2005 Acura MDX: jerking or lurching

Filed Jul 31, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · PA

The contact owns a 2005 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was able to restart after several attempts; however, the failure recurred after driving a short distance. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the OG sensor and the PMP sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had progressively worsened, and the 4WD warning light was constantly illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and approaching a traffic light recently, the vehicle unintendedly downshifted and nearly stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be repaired for the most recent failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jan 23, 2021 · Airbags, Electrical · 197,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

I purchased this vehicle from a private auction in hesperia, ca around august of 2020 and I am currently the registered owner as of today. About a month into the purchase I notice the car jerk and brake unusually while in motion. I didn't know what exactly happened at the time so I ignored it for the moment. Then about another month after that incident my wife, kids and I were traveling about 70 MPH on the 15fwy headed south and this time it happened once again and more aggressively due to is traveling at a much greater speed and did jerk a lot harder almost making my wife lose control. Luckily she was alert and pulled over to the shoulder right away and that's when we noticed a new light on the I dash had illuminated. We see the acronym (vsa) illuminate and I had never seen this particular light before so I then start to research it. I find out it's part of an anti lock feature and it's suffice when dealing with curvy roads and helps with traction which gives smoother turns while driving and gives better control of the vehicle. I also read it's best to keep this feature off while commuting in your regular everyday transit. So as months go by it happened to me a good handful of times afterwards but at slower speeds and this time the light would not go off when I tried turning off the vsa control button on the driver side dash. I didn't have means to repair this part so I put it off once again. Well coming to a more recent event which resulted in myself losing control while on my way home from work at 11:30pm at night and totaling the vehicle as well as flipping the vehicle until it came to a rest on its side. I strongly believe the vsa feature malfunctioned made me lose control at 62-65 MPH almost claiming my life. I strongly believe it is responsible for my recent accident which could have been life threatening and has caused financial stress upon my family.

Filed Sep 8, 2016 · Airbags, Transmission · 60,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

Auto parked, foot on brake, moved gear shift to park, foot off brake,car lurched forward with great velocity, hit concrete wall, ricochede off wall, started running backward. Put foot on emer. Brake car stopped. Airbag deployed but improperly inflated. Cuts and abrasions and bruising on left hand and right.airbag did not deploy into chest or face. Called aaa to have towed/called 21st century ins. For name of collision yard they worked with. Tow truck arrived_too big to get into parking lot. Driver asked for my keys -told him the car with physically disabled after airbag deployment and could not be driven. He took my keys,started the car and drove off. Not supposed to happpen. Went to emergent care and my primary physician and had cat scans run. New driver seat airbags are defective.

Filed May 11, 2016 · Transmission · 150,000 miles · NJ

This is the second transmission I put in my car , warranty expired and car is starting to jerk and make noise when accelerating. It cost way to much money to keep replacing a transmission if all the transmissions are having the same problem . Way to many people are having this issue . Why hasn't this been recalled yet?

Filed Sep 11, 2015 · Transmission · 11,000 miles · NY

Transmission start making noise, jerking and problem in shifting. Sometimes it shakes alot. Lot of people had the same problem in the past. I dont understand why there is no recall

Filed Sep 1, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 115,000 miles · NY

I pulled car out of driveway and as I reacher speed of 25 miles it started jerking badly. It stopped after speed increased. Did not happened again for few days and from that day it is getting worse day by day. Lot of noise sometimes when its shifting gear. Also when I get on highway I can smell some fluid burning. Sometimes it jerk very badly on curves.

Filed Jun 17, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 123,000 miles · TN

I was driving down the road when my car jerked and then would not shift out of 1st gear. I had to have it towed in and was told that my transmission needed to be replaced.

Filed Jan 18, 2011 · Transmission · 40,000 miles · NY

My 2005 acura mdx has encountered problems where the car suddenly stops when the brake is applied and fails to accelerate smoothly (the car lurches during acceleration). This usually occurs at slower speeds (<30mph). This has occurred on numerous occasions. Acura service has been unable to diagnose the problem despite our pleas to find the problem. Sometimes the problem is ameliorated when the ignition is turned off and restarted, similar to a computer reboot. The most recent incident, today, did not rectify itself when the car was restarted. This situation is dangerous as the car is susceptible to rear-end and other collision when the car "locks up" during acceleration or braking.

Filed Dec 16, 2009 · Electrical · 49,900 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 acura mdx. While driving approximately 65 MPH she heard a loud noise outside of the vehicle. The "vsa" and "exclamation mark" warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel, and then the vehicle began to jerk violently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician detected a power surge in the battery, but no repairs were made. There was a separate occasion when an identical failure occurred accompanied by a loss of vehicle control. However, the driver was able to gain control. The failure mileage was 49,900. The current mileage was 49,950.

Filed Sep 27, 2007 · Acceleration, Transmission · 32,000 miles · CT · crash · 2 injuries

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 acura mdx. While driving in reverse, the contact heard a clunking noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle jerked backwards and struck a concrete pole approximately 2 feet away. The vehicle automatically shifted into drive, surged forward, and struck another concrete pole. Both air bags deployed. The passenger in the front of the vehicle was trapped and unable to open the door. The police, ambulance, and fire departments arrived at the scene. A police report was filed. The contact had burns and cuts on her arms and face and a swollen right knee. She will have to undergo therapy on her neck and knee. The passenger was badly bruised. The contact spoke with acura on september 17, 2007 and they stated that their legal department would be in touch with her, however, they have not responded as of yet. This was the second time this failure has occurred. In the first incident, the vehicle was placed in drive and accelerated on its own. The failure occurred while driving 25 MPH. The VIN, engine size, and current mileage were unknown. The failure mileage was 32,000. Updated 12/12/07