2003 ACURA MDX Power Train Problems

Driving up a hill in this 2003 Acura MDX and the TRANSMISSION failed. Came to a stop in the middle of the street. Several cars almost hit me. Checked online and this vehicle has a known problem of the transmission going out around 70,000 miles. A mechanic started changing it out in my driveway .then winter came. It's been sitting in my driveway ever since.

THE VEHICLE KEEPS SHUDDERING AND LOSING POWER AND GEARS NOT CHARGING IN RIGHT

Mileage: 260,615

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED AS IF IT WAS SLIPPING WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 265,000.

Mileage: 265,000

MULTIPLE SAFETY AND RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE INCLUDING AIR BAG SYSTEM,ABS,TRANSMISSION SHIFT SENSOR, EMISSION BUILD UP CAUSING CLOGGING IN EXHAUST SYSTEM, MAP SENSOR TORQUE CONVERTERS, DIFFERENTIAL ISSUES,ROUGH IDLE AND SHIFT INTERLOCK SOLENOID ISSUES. FLUID LEAKS AND BRAKE STICKS ALSO AIR BAG LIGHT WONT GO OFF.

Mileage: 90

TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE CAUSED SHARDS OF METAL TO BE TRANSMITTED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING TOTAL FAILURE OF EVERY GEAR IN THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS DRIVING ON A DIVIDED HIGHWAY AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WHEN I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER IN HIGH VOLUME TRAFFIC. ALL LIGHTS LIT UP ON THE DASH SUCH AS VTM-4, MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP AND GEAR WAS FLASHING. I WAS ALMOST HIT WHILE TRYING TO GET TO A SAFE LOCATION TO PULL OVER. PRIOR TO THE CAR DYING I NEVER HAD ANY INDICATION OF MALFUNCTION NOR ANY DRIVING ISSUES OR PROBLEMS ACCELERATING.

Mileage: 211,000

TRANSMISSION AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTS FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. IT'S DANGEROUS TO BE IN TRAFFIC AND LOSE THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. I HAVE REPLACED THE SHIFTER AND HAD IT ADJUSTED NUMEROUS TIMES. ACURA REFUSES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE INNUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS VERY ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN.

Mileage: 100,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE SHIFT LEVER FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V573000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,793.

Mileage: 200,793

TORQE CONVERTER GOING OUT SHATTERING NOISE THIRD GEAR 30 TO 40 MPH ABOUT 1500 RPMS THERE HAS BEEN OVER 100 COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE

Mileage: 163,000

FAILING TORQUE CONVERTER. VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT HONDA REFUSES TO RECALL AND STAND BEHIND THIS SAFETY DEFECT.

Mileage: 100,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WENT IN REVERSE WITH THE SHIFTER STILL IN THE DRIVE POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

Mileage: 200,000

I THINK IT IS ABOUT TIME THAT WE ALL PUSH NHTSA TO MAKE ACURA/HONDA RECALL ALL THESE MDX FROM 2001 TO 2012 TO HAVE THESE TORQUE CONVERTERS AND TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED AND FIXED ONCE AND FOR ALL!!! THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS THERE IS NO SIGN WHEN THESE CARS ARE GOING TO LOCK UP AND GO FROM 75 MPH DOWN TO 40 MPH AND THEN STAYS AT 40MPH TILL YOU CAN GET OFF THE HIGHWAY TO AN EXIT. I SWEAR MAYBE SOMEBODY NEEDS TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT WHEN THEY GET REAR ENDED BY SOMEONE THAT HAS NO CLUE WHY YOU HAVE COME TO A SUDDEN CHANGE OF SPEED. THIS WEEK IT'S DIFFERENT THEN BEFORE, NOW IT ALMOST THREW ME THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD HAD I NOT HAD MY SEAT BELT ON. THOUGH WHEN YOUR NOT EXPECTING A CARS TRANSMISSION TO HALT SO FAST IT STILL SCARES THE LIFE OUT OF YOU AND THEN TRY AND GET OVER TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE. THIS IS MY 2ND REPAIR OR REBUILD OF ALL THESE ITEMS AND FOR THE COST OF THESE CARS WHEN NEW ACURA SHOULD BE SUED AND MADE TO PAY TO FIX THESE DRIVE TRAIN DEFAULTS!!! COME ON NHTSA YOU KNOW THEY ARE IN THE WRONG AND LETS GET THESE CARS FIXED TOO ONCE IN FOR ALL BEFORE MORE PEOPLE ARE KILLED OR SERIOUSLY HURT.

Mileage: 120,000

WHEN APPROACHING SPEEDS OF 35MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD BEGIN TO MAKE A RUMBLING NOISE FROM THE FRONT AND WOULD THEN START TO SHAKE HEAVILY. THE SHAKING OF THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE UNTIL YOU WOULD GO FASTER THAN 40MPH OR SLOWER THAN 25MPH. THE VEHICLE IS VERY DISTRACTING WHEN RUMBLING AND CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD AS ATTENTION IS TAKEN AWAY FROM THE ROAD AND PUT ONTO THE VEHICLE. FURTHERMORE, YOU ARE FORCED TO EITHER SPEED , UP TO 40MPH OR SLOW DOWN TO 25MPH TO STOP THE RUMBLING, INTERFERING WITH DRIVING AND POSSIBLY BREAKING LAWS.

Mileage: 100,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V045000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME BECAUSE THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

Mileage: 151,000

TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR. THE CAR BASICALLY COASTED TO A STOP. THERE SEEM TO BE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2003 MDX TRANSMISSION FAILING. ACURA IS REIMBURSING SOME DRIVERS, BUT NOT OTHERS. *TR

Mileage: 152,000

WHILE MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY OR PASSING ANOTHER CAR ON A TWO LANE ROAD I PUSH THE GAS PEDAL HARD TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY (EITHER TO PASS QUICKLY OR TO ACCELERATE BEYOND A CAR WHO IS NOT ALLOWING ME TO MERGE ONTO A FREEWAY). THE TRANSMISSION COMES OUT OF GEAR AND JUST REVS AS IF IN NEUTRAL. I MUST RELEASE THE GAS PEDAL AND SLOWLY ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE. THIS CAUSES A HUGE SAFETY RISK WHILE TRYING TO AVOID AN ONCOMING CAR WHILE PASSING OR TRYING TO AVOID GETTING RUN OFF THE FREEWAY OR WORSE INTO A BARRIER WHEN MERGING ONTO A FREEWAY. TRANSMISSION IS SHOWING NO OTHER SIGNS OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT ALL. NO SLIPPING, GOOD FLUID COLOR, AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY MULTIPLE ACURA DEALERSHIPS. ACURA DIAGNOSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND 3RD GEAR CLUTCH BEING GONE AT A REPAIR COST OF $6K. ACURA DECLINED TO ASSIST IN COST SINCE I AM SECOND OWNER. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE CAR MADE A VIBRATION OR SHUDDER NOISE FOR ABOUT 10-15 SECONDS AND BEGAN TO DONE THIS FROM THEN ON AT ABOUT THAT SPEED. I THE CAR TO ACURA TO HAVE A RECALL PERFORMED AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK THIS. I TOLD THEM THAT YOU HAVE TO DRIVE THE CAR TO FEEL WHEN IS HAPPEN. THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT REPEAT THE EFFECT. AFTER PICKING THE CAR UP I FELT THE SAME VIBRATION ON MY WAY HOME. I DID SOME WEB RESEARCH AND FOUND THIS TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON ISSUE IN MODELS WITH THE ENGINE TRANSMISSION SETUP. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE DEPTH OF TESTING REQUIRED TO TROUBLE SHOOT THIS ISSUE AND IF THE CAR IS SAFE TO USE? WHAT WILL THE FAILURE MODE BE? *TR

