2002 Acura MDX: check engine light

Filed Aug 4, 2025 · Engine · 213,722 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2002 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH up an incline, the vehicle stalled. The service engine and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart, but made an abnormal grinding sound while shifting into gear. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the failure could be related to the water pump; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 213,722.

Filed Apr 6, 2017 · Acceleration, Engine · VA

Priority acura gave 2002 mdx back monday 4/3/17 had problems again with it slippin into neutral and wont move in d5...this time check engine light came on and d5 started blinking and gear shift was not move pass n until james the mechanic shut off vehicle and started it back up.

Filed Mar 30, 2017 · Acceleration, Transmission · 52 miles · VA

My name is [xxx] I purchased a used 2002 acura mdx from dealer [xxx] at priority honda hampton va 2/13/2017 ( 757 8381252 ). Within the first week of driving this acura mdx it stalled as I made a turn on lynnhaven pkwy into my job parking lot. There where cars behind me beeping. My first reaction was try reverse it did reverse so I try to put it back in d5 no movement rpms with just run up no check engine light on so then I tried d5, d4, d3,2 no movement the vehicle move when I put it in gear at 1 and it drove me to a parking space and that is when I called acura priority and had car towed to them and explained that I had purchased the car from priority honda this was my 6/7 day driving it this happen. So the tow company came and towed it to priority acura chesapeake ( 757 5231700) unfortunately they could not duplicate the problem and the check engine light wasn't on and car driving back normal and no codes held in the computer for them to check what is going on. Therefore I requested they do a thoroughly check on vehicle which cost me 150.00 dollars to make sure it wasn't nothing wrong with vehicle. They did a extra check and came back with bushings needed to be replace other than that vehicle was good priority acura stated. In meantime I called priority honda where I just purchased the vehicle from not even a week and explained to them what was going on to timothy use car supervisor at priority honda hampton ( 7578381252) he got the car towed over there no cost to me and gave me a rental for 4 days ?when I was called I was told again I can pick up my vehicle priority honda hampton mechanic was not able to duplicate my complaint on acura or diagnosis it due to no check engine light on. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Mar 28, 2017 · Acceleration, Transmission · 125,110 miles · VA

Hello my name is [xxx] I purchased a used 2002 acura mdx from priority honda hampton va ( 757 838 1252) the first week I drove the car the transmission shifted downward while I was turning a corner at a busy intersection the car did not cut off however it stop and when I pressed on the gas the RPM will go up but the car would not move I then try to shift to d4 would not move d3 would not move 2 it drove again. I took the car back to priority and explain what happen they sold me a lemon they states my check engine light not on or keeping records of what happen when car act up therefore the car is not doing it all the time and not doing it while in there possession. They sent me home again the next week I was back with same problem they could not diagnose . Sent me home again the next week happen again I they still cant figure out problem this is a very dangerous situation when cars are behind me and can result in a crash can you please reach out to me at [xxx] or priority honda hampton va ([xxx]) to correct this dangerous problem with my vehicle I see others have had this problem . I have any recorded this on my phone and show them car not moving rpms going up the advisor [xxx] states looks like transmission slipping but it wont do for them. My vehicle is currently at priority honda hampton again. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jun 17, 2014 · Transmission · 174,850 miles · CA · crash

My wife was driving west bound on hwy 50 just west of pollock pines ca. I was in the passenger seat. The vehicle abruptly downshifted to low gear and spun out of control . We glanced off the center medium with minimal damage to the vehicle. My wife and I were very shook up. I switched spots with her and moved the car off the freeway. We drove the vehicle the rest of the way home (10 miles) using back roads not going over 20 MPH. We contacted niello acura of sacramento and they told us to bring the car to them and they would see what they can do for us. They told me I would have to pay $5,500 for a new transmission and they would not take care of this as a safety issue. If this happens to someone else, they might not be as lucky as we were. I was told there was a recall for this issue (the transmission downshifting unexpectedly). I asked the acura dealer about this and they told me the vehicle had already had the fix installed in 2004. If this is a common problem with this vehicle, other people could be effected or even injured. Over the past year the check engine light came on a couple times but within a day or two it would go out. Now the light is on. The codes that acura told me are p700 and p730.

