NHTSA — Power Train: Automatic Transmission Problems

2001 Acura MDX (Page 1 of 5)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
78,334 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2001 Acura MDX Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #86

Jul 062011

MDX

  • 134,000 miles

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

2001 MDX shudders at 1500 RPM (like running over a speed strip) apparently a faulty torque converter (transmission).

- Rehoboth Beach, DE, USA

problem #85

Jun 052011

MDX

  • 102,350 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Acura mds. The contact stated while driving 35 mph the transmission failed. The gears locked between second and third gear and began to shift as if something was popping in the transmission. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed that the transmission needed to be replaced at the contacts expense. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that he would be responsible for the repair cost since there were no recalls or warranty on that vehicle. The failure mileage was 102,350.

- Bogue Chitto, MS, USA

problem #84

Dec 172010

MDX

  • 137,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Acura MDX. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 04V176000 (power train:automatic transmission). Shortly after repairs, the vehicle began to stall sporadically with the illumination of the check engine warning light. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer and they advised him that the transmission would need to be replaced a second time. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance stating that the vehicle was repaired once under the recall. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #83

Aug 152008

MDX

  • 70,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2001 Acura MDX. While driving approximately 20 mph going up a hill the transmission would lunge forward. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and he advised her that he could not duplicated the failure. She stated that a local mechanic looked at the vehicle at least three times and was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to another local mechanic and she was advised that a diagnostic test would cost $700. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle had not been driven since October 2010. The vehicle was pre-owned. The contact referenced recall 04V176000, power train:automatic transmission and stated that the recall was performed per Acura's website. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 115,000.

- Sound Beach, NY, USA

problem #82

Jul 102009

MDX

  • 110,000 miles
Faulty torque converter. Car shudders while driving. It occurs every time I move at a constant speed, typically anywhere between 20-50.

- Skippack , PA, USA

problem #81

Nov 202010

MDX 6-cyl

  • 145,000 miles
I have a 2001 Acura MDX and I experienced some safety issue on highway a few weeks ago. The transmission had skip/slip problem while I was driving uphill on I-680. All of a sudden, the car transmission couldn't switch gear and caused me almost crashed into another car. I did some research on the internet and found that all Acura MDX 2001-2003 have transmission problem even they did recall. But, they didn't make the transmission functioning well after normal use. I contacted Acura on 12/2/2010 and they told me that they are not liable to this situation. They don't care about public safety. Please invest this problems seriously. I hope that you can order Acura to be responsible for this transmission defect and eventually save people's lives from potential accidents on the highway.

- Fremont, CA, USA

problem #80

Jun 012010

MDX

  • 130,000 miles

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

I am having transmission problem with my 2001 Acura MDX. They issued a safety recall. But, I have never been notified even I sent my car for service at Acura dealership. The way Acura handled this safety recall was not acceptable. I was notified by aamco that I should have been told. Can you help me this issue" how can I claim the damage from Acura"

- Fremont, CA, USA

problem #79

Nov 272010

MDX 6-cyl

  • 118,712 miles
I have a 2001 Acura MDX and in recent days have experienced a fluttering noise coming from the engine compartment at speeds around 30 mph with hesitation in acceleration. The problem has been diagnosed as a bad torque converter. I have done much research and have learned that this problem is alarmingly common and potentially life-threatening. No recalls have been implemented though the risks are severe and the high percentage of incidents certainly qualifies for a recall. Not much investigation is needed to determine that action should and must be taken for the safety of the consumer and for the responsibility of the manufacturer.

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #78

Jul 262009

MDX 6-cyl

  • 105,000 miles
2001 Acura MDX transmission locked up at high speed. If this had been on anything other than a dry road we could have lost control of the vehicle.

- Oconomowoc, WI, USA

problem #77

Aug 252010

MDX

  • 154,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Acura MDX. The contact was attempting to accelerate from a complete stop yet the vehicle begin to jerk violently. The vehicle resumed normal operation but within two miles, the vehicle began thrusting and jerking again. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where the contact was informed that the transmission had failed and would need to be rebuilt. The contact located a recall for the failure (NHTSA campaign id number: 04V176000 -power train: Automatic transmission) but was advised by the manufacturer that they would not assist if the vehicle was not serviced by an authorized dealer. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 154,000.

