2002 Acura MDX: engine stalls while driving

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 Oct 26, 2018 · Electrical · 160,000 miles · TX

The car turns off while driving similar to problem I had with my 1999 honda crv ingition switch been doing it for several days today smoke came out from the steering colum

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 Jul 22, 2016 · Engine · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 acura mdx. For over two years, the vehicle randomly stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 02v226000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jun 6, 2016 · Transmission · 161,810 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 acura mdx. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who confirmed the failure and stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, while driving various speeds, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle jerked before moving forward. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v176000 (power train). The failure mileage was 161,810. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Nov 9, 2015 · Electrical · 215,000 miles · OR

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 acura mdx. The contact stated that the key randomly would not turn over. Intermittently, the anti-theft feature activated and prevented the vehicle from starting. The failure occurred more than five times in which there was a sudden loss of power and the vehicle stalled. The contact had to make numerous attempts to maneuver the key to get the vehicle to restart. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 215,000. Updated 04/14/16*lj

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 Oct 28, 2010 · Transmission · 161,000 miles · NJ

The vehicle stalls whenever you stop moving because the transmission torque converter locks up and does not release.

Filed Oct 1, 2010 · Engine · CA

I bought a 2002 acura mdx in 8/2005. The recall was never performed, the vehicle started having issues in 2010. When I took the vehicle to get it checked I was informed that a recall had been done on 2001-2002 acura mdx for 2nd gear issues. After taking the vehicle to a dealership, acura customer service stated the transmission failure that the vehicle was having had nothing to do with the recall. Stated that there was no discoloration of the 2nd gear and that the vehicle is way past warranty so they will not assist with the repair. I believe the issue with the transmission is a result of the issues with the recall. When driving the vehicle stalls when going into 3rd gear, almost coming to a complete stop.

Filed Mar 14, 2010 · Engine · 82,000 miles · CA

I had just traveled 19 miles on the freeway and had stopped at the red light on the offramp. Shortly after making the turn, the car stalled without warning, the engine just stopped. I coasted, all the warning lights were on. I had to stop, put car in gear, and eventually restarted the car. This is the second incident when the car engine stopped without warning (first was pulling into an underground parking structure). The power steering goes out making driving difficult. I took it to the dealer and they indicated that there was nothing wrong as it could not be replicated. Their idea to resolve was to blindly start replacing expensive parts of the engine. I feel I am playing russian roulette each time I drive the car and the next time may result in a collision.

Filed Feb 24, 2009 · Body, Transmission · 61,000 miles · VA · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 acura mdx. The contact noticed that whenever the speed reached between 20-35 MPH, the gears would stick. In addition, the check engine indicator began illuminating on the instrument panel. The dealer stated that the transmission was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Immediately following the repair, the gears became even more difficult to shift than before the repair was performed. The vehicle was driven back to the dealer, but they could not duplicate the failure. The following day, while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle began smoking from the rear and all of the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle stalled and was towed to the nearest acura dealer. The contact was informed that the intermediate bracket failed, which caused the transmission to fail. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer stated that they would issue a new transmission, but were not liable for the repairs for the intermediate bracket. The current mileage was 61,900 and failure mileage was 61,000.