUNTLESS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE. THE REPLACEMENT COST IS $4400 WHICH IS WHAT THE DEALERSHIP IS CHARGING ME. IT SEEMS CHEAPER TO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE HAVE TO HAVE BEEN THOUSANDS OF OTHERS ON YEAR MODELS 2001-2005 ACURA MDX SUVS. *TR
Power train, Feb 18, 2009
TRANSMISSION ON OUR 2002 ACURA MDX IS GOING OUT. OUR TRANSMISSION ON OUR 2001 MDX WENT OUT LAST YEAR. WE ALSO HAVE A 2002 HONDA ACCORD AND THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT ON THAT ALSO. *TR
Power train, Jan 8, 2009
RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V176000, RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY, WAS ISSUED FOR OWNER'S VEHICLE. RECALL WAS FOR DEFECTIVE ACURA MDX TRANSMISSION. ACURA FAILED TO NOTIFY OWNER OF TRANSMISSION RECALL, EVEN THOUGH OWNER HAS LIVED AT SAME ADDRESS FOR NEARLY TEN YEARS. ACURA'S RECORDS CONFIRM THAT ACURA FAILED TO NOTIFY OWNER OF TRANSMISSION RECALL. OWNER DISCOVERED TRANSMISSION RECALL ON NHTSA WEBSITE IN 2008. OWNER BROUGHT VEHICLE TO AUTHORIZED ACURA DEALER IN OCTOBER OF 2008 FOR REPAIR OF DEFECTIVE RECALLED TRANSMISSION. ACURA DEALER DETERMINED THAT OWNER'S TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. ACURA DEALER ESTIMATED COST TO REPLACE OWNER'S TRANSMISSION AT $5,500.00. ACURA REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY FREE OF CHARGE REPLACEMENT SERVICE OR REPAIR TO RECALLED DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. OWNER'S VEHICLE HAS REMAINED ON PREMISES OF THE AUTHORIZED ACURA DEALER SINCE OCTOBER OF 2008. *TR
Power train, Dec 11, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. ON 12/12/08, ACURA HEADQUARTERS REFUSED TO PAY OR HELP PAY FOR THE MAJOR WORK ON THE TRANSMISSION COST OF APPROXIMATELY $4,000+. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE ON JUNE 2, 2004; HOWEVER, THEY DIDN?T STATE WHAT WAS DONE. THEY WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY PROOF IN WRITING. THE CARFAX REPORT ALSO DOES NOT LIST THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION OR ANY RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED. TWO ACURA DEALERS HAD THE VEHICLE IN THEIR POSSESSION (CORPORATE CAR) WHEN THE RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED AND CANNOT PROVIDE PROOF THAT THE WORK WAS DONE. THE VEHICLE HAS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCED TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) WAS REFERENCED. SINCE THE CONTACT IS THE SECOND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER STATED THAT A NEW OIL JET KIT WAS PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED; THEREFORE THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. HE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK WITH AN INVESTIGATOR CONCERNING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Air bags, Seats, Dec 4, 2008
I OWN A ACURA MDX 2002 MODEL, THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED BUT THE DEALER REPLACED IT AT NO COST TO ME. NOW THE SRS AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I WAS SEARCHING FOR OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR SRS LIGHT STAYING ON AND FOUND AN OWNER HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO, THE REAR DUAL SEAT WILL NOT FOLD, SO I CALLED A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO SPECIALIZES IN ACURA, HE MENTIONED THAT THE MDX HAS A HISTORY OF THE BACK SEAT LATCH BREAKING DOWN. WANTED TO KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THE SRS LIGHT ON THE DASH AND THE BACK SEAT LATCH BREAKING DOWN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 19, 2008
EARLY REPLACEMENT FAILURE/NEED FOR MOTOR MOUNTS IN 2002 ACURA MDX WITH UNDER 70,000 MILES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 13, 2008