Mileage: 150,000

OWNER OF 2003 MDX WITH 140,000 MILES ON IT. WAS WORKING PERFECTLY TILL IT DECELERATE ALL THE SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING IN DALLAS TOLLWAY. IT FELT AS IF THE GEAR WAS ON NEUTRAL AND GAS PEDAL WAS BEING FORCED. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE MOTOR TO REV UP BUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING AND THE GEAR WASN'T RESPONDING. VEHICLE CAME TO COMPLETE STOP, WHERE THE DRIVER POWER OFF THE ENGINE AND POWERED BACK ON TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED MOVING AGAIN FOR A MINUTE AND THEN BACK TO NO POWER. AFTER TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST, IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

WHILE TRAVELING AT AROUND THE SPEED LIMIT ON A BUSY FREEWAY THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED COASTING WITHOUT ANY WARNING. STEPPING ON THE GAS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO REV BUT NO ACCELERATION, WHICH MADE IT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO TRY TO PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER WITH THE RIGHT LANE HEAVILY OCCUPIED BY 18 WHEELER TRUCKS THAT ARE LONG AND RESPOND SLOWLY. ANY SPEED YOU LOOSE, PARTICULARLY AFTER APPLYING SOME BRAKE TO MOVE FROM ONE LANE TO ANOTHER, CANNOT BE REGAINED TO SAFELY MANEUVER WITH FLOW OF THE TRAFFIC AND MAKE THE SUBSEQUENT LANE CHANGE EVEN MORE DANGEROUS. AFTER TOWING TO AN ACURA DEALER IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAILED TRANSMISSION AND COSTS $6,100 TO REPLACE WITH A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE IS BEYOND ITS WARRANTY PERIOD, IT IS NONETHELESS DISAPPOINTING TO HAVE AN ACURA FAIL IN THIS FASHION CONSIDERING THAT THERE ARE MANY LOWER COST VEHICLES THAT EASILY LAST BEYOND 100,000 MILES WITHOUT TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THE VEHICLE CERTAINLY MET ITS WARRANTY REQUIREMENTS, BUT IT IS REALLY THE SUDDEN NATURE AND CRASH RISK OF THIS FAILURE THAT IS A BIGGER CONCERN. I LATER LEARNED FROM 3 CO-WORKERS THAT HAD SIMILAR TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCES WITH THEIR MDX. TWO WERE 2001/2002 MDX WITH APPROX 100,000 AND 80,000 MILES. THE 3RD WAS A 2006 MDX WITH ONLY APPROX 55,000 MILES. *TR

Mileage: 95,663

THIS PROBLEM STARTED A FEW YEARS BACK MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE GARAGE AT HARTFORD HOSPITAL SHE SAID SHE STEPPED ON THE GAS AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE,THIS DID NOT HAPPEN AGAIN FOR SEVERAL MONTHS,WHEN THE WEATHER GOT COLDER IT STARTED TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUENT,THEN IN THE SPRING IT WENT AWAY AGAIN I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A SENSOR IT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN WHEN I DROVE IT ,THIS WINTER IT HAS DONE THIS MANY TIMES WE TOOK IT TO CAPITOL TRANSMISSION IN HARTFORD LAST SUMMER THEY DID NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS BUT SAID IT COULD BE THE TRANS OR POSSIBLY A SENSOR NO DEFINITE ANSWER SO DO I FORK UP 4 GRAND OR WAIT TILL IT HAS A CODE OR BLOWS UP WHILE DRIVING THE FLUID HAS BEEN REPLACED ALMOST EVERY YEAR DRAINED AND FILLED WITH HONDA FLUID THIS LAST TIME I FLUSHED OUT THE WHOLE SYSTEM ( I AM A AUTOMOTIVE TECH ) I DO HAVE SOME INVOICES FROM HONDA FOR THE FLUID. *TR

Mileage: 98,000

THE TRANSMISSION ON THE VEHICLE WHEN COLD FUNCTIONS AND SHIFTS NORMALLY. ONCE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN OPERATING FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND IS WARM THE TRANSMISSION, WHEN AT A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT, WILL DROP OUT OF DRIVE AND INTO NEUTRAL DISENGAGING THE DRIVE TRAIN. THE ONLY WAY FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO BECOME REENGAGED IS TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL OR PARK AND THEN RESHIFT INTO DRIVE. THIS WORKS SOMETIMES AND OTHERS IT DOES NOT AND HAS TO BE RESHIFTED SEVERAL TIME FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO REENGAGE. *TR

Mileage: 134,154

VEHICLE WENT INTO NEUTRAL WHEN APPROACHING A STOP. THIS REPEATED SEVERAL TIMES THROUGHOUT MY TRIP (APPROX. 25 MILES). I HAVE KEPT UP WITH TRANSMISSION SERVICES AND MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES SINCE OWNERSHIP FEB OF 2012. I HAVE READ OF SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME SYMPTOMS FROM OTHER OWNERS. WHY IS HONDA NOT WILLING TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE ? *TR

Mileage: 142,000

WHEN DRIVING MY 2003 ACURA MDX (SUV), LAST FALL, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP OUT OF GEAR AT LOW SPEEDS. IT WOULD BE IN 3RD GEAR AS I WOULD SLOW TO MAKE A TURN OR ENTER A PARKING AREA. WHEN I FINISHED A TURN AND BEGAN TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR WAS NO LONGER IN GEAR AND THE ENGINE JUST REVS AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. IN TRAFFIC, I WOULD HAVE TO BRING THE MDX TO A COMPLETE STOP (RPM TO ZERO) AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD RE-ENGAGE AND MOVE FORWARD AGAIN. SOON, I WAS HAVING TO PUT THE CAR IN A LOWER GEAR TO GET IT TO MOVE FORWARD AND EACH TIME THE CAR DECELERATES, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS. IN MOVING TRAFFIC, HAVING TO MAKE A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A STREET OR WHEN ENTERING THE HIGHWAY, ETC., IS DANGEROUS. I HAVE STOPPED DRIVING THE CAR BECAUSE I CANNOT TRUST IT TO KEEP MOVING IN REGULAR TRAFFIC. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER BULLETIN / RECALL ON THE CAR (I AM SECOND OWNER), EVEN THOUGH I HAVE KEPT UP WITH SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. I CONTACTED ACURA (HOY FOX ACURA, EL PASO, TX) FOR ASSISTANCE, BUT THEY WERE DISMISSIVE WHEN THEY DISCOVERED I DID NOT PURCHASE MY ACURA FROM THEM. ACURA NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER RELATIONS HAS ALSO BEEN CONTACTED, AND ARE TELLING ME THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY (IT CURRENTLY HAS 200,000 MILES, BUT IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE). I HAVE REVIEWED AND RESEARCHED A HUGE AMOUNT OF 2003 MDX TRANSMISSION FAILURES FROM 45K MILES TO 200,000 MILES (MY ISSUE BEGAN AT ABOUT 150,000 MILES). DOCUMENTATION ONLINE REFLECTS THAT ACURA MDX HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THERE IS ALSO LITERATURE AND DOCUMENTATION LINKING TRANSMISSION FAILURE TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER ISSUES IN THIS MODEL. THIS IS MY FIRST ACURA, AND I DO LIKE IT ENOUGH TO PURCHASE ANOTHER ONE. NOT SURE I WILL BE THAT "LOYAL", THOUGH, AFTER THIS SITUATION. MANY OWNERS SUGGEST FILING A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETECT A PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Mileage: 115,000

