2022 Acura MDX: jerking or lurching

Filed Oct 29, 2026 · Transmission · VA

My 2022 Acura MDX lost motive power due to a transmission and transfer case failure at 64,306 miles. The transmission first became jumpy shifting from 1st to 2nd gear, then began whining and self-correcting. The jerking worsened in stop-and-go traffic until the vehicle became stuck in low gear and at times lost all gears completely. On the drive to the dealer, it nearly would not go into gear at all, and I did not think it was going to make it. The dealer (Crown Acura, [XXX], repair order #XXX) found the transmission fluid level low and the transfer case fluid dark, indicating the two fluids had been mixing. Diagnostic codes present were described by the dealer as transmission failure codes. After removing the transfer case, the dealer found brown sludge and worn connections between the transfer case and transmission, and noted the vehicle was not far from the relatively common failure of the transfer case. Both the transmission and the transfer case were replaced, and the transmission control module was reprogrammed with a new module. The vehicle was in the shop for approximately six weeks. The repair was covered under the certified pre-owned powertrain warranty at no cost to me. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 23, 2026 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · CA · crash

On April 17 2026 while driving my 2022 Acura MDX at very low speed in a parking lot, the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward without warning and surged into bushes before I could stop it. I did not mistake the gas for the brake pedal. This felt like a sudden unintended acceleration event. I was preparing to park in a stall and the vehicle lunged forward unexpectedly. I applied the brake, but the braking did not immediately stop the forward surge. Earlier, I experienced another unusual event in which the vehicle abruptly auto-braked, jerked, and made a warning sound while I was slowing for a red light. I noticed the car felt as if it was surging a bit on residential streets and was about to mention it during the next service. This incident has caused me to lose confidence in the safety of the vehicle. I contacted Niello Acura who has been very cooperative. I was told the issue would need to be duplicated or that they could only inspect it if a code had been stored once the car is repaired. The car is currently being repaired with close to 7,000 in front end damage. I am reporting this because a sudden unintended acceleration presents a serious safety risk and could easily have caused a more severe crash or injury. I did research on this issue and have found various reports of unintended accelerations in the Acura MDX forums from various years but was unable to find any recalls or outcomes with these reports My concern is this will be dismissed as "operator error" or a phantom incident that cannot be reproduced.

Filed Apr 13, 2026 · Transmission · VA

Complete drivetrain failure while accelerating from a complete stop in the middle of a busy intersection. No warning lights or hazard messages were activated before or after the failure. The car made a massive clunking/banging sound and continued to clunk on acceleration. The car had to be towed to the dealership. My children were in the car with me, and we had just driven on the highway for 45 minutes before this failure. Luckily, my husband was behind me, and I activated hazards until I could pull over safely. It was jerking and clunking so badly that I was barely able to steer. It was terrifying since my two young children were in the car, and they were both screaming from the noise. I believe I would have been rear-ended if my husband had not been behind me due to the sudden jerk from the failure, as I was the first car in the left turn lane. This is not the first issue I have had with the transfer case in this vehicle. The affected transfer case and drive train were replaced only 7 months prior due to a faulty transfer case and a severe clunking sound. This vehicle has had repeated drivetrain failures without warning, resulting in loss of traction and control. The recent failure reflects a completely stripped spline connecting the transfer case and transmission. This will be the 4th transfer case this vehicle has had at only 64K miles. All recommended maintenance and care have been completed at the certified Acura dealership since the vehicle was purchased. Recently, the 60K services were completed just 3 months prior to the current failure. The vehicle is currently at the dealership for repairs under warranty, as it needs a new transmission and another transfer case. I have not yet received the documentation, as the car is not in my possession, but I will provide it once I receive it. See the attached documentation from the previous failure, dated 6/3/2025, to establish a pattern of catastrophic drivetrain failure.

Filed Nov 22, 2025 · Brakes, Transmission · TX

When the vehicle decelerates—either from high speed or while already moving slowly—it frequently jerks just before coming to a complete stop. This issue is especially noticeable at very low speeds or during final braking, where the vehicle may lurch forward by a few inches unless the brakes are applied firmly. Despite multiple visits to the dealership, including transmission resets and software updates, the problem persists. The dealer has not provided a resolution or adequate follow-up. This behavior poses a serious safety risk, particularly in high-traffic areas where precise stopping is critical.

Filed Sep 13, 2025 · Driver assistance, Steering · AL

I was driving to work yesterday morning- busiest time of day on probably the busiest road in our area. My car started freaking out randomly. It popped up numerous errors. The steering wheel locked up. The brakes weren’t working well. I had a car behind me. THANKFULLY they were paying attention because they were very close to rear ending me. But they dodged me. I finally jerked the wheel and got it pulled over to the side of the road until someone could come get me and take me to work. There could have been a different outcome. After being hit head on in February of this year, this incident was NOT good for my PTSD!!!! My anxiety has been through the roof since this incident with a car that I bought SIX MONTHS AGO! As soon as I can trade this car off and get something else, I will be. We still don’t know what it’s wrong with it. We are going to have it towed somewhere on Monday. This was a major safety risk for me AND for the others on the road!!! If my kids had been in the car, I would’ve been even more upset over the situation.

Filed Jan 4, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · VA

I've recently been in touch with an Acura dealership about my vehicle's wireless charger not working. So shortly after purchase I made my complaint that the wireless charger pad is not charging my phone. They've replaced the pad but still not charging my Samsung ultra 22+ unless the car is parked and sitting still. They've asked me to allow time for researching the issue and taken all the make model details from my phone. Well sadly a few other things recently became noticeable to me as well and I will be following up with the dealership to address them as well as I'm not satisfied with my truck and the many issues I'm experiencing. 1) Jerked when coming to a stop to reverse into my driveway 2) A loud Thud noise could be heard inside my truck although I had the radio on when switching from park to drive or drive to park. 3) Car stopped kind of midway when reversing jerking me in the process leaving me wondering why or what was going on. 4) Engine would rev to 7000rpm even though I was going less than 45 mins per hour....just baffling honestly.

Filed Jun 13, 2021 · Transmission · IL

Transmission failed right as I drove off the lot. The car initially started to jerk and then was revving to 7000rpms and would not speed up past 25mph. The car also stopped moving when I put it in reverse. When I tool it back to the lot within the hour, around 3 days later they told me the transmission failed ln the car. This was a brand new car and should not have happened.