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Comments
As far as an update, I got my car back yesterday. First of all, I love my dealer. The guy I deal with has been absolutely fantastic. They have really gone the extra mile to try and pinpoint the problems and fix them. So, no complaints there. (I will put the plug in for Pohanka Acura, because they really deserve it). As I previously said Acura really should be ashamed to have let my car leave the factory in the condition it was in.
But, here is the UPDATE:
-Starting problem: One of the Cells in the battery was failing intermittently. The replaced the battery, problem seems to be gone. I can't blame Acura, they don't build batteries.
- Clunk: Pohanka replaced one of the rear struts (I have the Sport with electronic struts). They had previously done the service repair on the bolts. Again, a part Acura doesn't make.
- Clunk: Muffler. I will do a separate post on this because I bet others may want to know this. The clunking sound may not have been the strut, it may have been the muffler all along. I was told that one of the baffles in the muffler was broken and was rattling. They replaced the muffler and not only is the knocking/clunk apparently gone (for now), but it seems much faster and sounds better (is that possible or do I just want it to be better). Another part Acura doesn't make, but come on, if the baffle was broken and rattling around (since it was brand new), what idiot installed the part. How did a broken muffler (and windshield, and strut, and battery, and dashboard, etc) get through quality control.
- door handles: they had to be adjusted, because they weren't adjusted correctly at the factory. I can absolutely blame Acura for this one.
I hate sounding like I am dissing the car, I really am not. I love driving it and even more so now that it seems even faster and quieter. But, I don't think I am wrong in being really annoyed and frustrated at what appears to be very poor build quality. My dealer has done a great job fixing everything, but when I bought an Acura (my first), I never expected that my dealer would have to fix so many things, so soon.
I hope all the kinks are worked out and it will be as trouble free as all the rest of yours for the next 100+K miles.
Intially, my dealer did the service repair of the rear bolts. The clunk was definately better, but didn't go away.
My dealer has now replaced a defective muffler. The muffler sits right next to the strut, so it is hard to distinguish the location of the source of the sound. I know no one is replacing the mufflers, because the dealer doesn't stock the part, it took days to get it from Acura. I bet the dealers aren't focusing on this as a possible source of the problem.
One of the interior baffles in one of my mufflers was broken. It would clunk when jolted from a bump, but, it's a muffler, so I didn't hear it rattling around the rest of the time. The replacement of the muffler seems to have done the trick. I will do another post, if it comes back. Also, my MDX seems to be quicker and sound better (throaty-er, okay, its not a word, but you know what I mean). I don't know if that is possible, or am I just hoping it will be better, but it really does seem quicker. (If anyone can tell me if that is possible I would be interested).
So everyone, if your dealer can't find the problem, shake the muffler. If it rattles, you found the problem and it's an easy fix.
I will keep you posted. Good luck everyone.
(I feel it necessary to put the plug to my dealer for finding and fixing this. They have been absolutely great to deal with - Pohanka Acura in Chantilly VA)
http://www.edmunds.com/dealerships/drr/jump.html
MrShiftright
Visiting Host
I'm thinking of filing a lemon law cliam on this very disappointing Acura. :lemon:
I thought I would share this...since I understand what it feels like to have issues with a new car (although my 2008 MDX has had no problems).
To find Acura's TSBs for the variety of problems you have, refer to the Acuramdx.org website, then goto the forums. Sorry for posting information about another forum on this forum...but it's in the interest of the reader's.
Once in that forum, click on the 2007 MDX forum, then goto the TSB thread...there you will find a list of all the 2007+ Acura MDX TSBs (you can download them as well).
By the way, if any of you are experiencing a shutter around 20 mph (only once per ignition...this is the ABS doing a self check...I have verified this with the dealer and had them test drive other 2008 MDXs and heard the same problem.)
Happy Holiday's...
The "service advisors" are clueless. I took my car in three times with various made up stories until I grabbed a technician on a break and he looked it up on the Acura Technical Service Bullentin and downloaded a 30 minute software update for the glitch. Make sure you tell them to look up their website for the TSB.
It was fixed and my car has been doing fine since then.
I just drop off my MDX for 15,000 mi scheduled maintenance at Acura service center this morning. The guy was checking and telling me that it will be $500+ for the service, which includes transmission oil change, wiper blade replacement and so on. Told the guy to just change oil, VTL differential fluid and rotate the tire and bill comes down to under $200.00 Checked owner's manual and didn't see any of changes are needed at 15,000 mile as guy at the service told me.
What do you guys normally do for 15,000 miles scheduled maintenance? Follow the manual or follow service rep. at Acura dealer? BTW, I am in NY area.
Thanks.
I recently came across my receipt for my 7,500 mile service and was a little under $200. Hiway robbery, but I used my business to forge a relationship with my dealer - who has since helped me get $100s of free "out-of-warranty" repairs from Acura.
Feel like you'll have to STUDY your manual to get the car serviced from the dealer. Otherwise, it'll end up paying couple of hundred dollars. When I brought MDX for first time service, which was 7500 miles, the guy was telling me that I need bunch of services and it will cost me $250.00. Told them to just change the oil, because that's what manual was recommending at 7,500 miles for normal driving condition. Then guy was telling me that it would void my warranty since I don't follow their recommendation.
I am thinking lot of customers bring their cars to their dealers for the service and follow whatever they tell them to do and end up paying WAY more than it suppose to. Guess that's how they make extra money other than selling the cars.
I also hear the brakes release with a rapid clicking sound. The dealer tells me this is normal on the 07 MDX. I'm wondering if it is a pressure proportioning issue, since I hear several clicks instead of one.
It'll be check out on 12/27. I'll report back.
It would be OK if the dealer was in town, but he's 45 minutes away, and we're going back for our 4th time.
Good luck with yours!
Happy New Year ~
Hope it's the seals they ordered.
They also looked at the brakes due to my complaing of them making a clicking noise, but didn't recommend a fix. He mentioned that it could be that the brake pad may be floating (by design) and that the click may be the pad shifting. A different retaining clip might cure the issue.
The 07 MDX is the 1st year (new) model and they have issues that are just now starting to show up so seemingly these issues have not been addressed in the 08's either at this point. Regrettably Acura just keeps putting defective products out w/o taking steps to address the defects.
Good luck!
As to mileage, when I reset it and wife was doing some "modified" local driving (like some small stints on parkway and local driving) it was 14.1 but since then it's back to like 12.1. I think she has a very heavy foot. Up to around 1200 miles (though I haven't driven it since Christmas so I don't know for sure). I need to reset it and see what happens.
Car is going in this afternoon and hopefully we'll hear something later tomorrow.
I sooo don't want to take it into the dealership if it's a really easy fix. Anyone have something like this occur and have ideas to troubleshoot a fix?
Thanks for your help...Vicky