I WAS PUTTING MY CAR INTO DRIVE ON A HILL AND IT ROLLED BACKWARDS. CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND I WAS LUCKY I DIDN'T HURT ANYONE. THERE ARE A LOT OF KIDS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.$3900 LATER. I HAVE READ ALL SORTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS YR/MAKE WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS. WHY ISN'T THEIR A RECALL? *TR

Mileage: 137,000

WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED MY MDX (USED 32K MILES) I HAD AN ISSUE WITH SHUDDERING BETWEEN 35-45 AND IT WOULD FEEL LIKE IT WOULDN'T GO. IT TOOK UNTIL MY CAR WAS AT 55K MILES FOR A SERVICE TECH TO FINALLY HERE THE PROBLEM AND DIAGNOSE IT CORRECTLY. I HAD TO REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND TRANSMISSION. THEN AGAIN AT 124K MILES I HEARD THE EXACT SAME NOISE!! I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO ACURA AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE NOISE ...OF COURSE THEY COULDN'T. I SAID I HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE, YOU REPLACED MY TRANSMISSION, YOU KNOW THIS IS A DEFECT OF ACURA/HONDA. THEY INSISTED IT WASN'T THE PROBLEM BUT IN FACT I NEEDED A CATALYTIC CONVERTER. SO, I REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AT $1,100.00 AND DROVE OFF THE LOT WITH SAME SHUDDER ( IT REPRESENTED ITSELF WITHIN THE MONTH)!! THEY SAID I HAVE TO BRING BACK AND DRIVE WITH A TECH. I HAVE YET TO GET IT BACK THERE BECAUSE OF MY WORK SCHEDULE THEIR LACK OF ACCOMMODATIONS FOR SATURDAYS. NOW I AM AT 160K AND AM TRYING TO GET THE CAR BACK IN AND THEY ARE ACTING LIKE THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE WRONG. THIS IS EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING! OUT OF WARRANTY. WORKING ON POSSIBLY A 3RD TRANSMISSION...IT IS CRAZY AND UNSAFE! I BOUGHT AN ACURA BECAUSE OF THE QUALITY REPUTATION THEY HAVE. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. I HAVE EVEN CALLED HONDA AND THEY ARE USELESS. IF YOU ARE NOT CONSTANTLY BUYING A NEW HONDA PRODUCT AND SERVICING THEM AT THE RIDICULOUS PRICES THEY DO NOT FIND YOU A LOYAL CUSTOMER THEREFORE DO NOT WANT TO HELP YOU!!! PLEASE MAKE THEM OWN THEIR DEFAULTS!! *TR

Mileage: 124,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED, IT ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED INTO A POND, BECOMING COMPLETELY SUBMERGED UNDERWATER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

Mileage: 145,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED AND OCCUPIED, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND ROLLED INTO A POND. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

HUSBAND DROVE CAR, CAME HOME, PARKED THE CAR IN DRIVEWAY. WE FOUND CAR AT THE BOTTOM OF OUR DRIVEWAY ATTACHED TO THE FRONT BUMPER OF OUR NEIGHBOR'S CAR. OUR NEIGHBOR'S CAR WAS DAMAGED. I DEFINITELY BELIEVE AND QUITE FRANKLY EXPECT HONDA TO REFUND US OUR DEDUCTIBLE FOR OUR INSURANCE COMPANY. THE EXACT WORDING OF YOUR RECALL NOTICE IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED -- "REMOVAL OF THE IGNITION KEY WHEN GEAR SELECTOR WITH TRANSMISSION HAS NOT BEEN SHIFTED TO THE PARK POSITION CAN ALLOW VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY." AND ROLL IT DID...IT ROLLED US INTO PAYING MONEY WE DIDN'T EXPECT TO HAVE TO PAY. *TR

Mileage: 187,585

FOR THE LAST TWO DAYS AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR 5 MINUTES WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND REVS AT HIGH RPMS INSTEAD OF GOING INTO GEAR. TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WHEN TRYING TO GO UP HILL AT LOW SPEED THE ENGINE WILL JUST REV AND NOT MOVE FORWARD. APPEARS THIS IS AN ONGOING KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION OF 2003 MDX VEHICLES. HAVE CONTACTED ACURA FOR ASSISTANCE. *TR

Mileage: 85,800

TOOK MY 2003 MDX TO ORLAND PARK, IL ACURA DEALERSHIP FOR OIL CHANGE AND NOISE UNDER VEHICLE. THE SERVICE TECH CHECKED THE NOISE AND SUGGESTED THE TRANSMISSION NEED TO BE AT $120,000. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PROPERLY CARED FOR. AS I READ THRU MANY BLOGS I SEE THAT ACURA/HONDA IS TOTALLY AWARE OF THIS ISSUE HOWEVER WHEN I CALLED HONDA THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE OTHER THAN $500 OFF FOR AN ISSUE THAT IS KNOWN BY ACURA THAT IS AFFECTING EVERY 2003 MDX OUT THERE. JUSTICE NEED TO SERVICE AND ITS TIME FOR HONDA TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS PRODUCT THEY HAVE OUT ON THE STREETS. THIS IS UNSAFE AND CAN CAUSE DEATH NOT ONLY TO ACURA CUSTOMERS BUT CUSTOMERS FROM OTHER VEHICLES. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

2003 ACURA MDX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY WENT INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONSUMER STATED HE/SHE TRIED EVERY GEAR, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE HE/SHE WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION HAD INDEED FAILED. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED TWO YEARS LATER, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE NEXT DAY WHILE ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO NEUTRAL AGAIN AND THE CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, TORQUE CONVERTER, TIMING BELT, WATER PUMP AND ENGINE VALVES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY INTO A NEARBY LAWN AND CAME TO A STOP. THERE WAS NO PROPERTY DAMAGE OR INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE HIMSELF, WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

TORQUE CONVERTER SHUDDER OR VIBRATION BETWEEN 35 AND 40 MPH. ****ALSO TRANSMISSION SLIPPED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE SUV ACTED AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL AND WOULDN'T MOVE EVEN THOUGH I WAS PUSHING THE GAS AND THE RPMS WENT UP. I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED BY THE DRIVER BEHIND ME BUT HE WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY SWITCH INTO ANOTHER LANE, THEN MIRACULOUSLY MY SUV STARTED TO GO AGAIN. IT ALSO HAPPENED AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WHILE I WAS DRIVING. LUCKILY THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS FAR ENOUGH AWAY AND THE TRANSMISSION PICKED BACK UP IN TIME AND I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY. I HAD MY CHILDREN IN THE SUV, A 6 MONTH OLD BABY GIRL AND A 6 YR OLD BOY. ITS A SEVEN PASSENGER VEHICLE SO IT SHOULD BE EXPECTED THAT CHILDREN MAY BE IN THE SUV. I DON'T THINK HONDA/ACURA SHOULD WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE IS KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED TO ISSUE A RECALL. ITS NOT EVEN JUST ABOUT THE COST OF REPAIRS, WHAT ABOUT THE VALUE OF PEOPLE'S LIVES? DOES IT NEED TO BE ON THE NEWS FIRST FOR A CHANGE TO OCCUR? OWNERS OF THE 2003 ACURA MDX NEED TO KNOW THAT THERE IS A POTENTIALLY DEADLY SAFETY DEFECT WITH THIS VEHICLE AND REPAIRS NEED TO BE MADE ASAP! *TR