MOTOR MOUNT FAILURE. *TR
Power train, Nov 11, 2008
VEHICLE ABRUPTLY DOWNSHIFTED ALMOST THROWING DRIVER THROUGH WINDSHIELD TRAVELING AT APPROX 30 MPH. IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT TO DEALER WHERE THE DOWNSHIFTING OCCURRED 3-4 MORE TIMES ON THE 6 MILE DRIVE TO DEALER. DETERMINED BY DEALER TO BE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. ALL SERVICING FOR TRANSMISSION WAS DONE IN A TIMELY MANNER INCLUDING 2004 RECALL SERVICE WHERE JET KIT WAS INSTALLED. DEALER COVERING ALL COSTS OF REPLACEMENT EXCEPT $500 OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES AND PROVIDING A 3YR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY ON REPAIR. HAD THIS FAILURE OCCURRED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY A SEVERE ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE BEEN HIGHLY LIKELY. *TR
Power train, Nov 3, 2008
2002 ACURA MDX HAS HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE AND IT NEEDS ANOTHER TRANSMISSION NOW. *NJ THE TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP BEFORE TAKING OFF. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED DUE TO AN INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH. *JB
Power train, Sep 16, 2008
2002 MDX PURCHASED AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED WITH 37K MILES. AT 55K MILES REPORTED TO DEALER A RUMBLING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER VEHICLE. DEALER TEST DROVE THE CAR AND FOUND NOTHING. AT 65K MILES COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME THING, THEY FOUND NOTHING AND SUGGESTED TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE AND VTM FLUID CHANGE. I PERFORMED BOTH SERVICES. NOW AT 82K MILES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND VTM4 LIGHT COME ON, I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND THE TRANSMISSION TO BE BAD. TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACE ON MONDAY THE 22ND OF SEP UNDER WARRANTY. WILL TRADE CAR AFTER THEY FIX IT BECAUSE I DON'T TRUST IT ANYMORE, JUDGING FROM ALL THE PROBLEMS EVERYONE SEEMS TO HAVE WITH 2002. ACURA SHOULD PAY FOR EVERYONE'S PROBLEMS REGARDING TRANSMISSION/ MOTOR MOUNTS FOR MODEL YEAR MDX 01-02. *TR
Power train, Aug 27, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR WITH MUCH DIFFICULTY. THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DISCOLORED. THEY ARE CURRENTLY ATTEMPTING TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Power train, Aug 18, 2008
TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 69,000 MILES AFTER BEING RECALLED AT 25,000 MILES. CAR TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ALMOST LEADING TO A CRASH. CAR SLIPS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS NOW AND WILL LOCK UP REGULARLY. *TR
Power train, Jun 24, 2008
THE TRANSMISSION TO MY 2002 ACURA MDX STARTED TO MALFUNCTION ABOUT A WEEK AGO. IT STARTS TO SLIP FROM 1ST TO SECOND GEAR. I CALLED AN ACURA DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN SERVICED AND COVERED THE RECALL. I BELIEVE THAT NOTHING WAS DONE AND ACURA IS TRYING TO PASS THE COST TO ME. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2002. *TR
Power train, May 27, 2008
ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. HAS TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON 2002 ACURA MDX 83K MILES. *TR
Power train, May 20, 2008
