2003 Acura MDX
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 212 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 24 MDX model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 13 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 13 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Vehicle speed control, accelerator pedalOct 10, 2019
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2007-2011 Honda Element, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot and 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."
If the accelerator pedal binds, the engine may not quickly return to idle after the pedal is no longer pressed, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, using option 5. Dorman's number for this recall is AS1019XXXX.
Campaign 19E068000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJun 27, 2019
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.
Campaign 19V501000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleJun 27, 2019
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.
Campaign 19V499000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleMar 6, 2019
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
Campaign 19V182000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleMay 23, 2016
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2008 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2008 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2008 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling model year 2002-2004 Odyssey and model year 2003-2004 Acura MDX, Honda Element, and Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA0, KA1, KA2, and KA3.
Campaign 16V344000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJun 15, 2015
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX vehicles manufactured June 14, 2000, to August 19, 2004, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid vehicles manufactured February 24, 2002, to January 18, 2005, 2003-2007 Honda Accord vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to August 28, 2007, 2002-2004 Honda CR-V vehicles, 2002-2003 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured June 19, 2001, to July 12, 2003, 2003 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 19, 2002, to June 19, 2003, 2003 Honda Element vehicles manufactured June 25, 2002, to July 31, 2003, and 2003 Honda Pilot vehicles manufactured November 26, 2001, to August 21, 2003. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly causing serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JU4, JU5, JU6, and JU7. Note: Vehicles that have already received a replacement passenger air bag inflator as part of the recall remedy for an earlier campaign such as 14V353 or 14V700 (Honda recall numbers S95, JH6, JH7, JH8, JH9, JJ0, JJ1, JJ2, JJ6, JM5 and JM6) are not included in this recall. However, this recall does supersede 13V132 and 14V349. Note: On December 18, 2015 Honda informed NHTSA of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2004 Honda CR-V vehicles in addition to additional model year 2003 CR-V vehicles.
Campaign 15V370000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleMay 28, 2015
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles that have had their driver frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy prior to September 12, 2014 need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Vehicles that, on or after September 12, 2014, received a remedy for a prior driver frontal air bag inflator recall already received an inflator of a different design, and therefore are not included in this recall and do not require additional servicing. Note: This recall fully supersedes recalls 08V-593, 09V-259, 10V-041, 11V-260, 14V-351 and 15V-153. Honda's numbers for this recall are JQ9, JR0, JR1, JR2, JR3, JR4, JR5, JR6, JR7, and JR8.
Campaign 15V320000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalJan 28, 2015
Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured February 13, 2002, to August 13, 2004, and 2003 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to September 23, 2003. Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module may fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Honda dealers will replace the supplemental restraint system electronic control unit (SRS ECU). The recall began on February 22, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's number for this recall is JN6 (Odyssey), and JN7 (MDX). Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-412. Vehicles that had a noise filter installed as the remedy for that campaign need to have the SRS ECU replaced under this campaign.
Campaign 15V045000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsNov 4, 2014
American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Campaign 14V700000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsJun 20, 2014
American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in California, and equipped with Takata-brand air bag inflators. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Campaign 14V353000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsSep 19, 2013
Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Odyssey and model year 2003 Acura MDX vehicles. Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module may fail causing the front air bags, side curtain air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a noise suppressor unit, free of charge. The recall began on November 1, 2013. A renotification letter went out on July 11, 2014 for the 2003 Acura and the 2003-2004 Odyssey. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's recall numbers are JC2 (Honda Odyssey) and JC3 (Acura MDX).
Campaign 13V412000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, ignition, switchDec 11, 2012
Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Pilot and Odyssey and 2003 through 2006 Acura MDX passenger vehicles manufactured from November 26, 2001, through August 30, 2006. The interlock lever of the ignition switch may deform, which can allow the interlock function of a vehicle with an automatic transmission to be defeated.
Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated shift interlock lever and, if necessary, replace any necessary part of the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on February 22, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Campaign 12V573000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, mechanical, carrier/rackFeb 5, 2008
HONDA IS RECALLING 2,032 HITCH STYLE BIKE RACKS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE ON MY 2003-2007 AND SOME MY 2008 HONDA PILOT, RIDGELINE, AND ACURA MDX VEHICLES. A PINCH BOLT EXISTS BETWEEN THE BIKE ARM BRACKET AND THE UPRIGHT ASSEMBLY OF THE "HITCH" STYLE BICYCLE RACK.
WHEN MOVING THE BIKE ARM BRACKET TO ITS DOWN POSITION, THIS PINCH BOLT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF CAUSING SEVERE LACERATION OR AMPUTATION TO THE USER'S FINGERTIPS OR HAND.
OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THULE AT 800-THULE91 (800-848-5391) TO OBTAIN A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS OR OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
Campaign 08E013000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
212 reports, newest first.
Power train, Engine, Sep 27, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED FLUID LEAKING CONTINUOUSLY ONTO THE ROAD. ONCE THE CONTACT REACHED THEIR DESTINATION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A LARGE QUANTITY OF TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A FAULTY PART WITHIN THE RADIATOR CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000.
Air bags, Aug 17, 2012
FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED AT 15 MPHR FOR NO OBVIOUS REASON - HEAT FROM THE DEPLOYED AIRBAGS CAUSED SKIN BURNS ON DRIVERS FOREARM . *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Jun 12, 2012
THE IGNITION PARK-SHIFT INTERLOCK HAS FAILED, ALLOWING THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WITHOUT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEING SHIFTED TO PARK. *TR
Power train, Apr 28, 2012
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHUDDER OR VIBRATION BETWEEN 35 AND 40 MPH. *TR
Power train, Mar 7, 2012
WHILE CROSSING AN INTERSECTION, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND THE CAR WON'T MOVE ANYMORE. ME AND MY FAMILY WERE TRAPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION AND WERE ALMOST HIT BY A TRUCK BECAUSE OF OUR UNEXPECTED STOP. WE ARE LUCKY THAT THE TRUCK MISSED US. I CAN'T IMAGINE IF THIS HAPPENS ON A RAILROAD CROSSING. THIS PROBLEM KEEPS HAPPENING FROM TIME TO TIME, ALL IN LOW SPEED LIKE COASTING TO A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT, ALSO ON HIGHWAYS WHEN SLOWING DOWN FOR TRAFFIC, THEN THE VEHICLE WON'T MOVE ANYMORE. I HEARD THAT THE ACURA/HONDA TRANSMISSIONS HAVE SERIOUS DEFECTS, FROM LUBRICATION TO MATERIAL USED TO MAKE GEARS. ESPECIALLY THE MATERIAL USED FOR 1ST GEAR, WHICH FAILS PREMATURELY AND CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO MALFUNCTION. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT THAT COULD ENDANGER NOT ONLY THE PASSENGERS' LIVES, BUT ALSO A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 28, 2012
IGNITION CAN BE TURNED OFF IN ANY GEAR AND KEY REMOVED. THIS SHOULD ONLY BE POSSIBLE WHILE IN PARK FOR SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS. VEHICLE WILL COAST IF ON A GRADE. *TR
Power train, Dec 16, 2011
CAR JUST DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. ENDED UP STOPPING IN A DANGEROUS SPOT. TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED OUT OF FRONT OF CAR. NO WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. *TR
Power train, Oct 13, 2011
TORQUE CONVERTER AND TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 99600 MILES, NOT TO MENTION TWO MOTOR MOUNTS. THESE REPAIRS ARE BETWEEN $6-7K. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A HIGHER END CAR. CAR WOULD VIBRATE AND SHUDDER AROUND 40 MPH A FEW YEARS AGO WITH ONLY 35K MILES ON THE CAR, AND OF COURSE ACURA COULD NOT REPLICATE. NOW THAT IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY HEAR IT. THIS CAR IS A TOTAL LEMON- PLEASE HELP PROTECT CONSUMERS- HONDA/ACURA GREED HAS STOPPED THEM FROM STEPPING FORWARD AND OWNING A PROBLEM THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT ALL ALONG. CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT BE PAYING FOR ACURA'S FLAWED DESIGN, THAT SHOULD BE COMING STRAIGHT OUT OF THEIR PROFITS. *TR
Power train, Sep 3, 2011
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65MPH AND CAR GOES INTO NEUTRAL. HAD TOWED AND IT WAS A TRANNY. CAR HAD 97K MILES. ACURA SAID IT WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR AND THAT IT WOULD COST ME 6K TO REPAIR. I HAD IT TAKEN TO A LOCAL SHOP AND REPAIR COST ME 4K. *TR
Power train, Aug 29, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FURTHER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS, BUT THE VEHICLE STALLED INSTEAD OF ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 155,000.
