2003 Acura MDX: transmission slipping

Filed Dec 2, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 265,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 acura mdx. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled without warning. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the transmission seemed as if it was slipping while driving. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 265,000.

Filed Oct 18, 2015 · 176,000 miles · TX

Transmission slipped at 2nd-3rd gear while I was driving it in the highway

Filed Aug 19, 2014 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · CO

While merging onto a highway or passing another car on a two lane road I push the gas pedal hard to accelerate quickly (either to pass quickly or to accelerate beyond a car who is not allowing me to merge onto a freeway). The transmission comes out of gear and just revs as if in neutral. I must release the gas pedal and slowly attempt to accelerate. This causes a huge safety risk while trying to avoid an oncoming car while passing or trying to avoid getting run off the freeway or worse into a barrier when merging onto a freeway. Transmission is showing no other signs of transmission failure at all. No slipping, good fluid color, and has been maintained by multiple acura dealerships. Acura diagnosed transmission failure and 3rd gear clutch being gone at a repair cost of $6k. Acura declined to assist in cost since I am second owner.

Filed Apr 29, 2014 · Engine · 96,000 miles · CA

Four transmissions on 2003 mdx,1) original, 2) 28k miles remanufacured from dealer; 3) 85kmiles rebuild due to slipping on highway and burnt odor from transmission; 4) 96k miles in reverse would go only a few feet then locked up. At 85k contacted acura who gave no assistance due to being my first acura/honda and not servicing at their dealers.no recall. Would like some compensation, service, warranty...

Filed Jan 23, 2014 · Transmission · 150,000 miles · NM

When driving my 2003 acura mdx (SUV), last fall, the transmission began to slip out of gear at low speeds. It would be in 3rd gear as I would slow to make a turn or enter a parking area. When I finished a turn and began to accelerate, the car was no longer in gear and the engine just revs as if it was in neutral. In traffic, I would have to bring the mdx to a complete stop (RPM to zero) and then the transmission would re-engage and move forward again. Soon, I was having to put the car in a lower gear to get it to move forward and each time the car decelerates, the transmission slips. In moving traffic, having to make a complete stop in the middle of a street or when entering the highway, etc., is dangerous. I have stopped driving the car because I cannot trust it to keep moving in regular traffic. I was not aware of the torque converter bulletin / recall on the car (I am second owner), even though I have kept up with scheduled maintenance. I contacted acura (hoy fox acura, el paso, tx) for assistance, but they were dismissive when they discovered I did not purchase my acura from them. Acura north america customer relations has also been contacted, and are telling me the vehicle is out of warranty (it currently has 200,000 miles, but is no longer safe to drive due to the transmission failure). I have reviewed and researched a huge amount of 2003 mdx transmission failures from 45k miles to 200,000 miles (my issue began at about 150,000 miles). Documentation online reflects that acura mdx has been plagued with transmission problems. There is also literature and documentation linking transmission failure to the torque converter issues in this model. This is my first acura, and I do like it enough to purchase another one. Not sure I will be that "loyal", though, after this situation. Many owners suggest filing a complaint with the federal safety agency.

Filed Dec 31, 2013 · Transmission · 115,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 acura mdx. The contact was driving 10 MPH when the transmission began to slip. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection however, they were unable to detect a problem. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

Filed Mar 15, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 149,000 miles · MD

Torque converter shudder or vibration between 35 and 40 MPH. ****also transmission slipped while driving on the highway. The SUV acted as if it was in neutral and wouldn't move even though I was pushing the gas and the rpms went up. I was almost rear-ended by the driver behind me but he was able to quickly switch into another lane, then miraculously my SUV started to go again. It also happened again in the middle of an intersection while I was driving. Luckily the oncoming traffic was far enough away and the transmission picked back up in time and I was able to get out of the way. I had my children in the SUV, a 6 month old baby girl and a 6 yr old boy. Its a seven passenger vehicle so it should be expected that children may be in the SUV. I don't think honda/acura should wait until someone is killed or seriously injured to issue a recall. Its not even just about the cost of repairs, what about the value of people's lives? Does it need to be on the news first for a change to occur? Owners of the 2003 acura mdx need to know that there is a potentially deadly safety defect with this vehicle and repairs need to be made asap!

Filed Feb 24, 2011 · Transmission · 123,000 miles · CA

Some gear slippage for a few days prior when first get going in the morning. The day it finally went, it did it suddenly while going about 35 MPH. Felt like it kicked a gear or two making the car jerk violently almost causing an accident. I was only a block or so away from home, all the way home it would almost rev to redline while going about 10 MPH. The vehicle only has reverse now and I'm going to have to have it towed to a shop locally for a very expensive fix. If I would've had some one closer following me that day and with my kids in the far back I'm afraid to think of what might have happened except a lawsuit!

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 Jan 16, 2011 · Transmission · 126,000 miles · NY

As I was bring my husband home from major back surgery our 2003 acura mdx started to slip into neutral as we were leaving the hospital. This was one hour away from our home! In shifting through the gears, I finally got the transmission to catch at d3. This happened several times to us as we were traveling through a city and had to stop at several stop lights. Every time we stopped, it was the same scenario. D3 seemed to be the 'ticket' gear to get it to catch. I came home and made an appointment at a local garage. Thankfully I went to drop it off two days early, as the car completely stopped moving on our way to the garage and I had to call and have the vehicle towed. For a luxury vehicle, I am sadly disappointed as I love everything else about the car. I can't wait to see the price tag on this repair and for the number of complaints with the transmissions going bad, I would think that there would have been a recall by now.

Filed Nov 1, 2010 · Transmission · 95,600 miles · TN

Twice in the last 3 days, the transmission in my 2003 acura mdx spontaneously slipped into neutral, I.e., disengaged from drive and left me w/o power to the wheels. The shift lever remained in drive and had not been touched. The latter occurrence stranded me in the middle of an intersection with oncoming traffic. Several attempts at shifting into park and back into drive were required before drive actually engaged. An internet search easily turned up many similar instances in which 2003 mdx owners indicated that their transmissions intermittently disengaged from drive.

Filed May 19, 2010 · Transmission · 106,000 miles · SC

The transmission on my 2003 mdx has been slipping for about a year. I took it to the dealership 2x, but they weren't able to find the problem--couldn't get it to slip out of gear. Finally, last week, in 5:00 traffic, it stopped totally and I had to have it towed--the car was at 106,000 miles. Apparently, all the previous complaints helped me out b/c the honda national agreed to cover 2/3 of the cost of a new transmission (4355.00). I must say they have been great to work with so far, and I'm grateful they chipped in on the cost, although it's clear the 2003 mdx's have real transmission troubles.