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We bought our 2003 MDX used with 50k miles and the trans. broke at 108k. I have all maint records showing the fluid was replaced every 30k miles. I'll replace fluid evey 5k from now on. That's when the oil is changed. It's really easy to change. You must used the Acura Z1 fluid. Enjoy your Acura for 30k miles, then sell it.
when i want to the dealer they wanna charg me for new trans.
If Acura won't pay for a new one, take it to an independant transmision shop and have it rebuilt. You'll save 2 grand over Acura's price and they'll use better parts. Have them change your passenger side and bottom front motor mounts also. Change tranny fluid every time you change oil.
Your next big expense will be at 100k miles for a timing belt.
I have read a lot about being having problems with the transmissions in the 2003 Pilot, Odyssey, and MDX.
We were thinking of trading it in on a new Acura and not mentioning the problems if it made it to the dealer but I don't really want a new car payment. I found this forum today and called the local Acura and asked about the assistance from Acura when replacing an out of warranty transmission since their were 100's of posts online from people having this problem. I was told it was a case by case basis and you had to have done all transmission fluid changes at the appropriate time for them to offer assistance. The car had to be in overall good shape with regular Acura service and provide proof of the transmission fluid changes.
We moved to a town without an Acura dealer 4 years ago and have been getting the Acura serviced at the local Honda dealer. I called them to find out when the last transmission fluid change was and they had NEVER done one, although all other service had been performed including the timing belt, water pump and left engine mount along with all belts. Why would they never change the transmission fluid in 4 years of serving the vehicle? Now it seems that that blows any chance of getting assistance from Acura on a transmission replacement.
On another point, do you think that just flushing the transmission may solve the issue since the fluid hasn't been changed in such a long time. Do my issues sound like what you all have been experiencing? I've never noticed the vibrating that several of you have mentioned. And our vehicle seems fine driven close to home, it's when we venture out that the problems start.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Your service issues are common with all repair shops. They only do what you tell them to. Even though you take it in for routine "service", there's no assurance they do what's needed on your maintenance schedule. But use that issue as an argument that the dealer did not do it's job by maintaining your vehicle when you took it to them. "You trusted them to handle all service items" and they failed. They should take some responsibility. I always do my own service work on all our vehicles.
Take your MDX to the Honda dealer, insist they contact Acura in CA regarding reimbursing you for a new transmission based on the dealer's poor maintenance service and the fact that there are reported problems with the transmissions. If they offer anything less then them paying 75% of the replacement cost, go to an independent transmission repair company (one who has experience rebuilding Acura transmissions) and get an estimate. It may be cheaper then giving Acura any more money. Acura's replacement transmission comes with a 3yr./36k warranty. It may not be transferable. I think an independent shop would be $2,000 less then Acura's full price.
Now that I got a new (rebuilt) transmission in our MDX, I will be changing transmission fluid every time I change the engine oil (5k miles). It takes 3 qts of fluid and adds 5 minutes to the oil change job. It's really easy. Use Acura's Z1 fluid but I'll be looking to buy it some place else instead of the dealer. Mobil 1's synthetic fluid is not recommended by Mobil.
HELLO,
THERE ARE UPGRADE OPTIONS TO THIS UNIT, THERE IS A COMPANY THAT CREATES UPGRADES FOR FAULTS THAT THE MANUFACTURE DID NOT CATCH AT THE ASSEMBLY LINE. THERE ARE ALSO SHIFT KITS AVAILABLE THAT WILL MAKE THIS UNIT NOT ONLY PERFORM BETTER, BUT HELP THE UNIT DOUBLE ITS LIFE. I HOPE THIS INFO HAS BEEN USEFUL OR HELPFUL FOR YOU.
Just wanted to note something about Honda/Acura. All of their V6 transmissions have a replaceable filter, yet, it's never replaced during dealer scheduled service and most service desks don't even know about it. I found this out doing my own service on my Acura TL. The parts guy had never heard of anyone replacing this when I ordered it. The filter was as dirty as the fluid and, most will find a small amount of shavings on their magnetic drain plug and I can only assume this accumulates in the filter, too.
Anyone else think that's odd?
I asked my service dealer Acura of Springfield Mo and they flat out lied to me.
There is a recall and thousands of complaints regarding faulty transmission design.
Is there a class action lawyer available out there to help?
There should be a class action suit.
The Acura of Springfield Missouri flat out lied to me and said there has never been any problems with the MDX transmissions including the year 2002.
There should be a class action suit.
The Acura of Springfield Missouri flat out lied to me and said there has never been any problems with the MDX transmissions including the year 2002.
Acura Headquarters said the exact something to me
1. Did you get all your service done at an Acura dealer?
2. The Acura dealer you took the car to does not belong to Acura and I should get a lawyer and sue the dealership
3. We can withdraw our offer at any time.. I dealt with Fred and he was very short, uncaring and rude!
You have to hope the judge doesn't look at us as a bunch of whinny rich people (because we drive Acuras). Realistically, I don't think we have a leg to stand on unless you have "defective" parts in your hand and internal Acura documentation confirming they were aware of the problem and chose to cover it up. You need to prove "fraud". Keep in mind that plain "stupidity" is not illegal. That's another story.
Bottom line, my next car will be a Ford. I think they are the car company of the future.
Moral of story-don't accept their first offer-they know this is a wide-spread problem (our local dealer has replaced many converters and trannys in the MDX).
