2002 Acura MDX: transmission slipping

Filed Nov 9, 2026 · Transmission · ID

2002 Acura MDX automatic with premium nav. We've experienced 2 main issues with this vehicle. First, the navigation screen glitched for some time and then finally quit completely. The second and larger failure is our shifting gears are beginning to slip and then jolt when the engine needs to shift into a different gear while driving. We notice it jolting occasionally when shifting into reverse as well.

Filed Jan 24, 2023 · Transmission · 170,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2002 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated that she depressed the accelerator pedal and the RPM’s revved; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact pulled over, turned off and restarted the vehicle and started driving; however, after getting up to speed the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact believed that the vehicle had slipped out of gear. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond while shifted into drive or reverse. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The contact had driven the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact had researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 04V176000 (Power Train). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

Filed Jun 24, 2018 · Transmission · 229,000 miles · CA

Transmission recall was prev addressed but still has same problem hwy overheating of transmission causing failure extreme jerking scared us bad and could cause accident gears go out slip from overheating as well burns transm fluid recalled previously same exact issue of extreme overheating and at temp gauge not workingoccours while driving in motion

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 Aug 14, 2016 · Transmission · 153,000 miles · GA

Transmission occasionally bumps when backing, turning, and changing from one direction to another. There have been times, at different speeds, when there would be a sound as is the vehicle is crossing stop bumps. This has happened on smooth roads while accelerating, maintaining a speed, and decelerating. The transmission stared slipping in 5th gear, and is now beginning to slip in 4th gear.

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 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 24, 2010 · Transmission · 151,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 acura mdx. The contact stated that the transmission began slipping. The contact was able to locate a recall for the failure (the federal safety agency campaign id number: 04v176000- power train: automatic transmission) but was advised by the dealer that his vehicle was outside of the mileage limitation of the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage and current mileage was 151,000.

Filed Mar 2, 2010 · Transmission · 135,000 miles · TX

While driving at 65 MPH on highway during a vacation, car transmission light came on, starting smelling funny, read manual and it said if this light was on to pull over immediately - severe damage can occur if you keep driving. We pulled over in the middle of nowhere. Fluid had spilled out all over engine. They said that was from it overheating and boiling the fluid out. We sat for a while and let it cool down. The light went off, but we drove around 50 MPH on the highway the rest of our trip. The car resumed to work fine. However, we have constantly had issues with it slipping. We took to our mechanic and then to acura. Both parties at first didn't think anything was wrong, but then both said the transmission needed replacing. Acura would not give any discount, so we ended up going with the transmission repair company because it was only $2200 instead of $4500 by acura. Was without a car for two weeks. A few months later it began slipping again, so we took back and they repaired again, because this company offered a 12 month warranty. Again, was without a car for two weeks. Now 7 months later, was driving at night on busy road. I was braking coming up to a red light. The light changed, so I switched to push the gas pedal before I was fully stopped and the transmission completely went out and wouldn't engage at all. My car came to a complete stop in the middle of the red light and cars were swerving all around us to avoid hitting us. It was a miracle we weren't hurt. I put down to park, turned off car, and then it began working like nothing was wrong. Went back to transmission repair place and they said that nothing seemed wrong. They took apart twice and finally replaced out 5th gear even though it looked completely fine. They said they heard the whining noise, too, but couldn't find anything wrong. They did replace though and hoped this would fix it. We still hear the whining noise and now don't feel safe driving our family in this vehicle.

Filed Oct 5, 2009 · Transmission · 77,500 miles · CA

A month or so ago I noticed the vehicle wasn't shifting as smoothly as it should. That was followed shortly thereafter by the transmission slipping out of gear briefly. Then, recently, as I was merging into freeway traffic the vehicle wouldn't shift out of a lower gear and I was forced to pull to the shoulder to avoid being hit from behind. I sat there until traffic cleared at which time I was able to slowly continue down the road. The transmission then shifted correctly. I believe this to be a serious safety concern, and in light of all else I have read regarding transmission issues with acura mdx's, something needs to be done about this.

Filed Nov 3, 2008 · Transmission · CT

2002 acura mdx has had the transmission replaced twice and it needs another transmission now. *nj the transmission temperature light illuminated and the transmission would slip before taking off. The transmission was replaced due to an internal failure of the clutch.

Filed May 20, 2008 · Transmission · 127,890 miles · CA

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.