Mileage: 149,000

TRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDENLY ON HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT 65 MPH. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE SEEMS TO BE A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, WHY AREN'T YOU HELPING US? *TR

Mileage: 125,264

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY. DRIVER REMOVED KEY, EXITED VEHICLE AND REMOTELY APPLIED THE DOOR LOCKS. VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN COASTING DOWN AND ULTIMATELY OFF THE DRIVEWAY, DOWN A STEEP GRADE INTO THE YARD UNTIL IT STRUCK A TREE APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET AWAY. RESULTING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO FRONT OF VEHICLE WAS APPRAISED AT $5900. CAR COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM ITS RESTING PLACE AGAINST TREE EXCEPT BY TOW TRUCK. TOW DRIVER INDICATED THAT VEHICLE WAS STILL IN DRIVE, NOT PARK WHEN HE EXTRACTED IT FROM CRASH POSITION. TOW DRIVER AND REPAIR FACILITY INDICATED THAT IT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION WITHOUT VEHICLE BEING IN PARK, YET THAT WAS THE SPECIFIC CAUSE OF THE CRASH. *TR

Mileage: 209,000

ON THIS DATE I COULD NOT HEAR AN APPROACHING EMERGENCY VEHICLE DUE TO A SHUDDER VIBRATION NOISE FROM MY POWER TRAIN AUTO TRANSMISSION. THE EMERGENCY VEHICLE ALMOST CRASHED INTO MY VEHICLE AND IN SO DOING CAUSING A POTENTIALLY VERY SERIOUS TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. THE SHUTTER NOISE WAS THE RESULT OF A LONG STANDING MDX MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION ( PERHAPS TORQUE CONVERTER). I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO SURVIVE THE CAUSE OF A RECURRING MECHANICAL PROBLEM BY VERY FREQUENT TRAN FLUID CHANGES OVER THE YEARS BUT THE PROBLEM HAS KEPT OCCURRING SINCE 40000 MILES IN YEAR 2007. I REMAIN VERY AFRAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL OR HINDER ME AGAIN CAUSING A MORE CRITICAL PROBLEM THE NEXT TIME. LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS CONSIDERED THE NOISE AND SHUTTER AS A ACURA PRODUCT DEFECT. I RESPECTFULLY SEEK GOODWILL CONSIDERATION AND REPAIR OF MY TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION. *TR

Mileage: 151,000

CAR BEGAN TO SHUDDER AT 40 MPH, THEN GOES AWAY. RECURRING MORE FREQUENTLY NOW. TOOK TO DEALER. CAR WOULD NOT SHUDDER WHEN HE DID TEST DRIVE. SAID NOTHING SEEMS TO BE WRONG. BEGAN RESEARCHING ON MY OWN AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. TORQUE CONVERTER. *TR

Mileage: 145,000

ENTERING FREEWAY FROM ON RAMP VEHICLE ACTED LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL EVEN THOUGH IT WAS IN DRIVE. AS I ACCELERATED FROM 40 MPH THE RPM'S RACED BUT THE CAR SLOWED AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED THANKFULLY I LET OFF THE GAS AND THE TRANNY THEN GRABBED AND I WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE TO FREEWAY SPEED. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY DEALER THAT BOTH TRANNY AND TORQ CONVERTER ARE NO GOOD. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED PER ACURA RECOMMENDED SERVICE AT SAME DEALER SINCE BOUGHT NEW. *TR

Mileage: 82,202

THE LOCKING MECHANISM THAT SECURES THE KEY IN THE IGNITION UNTIL PARK IS ENGAGED DID NOT WORK. THEREFORE I UNKNOWINGLY REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WITHOUT HAVING PARK ENGAGED. THE CAR ROLLED BACK FROM THE PARKING SPOT INTO A TREE. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO ACURA. IT SEEMS SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEM CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED FOR HONDA ODYSSEY'S AND PILOTS FROM 2003 AND 2004 BY NHTSA. NOTE THAT I DO NOT REMEMBER THE DATES/MILEAGE WHEN THIS FIRST OCCURRED BUT IT IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL KEYS IN THE IGNITION AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED OUT OF DRIVE. THE CONTACT HAD TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IT FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 30MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Mileage: 110,000

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.

Mileage: 163,000

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

Mileage: 105,180

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHUDDER OR VIBRATION BETWEEN 35 AND 40 MPH. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

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

Mileage: 105,080

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

Mileage: 97,500

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

Mileage: 99,600

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

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.

Mileage: 155,000

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

Mileage: 80,000

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.

Mileage: 35,000

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

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

Mileage: 120,000

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

Mileage: 115,000

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

Mileage: 123,000

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

Mileage: 133,000

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.

Mileage: 119,000

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

Mileage: 123,000

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.

Mileage: 126,000

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

Mileage: 80,000

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

Mileage: 60,400

TWICE IN THE LAST 3 DAYS, THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2003 ACURA MDX SPONTANEOUSLY SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL, I.E., DISENGAGED FROM DRIVE AND LEFT ME W/O POWER TO THE WHEELS. THE SHIFT LEVER REMAINED IN DRIVE AND HAD NOT BEEN TOUCHED. THE LATTER OCCURRENCE STRANDED ME IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT SHIFTING INTO PARK AND BACK INTO DRIVE WERE REQUIRED BEFORE DRIVE ACTUALLY ENGAGED. AN INTERNET SEARCH EASILY TURNED UP MANY SIMILAR INSTANCES IN WHICH 2003 MDX OWNERS INDICATED THAT THEIR TRANSMISSIONS INTERMITTENTLY DISENGAGED FROM DRIVE. *TR

Mileage: 95,600

MY 2003 ACURA MDX WAS VIBRATING/SHUDDERING BETWEEN 30-45MPH. DEALER ADVISED FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER @ $2,200. THE 2001 & 2002 MODELS WERE RECALLED FOR SAME ISSUE. WHEN TORQUE CONVERTER FAILS, METAL SHAVINGS CAN MAKE THEIR WAY INTO TRANSMISSION, CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. ACURA IS HAVING ONGOING REPEATED ISSUES. WILL THEY DENY TRANSMISSION ISSUE AT THE EXPENSE OF MY FAMILIES SAFETY. MANY WITH SAME VEHICLE HAVE HAD SOME DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. *TR

