Acura MDX Maintenance and Repair

Karen_S

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Getting Some Lemon-Aid From Your Lemon Maker

kvfhg

Has everyone on this board that has the Humming noise problem broke their MDX in properly as recommended by your owner's manual?

kvfhg

Has everyone on this board that has the Humming noise problem broke their MDX in properly as recommended by your owner's manual?

xenon240

The Humming noise IMO does not have anything to do with Breakin period. It is a resonating noise from the new exhaust system. At 2000rpm it hits the resonating frequency. If you are accelerating it will just slightly be noticeable as you pass 2000rpm, but if you keep the RPM's at a constant 2000rpm you will easily notice a fairly loud humming/resonating noise!

sbcooke

I read the "other" source of information. After doing a lot of testing and personal analysis, my 2002 may have something similar. My exhaust is louder at times...someone over there mentioned like a hole in the exhaust. I get something like that when accelerating hard from 35 MPH. When cruising around 2000 RPM it sounds like the engine is in too high a gear for the speed and there is a flat note from the exhaust. However it sounds like regular exhaust noise to me...yes noticeable, but not something passengers would notice nor like a problem.

Maybe the 01/02's are noisy, but not the same as the '04 hum? I don't think what I have is a problem...definitely a little noisy. I have 14K on my '02 and the one thing I can say is my exhaust is louder than new, especially when accelerating.

So I am not sure about this problem? I don't think my '02 has the same issue? Or if it does I just don't notice it as much? I am very picky when it comes to cars and notice every rattle, squeak, bump, scratch, etc. so I don't think it is the same.

lenny18

Driving in my new MDX 2004 nav tour. Same as the rest I reach a certain rpm and I get a deep humming noise. Sometimes its worse than others and I hope to bring it in to my dealer in the next week. Of course when I picked up the car I swear I didnt hear it.....although I was listening carefully for it. I guess you have to hit 50 miles before the noise appears.....

lenny18

How could they let that program out with an error? Ive been entering names and addresses. It seems to me the way to do this is to go to setup screen 3 then personal address. From that screen I go to add new address then hit edit address. I enter the address then go back to enter the name of the person/ in the edit screen. WHEN YOU HIT EDIT NAME THE SCREEN POPS UP WITH THE KEYBOARD. THIS SAYS ENTER ADDRESS NOT NAME.

guyf

I road tested an MDX tonight before checking this discussion. The drone was fairly loud around 2000-2100 RPM. Disappointing on a fairly expensive vehicle like the MDX. Everything else was fine tough. I agree it seemed to come from the exhaust system.

Guy

sbcooke

It must be much worse in the 2004, since it is really only surfacing now in MDX forums. My '02 isn't loud enough to be a problem (to me) or heard over the radio.

Has anyone recorded the noise and put it out on the web? I would be interested to hear the noise that an '04 makes.

zhiminwen

Normally we have two car seats in 2nd row and don't use the 3nd row. We do use the 3rd row once in a while, and I have to have the passenger side car seat removed to gain access to the 3rd row. Is there a better way around this?

sbcooke

Have any reviewers or publications weighed in on this issue? I have read numerous reviews (granted all prior to the 2004 model year) that have not mentioned this?

fndlyfmrflyr

The repair patch for the nav DVD upgrade is now scheduled (according to the nav system upgrade/update people) to be available by end of February. This is a month later than Acura told me in December.

Acura customer relations rep told me today that he doesn't know of any noise problems like the 2000 rpm resonating noise described on this forum

xenon240

I test drove two 04 MDX's at two different dealers and both had the exhaust noise at 2000rpm. The sales guy even noticed the noise and admitted that it was not normal. He said he would talk to the service dept. about it. The service dept. gave a lame excuse that the parking brake was partially on and that was causing the noise.
I do not remember seeing a parking brake indicator light, on the dash.
I think Acura is trying to hide this flaw with the new dual exhaust.
Yes I agree with "sbcooke", the noise is just louder exhaust noise and not necessarily a problem/fault; but for a 50K cnd vehicle it just is not acceptable! Maybe its OK for a Grand AM or Mustang! I've also test driven a Lexus ES330 and RX330, no noise and smooth as silk!

