2003 Acura MDX: sudden loss of power

5 of the 206 complaints about the 2003 Acura MDX describe sudden loss of power.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 2%
typical mileage: 123,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 21 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Sudden loss of power by model year

2025
1
2023
6
2022
3
2020
12
2019
7
2018
5
2017
26
2016
35
2015
1
2014
5
2013
1
2011
1
2010
1
2008
1
2007
8
2005
4
2004
6
2003
5
2002
5
2001
9

What owners say

Filed Dec 21, 2020 · Fuel system, Transmission · 260,615 miles · MI

The vehicle keeps shuddering and losing power and gears not charging in right

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 Jan 26, 2011 · Transmission · 123,000 miles · RI

2003 acura mdx transmission failure. Vehicle started slipping out of gear, rpms shooting up. Vehicle jolting forward and then losing power. Was travelling with my family when suddenly the vehicle started revving and jumping forward and then bucking losing power. Very dangerous situation on main road with busy traffic. Was travelling at about 35mph at time of incident. Fortunately was able to coast over to side of road avoiding an accident. Am now told transmission needs to be replaced. 123,000 miles, have owned for 7 years and 2 months. No longer under warranty. Upset that acura seems aware of problems with 2003 transmissions since they had issues with 2001/02 models but will not admit to 03 models. Someone could get seriously injured by the way these vehicles malfunction when the transmission goes. Please follow up on this, it's a serious problem.

Filed Dec 29, 2010 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · PA

I have a 2003 acura mdx with 108k miles as of dec 29, 2010. Two years ago around 80k miles, while my wife was driving with our kid, suddenly the engine lost power on highway 95. She had to rev up to 6000 RPM to keep the speed at 30 MPH. Acura dealer checked the transmission and said they found metallic particles in the transmission fluid, and the fluid was charred. They also said gear was slightly damaged, but told me to replace transmission fluid very frequently (more than recommendation). No one told me 2003 mdx has faulty transmission system. After 1 year at around 90k miles I changed the transmission fluid again. Now, three days ago, same transmission problem. Even at 25 MPH, the RPM goes suddenly to 5000 RPM at same acceleration pressure level. I checked the transmission fluid immediately. The transmission fluid level is perfectly fine. But fluid is black and charred particles, possibly metallic. Not supposed to happen for $40k luxury SUV at 80k miles and 108k miles. Dropped my car at local acura dealer hoping acura can replace transmission at their own cost. I already spent $1000 first time two years ago. Then I spend over $600 for 90k miles regular maintenance that included transmission fluid service. I am not spending again on the same stupid faulty transmission that acura should have notified all its customers in the first place. If they don't fix it at their own cost, I will never buy or recommend acura to anyone. Very very disappointed with acura.

Filed Oct 4, 2009 · Transmission · 78,504 miles · MA

While driving I lost power meaning I could no longer accelerate because there was no linkage from the engine to the transmission. The engine was running ok, but I had no power to move the vehicle. While acura is a respected and quality vehicle, I feel that there may be a product defect in that my problem resulted in me having to replace the cooling system along with the transmission. While in the service department of the acura dealer, I overheard some of the service mechanics saying that they've seen this happen to this model vehicle before and that acura of torrence california should be made aware of this problem. Acura would have paid for the repair but the vehicle was out of warranty. I have a copy of the service managers report to the td bank as to what,'they, the dealerships service department" thinks caused this problem. This letter can be made available to you upon request.