Mileage: 99,000

I WAS DRIVING ON I-75 WHEN MY TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAR WENT FROM GOING 70MPH TO DROPPING ALL RPM'S AND DRIVING AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. TORQUE CONVERTER HAD TO BE REPLACED, THIS WAS AT 91,000 MILES. LUCKILY, I HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY OR THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A $3,000 REPAIR AND COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS IF OTHER CARS WERE FOLLOWING CLOSELY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED! A VEHICLE IN THIS PRICE RANGE SHOULD NOT BE FAILING SO EARLY. I AM NOT AT 93,000 MILES AND HAVE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WHEN I TURN THE A/C ON, ALL OF MY GAUGES ARE LOST AND THE BATTERY IS DRAINED, BUT THE ALTERNATOR AND THE BATTERY HAVE BOTH BEEN TESTED AND ARE OK. *TR

Mileage: 91,000

2003 ACURA MDX WITH 146,000 MILES ON IT. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2010 THREE HOURS FROM HOME AND 27 MILES FROM A DEALERSHIP. *TR

Mileage: 146,000

CAR WOULD NOT MOVE UPON PUSHING GAS PEDAL BUT ENGINE WOULD REVIVE THEN WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR WOULD LAUNCH FORWARD AT ACCELERATED SPEED. THIS LURCHING CONTINUED UNPREDICTABLY UPON FURTHER DRIVING THE CAR. DEALER SAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 109,000

8/18/10 - WHILE DRIVING CAR BEGINS ACTING LIKE WE ARE TRYING TO ACCELERATE WHILE IN NEUTRAL. WE ARE ABLE TO GET TO A GAS STATION, WHERE WE NOTICE TRANSMISSION FLUID ON THE GROUND. WE HAVE IT TOWED TO A LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP IN DUBLIN. THEY REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION HOSE. 8/28/10 - DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, CAR BEGINS ACTING UP AGAIN - SAME PROBLEM. WE PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY AND HAVE IT TOWED TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP IN COLUMBUS. WE ARE TOLD WE NEED TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION. BOTH TIMES THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS OF ANY PROBLEMS. ONCE IT STARTED ACTING UP, THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE EXCEPT PULL IT AWAY FROM TRAFFIC AND HAVE IT TOWED. *TR

Mileage: 92,700

THIS IS RELATED TO THE RECENT HONDA RECALL FOR IGNITION KEY ISSUE. THE SAME PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTICED ON MY ACURA 2003 MDX. THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY INCIDENT ARISING OUT OF IT BECAUSE OF MY CHECKS AFTER SWITCHING OFF MY CAR BUT SOME OTHER PEOPLE MIGHT NOT BE LUCKY. THE KEY SOMETIMES COMES OUT AFTER SWITCHING THE CAR OFF WITHOUT MOVING THE GEAR TO PARK. THIS HAPPENS IF DONE QUICKLY. THE DATE BELOW IS A APPROXIMATE DATE SINCE I KNOW IT HAPPENED 2-3 WEEKS BACK. *TR

I JUST BOUGHT A 2003 ACURA MDX WITH 110,000 MILES. I DROVE THE CAR LESS THAN 15 MILES AND NOTICED A SCRAPING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. A LITTLE FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD THE VEHICLE BUCKED AND THEN THE D5 LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. THERE WAS HESITATION IN BETWEEN THE GEARS. THE VEHICLE IS NOW IN THE SHOP GETTING A NEW TRANSMISSION - I HAD IT LESS THAN 20 MINUTES BEFORE IT STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2003 MDX HAS BEEN SLIPPING FOR ABOUT A YEAR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 2X, BUT THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM--COULDN'T GET IT TO SLIP OUT OF GEAR. FINALLY, LAST WEEK, IN 5:00 TRAFFIC, IT STOPPED TOTALLY AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED--THE CAR WAS AT 106,000 MILES. APPARENTLY, ALL THE PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS HELPED ME OUT B/C THE HONDA NATIONAL AGREED TO COVER 2/3 OF THE COST OF A NEW TRANSMISSION (4355.00). I MUST SAY THEY HAVE BEEN GREAT TO WORK WITH SO FAR, AND I'M GRATEFUL THEY CHIPPED IN ON THE COST, ALTHOUGH IT'S CLEAR THE 2003 MDX'S HAVE REAL TRANSMISSION TROUBLES. *TR

Mileage: 106,000

2003 ACURA MDX. 105,000 MILES. IT WAS FULLY SERVICES AT SANTA MONICA ACURA UPTO 90,000 MILES. I WAS DRIVING MY IN SEATTLE, HIGHWAY I-5 NORTH BOUND. AT 60 MPH SPEED, TRANSMISSION JUST STOPPED TOTALLY. VEHICLE RAN FREELY. MY 2 KIDS, WIFE WERE WITH ME. IT WAS SCARY AS HELL. I SLOWLY CHANGED LANE IN BUSY FRIDAY TRAFFIC, WAS ABLE TO GO TO SHOULDER. CALLED POLICE, THEN AAA TO TOW THE CAR TO ACURA OF BELLEVUE. THEY SAID TODAY, TRANSMISSION GONE BAD. WANTS $4000 TO FIX IT. I CALLED ACURA CORP OFFICE. THEY HAVE DENIED TO COVER ANY COST BECAUSE THIS IS OUT OF WARRANTY. 2001 & 2002 MDX HAD RECALL. WITH SAME TRANSMISSION, THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE SAME PROBLEM. I CAN IMAGINE A HUGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE FIXING TRANSMISSION ON MDX VEHICLES; AND ACURA NOT TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY. PLEASE, SOMEONE, PLEASE TAKE NOTICE. AND FOLLOW UP ON THIS CASE. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE, ACURA SHOULD EXTEND TRANSMISSION WARRANTY AND COVER ALL TRANSMISSION FAILURE COSTS OF THEIR VEHICLES. *TR

Mileage: 105,555

I HAVE A 2003 ACURA MDX. IN JUNE OF 2008, I WAS TOLD THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE SOUND IT WAS MAKING WOULD EVENTUALLY GET LOUDER. NO ONE TOLD ME THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRANSMISSION. IN APRIL 2010, I TALKED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO EXPLAINED THAT HE HAD MANY CUSTOMERS COME TO HIM WHO WERE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND HE DIRECTED THESE CLIENTS BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. HE EXPLAINED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MDX AND THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. I TALKED TO MY DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD BY TWO SERVICE ADVISORS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. NO ONE BOTHERED TO TELL ME THIS WHEN I INITIALLY BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION. I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND I'M EXPECTED TO PAY THE COST TO HAVE IT REPAIRED.