RECENTLY EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING WITH MY 2002 MDX, ESPECIALLY GOING UPHILL AND DURING ACCELERATION, IT HESITATES AND THEN VIOLENTLY BANGS INTO GEAR. ALSO INTERMITTENTLY, REVERSE GEAR DOES NOT WORK AS WELL. THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION RECALL ON THIS MODEL/YEAR AND OUR CAR DID GET SERVICED FOR IT, THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACE TRANSMISSION BACK IN 2004 ONCE WE WERE INFORMED OF THE RECALL BUT AN OIL JET KIT WAS INSTALLED ACCORDING TO THE DIRECTIVE OF THE RECALL INSTRUCTIONS. WE'VE ALWAYS MAINTENANCE OUR CAR WITH THE DEALER IN A TIMELY FASHION AS RECOMMENDED BY FACTORY MAINTENANCE CARE GUIDELINE AND RECENTLY DID A FULL SERVICE WHICH INCLUDED A TRANSMISSION FLUSH 2 MONTHS AGO AT 120,000MILES. AFTER FULL DIAGNOSTIC/ASSESSMENT OF WHY OUR TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING IT TURNS OUT OUR TRANSMISSION FLUID (WHICH JUST GOT FLUSHED 2MONTHS AGO) WAS HEATING UP AND FILLING UP WITH DISCOLORATION. THIS IS THE EXACT DESCRIPTION OF WHAT WAS RECALLED IN 2004. OUR CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE QUOTED US $4800 TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION INSTALLED (FACTORY REMANUFACTURED). I TRULY BELIEVE THIS FAILURE IS RELATED TO THE 2004 RECALL. SOME FOLKS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR SITUATION HAS BEEN FORTUNATE TO HAVE TAKEN THEIR MATTER TO THE RIGHT DEALER, ACCORDING TO SOME DISCUSSION FORUMS ON THIS MATTER, THE DEALER AGREED TO PAY FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION (AFTER GETTING APPROVAL FROM ACURA CORPORATE OFFICE). IN MY SITUATION, IT HAS BEEN UNFORTUNATE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND GIVE US SOME CONSISTENCY/CONTINUITY ON THE HANDLING OF THIS MATTER. THANK YOU. *TR
Power train, Apr 3, 2008
I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE NALLEY ACURA DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT FOR SERVICING. THE SERVICE PERSONNEL TOLD ME AFTER CHECKING THE VEHICLE THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE SECOND GEAR WAS WORN OUT. MY WIFE FOUND ON THE INTERNET AFTER THIS FACT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SECOND GEAR BREAKAGE IN THE TRANSMISSION FOR THE 2001-2002 MDX. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT MY VEHICLE BEING REPAIRED UNDER THIS RECALL, AND THEY WILL NOT AGREE TO PAY FULL COST OF $4000 FOR THE NEW TRANSMISSION, BUT STATED NOTHING OF THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO PAY HALF THE COST. AS STATED BELOW THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR FULL REPAIRS AS MY VEHICLE HAS OVER 15,000 MILES AND OTHER REASONS AS STATED BELOW. I HAVE TRIED WORKING WITH THE MANUFACTURER ON THIS SITUATION FOR OVER A MONTH WITH STILL NO RESOLUTION. I WOULD APPRECIATE ASSISTANCE FROM YOU ALL CONCERNING MY VEHICLE BEING REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER PAYING IN FULL. THANK YOU. 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. *TR
Power train, Equipment, Feb 17, 2008
MY BUSINESS PURCHASED TWO BRAND NEW 2002 ACURA VEHICLES, A CL AND A TL IN SEPT. OF 2001. THE TRANSMISSION ON OUR TL WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE ALL OF THE TRANSMISSIONS ON THESE MAKE/MODELS ARE BAD AND WHEN THEY GO OUT ACURA PROMISED TO REPLACE THEM AS LONG AS WE WERE THE ORIGINAL OWNER. WE TRADED IN THE TL YEARS AGO, BUT I KEPT THE CL. WHEN MY FIRST TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON THE CL IT WAS REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. NOW THE SECOND TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT AND ACURA IS SAYING THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR 1/2 THE PRICE OF THE REPLACEMENT. I TOLD THEM THAT WAS RIDICULOUS THAT THEY GAVE ME A TRANS THAT THEY KNEW WAS GOING TO GO OUT AND NOW THEY EXPECT ME TO PAY FOR THEIR BAD PRODUCT?? MY HUSBAND WAS A MASTER MECHANIC FOR ACURA FOR 10 YEARS AND KNOWS THAT ACURA REBUILDS THESE BAD TRANS AND REPLACES THEM W/ OTHER REBUILT BAD TRANS. THEY KNOWINGLY GAVE ME A BAD PRODUCT AND NOW EXPECT ME TO PAY FOR IT?? I WAS TOLD THAT AS LONG AS I WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER THAT THEY WILL REPLACE THESE TRANS FREE OF CHARGE. NOW I HAVE AN UNSAFE/A CAR THAT IS NOT GOING TO SELL CAR.. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME? THANK YOU.. *TR