Attorneys get $3 million, consumers get coupons in Honda class action case (MSNBC)
Anyway, all the car companies are like this.
Since replacing my Acura transmission, I'm changing the trans fluid with every regular oil change, (5k miles) and using Mobil 1 ATF. It takes 3-1/2 qts. and 10 minutes extra time. Keep in mind, the whole trans. holds 9 qts. It might help and it might not. If the trans fails after the 3yr/36 month warranty, I'll have an independent garage rebuilt it better then what Acura does.
I SPOKE TO ACURA 'S CORPORATE
HEADQUARTERS AND THEY FLAT OUT DENY THIS PROBLEM. THEY ARE RUDE AND QUITE THE SCAM ARTIST, THEY TOLD ME THAT TRANSMISSION WILL NOT EFFECT THE ENGINE.
FURTHERMORE THEY TOLD ME TO GET A LAWYER AND SUE THE DEALERSHIP "ACURA OF SPRINGFIELD" BECAUSE THEY ARE INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED,
NEVER NEVER WILL I BUY AN ACURA AGAIN!
The dealership has dropped the price down to $2500.00 to compensate for the problems I have had with them.
This Honda case may be of interest:
A case in which the only winners are lawyers (MSNBC)
Good luck,
Pat
Rich
I have a little more leverage because I work at a chain of dealerships and can get inside a little bit. The Acura store is part of that chain, but the reason Honda paid for the goodwill is because we serviced at the Acura store and Honda could verify the services.
I can tell you this: Japanese car quality is a myth. Both Honda and Toyota are still cashing in on a reputation that used to be true, but no longer applies. I see the behind the scenes and both GM and Chrysler have every bit as good a quality as Honda or Toyota. Probably Ford does too, but we don't have one of their dealerships.
Both Toyota and Honda are superior in one way: suppressing bad news. The general public still doesn't know about the Acura problems and they are just starting to hear about the Toyota problems that have been manifest for years.
I have a 2005 MDX with 104K miles. No repairs other than brakes. There are no indications of any issues.
For what it is worth, I have been buying new cars since 1968, all with automatic transmissions, kept ALL for over 100K miles (many, closer to 150K). I have NEVER had a problem with an automatic transmission. I follow the maintenance schedules in the owners' manual (not the dealers' recommendations) and always service at the dealer during warranty period. After that, if I think the dealer is the most competent and reliable shop, I go with them nevermind their pricey rates.
* 1968 Ford Mustang (100K+)
* 1971 Buick Skylark (~110K)
* 1972 Chevrolet Vega (100K+)
* 1974 Buick Century wagon (120K+)
* 1979 Buick Skyhawk (then end of my relationship with Garbage Motors) (100K+)
* 1984 Ford Econoline E-150 (~110K)
* 1987 Toyota pickup (100K+)
* 1988 Mazda 929 (~120K)
* 1990 Volvo 740 (150K)
* 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee (150K)
* 2001 Mercedes E-320 (currently, 112K)
* 2005 Acura MDX (currently, 104K) also, the most reliable of all I have owned.
Draw your own conclusions.
Dave
To the fellow with 2010, that is a huge bummer. I don't think Honda will be getting my business anymore.
Anyone actually know what the going rate is for the Transmission replacement these days?
Thanks;
Jamie
No way am I going to fork over thousands to fix this, the warranty period expired 9 months ago, but I'm 18,000 below the mileage warranty. If I have to pay more than 10% of the cost, I'm going to engage in a massive negative campaign against Acura. I've heard a lot of cases with people having this problem 50K+ miles, but 30K, and we baby the vehicle is pretty disappointing.
The TL and the MDX used the same transmission technology. Why in God's name would you ever want to get another Acura? The TL automatics were horrible.
I have had many vehicles over the past 20 years, some with over 200,000 miles. This includes Jeeps, Caravans and GMCs. The only problem vehicle ever was this Acura MDX with three transmissions in 89000 miles.
I have never seen a vehicle as fragile as this Acura and after one experience, there is no way I would ever spend my money on any Honda product again. Just like Toyota owners who clung to a myth of superiority, I see the people on this list blindly swallowing the "higher quality" garbage from Honda. Honda just hasn't had their Toyota moment yet.
My advice is: Take off the blinders and look at other brands.
Despite what Toyota is going through, I bet you can get some great deals from them.
Wife brought it to dealership today, they noticed particles in the trans fluid right away, are diagnosing the extent of the damage as I write this. The service manager said he would talk to Acura today about goodwill repair on this.. Hopefully will be taken care of gratis or as close to that as possible.
When I gave my 1989 Accord LXi away, it registered 213K miles on the original transmission & engine. The car broke down after 3 yrs after that.
When I gave my 2004 Acura Integra away, it registered 193K miles on the original transmission & engine. And it is still going with 215K on the odometer.
My Accord 03EXV6 has 80K miles on the odometer. Will see how long it will last.
I take great care of replacing engine oil & tranny fluid.
Did your previous Honda products have 4 cylinder engines? Manuals or autos? There is no denying that Honda makes very high quality 4 Cylinder vehicles. It's when the V6 is added into the mix.
Additionally, I feel that as they became more popular, their engineering was rushed and cheapened by market forces. Honda rarely sells V6 vehicles anywhere but North America. If you look at what vehicles have been problematic, they have all been V6's with autos: Accords, Odysseys, Pilots/MDX's, TL's.