Mileage: 90,913

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING ON 2003 ACURA MDX STARTING AT 73,000. TALKED TO DEALERSHIP ABOUT IT BUT THEY SAID THAT SINCE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DIDN'T COME ON OR THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT DIDN'T COME ON THERE WASN'T A PROBLEM. KEPT DRIVING IT AND IT GOT WORSE. AROUND 78,000 MILES HAD TO HAVE WATER PUMP, TIMING BELT AND ENGINE MOUNTS DONE (NOT AT DEALERSHIP); HAD MECHANIC CHECK TRANSMISSION - FOUND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 78,000

I JUST BOUGHT AN USED 2003 ACURA MDX ON JAN 30TH WITH 87,000 MILE ON IT. JUST AFTER 11 DAYS ON FEB 11, 2010, I NOTICED THAT SOME BROWN COLORED FLUID IS LEAKING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. IT'S NOT JUST DIPPING, THERE WERE LOT OF FLUIDS COMING OUT. I OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICE THAT THE FLUID WAS OVERFLOWING FROM THE RADIATOR RESERVOIR. NEXT MORNING WHEN I START THE CAR AND TRIED TO RUN IT JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD TO TOW THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID SOMEHOW INTERNALLY TRANSMISSION COOLER WAS BUSTED AND THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT WAS MIXED WITH THE ENGINE COOLANT. THEREFORE I HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE RADIATOR, NEED TO FLUSH TRANSMISSION FLUID, AND FLUSH THE RADIATOR. IT COST ME $1000. NOW, MY CAR IS NOT SMOOTH AS IT WAS BEFORE. TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. I AM REALLY WORRIED DRIVING THIS CAR. I SAW THAT MDX HAS A LOT OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I THINK THEY SHOULD CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION FOR FREE AND THEY SHOULD ALSO TAKE CARE OF THIS FLUID MIXING PROBLEM. I'D APPRECIATE IF YOU GUYS INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 87,100

TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON ACURA 03 MDX. *TR

Mileage: 122,000

2003 ACURA MDX TRANSMISSION FAILURE, WHEN STARTING THE CAR IN PARK THE CAR JUMPED FORWARD ABOUT 18-24 INCHES, THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR, TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT 45K MILES AND IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN AT 88K. *TR

Mileage: 78,019

TORQUE CONVERTER DEFECT ON OUR 2003 ACURA MDX. MANY SIMILAR REPORTS. *TR

Mileage: 124,000

WE WERE ON A VACATION IN ARIZONA, HAD THE 90K SERVICE DONE 2 DAYS BEFORE TRAVELING. EVERYTHING WAS FINE UNTIL THE 3RD DAY OF OUR TRIP. WE WERE HEADED TO TOMBSTONE, AZ. FOR A DAY TRIP ABOUT 90 MILES EACH WAY FROM TUCSON WHERE WE WERE STAYING, ABOUT 40 MILES OUTSIDE OF TOWN ON I-10 THE TRANSMISSION STARTS LOSING TORQUE AND THE TRANSMISSION TEMP WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, I PULL OVER AND CALL AAA AND GET TOWED TO AN ACURA DEALER IN TUCSON. I GET A CALL FROM THE DEALER A SHORT TIME LATER SAYING I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION TO THE TUNE OF 4,000.00. I HAVE MAINTAINED THIS VEHICLE TO MANUFACTURER'S SPECS BY A CERTIFIED HONDA/ACURA REPAIR SHOP. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD JUST FAIL WITH NO WARNING. LUCKILY WE HAVE FAMILY IN TUCSON THAT WE COULD STAY WITH, WHILE THE TRANSMISSION WAS ORDERED AND REPLACED. NEEDLESS TO SAY OUR VACATION WAS RUINED. *TR

Mileage: 92,000

ACURA MDX 2003 WITH OVER 110,000 MILES, BEGAN SLIPPING OUT OF DRIVE WHILE RUNNING, USUALLY SOON AFTER STARTING. DEALERSHIP SERVICE HAD IT SEVERAL TIMES, MOST RECENTLY FOR AN ENTIRE WEEK IN DECEMBER 2009. NO TROUBLE FOUND. NO INDICATORS LIT. DEALER-MAINTAINED CAR REGULARLY FOR LAST 75,000 MILES. FINALLY SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY FREEWAY AT 60+ MPH, BUT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO SAFE EXIT. *TR

Mileage: 114,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN THE ENGINE STARTED TO REV EXTREMELY HIGH. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN AND ALMOST CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE; HOWEVER, IT BEGAN DRIVING NORMAL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THIS ISSUE BUT HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THEM AT THIS TIME. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK WITH HIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

Mileage: 105,000

FAILURE OF 2003 ACURA MDX TRANSMISSION. *TR

Mileage: 155,000

DRIVING DOWN I78 ON THANKSGIVING AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE CAR STOPPED RESPONDING. ENGINE WAS REVVING BUT CAR WASN'T ACCELERATING COMMENSURATE WITH THE ENGINE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. I NAVIGATED MY WAY TOWARDS THE RIGHT ACROSS A COUPLE OF LANES OF TRAFFIC AND MADE MY WAY TO THE EXIT. GOT OFF THE INTERSTATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED RESPONDING. I PULLED OVER AND COULD NOT MOVE AT ALL - THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE. CALLED AAA AND HAD THE CAR TOWED. I STARTING RESEARCHING THIS AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS WAS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE FOR ACURA MDX'S OF THE 2003 VINTAGE. I EVENTUALLY HAD THE CAR TOWED TO CLINTON ACURA AND OF COURSE THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR $4000. I COMPLAINED AND ASKED IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THEY COULD DO AND THEY SAID NO. I TOLD THEM TO WAIT AND THAT I WAS GOING TO CALL ACURA CUSTOMER CARE. I DID SO AND ASKED THEM TO HELP DEFRAY THE COST OF THE NEW TRANSMISSION SINCE IT WAS APPARENT THAT THEY HAD A DEFICIENCY. THEY TOOK THE COMPLAINT AND REQUEST BUT SUGGESTED I NEEDED TO MAKE THE SAME REQUEST OF THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THE DEALER WOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR LOCAL ACURA FIELD REP TO MAKE A DECISION. I DID AS THEY SUGGESTED AND ABOUT 3 HOURS LATER THEY CALLED ME BACK AND SAID MY REQUEST WAS DENIED. ESSENTIALLY THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY SO IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY. I TOLD THEM I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED BUT I HAD THEM DO THE WORK. I ALSO CALLED BACK ACURA CUSTOMER CARE AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED. FURTHER, I TOLD THEM I WOULD NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER ACURA PRODUCT. *TR

Mileage: 110,445

REGARDING A 2003 ACURA MDX WITH 108,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION AND TWO MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED. INFORMATION ON THE EDMUNDS WEBSITE CONFIRM THESE REPETITIVE FAILURES AND POTENTIAL TRANSMISSION LOCKUP AT HIGH SPEEDS. I HAVE ALL MAINTENANCE RECORDS TO SHOW THE CAR WAS TAKEN CARE OF. NEW MOTOR MOUNTS WERE $500. THE DEALER PAID FOR MOST OF THE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT BUT IT STILL COSTS US $460 OUT OF POCKET. *TR

Mileage: 108,000

REGARDING A 2003 ACURA MDX WITH 108,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION AND TWO MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED. INFORMATION ON THE EDMUNDS WEBSITE CONFIRM THESE REPETITIVE FAILURES AND POTENTIAL TRANSMISSION LOCKUP AT HIGH SPEEDS. I HAVE ALL MAINTENANCE RECORDS TO SHOW THE CAR WAS TAKEN CARE OF. NEW MOTOR MOUNTS WERE $500. THE DEALER PAID FOR MOST OF THE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT BUT IT STILL COSTS US $460 OUT OF POCKET. *TR

Mileage: 108,000

MY 2003 ACURA MDX SHOWED NO SIGNS OF A TRANSMISSION ISSUE UNTIL ONE DAY THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING. BY THAT I MEAN NO ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON. I PULLED OVER SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE WHICH THAN WENT BACK INTO GEAR. THIS HAPPENED OCCASIONALLY FOR ABOUT A WEEK. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER WHO CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID THERE WERE NO ISSUES. UPON LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP IT HAPPENED AGAIN BUT THIS TIME THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. *TR

