2002 acura mdx frequently hesitates shifting at about 1200-1500 RPM. Problem began at around 110, 000 miles and expect it's the torque converter or faulty transmission that is so prominent with these vehicles.
2002 Acura MDX: hesitation when accelerating
8 of the 206 complaints about the 2002 Acura MDX describe hesitation when accelerating.
- owner complaints
- 8
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- typical mileage
- 99,000
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 26 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Hesitation when accelerating by model year
What owners say
Auto transmission hesitate to shift from 2nd to 3rd gear and not all the time this happens. It occurs all of a sudden when? You never know.all acura mdx 01,02 should be pulled out of streets. Manufacturer should be accountable for that. It is a design problem not only it is hazardous for owners but also for other people.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 acura mdx. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle would independently slip into second gear causing the vehicle to hesitate. The contact located a the federal safety agency campaign id number: 04v176000 (power train: automatic transmission) but was advised by the manufacturer that the vehicle was repaired under the recall by the previous owner. The manufacturer offered to cover fifty percent of the repairs. The contact did not believe the vehicle was repaired correctly when repaired under the recall. The failure and current mileages were 82,000.
Truck started hesitating on the freeway at 70 MPH. Was almost hit from behind when truck made sudden jerk then hesitated.
Recently experiencing transmission is slipping with my 2002 mdx, especially going uphill and during acceleration, it hesitates and then violently bangs into gear. Also intermittently, reverse gear does not work as well. There was a transmission recall on this model/year and our car did get serviced for it, the dealer did not replace transmission back in 2004 once we were informed of the recall but an oil jet kit was installed according to the directive of the recall instructions. We've always maintenance our car with the dealer in a timely fashion as recommended by factory maintenance care guideline and recently did a full service which included a transmission flush 2 months ago at 120,000miles. After full diagnostic/assessment of why our transmission is slipping it turns out our transmission fluid (which just got flushed 2months ago) was heating up and filling up with discoloration. This is the exact description of what was recalled in 2004. Our car is currently at the dealer and they have quoted us $4800 to get a new transmission installed (factory remanufactured). I truly believe this failure is related to the 2004 recall. Some folks who have experienced similar situation has been fortunate to have taken their matter to the right dealer, according to some discussion forums on this matter, the dealer agreed to pay for a new transmission (after getting approval from acura corporate office). In my situation, it has been unfortunate. Please investigate and give us some consistency/continuity on the handling of this matter. Thank you.
Automatic transmission frequently hesitates and makes loud grinding noise. This happens especially when driving at low speeds (5mph to 45mph).
2002 acura mdx automatic transmission failure occurred at 77k miles. Symptoms included up-shift hesitation between 2-3 drive gears, hard and jerky transmission changes in both drive and reverse. The symptoms started to get progressively worse and more frequent. I took this mdx to a local aaa-approved, independent auto repair shop for a diagnosis. The shop's repair technician and a transmissions specialist test drove the mdx and experienced the same type of symptoms. They returned and reported that the transmission was indeed failing. I had the mdx towed to the acura dealership where the vehicle was purchased. The dealership's service department confirmed that the transmission was failing and it had to be replaced completely. The transmission was replaced with a rebuilt unit by the acura service department. A historical note: back in the fall of 2004, I received notice of a mdx transmission recall from acura. Shortly upon receiving this notice I did take this mdx to an acura dealership service department and had the transmission recall service done.
When the consumer applied the accelerator pedal, the vehicle suddenly hesitated, it then firmly jerked into acceleration.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Case v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Case No. BC 424169 (Third Clutch Transmission Settlement
- Shudder or vibration between 35 and 40 mph
- Canon A75 digital camera replacement
- P1706 a/t switch short or open
- Safety recall: automatic transmission second gear inspection
- How to replenish atf on vehicles with a/t oil jet kits
- How to remove a stubborn atf filler bolt
- A/t solenoid replacement criteria
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- 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 2002 Acura MDX hesitation
Is hesitation when accelerating a common problem on the 2002 Acura MDX?
8 of 206 owner complaints about the 2002 Acura MDX (4%) mention hesitation when accelerating. The model year with the most reports is 2016.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2002 Acura MDX?
There is 1 recall and 26 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2002 Acura MDX
Transmission failure 42Slipping 19Check engine light 18Jerking 15Airbag light 14Shudder 11Stalling 11Grinding brakes 8Loss of power 5
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