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Isn't Honda Pilot same as our MDX though? Same problems?
Unless....
You happen to be doing a "rolling stop"' and thereby re-apply foot pressure to the gas pedal before, or just before, the vehicle comes to a FULL stop. Then you will definitely get a SLAM into 1st gear.
"..like brake is taken.."
You're experiencing the newly adopted "coastdown full fuel cut"
During closed throttle coastdown periods the engine is STARVED of fuel. In order to keep the engine turning over fast enough that a simple restoration of fuele flow will "restart" it the transmission will be downshifted, sequentiually, again and again, as roadspeed declines.
It is these downshifts that result in a slight level of engine compression braking that feel as if the brakes are being lightly applied.
At some point the roadspeed will become to low and fuel flow will be restored while at the same time the transmission is upshifted to alleviate engine compression loading.
It's that last upshift at fuel flow restoration that feels as if the brakes have partially released. It is also that last upshift that often gets in the way of your need for 1st gear acceleration if you happen to try to re-accelerate at the "wrong" moment.
Completely goes away when I let off the gas or go faster to higher rpm.
What the heck is this?
I just got a letter from Acura concerning a product update concerning transmission judder.
Is that what this is?
Thanks
Transmissions are designed for specific models. You don't just put a generic transmission in any car - it has to be THE transmission designed for THAT model (& year). The only option for our car is the transmission as designed by Acura for an MDX (more specifically, for an '03 MDX). True??
The '03 X tranny problems are *design problems*. So, regardless as to whether it is new or rebuilt, from Acura or, say, from AAMCO, it still is a transmission with a design flaw (as opposed to a problem on the assembly line or poor quality part) True??
A new or rebuilt transmission for the 03 X is *still* susceptible to the same failure. In other words, a new/rebuilt transmission is no better (and no worse) than what came with the vehicle in '03. True??
Thanks!
So it is at those times that the MDX VTM-4 system, or the newer SH-AWD system, will pre-emptively engage the rear drive clutches in order to significantly reduce the MDX's, or any FWD or F/awd, strong propensity for loss of directional control should a slippery surface be encounter.
The fly in that ointment, for most of us, is that the clear majority of the time the road surface will be HIGHLY tractive, leading to an extreme stress level for the entire driveline for the duration of the level, high level, of rear drive engagement.
Which leads me to suspect that Acura, along with installing a new or rebuilt transaxle, will/would also "quietly" reflash the TC, Traction Control. firmware such that the "awd" stress level is significantly lowered.
Some vehicles, FWD to F/awd "conversions, Ford Escape/Mariner/Tribute as examples, have a temperature sensors so as to warn the driven that the driveline is being overstressed to much, to often, and the driver is caution to stop and wait for the driveline components to cool down.
I have a 2004 Acura MDX with 160,000 miles that is now in need of a $5000 transmission replacement.
Regular check ups, had one at 150,000, replaced the timing belt and all with no avail.
NEVER EVER EVER BUY an Acura MDX - look how many people are having issues, and honestly I've had a number of other expensive issues earlier.
I hate to break the bad news, but your motor mounts are probobly broken and the front lower ball joints are shot.
Our next car will be a Ford.
I now own 2 Infinitis and my next vehicle will either be a sedan or crossover from Infiniti or BMW.
The failures will likely be primarily south of the snow belt, and for MDX drivers with somewhat of a lead foot. Lots of time with the rear drive engaged, driveline STRESSED, and mostly on highly tractive surfaces.
On the flip side those north of the snow belt will really appreciate the wintertime roadability, driveability, using the revised, more robust F/awd performance, rear drive control firmware.
Again, I would much prefer a system that could be switched off thereby avoiding the needless, unwarranted, stressing of the driveline when traction conditions are KNOWN to be "solid".
But the public, overall, seems to be buying fully into this automatic PART-TIME F/awd design.
In all the cars I had, MDX is the WORST and it's not worth the money. The biggest mistake car purchase I've done so far. GAS MILEAGE also sucks!
Peters said she planned to reactivate her state law license so that she can represent other Civic owners in litigation against Honda.
Screw Honda/Acura. I hope another Tsunami wipes out the Honda plants.
I don't have the time nor the resources to do this but something you may want to consider. I only paid $22k for my car on used mdx. If I had spent another 20K on new Acura, I would be suing them in small claims court, no doubt.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/04/small-claims-court_n_1317241.html
http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2012/02/car-owner-heather-mills-sues-honda-- - over-2006-civic-hybrid-mileage-claims-and-wins.html
http://articles.latimes.com/2012/feb/02/business/la-fi-autos-honda-lawsuit-20120- - 202
I am debating trading in my car before something major happens. From what I continue to read in this forum I do not want to wait until it's too late.
Good luck to us all!
From the frying pan and into the FIRE.
