2003 Acura MDX: check engine light

Filed Mar 20, 2023 · Fuel system · CA

My vehicle has a check engine light. The code indicates the issue is the fuel neck filler (part number 17660-S3VA02) which has been confirmed by my mechanic. This is a safety item due to some type of fuel leak in the filler neck area for gasoline which causes the check engine light. The part is on backorder and from my conversations with multiple dealerships, there is no estimated date of delivery. Apparently, there is a high number of vehicles having this issue. As a result, I am unable to smog my vehicle due to some type of fuel leak. It appears there is a safety item that needs to be addressed immediately.

Filed May 15, 2018 · Transmission · 211,000 miles · GA

Torque converter failure caused shards of metal to be transmitted into the transmission causing total failure of every gear in the transmission. I was driving on a divided highway at a high rate of speed when I experienced a sudden complete loss of power in high volume traffic. All lights lit up on the dash such as vtm-4, malfunction indicator lamp and gear was flashing. I was almost hit while trying to get to a safe location to pull over. Prior to the car dying I never had any indication of malfunction nor any driving issues or problems accelerating.

Filed Nov 9, 2016 · Fuel system · 120,000 miles · CA

I have had to replace the fuel filler pipe 3 times because it leaked fuel vapors and caused the check engine light to come on. All 3 part replacements were genuine acura parts. The replacements took place in 2010(metro acura), 2013(dan's mobile and smog station) and 2016(dan's mobile and smog station). The last failure was caused by the crimping of the metal gas cap fitting to the plastic fuel filler pipe during the part manufacturing process. The crimping went through the plastic and caused the fumes to leak. These fumes are very noticeable in the cabin of the car and create the possibility of explosion. All 3 replacements have cost me about $500. I reported this matter to acura client services but they were unconcerned.

Filed Jan 23, 2011 · Electrical · DC

Check engine light continuously goes off indicating loose gas valve. Manufacturer's error code: p0457 dealer tells owner gas cap is loose and replaces. After 100 miles and careful attention to making sure cap is tight after each refill, same error code occurs. After smoke checks verify no other leaks, gas cap is replaced. Check engine light is off (ostensibly because the dealer somehow clears the code or disconnects battery). After 100 miles the light goes back on. This has happened continuously over the course of 3 years. Cannot know if something else is wrong with car without paying for a diagnostic because light is continuously on. Cannot pass ca smog check with a malfunctioning check engine light (as this seems pretty clear to me that is what it is). Acura refuses to admit there is a problem. (although the dealer I go to has been great.) have wasted much money to each time be told "loose gas cap" when I know that is not the case.

Filed Mar 16, 2010 · Transmission · 78,000 miles · CA

Transmission slipping on 2003 acura mdx starting at 73,000. Talked to dealership about it but they said that since the check engine light didn't come on or the transmission light didn't come on there wasn't a problem. Kept driving it and it got worse. Around 78,000 miles had to have water pump, timing belt and engine mounts done (not at dealership); had mechanic check transmission - found it needed to be replaced.

Filed Feb 18, 2010 · Engine, Transmission · 87,100 miles · VA

I just bought an used 2003 acura mdx on jan 30th with 87,000 mile on it. Just after 11 days on feb 11, 2010, I noticed that some brown colored fluid is leaking from the front passenger side. It's not just dipping, there were lot of fluids coming out. I opened the hood and notice that the fluid was overflowing from the radiator reservoir. Next morning when I start the car and tried to run it just stopped in the middle of the road and engine light came on. I had to tow the car to a dealership. They said somehow internally transmission cooler was busted and the transmission coolant was mixed with the engine coolant. Therefore I had to replace the whole radiator, need to flush transmission fluid, and flush the radiator. It cost me $1000. Now, my car is not smooth as it was before. Transmission is not shifting properly. I am really worried driving this car. I saw that mdx has a lot of transmission problem. I think they should change the transmission for free and they should also take care of this fluid mixing problem. I'd appreciate if you guys investigate this problem.

Filed Dec 18, 2009 · Transmission · 110,445 miles · NJ

Driving down i78 on thanksgiving and all of the sudden the car stopped responding. Engine was revving but car wasn't accelerating commensurate with the engine. The transmission was slipping. I navigated my way towards the right across a couple of lanes of traffic and made my way to the exit. Got off the interstate and the check engine light came on and the car completely stopped responding. I pulled over and could not move at all - the transmission was gone. Called aaa and had the car towed. I starting researching this and discovered that this was a well known issue for acura mdx's of the 2003 vintage. I eventually had the car towed to clinton acura and of course they told me I needed a new transmission for $4000. I complained and asked if there was anything they could do and they said no. I told them to wait and that I was going to call acura customer care. I did so and asked them to help defray the cost of the new transmission since it was apparent that they had a deficiency. They took the complaint and request but suggested I needed to make the same request of the dealership. They said the dealer would consult with their local acura field rep to make a decision. I did as they suggested and about 3 hours later they called me back and said my request was denied. Essentially the vehicle was out of warranty so it was my responsibility. I told them I was very disappointed but I had them do the work. I also called back acura customer care and told them what happened. Further, I told them I would never purchase another acura product.

Filed Nov 17, 2009 · Transmission · 135,000 miles · MA

My 2003 acura mdx showed no signs of a transmission issue until one day the transmission slipped into neutral without warning. By that I mean no engine lights came on. I pulled over shut the car off and restarted the engine which than went back into gear. This happened occasionally for about a week. I took it to a dealer who checked it out and said there were no issues. Upon leaving the dealership it happened again but this time the engine light came on. I was told by the dealer that the transmission had failed.

Filed Jul 21, 2009 · Engine · 68,000 miles · CA

On april 7, 2009 took my 2003 acura mdx into local dealer for it's 60,000 mile service (odometer read 63,438). No problems brought to my attention. June 16, 2009 (odometer 67,608) A/C stops working. Pay over $1300 to have A/C compressor, clutch, stator & hi pressure hose replaced. Get car back on june 18, 2009. July 1, 2009 check engine light comes on (odometer 68,219). Am told that car needs a "valve realignment" - all gaskets and spark plug seals replaced ($600). Get car back on july 2, 2009. July 3, 2009 burning smell coming through A/C vents. Am told that it's residue from v/c gaskets from the valve realignment job- supposedly residue removed. Get car back july 6, 2009. July 17, 2009 notice oil in front passenger side wheel well. Pop hood, notice radiator overflow container is overflowing, radiator is very mobile and overflow container is black at the bottom. Have car towed to dealership. Am told that the radiator cracked internally and that the coolant and transmission fluid were mixing together - therefore have to flush the transmission and replace radiator for another $900. This just didn't feel right to me. Started researching and am being told that these are not "normal" repairs on this model for so few miles on it and that the burning smell was most likely the mixing of the coolant and transmission oil not residue from the valve realignment. Dealership isn't accepting responsibility. Acura customer services is saying there's nothing they can do either because the dealership has followed all procedures. I really feel like they are trying to covering up a defect or mechanic error .

Filed Nov 19, 2003 · Acceleration, Engine · 928 miles · CO

While waiting at a stop light and without warning vehicle surged forward while driver's foot was on the brake pedal. *ak failure also occurred by a stop sign at an elementary school. The problem was an air intake leak, which began approx. Three weeks after consumer purchased the vehicle and still exist today. The engine died and the check engine light illuminated. The consumer made several attempts to have the vehicle repaired, but to no avail. The consumer would like her monies reimbursed or a brand new mdx with the same options and color of her choice. *ph