10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
113,184 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2001 Acura MDX drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2001 Acura MDX Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #41

Jan 102023

MDX

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was Driving down the HighWay at 70 MPH and the Vehicle is -€œJerking-€ like I am Breaking then proceeded to fail to Accelerate and keep up with my RPMS.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #40

Nov 112021

MDX

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while he was at a stop light, the vehicle inadvertently switched gears to neutral independently. The contact stated that he switched gears to drive and was able to drive the vehicle; however, the vehicle switched gears to neutral when he made another stop. The contact also stated that the vehicle started jerking. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer also referred the contact the dealer for diagnosis. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The dealer also advised the contact that the recall repair for NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V176000 (Power Train) had already been completed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Peekskill, NY, USA

problem #39

Jun 232021

MDX

  • miles
When driving the car will shift into neutral. The only way to accelerate is to manually shift the gear shift into neutral and then back to drive. This occurs frequently at stops. There was a recall for this issue in 2004. The Acura dealership in Fort Worth, Texas indicated that the recalled part was replaced, however, this issue has re-occurred or was not properly fixed in the first instance. This is likely due to a replacement of the same defective transmission part. I have requested the Acura dealership to look at the transmission as it relates to the recall (recall number 04V17600). Although they are aware that this is the issue, they refuse to redress the problem. They state that I will need to pay for an entire new transmission. This is an issue with the Acura components and not a problem caused by the driver. Acura should be required to fix the issue. They are making the road unsafe for drivers at the driver's expense.

- Lubbock, TX, USA

problem #38

Jan 042021

MDX 6-cyl

  • 160,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Its showing all the symptoms of the recall that indicates the transmission needs replaced and radiator as well and has obvious signs of over heating and gear dameges. Engine light and flashing D5 with all codes from powertrain.

- Onawa, IA, USA

problem #37

Aug 022019

MDX

  • 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Acura MDX. The contact stated that the vehicle would not move in either forward or backwards. The gears were stuck in neutral and the contact heard a grinding sound when he tried to move the vehicle. The dealer and manufacturer had not been contacted. The contact suspected the issue was with the transmission. The vehicle was not drivable and at the contacts residence for a year. The failure mileage was 200,000.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

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problem #36

Nov 232019

MDX 6-cyl

  • 192,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Acura MDX. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle began to hesitate. Also, while driving over 60 mph, the vehicle seized. The contact was able to park on the side of the road and restart the ignition, but the failure continued. Also, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 04V176000 (power train). The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer and the manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 192,000. Consumer stated the following transmission codes are generated from the diagnosis tool P0700 - A/T system malfunction P1740 - 4th pressure switch failure P1750 - clutch pressure failure

- Weston, FL, USA

problem #35

Aug 112019

MDX

  • 239,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Automatic transmission- I bought my 2001 Acura MDX in March 2019 it has ran fine until August 2019. It started making a loud clanking noise on and off when I took out of reverse, then at about 40-50 mph it starts having a vibration then goes away at other speeds. About a week ago while driving straight down the interstate at 65 mph with my cruise control set my RPM went up to 5000 so I tapped on break which made it go back down to normal, so I went to accelerate back up to speed and nothing happened other then it acting as though I was driving in neutral and then it was fine again for a split second so I turned my hazards on and slowed down more and pulled off into gas station to see what was going on and noticed atf all over the place the ground was covered. I had to get trailer to get it home, once I did I pulled out my chilton's handbook for it to see if could figure out the issue was and it shows that the 2001 has a recall on the automatic transmission, but when I get online it only shows the recall if I put in 2001 Acura MDX it doesn't show it with my VIN. Number. Can I still get this recall issue fixed and if so how do I get it fixed? I called my local Acura dealer and they told me to get on here to get more information.

- Norman, OK, USA

problem #34

Apr 012019

MDX

  • 186,000 miles
I purchased my 2001 Acura MDX in March 2019. Since purchase the car consistently makes a loud clunk when shifting the gear shifter into reverse. It also clunks consistently going from park to drive. There is hesitation in the cars shifting. At times I either have to speed up or let speed off for a transmission shift to occur. The car shudders horribly when braking at low or medium speeds. It feels unsafe and scary and only a matter of time before a complete wipe out occurs. Seeing this as a ongoing problem with this vehicle and yet California is not in the vehicle recalls seems ridiculous. These happen on city streets and highways daily while driving said vehicle.