Power train, Feb 11, 2008
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FREQUENTLY HESITATES AND MAKES LOUD GRINDING NOISE. THIS HAPPENS ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS (5MPH TO 45MPH). *TR
Power train, Feb 8, 2008
MY 2002 ACURA MDX HAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000 MI ON IT AND RECENTLY THE TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED SLIPPAGE WHEN IT WOULD TRY TO ADJUST TO 2ND GEAR. AN INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON RECENTLY AND I HAD MY MECHANIC PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON IT. IT WAS REVEALED THAT IT WAS A TRANSMISSION CODE. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL ACURA DEALER (45 MINS AWAY) AND THEY DETERMINED THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THEY UPFRONT SAID THEY WOULD OFFER TO COVER 50% OF THE COST FOR PARTS & LABOR AS A GOODWILL GESTURE AND GAVE ME A FREE RENTAL CAR WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED. I THEN WENT ON NHTSA.GOV AND NOTED THERE WAS A VEHICLE RECALL IN 2004 ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LINES FOR 2002 ACURA MDX'S. I BROUGHT THIS ISSUE UP WITH MY SERVICE REP AND THEY SAID THAT IN 2004 THEY HAD MADE THE PROPER REVISION TO ALLEVIATE THIS PROBLEM DUE TO THE RECALL. (MADE A REVISION ON THE OIL COOLER LINE). I THEN CALLED ACURA CLIENT SERVICES AND SPOKE WITH A CASE MANAGER TO TELL HIM THAT I THINK THIS PROBLEM WITH MY TRANSMISSION WAS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE VEHICLE RECALL FROM 2004 AND USED THE ANALOGY THAT ACURA SIMPLY PUT A BAND AID OVER A GAPING WOUND TO TEMPORARILY SOLVE THE PROBLEM. HE SAID HE WOULD SEE IF HE COULD DO ANYTHING AND AS IT TURNS OUT, HE CLAIMED THERE WAS NOTHING BETTER HE COULD OFFER ME THAN 50/50 SPLIT OF THE COSTS. ACURA DID REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION WITH A REBUILT TRANSMISSION THIS TIME, HOWEVER THEY CHARGED ME 50% OF THE SERVICE COST (~$1700). I FEEL THAT I HAVE GOTTEN THE SHORT END OF THE STICK AND THAT HAD PROPER PRECAUTIONS BEEN TAKEN IN 2004 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, I WOULDN'T HAVE TO TAKE IT IN THE SHORTS NOW FOR $1,700. I BELIEVE THE ACURA RECALL WAS P31. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 22, 2008
MOTOR MOUNTS ON 2002 ACURA MDX WITH 77,000 MILES FAILING. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 22, 2007
CLIP ON THE FRONT BRAKE PAD KEEP LOOSENING EVEN AFTER NEW PADS WHERE REPLACED. *TR
Power train, Nov 6, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PROPERLY SWITCH GEARS AND THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE TO THE NEXT GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY ADDED AN OIL COOLER RETURN LINE, WHICH INCREASED LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN NEED OF A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,400 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
Power train, Oct 25, 2007
TRANSMISSION CAME OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING. GEAR SELECTOR WAS NOT MOVED. DEALER PERFORMED OUT OF WARRANTY REPLACEMENT OR TRANSMISSION FOR THE SECOND TIME. FIRST REPLACEMENT WAS JUNE 2007. PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE FIRST REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION WERE DISMISSED BY DEALER PERSONNEL. *JB