Power train, Aug 9, 2011
MY 2003 ACURA MDX HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 44,000 MILES. AROUND 80,000 MILES I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION FAILING AGAIN. SPECIFICALLY THE TORQUE CONVERTER MAKING THE SHUDDER AND VIBRATION AGAIN. I LET ME DEALER KNOW, BUT THEY DID NOT DETECT AN ISSUE. NOW AT 102,000 MILES AND AFTER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED ACURA IS EXPECTING ME TO PAY FOR 60% OF THE REPAIR OF A CLEAR DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION OF THIS YEAR OF THE CAR. SO FAR IT HAS NOT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, BUT I AM AFRAID TO KEEP DRIVING WITHOUT PERFORMING THE REPLACEMENT. *TR
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jul 21, 2011
MY CAR ALONG WITH MANY OTHER ACURAS BETWEEN 2001-2005 HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A VERY SIGNIFICANT SHUDDER VIBRATION THAT LASTS A FEW SECS, USUALLY AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 35-40. IF YOU READ THE BLOGS YOU WILL SEE HUNDREDS OF OTHER CONSUMERS SAY THE SAME THING: ACURA SAYS THEY CAN'T REPLICATE THE NOISE. WHEN THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEN SUDDENLY THEY CAN REPLICATE IT AND THEY SAY THEY HAVE TO REPLACE EITHER THE TORQUE CONVERTER OR THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION, CHARGING $2000 +. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL, PLEASE HELP US HOLD ACURA ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS KNOWN PROBLEM! THESE CARS ARE TOO EXPENSIVE FOR SUCH A BIG PROBLEM SO EARLY ON.
Power train, Jun 7, 2011
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
Power train, May 18, 2011
1. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AT A BUSY 4-WAY INTERSECTION, MY ACURA MDX REFUSED TO GO INTO GEAR OR ACCELERATE. THIS CAUSED ME TO OBSTRUCT TRAFFIC IN THE INTERSECTION, AND COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED A MULTI-CAR ACCIDENT. 2. THE CAR HAS INTERMITTENTLY REFUSED TO GO INTO FIRST GEAR FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. MANUALLY SHIFTING IT INTO GEAR WOULD TEMPORARILY SOLVE THE PROBLEM. 23. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO RON TONKIN ACURA OF PORTLAND. THE SERVICE ADVISER INFORMED US THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND HE HAD CONTACTED ACURA TO REQUEST A "GOODWILL" REPAIR. 24 HOURS LATER, HE CALLED TO INFORM US THAT ACURA REFUSED HIS REQUEST DUE TO THE VEHICLE MILEAGE. (120,000). APPARENTLY ACURA'S POSITION IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD ONLY LAST FOR 120K MILES BEFORE NEEDING REPLACEMENT. *TR
Power train, May 9, 2011
