2002 Acura MDX: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Apr 21, 2012 · Transmission · 112,300 miles · MD

On my way to home from work, I noticed that my acura mdx makes grinding and shuddering sound when increasing speed after a stop or from slow speed. While going on state highway at 50/mhp speed, the front wheels locked up. The car dragged on the road for about 25 feet and came to a complete stop in the driving lane as I could not steer the vehicle on to the shoulder due to locked front wheels. The lady behind me driving at the same speed was able to just stop her SUV within six inches of the back of my vehicle. It scary and frightening experience for both of as my vehicle completely stopped in driving lane in about 5 to 7 second from 50/MPH to a complete stop. My vehicle could not be pushed over to the side of the road due to locked front wheels. This was a near death experience I had for the first time in my life. I was searching on internet to see if others had similar problem. I was amazed to find hundreds of comments about this problem from the owners of mdx for model years that range from 2002 to 2010. They appear to have the same transmission problem where the second gear just freezes. I am wondering why the sha has not investigated this problem and found faults with honda's lack of willingness to correct this problem. Some of the comments on internet says that this happened to them on highways..

Filed Jan 3, 2012 · Engine, Suspension · 34,264 miles · OH

I purchased the 2002 mdx on 12, january 2004. At that time I questioned the hard shifting from first into second. It would lurch, shudder, and jump from standing still to first gear, all the way through the gears. I was worried that the transmission would be damaged as well as other parts. On 27 july, 2004 the transmission began to rock front and back, with loud grinding and metal to metal sound. The dealer explained there was a recall on the at and an oil jet cooler was needed. Over the next 7 years I had my mdx serviced at the dealership. Each time I would complain about the noise at speeds between 20-30 and 35-45. Again I was told nothing could be done. The engine broke the side motor mount, again I was told that nothing could be done. Finally on 6 july 2011 while driving 75 on interstate 71, my transmission revved into the red area on the gauge, atf was blowing out the back and covered the back window. I pulled over and the transmission seized on the spot. The mdx was towed to the dealership were I was told the oil jet cooler had a drain nut, that came out, thus releasing the atf. The drain plug and atf was replaced, but again I was told there was nothing could be done as the defect was a part and not covered. The shop manager told me that the shock and spring was rusted and leaking fluid. I was told that both motor, the timing belt, the shifter cable and connection, outer tire rod, boots needed to be replaced. I searched the internet for 5 minutes and discovered thousands of complaints related to the transmission. I confirmed the recalls on the shocks coils transmission, and multitude of other components. I had the timing belt, every belt, water pump, and motor mounts replace at another dealership in town. This is a dangerous problem. As long as there are 2002 mdx's on the road and honda acura ignore or deny the problem. The risk of death is great.

Filed Dec 2, 2011 · Transmission · 87,000 miles · CA

Purchased new, a 2002 acura mdx. First transmission replaced 2 months shy of 7 year extended warranty at approx. 47,000 miles. Transmission warranty ended with the expiration of the 7 year warranty (2 months). The car would shudder, seize, rendering it a safety issue. Next transmission failure at 87,000 miles. Same symptoms, shudders, gear slippage, seizing, again rendering the car undrivable. The car is currently back in with so. Bay acura in torrance, california, receiving the third transmission. These same symptoms have been reported by several hundred customers and I don't understand what would constitute a recall. I only searched for like complaints for an hour so I am quite confident I could locate several thousand. This same transmission failure has been reported in the ny times. Six thousand dollars is an excessive amount so I am working on a class action suit with other owners as the car is unsafe as a family vehicle. Also had the car tested extensively at other transmission facilities.

Filed Aug 17, 2011 · Transmission · 76,000 miles · WI

Torque converter issue (vibration/shudder/grinding between 20-50 MPH while accelerating). Acura recommends replacement of transmission and torque converter.

Filed Aug 17, 2011 · Transmission · 76,000 miles · WI

Torque converter issue (vibration/shudder/grinding between 20-50 MPH while accelerating). Acura recommends replacement of transmission and torque converter. Acura has not acknowledged this as a problem, despite the repeated incidents of failure. This is a known problem and needs to addressed by acura!!!! It would be safe to say from similar complaints that I've read on the internet that there are probably thousands of mdxs that have this problem.

Filed Aug 16, 2011 · Transmission · 119,834 miles · CT

My vehicle is shuddering on the 2nd to 3rd gear upshift. Loss of power. This is occurring with greater and greater frequency, after just a short time of driving. I brought this to the attention of the dealer who advised that I would need a re-man transmission. When I asked about this being related to the known recall for this exact problem, they stated they would bring this up to the manufacturer. The manufacturer's reply was that they don't know me well enough, so they would not look into this any further, and would fix this defect. The dealer advised that the recall was closed for this vehicle, and that only an inspection was done; there was no jet kit installed, no transmission replacement done. They inspected, and sent it on its way, and now it is failing. I fear that the consequence of this known recalled defect not being corrected by the manufacturer, will be transmission lockup at speed, leading to a crash.

Filed Jun 22, 2011 · Transmission · 57,000 miles · MI

Power train:automatic transmission shudder or vibration between 35 and 40 MPH.[xxx] torque converter requires replacement. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Mar 6, 2011 · Transmission · NY

2002 mdx transmission shudder, vibrate, noisy between 20 to 40mph. Dealer install a/t oil jet kit to resolve the problem. However, the problem is not solved.

Filed Feb 8, 2011 · Transmission · 95,000 miles · WA

There has been an intermittent grinding noise and shudder in the transmission between 35-45 miles and hour in 5th gear. This is a known issue in acura mdx 2002 and has been issued a recall for other VIN # 's but mine is not included in the recall even though it has the same symptoms. I am worried that it will lock up and cause an accident but the dealer and acura have so far refused to fix the issue.

Filed Dec 31, 2010 · Transmission · 35,000 miles · CA

I have a 2002 acura mdx. I bought the vehicle brand new from the dealership and have had numerous components on it replaced, however the one item which has not been resolved is a shudder which I get in the vehicle when driving between 30 - 40 MPH. It appears to be a transmission issue, but the dealership has not dealt with the issue. The vehicle now has 100k miles on it, but the issue first arose at ~35k miles and was taken to the dealership numerous times while still under warranty with no resolution to the problem.

Filed Oct 29, 2010 · Transmission · 98,465 miles · NM

Torque converter shudder or vibration between 35-40 MPH.