- Loganville, GA, USA

problem #76

Jul 112010

MDX

  • 115,000 miles

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

I purchased my 2001 Acura MDX new. I have been the only driver. Around 115,000 miles I began to hear this grinding/gurgling noise coming from under the engine compartment. I took it to the Acura dealer and during the first visit they ignored the problem and instead suggested replacing engine mounts. After that expansive repair I was still able to hear the grinding noise between 25-30 mile speeds. I took the car back to the dealer and today I found out that is the torque converter. I was told that it will cost me over $2000... highway robbery !!! this model had a recall on transmission in 2004 but the Acura seems to be blind to all those claims about failing transmissions and potentially dangerous situations. What does it take to have a recall on all those torque converters" is it going to take someone to lose their life"

- Farmington Hills, MI, USA

problem #75

Jul 202010

MDX

  • 50,400 miles
Have been hearing a noise in the drive train for quite sometime. Also hear a thumping noise when 4 wheel drive is engaged and turn sharply. Reading different blogs this seems to be a very common problem with the Acura MDX, but Acura does not have a recall.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #74

Jun 212010

MDX

  • 82,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Acura MDX. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for a routine oil change; however, three weeks after the oil was changed, there was an oil leak in the transmission. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that the transmission housing could possibly be cracked and recommended replacement of the transmission. The vehicle had not been repaired when the complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #73

Jul 022010

MDX

  • 82,000 miles
My dealer serviced 2001 Acura MDX has failing engine mounts, and failing transmission at 82,000 highway miles. The dealer (hinshaw Acura, seattle) sold it to me, and 100 miles later the check engine and transmission light came on. This must be a defect, and needs to be corrected. I will not pay $6000 for a new transmission at 82K miles from a dealer serviced luxury car.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #72

Mar 292010

MDX

  • 79,500 miles
Beginning in the summer of 2009, I heard engine noises while driving around 35-45 mph that sounded like I was driving over the rumble strips at the side of the road. Over the months the sounds began to get louder and we took it in to carx, but they couldn't figure out what caused the noise. On 3-29-10 we took my 2001 MDX to Acura. The mechanic asked me to drive it at 28 mph so that it was around 1500 rpms. It made the noise numerous times for him and he knew exactly what was wrong. He said it was the torque converter and it would need to be replaced. I've had my 2001 MDX for 3 yrs and it's not under warranty so we replaced the torque converter to a tune of $2,400. I'm not happy about that especially after seeing so many torque converters and transmission problems on this website and other complaint websites. There needs to be a recall and it needs to be corrected. I won't be buying an Acura or Honda ever again.

- Des Moines, IA, USA

problem #71

Jan 032010

MDX

  • 105,000 miles
I own an Acura 2001 MDX with a slipping transmission. Authorized repair shop says it will cost $3,400 to replace (fix)

- Santa Cruz, CA, USA

problem #70

Feb 172010

MDX

  • 107,000 miles
01' Acura transmission slipping, sputtering and locking up. 113,000 miles. Locked up once on interstate with me and my son in the car, and luckily we weren't in the way of anyone or we could have been hit. Found several, several complaints on the internet with people having the same issue. Very dangerous!!

- Seymour, TN, USA

problem #69

Feb 272010

MDX

  • 76,045 miles
When the car nears 45 mph, the transmission starts slipping. The car starts jerking and almost stops. Fortunately, I was not making a left turn or merging into traffic when it first occurred. I've been told that others have had complete lockups at 55 mph. I'm wondering if any accidents have occurred as a result of this problem. Fortunately, I did not become a fatality. I was very nervous about driving to the repair shop. The transmission is being replaced.

- Duluth, GA, USA

problem #68

Feb 082010

MDX

  • 84,000 miles
Am a second owner of 2001 Acura MDX with 84,000 miles, owned since approx 35000 miles. While driving home the automatic transmission began to slip, causing higher than normal engine speed while up shifting. Down shifting while slowing to a stop caused sudden and severe engine braking and very rough shifting. This could have easily resulted in an accident. No prior issues noticed, and vehicle had major scheduled service in the past. Took to local independent service and was informed transmission was a total loss requiring replacement. Contacted Acura client services, and took to dealer who will only cover 25% of repair. My cost would be nearly $4000. This transmission had a service recall in 2004, but repair doesn't appear to be a good one. Transmission design appears to be defective.

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #67

Aug 022009

MDX

  • 85,000 miles
I have a 2001 Acura MDX, last year it began not shifting into 2nd gear and I couldn't go over 20-25 mph. I contacted my local Acura dealership and they said I was out of warranty and they couldn't do anything. After insisting, they had me bring it in for them to look at it and they said it was my torque converter. I had another mechanic test it and he couldn't find anything and suggested it was my transmission. Acura wanted to charge be $3-4,000 to repair. Didn't have that kind of money for a car repair that should have happened on a car I spent $40,000 on. Now again, it is doing it. There are thousands of complaints and I cannot believe someone is not making them correct this problem. Please help.

- Noblesville, IN, USA

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