2000-2004 Acura CL, Acura MDX and others recall: automatic transmission

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) reported this safety recall on April 15, 2004. It covers about 1,099,796 vehicles.

vehicles affected: 1,099,796
reported: Apr 15, 2004
owners notified: Apr 27, 2004
related complaints: 4,270

Power train: automatic transmission

What is wrong: On some mini vans, sport utility and passenger vehicles, certain operating conditions can result in heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft second gears in the automatic transmission, eventually leading to gear tooth chipping or gear breakage.
Risk: Gear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash.
Remedy: On vehicles with 15,000 miles or less, the dealer will update the transmission with a simple revision to the oil cooler return line to increase lubrication to the second gear. On vehicles with more than 15,000 miles, the dealer will inspect the transmission to identify gears that have already experienced discoloration due to overheating. If discoloration exists, the transmission will be replaced if discoloration is not present, the dealer will perform the revision to the oil cooler return line. The recall began on april 21, 2004, for pilot, odyssey, and mdx owners. Owners of the accord vehicles will start receiving letters on june 28, 2004, and on june 29, 2004, for owners of the tl and cl vehicles. Owners should contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009 or acura at 1‑800‑382‑2238.

Recall number 04V176000

Affected vehicles

Acura CL 2001-2003 2001 2002 2003
Acura MDX 2001-2002 2001 2002
Acura TL 2000-2004 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Honda Accord 2003-2004 2003 2004
Honda Odyssey 2002-2004 2002 2003 2004
Honda Pilot 2003-2004 2003 2004

Owner complaints about the same problem

Owners of these vehicles have filed 4,270 complaints about transmission problems.

2001 Acura CL 2002 Acura CL 2003 Acura CL 2001 Acura MDX 2002 Acura MDX 2001 Acura TL 2002 Acura TL 2003 Acura TL 2004 Acura TL 2003 Honda Accord 2004 Honda Accord 2002 Honda Odyssey

Questions about recall 04V176000

Is there a recall on the 2000-2004 Acura CL, Acura MDX and others automatic transmission?

Yes. Recall 04V176000, reported on April 15, 2004, covers about 1,099,796 vehicles.

What is the fix for recall 04V176000?

On vehicles with 15,000 miles or less, the dealer will update the transmission with a simple revision to the oil cooler return line to increase lubrication to the second gear. On vehicles with more than 15,000 miles, the dealer will inspect the transmission to identify gears that have already experienced discoloration due to overheating. If discoloration exists, the transmission will be replaced if discoloration is not present, the dealer will perform the revision to the oil cooler return line. The recall began on april 21, 2004, for pilot, odyssey, and mdx owners. Owners of the accord vehicles will start receiving letters on june 28, 2004, and on june 29, 2004, for owners of the tl and cl vehicles. Owners should contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009 or acura at 1‑800‑382‑2238.

Is the recall repair free?

Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers. A dealer can confirm with the VIN whether a specific vehicle is included and whether the repair has already been done.

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