PURCHASED A USED 03 ACURA MDX FROM A DEALER ON 4/22/11. I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A TOLL ROAD (TX 121) AND WAS TRAVELING AT AROUND 65MPH. CAR STARTED DECELERATING AND WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. ALMOST HAD COUPLE OF ACCIDENTS AS THERE WAS NO POWER TO THE DRIVETRAIN. CARS TRAVELING BEHIND ME AT 65MPH+ WERE BRAKING HARD TO AVOID ME. VEHICLE TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY ADVISED THAT IT WAS TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CALLED ACURA CUSTOMER CARE AND CONTACTED THEM ALSO VIA TWITTER. THEY PRETENDED THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW OF ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSION DESPITE MY RESEARCH WHICH POINTS TO NUMEROUS DEFECTS IN THEIR TRANSMISSION. ACURA INDICATED INITIAL INTENT TO CONSIDER COMPENSATE FOR THE COST OF TRANSMISSION REPAIR. AFTER SUBMITTING ALL REPAIR AND TOWING DETAILS/INVOICES, ACURA REPRESENTATIVE - SERGIO RAMOS - INDICATES THAT HE WILL NOT CONSIDER ANY REIMBURSEMENT. ACURA MANUFACTURED AND SOLD A VEHICLE THAT IS KNOWN FOR FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS THAT HAVE ENDANGERED MY SAFETY. I HAVE TRIED WORKING WITH ACURA TO AMICABLY SOLVE THIS ISSUE TO NO AVAIL. ACURA MDX IS A POTENTIAL HAZARD TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND POTENTIAL DEADLY VEHICLE WHICH ACURA FAILS TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND FIX. *TR
Power train, Feb 24, 2011
SOME GEAR SLIPPAGE FOR A FEW DAYS PRIOR WHEN FIRST GET GOING IN THE MORNING. THE DAY IT FINALLY WENT, IT DID IT SUDDENLY WHILE GOING ABOUT 35 MPH. FELT LIKE IT KICKED A GEAR OR TWO MAKING THE CAR JERK VIOLENTLY ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I WAS ONLY A BLOCK OR SO AWAY FROM HOME, ALL THE WAY HOME IT WOULD ALMOST REV TO REDLINE WHILE GOING ABOUT 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS REVERSE NOW AND I'M GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A SHOP LOCALLY FOR A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX. IF I WOULD'VE HAD SOME ONE CLOSER FOLLOWING ME THAT DAY AND WITH MY KIDS IN THE FAR BACK I'M AFRAID TO THINK OF WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED EXCEPT A LAWSUIT! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 3, 2011
MOTOR MOUNTS CRACKED ON 2003 ACURA MDX, OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW, SINCE THIS HAPPENS TO EVERY VEHICLE. *TR
Power train, Feb 3, 2011
2003 MAZDA MDX TRANSMISSION FAILED, AND I WAS NEARLY KILLED WHEN ANOTHER CAR BARELY MISSED HITTING (T BONING, MY CAR) MY STOPPED CAR. MY CAR WENT TO SHIFT INTO 2ND WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, WENT INTO NEUTRAL, AND CAME TO A DEAD STOP. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN LAST YEAR, DEALER SAID IT WAS DIRTY. THIS DIDN'T MAKE SENSE SINCE ITS A CLOSED SYSTEM. SOMETHING MUST BE BRAKING DOWN. *TR
Power train, Jan 26, 2011
