2001 Acura MDX: harsh or hard shifting

Filed May 5, 2021 · Body, Suspension · 245,000 miles · NJ

I have a 2001 mdx with rear subframe bushing bolts that are rusted out and disconnected from the body. The back end has been clunking. The rear subframe bolts that goes through the bushing has disconnected from the body from what looks like rusted out connectors or maybe the body itself.

Filed Jul 10, 2019 · Suspension, Transmission · 186,000 miles · CA

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

Filed Nov 30, 2015 · Steering, Suspension · 138,000 miles · NC

Suspension clunk. All speeds. Traveling straight or turning if front wheels traverse a moderate change in road surface or over a small piece of debris there is a loud clunk heard from within the cabin. Sound is also produced when driving forward at low speeds (10-20 MPH) and turning the steering wheel side to side in fairly rapid succession (steering wheel direction change in every 0.5-1 second). The front shock absorbers have been replaced without change in symptoms. My concern is that there could be a steering/suspension component that with greater force, e.g. In an accident ,or traversing a significant road hazard like a pothole at high speeds, or even a reactive quick turn of the steering wheel to avoid a potential threat to vehicle and passenger safety, could result in a failure of the causative clunking part(s) resulting in loss of control of the vehicle and/or a collision.

Filed Aug 9, 2013 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · OH

My mdx shakes while driving not specific to acceleration, but periodically it will shake severely for a few seconds and stop with no intervention from me. I do not slow down or stop when this hard shaking occurs--course it's normal for me but my passengers are startled and concerned. This mdx has bee doing this for years. Dealer says I need a new transmission. Other repair facilities have investigated and tried repairs that did not resolve the problem. This mdx also "growls" there is a loud sound that is heard while driving that ends with the vehicle nearly stalling out but I continue to press on the accelerator and it has so far not stalled. I brought this to the attention of the dealer also during the inspection for severe shaking and I was told I needed a new transmission. This was 4 years ago and I am still driving the vehicle with these concerns. Since the original complaints of shaking and loud growling sounds I have had issues with the gear shifter. When I wanted to put the gear in drive it would not go. There was something preventing it from moving-locked maybe? I used the key release for the gear and put the car in neutral to start the engine and then into drive. This happens sporadically maybe a couple times a year so far. I have not had this issue investigated. I started to hear front end sounds almost immediately after the recall work was performed by the dealership. Since that dealership and I had a mutual disagreement that was distasteful enough to cause me not to return there I have tolerated the clunking sounds from my front end. Now that particular dealer is no longer in business (sold the franchise) I am bringing my vehicle back to the dealer for possible investigation of the front-end noise.

Filed Feb 23, 2010 · Transmission · 84,000 miles · NV

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.

Filed Dec 16, 2009 · Transmission · 104,000 miles · SD

Less than 100 yards from where my wife started our 2001 acura mdx while making a left turn and accelerating the vehicle made a loud clunk and slid in the slush to the right. The vehicle was still running but it would not move. Would not allow us to shift into reverse or park. In neutral the vehicle would not move either. There has been a transmission recall but acura told me I would need to take it to an acura dealership to research the problem. We live 5-6 driving hours from the nearest acura dealership. It is not logical to try and get it there. Our local honda dealership is currently installing a rebuilt transmission should be done today. Are honda and acura not one and the same corporation? I'm looking for some assistance with this. It was a safety recall and quite an expensive repair. Thank god my wife wasn't going any faster. We are the original owners of the vehicle. Thank you for any help you can give us!!

Filed Feb 25, 2008 · Transmission · 104,000 miles · NV

Hard shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear in transmission. At a later time the transmission slipped in these two gears causing no acceleration up shifting and sudden severe (lock up) down shifts.