NHTSA — Power Train: Automatic Transmission Problems

2001 Acura MDX (Page 4 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 4 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #26

Apr 042006

MDX 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,475 miles

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

My vehicle is an Acura MDX 2001 1) driving on road ~35 mph transmission slipped into park and the car come to a halt, almost rear-ended by car behind us. Held up traffic for several minutes. 2) transmission slips between 3rd and 4th gear into neutral or park when going ~30-40 mph 3) took it to Acura dealership and contacted Acura customer service. Acura customer service declined my claim although the car only has 58K miles on it. Acuramdx.org referred me to this site where hundreds of customers have the same problem and for most Acura Corp. Replaces the transmission. This is a defective product that should be recalled and it is putting the life of hundreds of owners and the public in danger.

- Arcadia, CA, USA

problem #25

Mar 212006

MDX 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,000 miles
2001 Acura MDX transmission failure. Driving on the freeway at 60 mph the car almost stalled before getting in proper gear (automatic transmission??). no accident. But looking at several wed sites on the topic, I realized that I was not the only one in the same situation. I would consider that the transmission should not be a safety hazard after only 67K miles on the car. What are you waiting for to take action" a death"

- Los Gatos, CA, USA

problem #24

Mar 172006

MDX 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,528 miles
I purchased a '01 Acura MDX as a pre-owned vehicle on October 23, 2003. The car ran great except for the occasional recall. The first recall was done at 35,000 miles for the front springs and then at 39,000 miles for the transmission overheating issue. On March 17,2006 I was traveling down the highway when I completely lost all power to my vehicle and have to swerve off the road to avoid getting hit. I was quite scared. After pulling off to the side of the road I got out of my vehicle to see if there was anything wrong externally and there wasn't, but I noticed that the check engine light had come on. I immediately brought it into my dealer and had then check the car over. They stated that the check engine light indicated a total transmission failure. They told me that this type of thing was common in these cars and that the recall was supposed to fix the issue. Apparently it hasn't. at 77,000 miles my transmission failed and Acura wants nothing to do with it. Their headquarters have stated that the two problems, the recall and my transmission issue are unrelated. After doing a consider amount of research on the internet I've noticed these cars are known for transmission issues and that a total transmission failure can result because the recall was not done properly or because the recall didn't catch the problem in early enough. My problem is that the car was driven 40,000 miles before the recall was done and during that time some damage had to have been done to the transmission to warrant this transmission. My question to you is, where do I go from here?? Acura wants nothing to do with the car because they know it is a major safety defect in there vehicles. In the least they could have provided me with a rebuilt transmission, but they denied even that request. They should be stopped!!

- Newtown, CT, USA

problem #23

Aug 162005

MDX 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2001 Acura MDX. While driving at 25 mph the transmission seized and caused other vehicles to swerve to avoid the consumers vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an Acura dealership and they confirm ed that the transmission seized. The contact told the dealership to inspect the transmission to see what the repair should be, and an explanation as to why this happened. The dealership told him that they could not give an explanation as to why this happened. However, they could send the transmission to Acura for inspection. The vehicle was regularly maintained, and had 149,000 miles on it. The vehicle was traded to the dealership a couple of weeks ago for another vehicle, but the contact assumed that the transmission was replaced. Spoke with the service manager and he could not give an explanation, but mentioned that there was a recall in April or May 2004, and during a scheduled maintenance they did a diagnostic test. Therefore, it did not need recall repairs. Also, there was a variable torque converter management system, and in the owner's manual it explained, that if using the variable torque converter management system it could cause rear differential damage. The contact felt that this was a safety issue. Transmission seized on August 16, 2005. The contact contacted Acura service hotline, and they agreed to pay 25% of the cost.

- Long Branch, NJ, USA

problem #22

Feb 072002

MDX 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,100 miles
I purchased an Acura MDX in November of 01 and from February of 02 until August of 03' my transmission kept down shifting and I have taken my car to the dealer for repairs approx 6 times with the service department writting that my trans was assempled incorrectly. They tried to fix it again because the same issue occured until I finally gave up and returned the vehicle to the finance company. I tried aafter the 3rd time to get it filed under the lemon law and the dealer nor american Honda would assist me causing me to file bankruptcy.

- Inglewood, CA, USA

problem #21

Apr 152005

MDX 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,095 miles
I had just picked up our Acura MDX that morning after getting a maintenance check-up completed. Later that day after picking up my son the check engine light turned on and for some reason the light that illuminates around the gear the car is driving in was blinking. It seemed like the car was going haywire. After all that, the car suddenly starts to surge and is having a difficult time accelerating. I called the dealership and was told to bring it over immediatly. Each time the car was at a stop the car would not accelerate properly even if I had pushed down on the gas pedal all the way. The car barely made it half way up the drive way and I ended up just leaving it right there. The MDX has cut-off while driving about 5-8 mph, about 4-5 times now. The MDX has had a history of stalling and all indicator lights turning on while driving. Before the transmission failed, the MDX has had the egr valve replaced due to another stall after the engine was running for sometime already. The MDX did have a jet kit installed at 76,847 miles, but after 16,248 miles the transmission failed and replaced and I got billed for it. I believe that the transmission should have been replaced in addition to the jet kit and should be covered by Acura since they put out a defective transmission.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #20

Apr 202005

MDX 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,789 miles

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

Premature transmission failure on 2001 Acura MDX

- Davie, FL, USA

problem #19

May 122005

MDX 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,000 miles
There was a recall on the consumers vehicle to have the transmission fixed. The next day, the consumer heard a low pinging noise, then 30 miles after she started to hear noise while driving on the freeway. The transmission locked up and put the consumer into a skid of about 150 feet. No other vehicles were involved.

