2017 Acura MDX: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Sep 13, 2026 · Fuel system · TX

When making a slow turn or rolling stop, the vehicle hesitates on light throttle and then experiences a sudden, jerky surge when the pedal is pressed further. This is very unsafe and scary for people around at school crossing and highway crossings

Filed Apr 1, 2026 · Fuel system · UT

When I have already started to go in motion, for example when turning left, and I let go of the gas pedal and then press the gas again once I decide its safe to turn, my car doesn't respond to the gas for about a couple of seconds. This has also happened when I am driving on the highway and I am already in motion and I want to go faster to pass another vehicle, my car hesitates for a couple of seconds before it responds to me pushing the gas pedal.

Filed Aug 28, 2025 · Engine · 138,000 miles · KS

The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle hesitated before losing automotive power. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the road, and the vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the local dealer needed to be contacted for assistance. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

Filed Jul 6, 2025 · Transmission · 84,542 miles · FL

On [XXX], while driving from Orlando, FL to Atlanta, GA, I experienced one of the most terrifying moments of my life. I was traveling on the freeway at approximately 80 MPH, in lane 3 or 4, when my vehicle suddenly began to hesitate and lose power without any warning. In that moment, fear and panic took over. Cars were flying past me, and I could feel my truck rapidly decelerating. I immediately turned on my hazard lights and began honking to alert other drivers, praying they would give me space to move over. Thankfully, I was able to carefully navigate across lanes and reach the far-left shoulder. Once I got into the acceleration/deceleration lane, the vehicle suddenly lurched forward and began accelerating again—completely on its own. I knew I couldn't risk staying on the road, so I exited at the next ramp and pulled into a gas station, still shaken. After refueling, I attempted to restart the truck, but it would no longer shift into Drive or Neutral. The truck was stuck in Park and completely inoperable. A roadside mechanic responded to my call for help and made several attempts to restore mobility, but nothing worked. I spent the evening stranded and alone, unsure of what to do next. The following day, [XXX], I had the vehicle towed to Honda South near Atlanta, GA. After inspection, I was informed that the issue was a complete transmission failure. In addition to needing a new transmission, the vehicle also required replacement of critical sub-assembly components, including the transmission control module (TCM). This situation was not just a mechanical failure—it was a serious safety event that put my life and the lives of others at risk. I’m still shaken by what happened and deeply concerned about how such a failure could occur so suddenly and without warning. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 15, 2024 · Transmission · 135,000 miles · OR

The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact stated that after a routine transmission flush, while driving approximately 40 MPH, the transmission was hesitating before shifting. The contact stated that vehicle was jerking into gear and made an abnormal banging sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had reoccurred. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, and the transmission started to jerk while shifting into gear, while shifting lanes. The contact pulled off the highway and observed that numerous warning lights were illuminated. The check transmission message was displayed. The contact was able to shift to park(P) and turned the vehicle off several times. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to be shifted to drive(D); however, when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the engine revved, and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that numerous warning lights were illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to the same dealer where the service was performed. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

Filed Sep 17, 2023 · Acceleration, Engine · NC

Great hesitation, in acceleration, clicking of gears and drive and while putting in reverse also clicking of the years when accelerating

Filed Aug 12, 2023 · Transmission · SC

When pulling into traffic the car wants to hesitate almost like stalling when going from 1st to 2nd gear 1st thing in the morning. Almost causing a crash it does it every morning after the car is driving the car for a while it no longer does it. There are no check engine lights on

Filed Jan 14, 2021 · Acceleration, Engine · 63,000 miles · MS

I own a 2017 acura mdx. When accelerating from a stop it hesitates for a second or two and then jerks when it finds its gear. This happens every time the vehicle is used. Merging onto the interstate or switching lanes can be very dangerous.

Filed Jul 29, 2020 · Transmission · 23,709 miles · CO

Vehicle loses power upon accelerating and hesitates for a second or two - most typically from a stop and seems to be more likely when turning the vehicle while accelerating, although there have been times when the vehicle has stalled when trying to accelerate on a straight section of highway. Problem is intermittent, virtually impossible to predict or replicate, but has occurred numerous times since purchase of the vehicle in november of 2017.

Filed May 20, 2019 · Transmission · VA

Note that the following problems have been occurring frequently since I purchased the car in october 2017; the date required below was a random date I chose. When accelerating quickly to enter a highway, the transmission hesitates before deciding which gear to jump into. This also occurs, to a lesser extent, when I have to stomp on the gas in an emergency situation while on the highway. This is extremely dangerous since it makes me vulnerable to an accident; when I stomp on the gas pedal, I expect to get acceleration. I don't expect the car to pause in order to decide which gear would be the best to jump into. The dealership said the computer was trying to decide which gear would be the most economical, from a gas perspective, to shift into. This is not for normal acceleration, but where I need to accelerate very quickly. Additionally, the automatic transmission jerks when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. It has been happening since I purchased it in october 2017. When I complained about it to the dealer service center, they said this was "normal" and nothing they could do.

Filed May 2, 2019 · Brakes, Engine · 7,946 miles · PA

I have been complaining for two years that my car intermittently hesitates when accelerating. I have pulled out into traffic and my car has hesitated long enough that I've almost got slammed in the back by another car. The car feels like it is about to stall. I will press the gas pedal down to the floor and finally the car starts moving again. Brought the car in on several occasions to acura and since they could not reproduce the hesitation, they decided there was nothing wrong with the car. Another issue I've had is with my brakes. At 13,000 miles both of my front brakes were worn down to the metal. When I brought the car in, it was noted that both calipers seized. The brakes and calipers were replaced. About 14,000 miles later, my right front brake was down to the metal. My left front brake was fine. After keeping my car for a week and consulting with the engineers in california, acura decided there was nothing wrong with the brakes and that it was my driving. I asked how I only put the right front brake on and not the left. They did not have an answer. But because they couldn't find anything wrong, I had to replace both brakes again.

Filed Jun 6, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 5,000 miles · CA

We have experienced many issues with our 2017 mdx sh-awd. On a cold start when shifting from first to second gear there is a sudden lurch hard shift. Once warm this is still present but not as pronounced. The transmission seems to slip through gears and have sudden downshifts that decelerate the car or the vehicle will lurch forward without having your foot on the gas as it shifts itself into a different gear. When trying to 'punch it' and accelerate quickly it will often hesitate to go into the correct gear then suddenly rev high as it speeds up. Hunting up and down through gears while staying at a constant speed. The navigation system is extremely slow to come up and respond to inputs when the car is started. Acura has claimed this is due to cell phone bluetooth interference. Collision mitigation system has engaged twice. The first time by husband was in a parkinglot driving through a row looking for a spot to park. The car slammed on the breaks with no cars in his path and nearly caused the car behind him to rear end him. The second time I was approaching a stop light to turn right, there was a vehichle in front of me but the distance I was stoping from the rear of that vehichle was not an abnormal or alarming distance. The brakes locked up with lights flashing on the dash and an awful grinding noise coming from beneath the car. On one occasion from a parked position it would not allow us to engage it in drive. It flashed "shift to park" on the dash. It took three attempts to get it to go in to drive. The rear hatch hydrolics had to be replaced within the first 6 months as the power liftgate stopped working. One of the two key fobs also went out on us in the first 6 months, replacing the battery did nothing and the whole fob needed to be replaced.