2017 Acura MDX: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Feb 8, 2026 · Acceleration, Transmission · WI

There were several instances where my vehicle either accelerated or decelerated while I was driving. I first noticed the issue about a week after I purchased the car in May 2022. I took it back to Acura of Brookfield, and they said they couldn’t replicate the issue. I also took my car to Acura of Brookfield in September 2023 for the same jerking issue. They charged me for an update, but the issue did not change. I continued noticing the problem over the years, but it happened more frequently in 2025. In May 2025, I was driving down a hill in Brookfield, Wisconsin, when my car jerked aggressively and then accelerated on its own. Throughout the rest of the year, it would either accelerate or decelerate while I was on the highway. On January 20, while I was on my way to the gym, my car jerked and decelerated while I was on the highway. I was able to pick up speed again and continue driving to the gym. When I came back out, my car started, but it would not shift out of park. I had the car towed to Acura of Brookfield, and they said something about the hydraulics inside the transmission being bad, and that they had to replace the entire transmission.

Filed Jan 16, 2026 · Transmission · GA

Since 2020 the transmission does not shift properly from second to third gear. The power drops and the car shutters and makes noise like gear teeth are missing. This does not happen every time though. Sometimes multiple days will pass before the problem arises again. There have been a couple of times where I barely avoided a wreck because of the drop in power and underperformance of the transmission.

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 Jul 21, 2023 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · OR

The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact stated while at a stop light, the vehicle would not shift out of park. The contact attempted shifting into another gear however, the vehicle would not shift out of park. The vehicle was towed to the dealer however, because the vehicle would not shift out of park, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 60,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed May 4, 2023 · Acceleration, Fuel system · NC

at highway speeds, the transmission unexpectedly shifts to neutral with no warning. The only indication is unexpected decrease in speed and accompanying engine rev. My typical driver response is to take foot off accelerator, then put back on again. Engine overrevs then shifts in to gear. I'd estimate it's out of gear for ~ 5 seconds, but hard to say in the heat of the driving moment. This happens 1-2X most highway trips, but not occur at lower speeds (it does not shift very smoothly in lower gears at times, but it's not currently a safety issue). I've taken it to my local dealer (Hendrick Acura, Durham, NC) and contacted Acura Customer Care, and am trying to get a diagnostic scheduled (it's been a process). The behavior started to worsen over the past several months (e.g. the slip to neutral has lengthened in time) but shorter slips have been occurring for a longer time period.

Filed Aug 29, 2022 · Transmission · LA

Traveling on I-49 north at approximately 80 mph without any sign of a problem when suddenly the car began breaking, shifted into neutral, hazards flashing, and every light on my dash lit up (Emission system Failure, Braking Failure, and Transmission Failure). At first I thought it had something to do with the cruise control, so I tried turning that off, which did not help, so I pulled over to the shoulder safely. This really could have been dangerous had there been more traffic because the car could not accelerate. Once on the shoulder I engaged the parking break as the car would not shift into park or any other gear. I turned off the car while I called state police and roadside assistance. After a while I was able to turn the car on and move it to reverse because I was about 30 yards past an entrance ramp that I could go to off the interstate. All lights were still lit up on the dash. It sounded rough. This was a very dangerous situation and Acrua needs to address this. It is currently awaiting evaluation at Acura of Lafayette.

Filed Mar 17, 2020 · Transmission · 44,000 miles · LA

We were driving 70mph on the interstate i10 headed to new orleans when our vehicle suddenly and without warning lost acceleration the dashboard lite up like a christmas tree telling me to pull over immediately and then electric parking brake error, transmission error and an emissions error all at once. This was a very dangerous incident and we somehow managed to get to the small side of the road on this busy interstate. It scared the both us! The mdx would not go into drive or neutral? While waiting for the tow truck we almost were side swiped. This car was purchased for the safety features and it has really caused my wife and I to lose all faith and now cannot depend on it. Our vehicle has 44k on it and it was even a acura certified pre-owned inspected vehicle. I have learned there is a class action lawsuit for this same type of incident and model of acura. This car is dangerous and acura better own up to this faulty vehicle. This needs to be recalled!

Filed Apr 28, 2018 · Transmission · 3,500 miles · CA

The 9 speed transmission in my acura mdx shifts very hard going into first and second gear while driving on city streets and in two separate cases the car did not shift into third gear and halted the car as I step on the gas the engine roars but the car did not move. Once it finally shifted into gear the car jolted forward. This happened in the rain which was extremely scary and unsafe. I have taken the car to two acura dealers totaling 4 visits to the service department and no one believes that anything is wrong because acura is not doing anything about it. A lot of other customers online reviews explain the same issue I'm having. I have contacted acura corporate office and was assured within two business days a manager would contact me regarding this matter and that was three weeks ago and I have heard nothing from them. I do not feel safe in this car or having my family in the car at this point.

Filed Mar 17, 2018 · Transmission · 378 miles · MD

On february 23,2018, I purchase a new 2017 acura mdx with technology package. The vehicle had 378 miles when I purchased it. It had never been titled and was sold as a new vehicle. Upon taking delivery of the vehicle, I noticed that the vehicle hesitates when shifting gears. When stopped at a traffic light on a flat paved, city street, the vehicle experiences poor acceleration when taking off. I am pressing the gas pedal down really hard, yet the vehicle is moving very slowly--not equal to the amount of pressure I am applying to the gas pedal. The acceleration is very poor, especially when pulling off from a stopped position. When I am going downhill on a paved city street, the vehicle accelerates even when no gas is applied. Experiencing rough shifting, especially in low gears on all paved roads. Dangerous when trying to merge onto the highway due to extremely slow acceleration. Sometimes when slowing down to stop, the vehicle accelerates. When I try to make a left turn against oncoming traffic, the vehicle hesitates and could cause a serious accident. All driving takes places on city streets, highways and paved roadways. On one occasion, the vehicle would not shift into reverse from a parked position. I received an error code saying 'transmission problem, pull over when safe." the poor acceleration problem is worse when I enable the adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist features. I have returned the vehicle to the dealership on 2 separate occasions. Each time they tell me the vehicle is operating as designed. They even said that I need to drive the vehicle more so that the transmission will learn my driving patterns and make the necessary adjustments.