Filed Sep 19, 2013 · Transmission · 153,000 miles · UT

Driving on the freeway, transmission disengaged and engine revved up to red line. Car had no power and lost speed. Close call with other vehicles, including semi trucks. Had to pull into far right lane and was only able to go around 30 MPH since the car continued to rev and the transmission engaged and disengaged. Engine light came on and d5 light on dash started flashing. Took it to a mechanic who said transmission needs to be replaced. In investigating, this appears to be a common problem with this model year. Car is worth $6500 in good shape, but with this issue, it is now only worth $2000.

Filed Mar 21, 2013 · Electrical, Transmission · 171,235 miles · MN

Driving back home from las vegas, nv about 150 miles away (utah) the a/t light came on. Looked it up online it stated auto/transmission oil temp is high.decided to pull over and let it cool down at the nearest gas station. Decided it was ok since the temp in utah went down this was around 2 pm. About 10 min later when we got back onto highway the a/t light came on again. Then the car started to smoke from the engine bay. We pulled over took a look at it realized no puncture to the lines and figured the pressure build up from tranny spat out from where you usually pour fluids in. We tried getting off hwy for safety and ended up middle on no where. Then we waited til 5 pm and as the weather cooled down we started the drive again. The engine was fine the transmission wouldn't let me push it pass 3 1/2 RPM so we drove about 50-70 MPH. We reached colorado then spent the night. The next day it started to snow, the transmission decided to stop responding it will go into gears but it will stall and go but it wouldn't let me go past 2 RPM. Check engine light came on then we decided to take the car to autozone. The o2 test stated: low tranny oil, torque control solenoid sensor, and electrical sensor. Then we had the car tow to nearby transmission shop they ran some diagnostics and said the gears are slipping and the whole transmission needs to be rebuilt. Total cost in rebuilt 4100.00 out the door. Car in on 3/4/13 car was done on 3/19/13.

Filed Nov 4, 2011 · Transmission · 134,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 acura mdx. The contact stated that the transmission failed. The vehicle was repaired by the previous owner under the federal safety agency recall campaign id number: 04v176000 (power train: automatic transmission) for the same failure. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The dealer advised that the torque converter failed in the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage and the current mileage was 134,000.

Filed Jun 1, 2011 · Transmission · 74,685 miles · PA

Bought 02 mdx and have had no issues. Began noticing a stutter when accelerating. Never thought much of it since vehicle performance was never compromised. Recently check engine light came on and had code read. Informed it was a gear ratio mismatch. Call acura dealer and was informed I would need to replace the non-serviceable trany@ ~$2000! Researching, found reams of complaints for the same issue.

Filed Mar 31, 2011 · Transmission · 116,000 miles · NJ

I have a 2002 acura mdx. I was driving on the highway when suddenly my car jerked violently and the d5 began to flash. The transmission was locked at low gear and the check engine light went on. My car nearly ran over by a tractor truck. I went to the dealership and was told that the transmission and engine mounts are broken, which are systemic problems for 2001-2002 acura mdx models. However, acura would not be responsible for this manufacturing defect.

Filed May 17, 2010 · Transmission · 86,600 miles · WA

2002 acura mdx: for about 2 month's there seemed to be loss of power during driving. I assumed maybe I was wearing shoes with higher heels and passed it off as not pressing the gas pedal as hard as I thought. 2 weeks ago while driving the vehicle made a loud sound and loss forward motion power, the check engine light came on. We stopped and had the vehicle loaded on a car trailer to the nearest honda dealer (closer than an acura dealer). Now we are informed the tranny is needing replaced at 86,600 miles. Listed info on this vehicle by VIN is a 2004 recall of the 2nd gear which was fixed by the prior owner at about 42,000 miles and a search of the internet reveals many people reporting the similar tranny related problems. At this time we are waiting to hear if acura will help with the repairs estimated at over $4000 but others in online postings have stated they have had no luck with acura helping- we will see. This is a tremendous safety concern and disservice to consumers. We were lucky there were no other vehicles around at the point that ours went out.

Filed Feb 25, 2010 · Transmission · 99,000 miles · NJ

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 acura mdx. While driving 65 MPH and changing lanes the transmission down shifted and almost shut the vehicle off. The check engine light illuminated and the d5 light started flashing on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not safe to drive and will be towed to the dealer. There was only routine maintenance performed on the vehicle prior to the failure. The failure mileage was 99,000.