2003 ACURA MDX TRANSMISSION FAILURE. VEHICLE STARTED SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR, RPMS SHOOTING UP. VEHICLE JOLTING FORWARD AND THEN LOSING POWER. WAS TRAVELLING WITH MY FAMILY WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE STARTED REVVING AND JUMPING FORWARD AND THEN BUCKING LOSING POWER. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON MAIN ROAD WITH BUSY TRAFFIC. WAS TRAVELLING AT ABOUT 35MPH AT TIME OF INCIDENT. FORTUNATELY WAS ABLE TO COAST OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD AVOIDING AN ACCIDENT. AM NOW TOLD TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. 123,000 MILES, HAVE OWNED FOR 7 YEARS AND 2 MONTHS. NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. UPSET THAT ACURA SEEMS AWARE OF PROBLEMS WITH 2003 TRANSMISSIONS SINCE THEY HAD ISSUES WITH 2001/02 MODELS BUT WILL NOT ADMIT TO 03 MODELS. SOMEONE COULD GET SERIOUSLY INJURED BY THE WAY THESE VEHICLES MALFUNCTION WHEN THE TRANSMISSION GOES. PLEASE FOLLOW UP ON THIS, IT'S A SERIOUS PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Jan 26, 2011
BOUGHT USED ACURA MDX 2003 IN 2004 FROM CARMAX STILL UNDER MANUFACTURER WARRANTY OF 50,0000 MILES. HAVE RECURRENT TORQUE CONVERTER/ TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CAR PERIODICALLY GRINDS, SHUDDERS, AND HESITATES WHILE DRIVING AROUND 25-40 MPH.... CAUSING NEAR ACCIDENTS SEVERAL TIMES. REPLACED TRANSMISSION WITH REFURBISHED TRANSMISSIONS AT APPROXIMATELY 53,000 MILES IN 2006, AND AGAIN AT APPROXIMATELY 61,900 MILES IN 2007. NOW IN JAN. 2011@ APPROXIMATELY 119,000MILES, ACURA DEALER DIAGNOSED THE SAME TORQUE CONVERTER PROBLEM REQUIRING A THIRD TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT.... BASICALLY, THIS 2003 ACURA MDX WILL HAVE FOUR TRANSMISSIONS IN IT'S LIFE TIME. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED PER ACURA SERVICE SCHEDULE AT PRIMARILY ACURA DEALERS.THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY NIGHTMARE WAITING TO HAPPEN AND AS A CONCERNED CONSUMER AND PARENT, REQUEST THE GOVERNMENT TO INVESTIGATE THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND IF WARRANTED, WARN THE PUBLIC OF POTENTIAL DANGERS.
Electrical system, Jan 23, 2011
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY GOES OFF INDICATING LOOSE GAS VALVE. MANUFACTURER'S ERROR CODE: P0457 DEALER TELLS OWNER GAS CAP IS LOOSE AND REPLACES. AFTER 100 MILES AND CAREFUL ATTENTION TO MAKING SURE CAP IS TIGHT AFTER EACH REFILL, SAME ERROR CODE OCCURS. AFTER SMOKE CHECKS VERIFY NO OTHER LEAKS, GAS CAP IS REPLACED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS OFF (OSTENSIBLY BECAUSE THE DEALER SOMEHOW CLEARS THE CODE OR DISCONNECTS BATTERY). AFTER 100 MILES THE LIGHT GOES BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED CONTINUOUSLY OVER THE COURSE OF 3 YEARS. CANNOT KNOW IF SOMETHING ELSE IS WRONG WITH CAR WITHOUT PAYING FOR A DIAGNOSTIC BECAUSE LIGHT IS CONTINUOUSLY ON. CANNOT PASS CA SMOG CHECK WITH A MALFUNCTIONING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (AS THIS SEEMS PRETTY CLEAR TO ME THAT IS WHAT IT IS). ACURA REFUSES TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM. (ALTHOUGH THE DEALER I GO TO HAS BEEN GREAT.) HAVE WASTED MUCH MONEY TO EACH TIME BE TOLD "LOOSE GAS CAP" WHEN I KNOW THAT IS NOT THE CASE.