- Visalia, CA, USA

problem #33

Feb 062019

MDX

  • 115,000 miles
Vibration/shudder/grinding between 20-50 mph while accelerating. It happens every time for the past 5 moths when I accelerate from a dead stop.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #32

Jan 112019

MDX

  • miles
The vehicle uncontrollably locked up and vered into the on coming lane of traffic

- Silverton, OR, USA

problem #31

Mar 102015

MDX

  • 201,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2001 Acura MDX. While driving 45 to 50 mph, the front end of the vehicle jerked and the engine, maintenance required, vtm-4, and air bag indicators remained illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road, restarted, and driven to the contact's residence. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 04V176000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 201,000.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #30

Jun 082016

MDX

  • miles
SRS light is on, engine light is transmission is miss firing, fuel tank has a link. Transmission been fix on a recall before

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #29

May 012016

MDX 6-cyl

  • miles
Takata recall I have a 2001 aura MDX and when I first got the vehicle w months ago like 2 weeks after I was on the freeway and the D 5 light started to flash the speedometer went all the way down and the RPM was high then the speedometer went back up it did it a couple of times but I was still going the same speed it jerked a little bit I pulled over tried to put in park but it was stuck so I pushed the shift unlock and I was able to put it in park then everything seemed fine but the check engine light stayed on now a month in a half later it would stall to go when I'm taking off the roads were blocked off so I attempted to do a U turn I pulled in someone's parking lot and tried to reverse out and couldn't it would just rev two guys helped me and pushed it out thank god I had my infant with me and older daughter I was able to go forward to make it back home but the whole way the car was revving loud and the RPM was high and when came to. A stop it would rev then jerk hard and go luckily I didn't crash into the car in front of me there should definitely be a recall on these considering seeing how many people have the same issue ita crazy and I had always thought Acura were very good running cars please fix this issue in overall I love the Acura MDX and would have hoped it lasted me longer I hope it is addressed thank you

- Newark, CA, USA

problem #28

Feb 042016

MDX

  • 249,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vtm warning indicator illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle hesitated when shifting. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 249,000.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #27

Nov 292015

MDX

  • 138,000 miles
Two issues with drive-train: First is a grind/rumble (like driving over a highway rumble strip) felt at low speeds (20-30 mph) with light acceleration. Shakes vehicle slightly. Can be reproduced. Vehicle can accelerate through the grinding/rumbling by further depressing accelerator and sometimes accelerates through the 20-30 mph range without noticeable grinding/rumbling. If, however, the vehicle is accelerating slowly and it does begin to grind/rumble, maintaining a consistent speed/RPM level (without drastic change in road surface or grade that would cause computer to change gear due to increased/decreased friction) the driver can create a continued duration of the grinding/rumbling until releasing of further depressing the accelerator to change out of that gear/RPM/speed/load combination which results in the grinding/rumbling described above. The second issue is a whirring/lugging during highway speed cruising on level surface with D5 automatic transmission gear engaged. Once the vehicle accelerates above around 45 mph, more consistently at speeds above 50 mph, on level terrain at consistent speed via accelerator or cruise-controlled, the vehicle will frequently increase by approximately 200-300 RPM and begin to make a whirring sound which lasts a few seconds then the RPM return to previous speed and the whirring subsides. A few seconds later the same thing occurs and this cycle continues throughout the duration of the maintained speed. The phenomenon is more noticeable with cruise-control as the speed and rpms likely have more computer regulation but it is also noticeable without cruise-control engaged. My concern is that in either situation the transmission internals could be worn in a manner not intended by manufacturer resulting in overheating or breaking of internal components that could cause a sudden and violent reaction of the speeding vehicle.

- Apex, NC, USA

problem #26

Nov 172015

MDX

  • 161,218 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Acura MDX. While at a traffic light with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle lunged forward. The contact also stated that the supplemental restraint system warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 161,218.

- Pacific, MO, USA

problem #25

Nov 082012

MDX

  • 129,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Acura MDX. While attempting to accelerate from a traffic light, the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle failed to accelerate. The rpms rapidly increased. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V176000 (power train). The approximate failure mileage was 129,000.

- Lincoln, NE, USA

problem #24

Dec 012014

MDX

  • 164,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission seized. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 164,000.

- Andover, MN, USA

problem #23

Oct 032014

MDX 6-cyl

  • 207,000 miles
Transmission slipping, jerking forward and failing to shift gears.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #22

Dec 052014

MDX 6-cyl

  • 146,000 miles
Vehicle/transmission constantly jerks after reading numerous forums of individuals that have spent thousands on replacements for recurring issue...this needs to be recalled and transmission needs to be replaced/repaired.

- Accokeek, MD, USA

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