2003 Acura MDX: complete transmission failure

Filed Apr 30, 2025 · Transmission · UT

Driving up a hill in this 2003 Acura MDX and the TRANSMISSION failed. Came to a stop in the middle of the street. Several cars almost hit me. Checked online and this vehicle has a known problem of the transmission going out around 70,000 miles. A mechanic started changing it out in my driveway .then winter came. It's been sitting in my driveway ever since.

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 May 20, 2014 · Transmission · 140,000 miles · TX

Owner of 2003 mdx with 140,000 miles on it. Was working perfectly till it decelerate all the sudden while driving in dallas tollway. It felt as if the gear was on neutral and gas pedal was being forced. This would cause the motor to rev up but the transmission was failing and the gear wasn't responding. Vehicle came to complete stop, where the driver power off the engine and powered back on to see the difference and the vehicle started moving again for a minute and then back to no power. After taken to a transmission specialist, it was diagnosed as transmission failure.

Filed Mar 17, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 167,000 miles · OH

While driving my 03 mdx at 20 MPH around a corner, it just stopped accelerating. There were no warning signs that my car would stop, it just stopped accelerating. I would not move in d5, d4 or d3, so I had to drive it in d1to the dealership and left it overnight. The next day they tell me I need a new transmission. Two months before that, my car was leaking oil and I took it in to get the leak fixed. They told me there was a leak in the rear main and it would cost $1000 to fix. It was such a high cost due to they had to remove the transmission and the engine to get to it. Two weeks after it was fixed, I hear a knocking noise under my hood and find out I need new motor mounts (hmmm.. Acura had to move the mounts to get the engine out).. $400 later, after I replaced the mounts., I was good to go. A month later, now the transmission that acura had to remove is now completely shot and needs to be replaced ($5200) are you kidding me acura. I have no faith in their service dept or my 03 mdx which is always serviced at the dealership. Everything that has ever been done to that car has been done at the dealership from oil change to timing belt replacement, and it feels like I'm getting screwed.

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 3, 2013 · Transmission · 137,000 miles · MO

I was putting my car into drive on a hill and it rolled backwards. Called a tow truck and had a mechanic look at it and told me I needed a new transmission and I was lucky I didn't hurt anyone. There are a lot of kids in our neighborhood.$3900 later. I have read all sorts of problems with this yr/make with their transmissions. Why isn't their a recall?

Filed Apr 26, 2013 · Transmission · 85,800 miles · WA

For the last two days after driving the car for 5 minutes while driving 30 MPH the car would not accelerate and revs at high rpms instead of going into gear. Transmission failure. When trying to go up hill at low speed the engine will just rev and not move forward. Appears this is an ongoing known issue with the transmission of 2003 mdx vehicles. Have contacted acura for assistance.

Filed Mar 20, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · GA

2003 acura mdx. Consumer writes in regards to transmission failure while driving. *smd the consumer stated while driving 75 MPH on the highway, the vehicle suddenly went into neutral. The consumer stated he/she tried every gear, but the vehicle would not move. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the he/she was informed the transmission had indeed failed. The second incident occurred two years later, when all of a sudden, the consumer heard a noise coming from the vehicle. The next day while on the way to the dealer, the vehicle went into neutral again and the consumer had to pull over. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where they replaced the transmission, torque converter, timing belt, water pump and engine valves.

Filed Jan 22, 2013 · Transmission · 125,264 miles · OH

Transmission failed suddenly on highway traveling at 65 MPH. There was no indication of a transmission problem prior to this incident. This transmission issue seems to be a well known problem with this vehicle, why aren't you helping us?

Filed Oct 13, 2011 · Transmission · 99,600 miles · DE

Torque converter and transmission failed at 99600 miles, not to mention two motor mounts. These repairs are between $6-7k. This is unacceptable for a higher end car. Car would vibrate and shudder around 40 MPH a few years ago with only 35k miles on the car, and of course acura could not replicate. Now that it's out of warranty, they hear it. This car is a total lemon- please help protect consumers- honda/acura greed has stopped them from stepping forward and owning a problem they have known about all along. Consumers should not be paying for acura's flawed design, that should be coming straight out of their profits.

Filed Jun 7, 2011 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · NJ

Transmission failure.

Filed May 9, 2011 · Transmission · 115,000 miles · TX

Purchased a used 03 acura mdx from a dealer on 4/22/11. I was driving the vehicle on a toll road (tx 121) and was traveling at around 65mph. Car started decelerating and would not go into gear. Almost had couple of accidents as there was no power to the drivetrain. Cars traveling behind me at 65mph+ were braking hard to avoid me. Vehicle towed to a transmission shop and they advised that it was transmission failure. Called acura customer care and contacted them also via twitter. They pretended that they did not know of issues with transmission despite my research which points to numerous defects in their transmission. Acura indicated initial intent to consider compensate for the cost of transmission repair. After submitting all repair and towing details/invoices, acura representative - sergio ramos - indicates that he will not consider any reimbursement. Acura manufactured and sold a vehicle that is known for faulty transmissions that have endangered my safety. I have tried working with acura to amicably solve this issue to no avail. Acura mdx is a potential hazard to public safety and potential deadly vehicle which acura fails to acknowledge and fix.