- Simi Valley , CA, USA

problem #18

Feb 252005

MDX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,550 miles
'recall campaign' issued for 2001 Acura MDX transmission failure. The dealer informed the consumer his vehicle did not exhibit the heat discoloration of the second gear when it was inspected on August 23, 2004, so the dealer installed the A/T oil jet kit instead of replacing the transmission. On Feb 25, 2005 8,000 miles after the oil jet kit was installed, the transmission failed while the consumer was driving. The specific component of the transmission which was affected by the safety recall was the component that failed. Recall #04V176000.

- Santa Ana, CA, USA

problem #17

Feb 252005

MDX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,000 miles
While driving approximately, 60 mph the vehicle jerked hard back and forth. The consumer avoided accidents by pulling over to the shoulder of the highway. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and it was determined that the transmission's second gear failed. Recall campaign# 04V176000 was performed prior at 60K miles.

- Santa Ana, CA, USA

problem #16

Feb 042005

MDX 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Consumer received recall notice 04V176000 concerning automatic transmission. Remedy failed.

- San Luis Obispo, CA, USA

problem #15

Dec 282004

MDX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles
I was driving in a center lane about 45 mph in my 2001 Acura MDX when the front wheels locked up and the car went into a skid and came to a complete stop. Within seconds, the lady behind me ran into me causing damage to the front of her vehicle and the rear of my car. Neither of our airbags went off. The other women said her knee was hurting, but she did not request any medical attention at the scene of the accident. There were no other injuries. There was no warning, no strange noises, no jerky actions - the front wheels just stopped. The car was taken to the local Honda dealer and Acura was contacted. The transmission had broken and Acura arranged to have the vehicle transported to the closest dealership which was Oklahoma city. The dealership replaced the transmission (and the front wheels after I inquired about a flat spot because of the skid) and transported the vehicle back to amarillo to have the body work done. Acura has not assumed any responsibility for the damage done by the accident. They were good about assisting in the replacement of the transmission and tires. They have also agreed to pay for a rental vehicle while my car was out of commission.

- Canyon, TX, USA

problem #14

Dec 162004

MDX 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
A loud banging knocking noise was coming from the front. Consumer pulled over, and then vehicle stalled. Consumer was unable to restart vehicle, and had it towed to the dealer. Mechanic determined that the second gear drive shaft sheared off while shifting, and the transmission needed to be replaced.

- Cupertino, CA, USA

problem #13

Nov 102004

MDX

  • miles
While driving, the car started shaking and shuddering. The dealer kept my car for 10 days and put in a new transmision. I got the car back and it was still shaking and shuddering. They want to put in another transmission. It feels very unsafe to drive!

- Chalfont, PA, USA

problem #12

Aug 262003

MDX

  • 30,325 miles
The vehicle would shake and rattle between 1500-2000 RPM's. the dealer was unable and unwilling to correct the problem. The hesitation in the gears prevents the vehicle from performing maneuvers which could prevent or even cause accidents.

- York, PA, USA

problem #11

Sep 022003

MDX

  • miles
Vehicle was having trouble with the transmission making the vehicle difficult to change from one gear to another. Transmission was replaced with another brand new transmission, and it once again failed completely.

- Vienna, VA, USA

problem #10

Jul 092004

MDX 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles
Dear NHTSA: We have had our 2001 Acura MDX in (apple Acura in york, pa) for the recall involving the automatic transmission. We knew something was wrong before the recall notice because the MDX would hesitate and almost stall at low speed at gear changes. Our MDX is still under factory warranty (4 year- 50,000 miles). The recall (apple Acura in york, pa) service included a test drive, inspection, and installation of a oil recirculation pump. This recall work was completed but the transmission hesitation has persisted. I have had this vehicle in three times to find the problem (apple Acura in york, pa). The first they changed the transmission oil (my request) and did not find anything wrong. The second time was the recall service. The third they cleaned the egr valve and ports. The problem still persists. I feel this is a safety issue that needs to be addressed. The problem only occurs at low speeds under light throttle response. This hesitation does not happen at half or full throttle. I was told by the service manager that this flaw may be part of the vehicle design that was fixed on the 2004 model year. I asked if our MDX transmission can be fixed like the 2004 design" he was not confident that he would have authorization to do this work. I just do not feel that the problem will be addressed. Should I go to another dealership? do they have to demonstrate that they fixed the problem under the recall? how do I formally put in a complaint" sincerely: Joe stefko 170 frank drive york, pa 717-757-0588 (H) 717-227-3280 (w) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- York, PA, USA

problem #9

Jul 262004

MDX

  • 63,710 miles
Problems with transmission on 2001 Acura MDX. The consumer received recall 04V176000 referenced heat build. The remedy was for the dealer to inspect the transmission to identify gears that may have already experienced discoloration due to overheating. If discoloration exists, the transmission will be replaced. The consumer feels human error may be a factor in the inspection. The consumer finds the remedy unacceptable and request a new transmission.

- Rensselaer, NY, USA

problem #8

Aug 192004

MDX 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The consumer received a recall(04V17600) regarding the transmission. The dealership refused to fix the recall. The mechanic informed the consumer that the part which was defective was not covered by the recall notice.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #7

Dec 012003

MDX

  • miles
Recall regarding transmission on 2001 Acura MDX. The consumer had problems with the forward and second gear. The consumer was rejected the recall coverage because the invoice stated the vehicle only had reverse problems and the recall was specifically for 2nd gear problems.. recall# 04V176000.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

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