2002 Acura MDX: complete transmission failure

Filed Jan 25, 2017 · Transmission · 220,000 miles · OR

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 acura mdx. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle felt as if the brake pedal were depressed quickly and the accelerator pedal were suddenly depressed inadvertently. When depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to move and would suddenly engage and operate normally. The dealer diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced per the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v176000 (power train). The contact notified the manufacturer of the failure. The failure mileage was 220,000.

Filed Aug 12, 2015 · Transmission · 156,000 miles · IN

Drove vehicle on the highway and noticed a vibration in the front end. Also noticed when driving vehicle in the morning a vibration that felt like driving over rubble strips. Talked to my daughter (primary driver) and she said the vibration has been occurring for a couple of months, but not consistently. Did some research and took vehicle to a transmission mechanic. Need a new transmission. Bought this acura in 2006 as a certified vehicle from dealer with 43k miles. Torque converter was replaced in 2009 at 90k miles. Need a new transmission at 156k. I expected more from a honda vehicle.

Filed Nov 21, 2014 · 129,000 miles · FL

Prior to buying, I called acura in fort walton and asked if there were any recalls on my vehicle. They said no. I purchased a 2002 mdx only to find out later that these vehicles have had major hazardous transmission issues. I also found that there was a recall on my vehicle for the transmission. The recall stated that acura would either install a jet pack--if the vehicle had less than 15,000 miles on it or if it had more than 15,000 miles on it, they would replace the transmission. I spoke with [xxx] in acura customer relations and he looked up my VIN and said that he did see the recall but that my vehicle "was inspected and no issues were found" in 2005 and due to that inspection the recall was "completed". However, I brought up the fact that the recall states that they were to either add a jet pack (cooler) if the vehicle was less than 15,000 miles or replace the transmission if the vehicle had more than 15,000 miles. He then changes his story and said "well then of course the jet pack was installed". I got off the phone with him and posted to acura's facebook page as at this point, I have heard conflicting stories. They had another customer relations person call me and she gave me the name of the dealership that did this "inspection" in 2005. I called the dealership and they said the same thing "it shows the recall was completed in 2005 but we don't know how it was completed". Based on the carfax, the vehicle had 18,000 miles on it in 2004. According to the recall, since it surpassed the 15k mark, they should have replaced the transmission in 2005--not installed a jet pack. In any case, I asked the shop my car is at to look and they said there is no jet pack or cooler installed. They also informed me that I need a new transmission and that the car could have locked up on me and caused a crash. Thank god that didn't happen with my kids in the car. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jul 10, 2014 · Fuel system, Transmission · 147,777 miles · CA

Upon exiting off the freeway and accelerating onto a busy 3 lane street, my vehicle engine began revving and had no power. It acted like it had been shifted to neutral. I shifted to a lower gear and it caught and allowed me to get enough power to coast to a parking spot off the busy street that had no shoulder to pull a non working vehicle to. I was nearly rear ended because of the loss of power so suddenly. I was fortunate that I had just got off the freeway or it could have been much worse. I read on line that the 2001 and 2002 acura mdx has had a common problem with transmission failure. At a quote for repair of $5,400 this is a major issue as I am a full time student. Of greater concern is the safety issue that I could have been rear ended and caused a major accident. The dealer offered $500 off as concession that there is a "known" problem with the 2001 and 2002 transmissions. Prior to the transmission failing, I was only offered $2,000 as trade in value towards a new vehicle.

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 Jan 11, 2013 · Transmission · 91,000 miles · CA

Automatic transmission failed on the drive back to los angeles from las vegas.

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 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 Oct 20, 2011 · Transmission · 130,127 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 acura mdx. The contact stated that when driving in second or third gears, the vehicle would exhibit an abnormal grinding noise with a vibrating sensation. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection but the manager advised that due to the mileage and the year of the vehicle, they would not be able to repair the vehicle under the warranty. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to the dealer four times for the same exact transmission failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who advised that there were no recalls and they were unable to honor the warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 130,127.

Filed Aug 16, 2011 · Transmission · 71,500 miles · NC

2002 acura mdx transmission failure, transmission failed at 71k miles and cut power from engine to wheels in the middle of the street. There are many reports of this similar thing happening to mdx owners. The transmission is defective!

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.