Acura MDX Maintenance and Repair

vaughn4

Good point! The downside to sub par ratings in Consumer Reports is that the resale value of our problem prone MDX's may take a hit. I am a Consumer Reports subscriber and will rate the problems I'm having on my 07 MDX accordingly.

Acura better wake up and take care of these problems AND LISTEN TO THEIR CLIENTS!!! They are not listening!!! We are not talking a problem here and there, we are talking problems across the board. Very un Acura like. Is there any quality control there anymore???

tan948

I purchased my 2007 MDX with Technology package in April. I had the first oil change at 5500 miles. At that time, I noticed the engine oil level was below the low mark. I did not pay much attention. After the oil change, the oil level was full. However, only after 1500 miles since last oil change, I found the engine oil level is in the middle. It seems to me that the engine is comsuming engine oil. Is that normal to a brand new car? Does anyone has the same problem?

johnd6

Same problem here. I have not brought it back to the dealer because I have a feeling they will make me take it back 5 times before they will even acknowledge it. Rattle in the front right at low speeds. I Leased this vehicle as of last April. 3000 miles

rd082298

I have the same problem with my 2007 MDX. I finally commented to the dealer - Boyland-Appleton, WI about it on a routine maintenance visit this week. He told me that they would try to adjust the hinges if that didn't work they would replace the hood. They tried the adjustment it didn't work so they will be replacing the hood in the next two weeks.

Kind of disapointing initial quality from Acura but to their credit they are taking care of it. This is my second MDX and I still feel good about buying it.

ahhaaa

I have the same clunking noise in the rear when going over small bumps. Been driving me nuts.

Dealer told me there is a service bulletin on this. The bolts holding some part of the shocks or suspension are too small, hence there is loseness, hence the clunking.

They ordered the correct size bolts yesterday, came in today, so I'll have them installed soon.

frankr2

I'm not sure that's what it is. They did the same thing to mine and noise didn't go away. I hope it goes away in yours. And yes, it can drive you nuts.

dms9

Everyone

My dealer did the whole bolt thing and it worked . . . until yesterday. The clunking noise is back, although it is a different sound.

I said it before. I love driving this vehicle. It really is fun for a big SUV. But, Acura better focus on quality control. The engineers can design a great car, but if the factory doesn't put it together right, it won't matter. Thank god the factory didn't build the drivetrain.

vaughn4

Same here! The bolts did nothing; the car sounds like it's 20 years old when it goes over uneven roads! It is such an embarrassment. I'm totally disgusted. Maybe if we all collectively started filing for the lemon law Acura may take notice???

BUYER BEWARE - ACURA IS NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE!!!

JBaumgart

Would be curious to know if any new owners of '08 models are having these clunking and rattling issues from the suspension.

For those thinking about buying an MDX, these posts show that you would be wise to test drive the ACTUAL VEHICLE THAT YOU ARE BUYING before signing the purchase agreement.

scottm123

Very good advice, but most of these vehicles were not showing the symptom upon delivery, but soon after. :sick:

JBaumgart

I've read where the clearance on the '08 models is supposedly 1" higher than on the '07's. Do you suppose this means that the suspension may have been revised somewhat so that the clunking noise may no longer be a problem? Of course the two factors may be totally unrelated, but it's just a thought - the two pieces that are clanging together may now have more distance between them (travel) when going over rough surfaces.

upstatedoc

I just got off the phone w/ my MDX salesman and he states that the '08 is not any taller than the '07. The only changes were the auto-dimming mirror and parchment added to the white exterior. Of course, sometimes I think I know more about a vehicle than most of the salesmen I'm talking to...

upstatedoc

Which vehicles are experiencing the clunking? Base, sport or both? I have a sport that I keep in comfort mode most of the time and haven't had any issues.

vaughn4

I have the base model with the upgraded rear end clunk/thumping noise. By the way now I'm starting to hear the a/c compressor inside the car - It seems to be getting louder as time goes by. :sick:

frankr2

I agree. It is an embarrassment. Every time I have someone in the car, I have to explain that the clunking noise it's "the design" of the car, bla bla bla. I'm so mad at Acura for this that I don't know what to do anymore. I thought about the lemon law, but I'm not sure if this qualifies for it. What really kills me is that Acura has these "company men" spending more energy in trying to convince the buyers that the cars have no problem, than actually trying to see what the problem is. It is outrageous that we pay so much for a luxury car, that drives like an old car.

doublecrest

The AC compressor sounds loud too, especially when it stars kicking in.