I have now been closely watching, monitoring this FWD to F/awd issue for nie onto 12 years. Insofar as I know, can tell, there NO manufacturer that has as of yet solved this "equation" suscessfully.
With the advent of the introduction of the '01 RX300 Lexus was forced to, HAD to, totally abandon the new F/awd system that they initially introduced with the '99 RX300. Even with these changes, major changes, it wasn't until the adoption of DBW with the new RX330 that the driveline, mostly transaxle, failures declined to an acceptable (to Lexus) level.
In the meantime RX300 owners were left without a functional F/awd system. In 2010 Lexus switched to an entirely new F/awd system, the one Ford, Escape/Mariner, had earlier encountered so many problems with. Ford is solving their problem by simply dropping the product line.
It remains to be seen whether the new RX350 F/awd system will pass muster. Lexus has added an ability to lock the system in "awd" mode but my guess is that will soon be discontinued, if that isn't already in the works.
Driver's in the general case CANNOT be relied upon to make judicious, reasonable, use of that "awd" functionality, and most certainly cannot be relied upon to always remember to turn it off once the slippage condition has passed.
Torque Converter: $2700.00
Front and Right side Engine Mounts: $ 550.00 (with TC change)
I declined the work for now. I am thinking calling AHM and also looking for any firm willing to do a Class Action. If there is a Class Action already in works ..please let me know..Thanks
Also, two motor mounts are broke, not one. If you never had the timing belt or spark plugs replaced at 110k miles, it's overdue. You'll also need new front lower control arms & balljoints.
I have 160k miles my 2003 MDX and it's very well maintained. I'm speaking from experience. I forced the transmission issue with our dealer at 110k miles and they got Acura to pay 90% of they trans. cost.
You'll just have to decide if it's worth keeping.
I received quotes to have it rebuilt ranging from $2500 - $3500. That price varied by the length of the warranty.
I contacted the Acura dealership to see if there was a possibility they would be able to assist in covering part of the cost to get it fixed. The guy in the service department I spoke with was very dismissive. It was almost as if he was on the defensive from dealing with other people who have had this issue. Either way, I'd expect more courtesy from a dealership I spent $40k at.
My fear is that if I invest so much into my MDX now to fix this issue, how much will I have to spend next year and the year after. It seems like the MDX just turns into a money pit once this problems start to occur.
On the converse, if I trade in my MDX for a new vehicle (it def. wont be for another Acura) I will have to spend money on monthly payments for the next 60 months. It seems like a no win situation.
... For the record, I purchased my MDX from Springfield Acura in Springfield, NJ.
Maybe if we start posting the name of our dealerships, they will step up to the plate and contact Acura to complain that their business are being hurt for selling vehicles which have known defective parts. Or at the very least, bring the shotty customer service to their attention.
Less functionality of the system = lower driveline stress/HEAT overall.
Are the new Acura MDX free from their transmission defects now? Do anybody know?
thanks.
You should look very seriously at Infiniti's new JX SUV which promises to be everything the MDX has been and more. That is what my next SUV will be. Good luck.
I would reconsider purchasing an MDX, or any Honda/Acrua, at this time. From what I've seen, pretty much everyone on this forum has experienced issues within only a few years of purchasing an MDX. For a "luxury" vehicle that costs upwards of $40k, one would expect that it will last for at least 10 years before any serious issues occur. If this was an isolated incident, that's one thing but after reading all these posts I'm realizing that we all got taken advantage of.
This experience really opened my eyes to always do serious due diligence before purchasing another vehicle.
And I know one thing, I will not ever want to pay $ 2000 because I failed to get an extended warranty. And I know that for an extra amount of cash, I won't get stuck again. i.e. If I pay 50k for the car, what does it really matter for an extra $1300-1500? And maybe I am just throwing my $$ away but I can sleep better at night. JMO.
Good luck to all and stay safe.
jensad
When you begin the design process with a "base" FWD vehicle there are a few problems that simply cannot be overcome. The base problem arises due to the fact that there is as of yet no way to predict, detect, upcoming wheelspin/slip due to the use of more engine torque than would be allowed by the current level of roadbed traction.
So, the current design solution is to REMOVE engine torque from the front wheels at those times when wheelspin/slip is most likely to result, and therefore raise the probability of loss of directional control. The problem with that approach is the fact that 70-98% of the time that simply results in undue stress on driveline components.
There can be no doubt that the SH-AWD system is the best of the best of these designs. What is needed IMMHO is a driver operated switch that temporarily enables the operation of the system ONLY until the vehicle reaches ~20MPH and then automatically switches off of itsself.
Your explanation sounds absolutely on the money. Now, let's find a way to convince Torrence.
Are you familiar with the torque converter issue - its current status, I mean, problem corrected or not? seems unacceptable number of complaints in very new cars.