Mileage: 135,000

2003 ACURA MDX APPROX 89,000 MILES. DRIVING AND CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FROM STOP. CAR WAS IN GEAR D5 BUT WOULD NOT RUN. HAD TO STOP IN TRAFFIC AND RESTART. GOT TO SIDE OF ROAD AND WOULD NOT RE-ENGAGE IN GEAR. HAD TOWED REPLACED DRIVE TRAIN IN VEHICLE. DEALER DID 75-25 SPLIT THEY KNOW IT'S A PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 89,000

2003 ACURA MDX TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 93,000

FAMILY IN 2003 ACURA MDX WITH 92,000 MILES ON IT AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN VEHICLE COMES OUT OF GEAR, UNABLE TO DRIVE, TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY. TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AND MUST BE REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 92,000

THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING. GEAR INDICATOR SHOWED IN D5. VEHICLE BASICALLY STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF ROADWAY. IT HAPPENED A COUPLE TIMES AND NO REPAIR HAS BEEN PERFORMED. SHIFTED TO P AND BACK TO D5, NORMAL DRIVING RESUMED. *TR

Mileage: 74,000

I HAVE 2003 ACURA MDX WHICH SEEMS TO HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ITS AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT TO NEUTRAL STOPPING THE CAR IN MID TRAFFIC IT HAS HAPPEN ON NUMEROUS OCCASION, NO REPAIRS LIGHTS TO INDICATE THERE IS A PROBLEM. I HAD 2 TAKE THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES BEFORE THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM AND THAT WAS ONLY AFTER MECHANIC TRIED 2 DRIVE IT HOME WHEN IT HAPPENED 2 HIM. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED PERIODICALLY AT ANY GIVEN TIME. MY VEHICLE HAD JUST BEEN SERVICE FOR ITS 90,000 MAINTENANCE AT $560 I TOLD THEM THEN I NOTICED THIS PROBLEM ASSURED ME VEHICLE WAS FINE. NEXT WEEK TOOK IT BACK THEY TOLD ME THE MAT WAS CAUSING THE ACCELERATION TO STICK REMOVED MATS DROVE HOME NEXT DAY SAME PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING CAR JUST STOP IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. TOOK VEHICLE BACK THAT'S WHEN MECHANIC TRIED TO HOME WITH IT HAPPENED TO HIM HE BROUGHT BACK INTO SHOP SHE'S RIGHT IT IS DANGEROUS. NOW THEY WANT $4700 TO FIX IT.. THERE ARE STILL NO WARNING SIGNALS THAT THIS VEHICLE NEEDS SERVICE COMPUTERS STILL SAYS ITS FINE. I ALSO JUST REPLACED ALTERNATOR A FEW MONTHS AGO COULD NOT SIT IN PARK POSITIONS WITH LIGHTS ON OR KEY HANGING IN IGNITION CAR WOULD JUST STOP AND WOULD NEED A HOT SHOT. *TR

Mileage: 92,000

WHILE DRIVING I LOST POWER MEANING I COULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO LINKAGE FROM THE ENGINE TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING OK, BUT I HAD NO POWER TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. WHILE ACURA IS A RESPECTED AND QUALITY VEHICLE, I FEEL THAT THERE MAY BE A PRODUCT DEFECT IN THAT MY PROBLEM RESULTED IN ME HAVING TO REPLACE THE COOLING SYSTEM ALONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WHILE IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE ACURA DEALER, I OVERHEARD SOME OF THE SERVICE MECHANICS SAYING THAT THEY'VE SEEN THIS HAPPEN TO THIS MODEL VEHICLE BEFORE AND THAT ACURA OF TORRENCE CALIFORNIA SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. ACURA WOULD HAVE PAID FOR THE REPAIR BUT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE A COPY OF THE SERVICE MANAGERS REPORT TO THE TD BANK AS TO WHAT,'THEY, THE DEALERSHIPS SERVICE DEPARTMENT" THINKS CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. THIS LETTER CAN BE MADE AVAILABLE TO YOU UPON REQUEST. *TR

Mileage: 78,504

ACURA HAS KNOWN FOR SOME TIME NOW THAT MDX MODEL, YEARS 2001-2003, HAVE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE WITH A LOT OF ACURA OWNERS. *TR

Mileage: 111,000

2003 ACURA MDX 68,000 MILES TRANSMISSION WON'T GO INTO DRIVE NORMALLY, HAVE TO DRIVE IT LIKE A STANDARD TRANSMISSION, START IN 1-2 THEN PROCEED INTO REGULAR DRIVE MANY PAST PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR, A/C PROBLEMS, ELECTRICAL, TRIM ETC. DEALER STATES OOPS YOU NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION --40,000. DOLLAR CAR AND YOU ONLY GET 68,000 MILES. DEALER STATES WELL YOU CAN DRIVE IT LIKE THAT FOR MAYBE A DAY OR TWO MAYBE A WEEK BUT IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IT WILL LOCK UP ON YOU SOON. WE CAN FIX IT FOR 3600.00 IN THEIR DREAMS I WILL PROBABLY PAINT IT YELLOW AND PUT IT UP ON BLOCKS :) NO WARNING WHEN THIS HAPPENED JUST PULLED UP TO A RED LIGHT AND IT WOULDN'T MOVE AFTER THAT. *TR

Mileage: 68,000

2003 ACURA MDX, PURCHASED FOR USED CAR LOT, SHUTTERS DURING 30-40MPH DRIVING. TOOK VEHICLE IN TO DEALERSHIP FOR THE SECOND TIME AND THE RESULTS WERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING. *TR

Mileage: 87,000

WE HAVE RECENTLY BOUGHT ACURA MDX FROM HERB CHAMBERS DEALERSHIP IN BURLINGTON. WE TOOK AN EXTENDED BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY FOR THE CAR AND PAID A GOOD AMOUNT FOR THAT. FEW DAYS BACK, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED. AS SOON AS IT WAS DETECTED, CAR WAS STOPPED TO AVOID ANY DAMAGE TO ENGINE. WHEN THE BUMPER WAS OPENED, SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF CAR BUMPER, IT COULD HAVE CAUGHT FILE AND KILLED PEOPLE TRAVELING IN IT. IT IS NOTIFIED TO US AS TRANSMISSION SEAL BROKE. THE DEALERS WAS INFORMED AND CAR WAS TOWED TO THEM SAME DAY. I WANT TO REPORT THIS DAMAGE, WHICH COULD NOT BE EXPLAINED, AS THE CAR WAS SAFELY PARKED IN VERY SAFE AREA. CAR WAS DRIVEN BY EXPERIENCE DRIVER AND FAMILY MEMBERS, AND WE ARE CERTAIN THAT THE CAR WAS NOT DAMAGED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER IS NOT READY TO TAKE THE TAG BY SAYING IT IS VANDALISM. PLEASE TAKE A NOTE OF THIS AND HELP US OUT TO GET THE JUSTICE HERE. SUNITA *TR

