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.
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.
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.
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?
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 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!!
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.
- Hamilton, OH, USA
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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?
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.
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.
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.
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 Pilot 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.
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.
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.
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Alamogordo, NM, USA