I got mine last month, ~800miles on it now.

doublecrest

The break on my 07 MDX feels kind of weird. At low speed, it is so soft, those kind of soft feeling when you driving a cheap car while its break is almost gone. I mean when I push the break pedal, I do not feel that the break is working until 1/3 way down.

But the break is very effective/smooth when driving at highway speed.

Not sure if this is okay. Any comments?

doublecrest

sort of vibrates (new 07 MDX). I used to own camry and accord, they are all quite smooth when they were brand new.

This is my first SUV (or crossover). Do you think this is normal?

tomatoo

Same here. I got my 07 MDX on 1/30/07 by 8/1/07 12000miles on it. I'm staring to heard weird noise, like when I use the break for red light I hear loud CLICK..CLICK...sound untill fully stopped. When light turn green I gas to go I hear the CLICK CLICK..sound again.
Called the dealership: I got my car in for break diagnosis: quote for dealer work-order “Dealer did a break diagnosis: Cust. States knocking noise from rear suspension Tech road tested with customer to verify concern Tech. Referred to ACURA service BULLETIN 07-033 need to replace the DAMPER FLANGE BOLTS (2) PART is currently on back order from Acura”

GUESS what noise still there. I have to go back the second time where Acura Tech. has
replace brand new brushing, suspension etc. to fix the noise. Got a the car back all happy cause the noise wasn’t there anymore, But I’m picking up a new noise “CLUNKING” from the driver side font. I’M HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS.
Feel like I’m driving a OLD CAR!!!!!!!

“ITS MANUFACTORY DEFECT.”
:sick:

vaughn4

I'm very interested in all that they replaced on the rear suspension of your 07 MDX. Can you list the items they replaced? Maybe this could really help us all get this most annoying issue resolved because we are getting the "it's a normal sound" excuse and it is getting very old and annoying. :confuse:

tomatoo

Hey,
YEAP I think all the owner of 2007MDX TECH.
FACING THE SAME DAM CLICKING NOISE.

ACURA BAD BAD BAD!!!!! NOT LIKE BEFORE :sick: :lemon:

tomatoo

HEY,
I WILL GIVE YOU GUYS THE WHOLE DETAILS ON 10/10/07. WHY DEN
cause I'm going back to the dealer again for the same stupid noise, they thru it was fix. This time I'm asking for the WORK ORDER SINCE DAY-1 TIL PRESENT.

I'M GONNA WRITE A COMPLAINT TO THE HONDA HEADQUARTER WITH ALL THESE INFORMATION RESEARCHED.

philipjose1

i had posted the same complains on this blog before.

Recently I went back to the dealer about same complains.
My first complain was the car is making a small noise from the front after a cold start at very low speed. It only happens in low speed and once the car heats up doesn’t make any sound any more. It is like a very light rattling noise. I was told they couldn’t find the problem on my car.
My second problem was that the car makes some sound from the rear on a bumpy or uneven surface. Well they told me they replaced the bolts over the damper as specified by the Acura. But still I hear the same sound.

I expected Acura to be a very good car. My experience with Acura is so bad that I won’t recommend to any one. May be the problem is only with my car, but for some reason the dealer that I go to cannot diagnose it well.

The dealer I go to is DCH Acura in NY. If any one have the similar problem like mine and got it diagnosed please let me know so that atleast I can tell them what to look for. I feel sorry for myself for buying a 40k plus car and look for the diagnosis myself. Now I am kind of a regular visitor to edmunds forum.

I have a 2003 Honda accord which has 70000 miles on it. I feel sorry to say that I have taken my brand new Acura to the dealer more time than my 4 year old Honda accord. I really expected the Honda quality on Acura.

