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2001 Acura MDX: transmission slipping

14 of the 224 complaints about the 2001 Acura MDX describe transmission slipping.

owner complaints
14
of this car's complaints
6%
typical mileage
105,000
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 29 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Transmission slipping by model year

What owners say

Filed Feb 13, 2015 · Transmission · 207,000 miles · VA

Transmission slipping, jerking forward and failing to shift gears.

Filed Aug 1, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 163,000 miles · CA

Car keeps slipping like it's trying shift gears. Jerk like when speeding up. Now check engine light is on and does not pick up speed. Driving on d5. Is this a known issue? This is dangerous and can cause accidents.

Filed Dec 13, 2010 · Transmission · 145,000 miles · CA

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

Filed Mar 27, 2010 · Transmission · 105,000 miles · CA

I own an acura 2001 mdx with a slipping transmission. Authorized repair shop says it will cost $3,400.00 to replace (fix)

Filed Mar 12, 2010 · Transmission · 107,000 miles · TN

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

Filed Mar 1, 2010 · Transmission · 76,045 miles · GA

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

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 Feb 5, 2010 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · WA

2001 acura mdx transmission slipping and banging. Torque converter surging in first and second gear. Bad design, transmission failing too soon. Only able to drain 3 quarts out at a time. Fluid gets dirty and old too soon between service dates.

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.

Filed Feb 23, 2007 · Transmission · 71,000 miles · NJ

Noticed transmission slippage in 4/06 on my '01 acura mdx. Dealer not able to duplicate problem. Yesterday, 2/22/07 with 71000 miles, the transmission, will without warning, appear to suddenly down shift and engine will spike in RPM's as if thrown into neutral. This occurs while driving at 40-40 mpg and causing sudden lost of control due to the forward thrust of the down shift and loss of throttle control. Engine light comes on along with a flashing and d5 indicator light. Very dangerous transmission problem that needs to be addressed.

Filed Aug 17, 2006 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · NJ

Dt*: the contact stated the transmission was slipping. The dealership was unable to duplicate the problem. A the federal safety agency recall, # 04v176000 was performed on the vehicle concerning, the power train: automatic transmission however, the recall did not remedy the problem. The dealership did not offer a second repair under the recall.

Filed Jul 16, 2006 · Transmission · 105,000 miles · NH

Transmission failure: apr 15, 2004: my 2001 acura mdx recall on the transmission campaign #04v176000. July 20, 2004: my acura has 65,809 miles - lewis acura in shelburne vt inspected transmission - and instead of replacing it they installed a "jet kit" to lube the gears and keep the transmission from heating up too much. I believe the transmission should have been replaced. July 16, 2006: transmission is slipping and I have read many reports on line of other people who are having the same problem with their 2001 acura mdx transmissions. These people too only received the "jet kit" and their transmissions failed. I have had cars for a lot longer and the transmission has not failed like this. There needs to be a better look into how acura handled this problem and really fix the problem rather than putting a band-aid (jet kit) on it.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmissionReported April 15, 2004 · 1,099,796 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On some mini vans, sport utility and passenger vehicles, certain operating conditions can result in heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft second gears in the automatic transmission, eventually leading to gear tooth chipping or gear breakage.
Risk
Gear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash.
Remedy
On vehicles with 15,000 miles or less, the dealer will update the transmission with a simple revision to the oil cooler return line to increase lubrication to the second gear. On vehicles with more than 15,000 miles, the dealer will inspect the transmission to identify gears that have already experienced discoloration due to overheating. If discoloration exists, the transmission will be replaced if discoloration is not present, the dealer will perform the revision to the oil cooler return line. The recall began on april 21, 2004, for pilot, odyssey, and mdx owners. Owners of the accord vehicles will start receiving letters on june 28, 2004, and on june 29, 2004, for owners of the tl and cl vehicles. Owners should contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009 or acura at 1‑800‑382‑2238.

Recall number 04V176000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2001 Acura MDX slipping

Is transmission slipping a common problem on the 2001 Acura MDX?

14 of 224 owner complaints about the 2001 Acura MDX (6%) mention transmission slipping. The model year with the most reports is 2002.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2001 Acura MDX?

There is 1 recall and 29 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2001 Acura MDX

Transmission failure 39Check engine light 20Jerking 17Airbag light 12Stalling 12Hesitation 10Loss of power 9Shudder 9Harsh shifting 7Grinding brakes 6Coil spring 5Engine failure 5Overheating 5Power steering loss 5

All model years of the Acura MDX

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