Mileage: 73,000

WE HAVE RECENTLY BOUGHT ACURA MDX FROM HERB CHAMBERS DEALERSHIP IN BURLINGTON. WE TOOK AN EXTENDED BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY FOR THE CAR AND PAID A GOOD AMOUNT FOR THAT. FEW DAYS BACK, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED. AS SOON AS IT WAS DETECTED, CAR WAS STOPPED TO AVOID ANY DAMAGE TO ENGINE. WHEN THE BUMPER WAS OPENED, SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF CAR BUMPER, IT COULD HAVE CAUGHT FILE AND KILLED PEOPLE TRAVELING IN IT. IT IS NOTIFIED TO US AS TRANSMISSION SEAL BROKE. THE DEALERS WAS INFORMED AND CAR WAS TOWED TO THEM SAME DAY. I WANT TO REPORT THIS DAMAGE, WHICH COULD NOT BE EXPLAINED, AS THE CAR WAS SAFELY PARKED IN VERY SAFE AREA. CAR WAS DRIVEN BY EXPERIENCE DRIVER AND FAMILY MEMBERS, AND WE ARE CERTAIN THAT THE CAR WAS NOT DAMAGED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER IS NOT READY TO TAKE THE TAG BY SAYING IT IS VANDALISM. PLEASE TAKE A NOTE OF THIS AND HELP US OUT TO GET THE JUSTICE HERE. SUNITA *TR

Mileage: 73,000

TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON ACURA MDX - WHICH IS WELL KNOWN FOR ACURAS - AND THEIR UNWILLINGNESS TO LIVE UP TO THEIR LIABILITY. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE!!!!! *TR

Mileage: 80,000

TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY FOR ABOUT A DAY BEFORE. I ATTEMPTED TO ENTER TRAFFIC AND THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. I WAS LUCKY NOT TO BE ABLE TO GET IN TRAFFIC, OTHERWISE THERE PROBABLY BEEN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACES THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE, THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT WORK AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE UNLESS IT IS SHIFTED INTO RESERVE. OCCASIONALLY, THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE WARMED UP IN ORDER FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO WORK. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER DUE TO THE DISTANCE FROM HIS HOME AND THE CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 126,000.

Mileage: 126,000

I HAVE A 2003 ACURA MDX, WITH ~115,00 MILES ON IT. OVER THE LAST YEAR I HAVE PERIODICALLY EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION DURING SHIFTING OF GEARS. IN MY INVESTIGATION INTO THE MATTER,I HAVE FOUND THESE SYMPTOMS ARE IDENTICAL TO THOSE EXPERIENCED BY OTHER MDX OWNERS AND IS CONSISTENT WITH THE MANY COMPLAINTS OF FAILED TRANSMISSIONS WITH THE MDX MODEL. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER , FRANKEL ACURA IN COCKEYSVILLE, MARYLAND, FOR SERVICE ON THIS ISSUE ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT THEY HAVE CONSISTENTLY DENIED THAT THERE IS ANY PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE OFFERED TWO REPAIRS THAT THEY SAID WOULD ADDRESS THE PROBLEM . REPLACED ENGINE MOUNTS AND FLUSHED/REFILLED TRANSMISSION FLUID FOR A TOTAL COST OF ~$800. THEIR CONTINUED DENIAL OF PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION CONFLICTS NOT ONLY WITH MY COMPLAINTS, AND THOSE OF MANY OTHER OWNERS, BUT THE CONCLUSIONS OF TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS I HAD EVALUATE THE TRANSMISSION ON MY MDX. ONE OF THESE MECHANICS IS A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST AND THE OTHER HAS OVER THIRTY YEARS EXPERIENCE IN AUTO REPAIR. THEY BOTH CAME TO THE SAME CONCLUSION THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING ,AND ONE EVEN SPOKE TO THE SERVICE AND PARTS MANAGER AT FRANKEL ACURA ABOUT MY CASE. HOWEVER, FRANKEL ACURA WAS STILL DENYING ANY POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. IF ONE INVESTIGATES THIS TYPE OF COMPLAINT ON THE INTERNET, THEY WILL READILY FIND DOZENS IF NOT HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR CASES, AND A VERY CONSISTENT PATTERN OF DENIAL ON THE PART OF THE ACURA DEALERSHIP NETWORK. THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT THIS ISSUE WARRANTS A PRODUCT RECALL, JUST LIKE THE ONE ISSUED FOR THE 2001 AND 2002 MDX MODELS. *AK

THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT IN MDX ACURA SUV, 2003. I HAVE PASSED MY WARRANTY BY 6,000 MILES. THE DEALER COULD NOT TELL ME WHY THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THEY JUST SAID THE TRANSMISSION WAS COMPLETELY TOTALED , AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHY OR WHAT HAPPENED. THE CAR WAS IN GOOD SHAPE.

Mileage: 66,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE MADE A NOISE AND HESITATED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO ADDITIONAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 59000. *AK

Mileage: 59,000

I OWN A 2003 ACURA MDX, THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING OUT OF ORDER, I WENT TO WWW.ACURAMDX.ORG ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 MODEL, THE DEALER CHANGED THE FLUID AT AROUND 55,000 MILES AND I CHANGED IT AT 68,000 AND IT WAS DARK BROWN IN COLOR, THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED AT THE SITE SHARED BY MDX OWNERS. I FEEL THAT SOMEONE SHOULD LOOK INTO HOW MANY OF THE ACURA MDX 2003 TRANSMISSION HAVE BEEN REPLACED UP TO THIS POINT, THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 01 AND 02 MODELS WHICH CAUSED HONDA TO OFFER A 100,000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSIONS, I AM NOT SURE IF THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED FOR 2003 BUT I AM STARTING TO THINK THAT IS WAS NOT, AND SO ARE OTHERS ON THE SITE. I HAVE A FAMILY THAT RIDES AROUND IN THIS VEHICLE AND I WOULD HATE FOR SOMETHING TO GO COMPLETELY WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION DURING ACTIVITY TIME OF THE DAY. THANK YOU *JB

AFTER THE ENGINE WARMED UP,THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE GEARS WOULD NOT CHANGE. (THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DETRIMENTAL TO MY HEALTH AS I MUST LEAVE MY HOUSING SUBDIVISION AND ENTER A FOUR-LANE HIGHWAY!) WITHIN A FEW MINUTES THE TRANSMISSION HAD COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. AFTER TURNING THE MOTOR OFF AND ALLOWING THE ENGINE TO COOL, MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND DRIVE IT TO OUR HOUSE. NO WARNING SIGNS WERE GIVEN TO ALERT US TO A POTENTIAL PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY INSPECTED IT AND SAID THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH, I DISCOVERED THAT 2002 MDXS WERE RECALLED DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING TRANSMISSIONS. DO YOU THINK THAT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT SOME OF THE 2003 MODELS ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSIONS? PLEASE NOTE THAT SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE WAS ALWAYS COMPLETED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT USED TO TOW ANYTHING. WHEN CONSIDERING ALL THE FACTS, I BELIEVE THAT AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD ENSUE. *JB

Mileage: 74,000

THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES WHEN STARTING OUT GOING EITHER FORWARD OR REVERSE AND APPLYING THE BRAKES. ON OCCASION, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO GEAR, THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION, TORQUE CONVERTER, CLUTCH OR SOME PART(S) THAT IS BEING PRESSED TOGETHER WITH ANOTHER.*AK

Mileage: 8

KEY CAN BE REMOVED IN ANY POSTION OF THE TRANSMISSION AFTER TURNING OFF.

Mileage: 15

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. CONSUMER STATES AT 1600 MILES WAS A NORMAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. DEALER WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. *AK