My dealer acts like I have nothing else to do other than bringing my car back and forth at thier convinence. If some one from Acura is reading this blog please take us serious. I dont have to teach Acura how to do business.

mweinstein2

2005 MDX: 23000 miles only! Bought new. When I received car their was creases in the leather that the dealer blamed on the plastic that was on the seats and said would even out. After 8 months and no change they replaced. New covers not much better but I waited again as they told me leather would even out.; Today I met with regional service manager that said it was normal wear. I said I hardly use the car, (23000 miles in 3 years) and that this was not exceptable in a $40+ vehicle. I asked who I could now speak with and he said he was it and the next step would be for me to go to court. Could not believe they way I was treated. They said if they showed me other vehicles where the leather was the same would I be satisfied. They showed be MDX with 65k mileage and the seats looked better then mine. I am not heavy and can no one can believe how crappy the seats look. My concern is with only;y 23000 miles, what will it look at when the car has 60k. Anyone else have same issues and suggestions on who I should speak with next. Calling care in CA has not gone to far. Thanks :mad:

scottm123

Honda/Acura is known for having less than acceptable leather quality.

Knowing this, I was constantly conditioning my wife's 2000 Honda Accord EX seats with cleaners and conditioners.
The same goes with our 06 MDX... I keep them well conditioned.

We had 185,000 miles on the Honda Accord and we now have 45,000 on the MDX and both cars, the seats are showroom perfect.

A lot of people have issues with the leather.
Treating it from the beginning and staying on top of it does avoid the problem though.

schnell76

My 07 MDX is just over 10k miles and it came on with service due soon indicator. I made an appt and told them of the B16 code it was showing on the indicator. I was told that B meant oil change, 1 meant rotate and balance tires and the 6 meant rear differential fluid need to be replaced. Anyone ever heard of rear differential fluid being replaced on an 07 mdx with 10k miles?? Is this normal or what? Seems odd to replace the fluid at just 10k miles. Any help/advice would be appreciated!

upstatedoc

Haven't hit 10k yet on my '07, but I would be very surprised if it needed differential fluid already. Just replaced that on my '04 MDX w/ 50k. Let us know if the dealer recommends it.

schnell76

They did recommend it. I was surprised too when they recommended the differential fluid change. Seems early to me too, but I did read a post in this thread that someone with an 07 had it pop up @ 7500 miles. Must be the SH-AWD...I guess??

JBaumgart

What does the owner's manual recommend?

rjlichtman

I am thinking about buying a used MDX. However, there are no Acura dealers near where I live. The closes dealer is 2 hours away. Can I take the MDX to a Honda dealer for any maintenance and/or repairs that I might need in the future?

varmint

I'm working from memory here so don't quote me on this. I think the first service interval for the diff fluid is shorter than the rest. Probably related to break-in.

upstatedoc

Many previous posts about this question. Search "Acura service at Honda dealer"

rjlichtman

Good. I tried it the other way around and didn't come up with much. Thanks!

rjlichtman

Ok, I need some help with the search as I am not getting anything helpful. I am sure it is that I don't know how to use the search properly. So far, I haven't found anything?

upstatedoc

Honda will not honor warranty work on your acura. They are quite capable however of performing routine maintenence. Luckily, Acuras aren't in the shop much!

vaughn4

In the continuing saga of the rear suspension clunking noises I just got back from my first service at Acura of Orange Park in Jacksonville, Florida. Had them check this and now they say they hear no "unusual" noises. If you are in the market for a new MDX BUYER BEWARE the problem continues with the 08 MDX and they will refuse to do anything about it except deny there is a problem. The service department at Acura of Orange Park is pretty pathetic too! They won't attempt to do anything as they are afraid it may make it worse; hence, by saying this they are acknowledging the noise but then they will turn around and and deny it, that it can't be duplicated. Such a sorry excuse. I may try another Acura dealership as Acura of Orange Park is just very apathetic towards customer complaints but beware Acura Corporate is no help either. They are arrogant and feel their cars are perfect. Well, mine has 4500 miles on it and it sounds like a 75 Ford Granada we had when going over bumps. Except the Granada had 85,000 miles on it when it started making suspension noises.