Power train, Jan 16, 2011
AS I WAS BRING MY HUSBAND HOME FROM MAJOR BACK SURGERY OUR 2003 ACURA MDX STARTED TO SLIP INTO NEUTRAL AS WE WERE LEAVING THE HOSPITAL. THIS WAS ONE HOUR AWAY FROM OUR HOME! IN SHIFTING THROUGH THE GEARS, I FINALLY GOT THE TRANSMISSION TO CATCH AT D3. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES TO US AS WE WERE TRAVELING THROUGH A CITY AND HAD TO STOP AT SEVERAL STOP LIGHTS. EVERY TIME WE STOPPED, IT WAS THE SAME SCENARIO. D3 SEEMED TO BE THE 'TICKET' GEAR TO GET IT TO CATCH. I CAME HOME AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT A LOCAL GARAGE. THANKFULLY I WENT TO DROP IT OFF TWO DAYS EARLY, AS THE CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED MOVING ON OUR WAY TO THE GARAGE AND I HAD TO CALL AND HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. FOR A LUXURY VEHICLE, I AM SADLY DISAPPOINTED AS I LOVE EVERYTHING ELSE ABOUT THE CAR. I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THE PRICE TAG ON THIS REPAIR AND FOR THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS GOING BAD, I WOULD THINK THAT THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL BY NOW.
Power train, Dec 29, 2010
I HAVE A 2003 ACURA MDX WITH 108K MILES AS OF DEC 29, 2010. TWO YEARS AGO AROUND 80K MILES, WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WITH OUR KID, SUDDENLY THE ENGINE LOST POWER ON HIGHWAY 95. SHE HAD TO REV UP TO 6000 RPM TO KEEP THE SPEED AT 30 MPH. ACURA DEALER CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION AND SAID THEY FOUND METALLIC PARTICLES IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, AND THE FLUID WAS CHARRED. THEY ALSO SAID GEAR WAS SLIGHTLY DAMAGED, BUT TOLD ME TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION FLUID VERY FREQUENTLY (MORE THAN RECOMMENDATION). NO ONE TOLD ME 2003 MDX HAS FAULTY TRANSMISSION SYSTEM. AFTER 1 YEAR AT AROUND 90K MILES I CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AGAIN. NOW, THREE DAYS AGO, SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. EVEN AT 25 MPH, THE RPM GOES SUDDENLY TO 5000 RPM AT SAME ACCELERATION PRESSURE LEVEL. I CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IMMEDIATELY. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL IS PERFECTLY FINE. BUT FLUID IS BLACK AND CHARRED PARTICLES, POSSIBLY METALLIC. NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN FOR $40K LUXURY SUV AT 80K MILES AND 108K MILES. DROPPED MY CAR AT LOCAL ACURA DEALER HOPING ACURA CAN REPLACE TRANSMISSION AT THEIR OWN COST. I ALREADY SPENT $1000 FIRST TIME TWO YEARS AGO. THEN I SPEND OVER $600 FOR 90K MILES REGULAR MAINTENANCE THAT INCLUDED TRANSMISSION FLUID SERVICE. I AM NOT SPENDING AGAIN ON THE SAME STUPID FAULTY TRANSMISSION THAT ACURA SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED ALL ITS CUSTOMERS IN THE FIRST PLACE. IF THEY DON'T FIX IT AT THEIR OWN COST, I WILL NEVER BUY OR RECOMMEND ACURA TO ANYONE. VERY VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH ACURA. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 20, 2010
THE VEHICLE STARTS SHAKING, FEELING LIKE I AM RUNNING OVER METAL BUMPS IN THE ROAD. I BELIEVE THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS THE PROBLEM AND THAT ALL OF THE LARGER HONDA/ACURA VEHICLES HAVE A DEFECTIVE TORQUE CONVERTER. IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BEFORE ENGINE FAILURE OCCURS AND INJURIES/DEATH ARE IMMINENT.
Power train, Nov 7, 2010
WHILE DRIVING ON A ROUTINE ERRAND, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING ON SHIFTING TO DRIVE. FOUND TRANSMISSION FLUID ON THE ROAD UNDER THE VEHICLE. *TR