If I had to do it over again I would in no way buy an Acura - Never again!!! :sick: :lemon:

eclipse2

My wife has a 2007 Acura MDX Tech with 18,000 miles on it already and I have no problems with mine/hers!! for you to say all you may mean yours!! maybe you should do what I did with my Nissan Pathfinder 2005 LE :lemon: took them to 1800 my lemon and won all my money back and we have been driving the Acura MDX every sense!!! :shades:

dkim1

After three visits to the Pohanka Acura Dealer in Chantily VA and after numerous arguments with service advisors, I grabbed a technician on a break when I went to pick up the vehicle. Of course the work order stated "no abnormal findings". I had the technician sit next to me and started the engine and it produced loud "pop" from the speakers.
He looked up the Acura Website and found a technical service bulletin to update the software controlling the radio/navigation. It was fixed just like that!! That goes to show you that these service advisors have no clue!!! :sick:

bertramk

Thanks for the info! My 07 MDX with tech, Sport, Entertainment with 7k just starting making the loud pop at start after having both headlight units replaced. The problem is intermittent. Now I have a chance of resolution.

tomatoo

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HEELP
ON 8-22-07
REPLACE THE DAMPER FLANGE BOLTS FROM ACURA SERVICE BULLETIN 07-033

ON 9-21-07
REPLACE FRT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS RE-POSITION/RE-TIGHTEN ALL SUSPENSION AND FRAME BOLTS RECOMENDATIONS FROM ACURA SERVICE BULLETIN

ON 10-08-07
LINE FOUND L/F CALIPER SLIDES LOOSE N BRACKET R+R CLAIPER CLEAN AND LUBE SLIDE PINS.

I'M STILL HEARING CLUNK NOISE OVER BUMP BUMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:sick: :mad: :confuse:

tursiops

Hello... don't feel too bad... I have an 07 MDX and my hood vibrates like crazy (about 1-2 inches up and down) when I get on the interstate and I called Acura and took it in the Acura of Orange Park dealer where I bought it... they both told me that there is nothing that they could do, that because the hood is aluminum, it's supposed to vibrate a little..... it's horrible... they need to recall the aluminum hood than and put one in that doesn't flap around so much..... aside from that, Acura of Orange Park has been pretty good to me...

vaughn4

Like I said buyer beware - It seems there is an inherent problem with the rear suspension of these "technologically advanced" MDXs'. Can you imagine what these SUVs will sound like right at 50K when the warranty expires? Acura is so sad!!!

There is also no excuse that a hood on a $40K plus car vibrates. Then we have popping noises, clunks, clanks, bangs, etc... Acura no longer cares about what they produce which is sad because from experience they were an awesome automaker! But no more! They are cutting corners; this is supported by the service department's reluctance to really try to find a solution and Acura corporate's arrogance and downright product ignorance! There is no quality control there anymore.

scottm123

I was surprised too when they recommended the differential fluid change. Seems early to me too, but I did read a post in this thread that someone with an 07 had it pop up 7500 miles. Must be the SH-AWD...I guess??

Nothing to do with SH-AWD.
We have an 06 and the read diff fluid is supposed to be changed every 7,500.
I believe the front is less often, can't remember off the top of my head. :confuse:

upstatedoc

My'07 hasn't reminded me that anything needs to be changed @ almost 10k miles :confuse:

seaclusion

I have a 2004 MDX. Same issue too far away from Dealer. Local Honda dealer services and maintains warranty.

seaclusion

Have had since new. Great automobile with 55k. Only 1 problem. I am picking up transmission howl at 50 mph and 65-70.Dealer Solution offered is to change VTR oil. Hasn't worked. Any recalls on this or suggestions other than a new tranny.
Please advise

vetpathologist

I came across your post since my camera (04 Model) stopped working and they replaced it for free since it was still under warranty. I was surprised to see the short life span.

realms_reality

Dude,

Do you have a link ? Would love to take that to the service advisors and show them what a fool they are...

upstatedoc

Yeah, I think I have the popping sound too from the speakers when you first start it. I couldn't find the TSB on hondacuraworld.com. Where is it?

seaclusion

Update. Revisited dealer to discuss Drive Train noise. Distinct loud howl at 65-72 mph. After 2 testdrives I requested a replacement tranny. Dealer was concerned as the trannies are re-mans. They have experienced louder noises in some cars after new trans was installed.
I requested a replacement which is on order.
We'll see!