proger

I test drove a 2004 MDX a while back and didn't pay attention on those sounds, and therefore, didn't notice it. Since the Honda accord V6, Acura TL, and most of them w/ V6, has 2 mufflers exhaust, do they have this resonating sounds? Just wondering? I put a deposit(non-refundable) for my MDX to arrive in mid-Feb. If it sounds dis-pleasing, then I'll probably kiss my deposit good bye or live w/ that resonating sound for years. Hoping they have a solution at the plant and the next batches won't have those sounds at that rpm level. Just have to cross my fingers. Has any body heard otherwise?

proyers

I have an 2002 MDX and had a blowout outside of Palm Springs, CA. The Michelin tires I had were starting to wear, and I recall running over some FOD on the freeway a few weeks before. I changed over to the temporary spare (no problem) but when I wanted to buy a new tire size P235/65R17 the next day, I found out that is an unusual size and generally not available. The guy at Firestone said I would have to order one, and it would cost $200 and I couldn't get it until the following week. That not being acceptable since I was on my way home to Phoenix, I called around and one place had the MDX's size: Pep Boys. They were $75 for a 60K rated radial.

proyers

Should I buy the extended warranty on my 2002 MDX with 38K miles on it? It has been relatively trouble free but I heard from my Acura service manager that a guy came in with 70K miles and had to have his transmission replaced at a cost of $7,000. Wow! It seems that extending the warranty to 100K miles for $1,400 is a good bet. Has anyone else got a hard data on the MDX reliability?

harjits

Ditto..I was able to reproduce the same on mine. The quick fix for now seems to be restarting the X after its over 30 secs in reverse..

kvfhg

I had put down a $200 deposit for my '04 MDX to be delivered at the end of January. I test drove the demo 3 times, and I heard the hum all of those 3 times.

I told the salesman that I am not accepting the delivery unless someone at the dealer documents the noise and promise that it would be fixed if I take the vehicle. The salesman offered me to test drive mine when it gets to dealer and decide whether I want it at that point. I made him write on my order form that my deposit would be refundable if I don't accept the delivery. He wrote that on and faxed me a copy of the form.

You should try to do the same and see if you can get them to refund your money if you don't accept the deliver.

koho955

I find it hard to beleive that acura will not kick back a deposit for a car they can sell in a minute. If you have not heard the "hum" when driving 50-80 mph in a 04 MDX, turn the radio down. I have test drove 3 different MDX's because it was the ony auto I really wanted. I did give up, Acuara really messed up on a $40K + car.

lawsdw1

I just bought a 2004 MDX. At 150 miles I noticed what sounded like gear noise around 50 mph coming from the rear. The noise is most notable when accelerating and immediately goes away around 52 mph. I have experimented with letting off the accelerator at 50 mph trying to keep the car at a constant speed. The noise goes away, but if I accelerate the noise comes back until 52 mph. Does this sound like the noise you think is coming from the muffler? Has anyone been to the dealer for the problem?

mml_2004mdx

I had my 2004 MDX for a month, and starting to notice that the humming (or resonating) noise seem to get a bit louder to a level that's not pleasent. I took it into the dealer and had the service dept looked into it. They said there's no noise issue. I wonder where I can raise this issue to at this time.

koho955

Lawsdw1 you are hearing the resonace from the new 04 duel exhaust system. At 50-70 mph it should about drive you nuts. By the way, you can only hear it loudly in the front seats. In the back it is not nearly as loud.

harjits

I think its a good idea to call Acura client relation dept and lodge a formal complaint. I've some information that there is a possible fix for a customer in upstate NY. I haven't heard the exact fix but with the information so far, the design dept at Acura had suggested replacing "resonating exhaust hanger". The dealership was able fix this in all of the mdx in the lot which had this hum. Hopefully Acura can put a technical service bulletin so that this fix can be put on all cars having the problem.

lawsdw1

Koho955 Thanks for the information. The only reason why I do not think my problem is the exhaust is because my noise is not a hum, it is a higher pitch whine noise. Is this still the same noise or do I have a different problem. I went to Acura service today, they were no help. They said they heard something, but it was normal. I made them let me drive a new 04 with 18 miles, I did not hear the noise.. Of course I did not hear it in mine until 150 miles..

sbcooke

That is good news, hopefully it is true. I would imagine that the hanger in question is an '04 only fix. My '02 has a very "throaty" exhaust and I can get get it to make some noise around 2k rpm, but nothing as bad as what others have reported. I guess my point is, if this is just a specific '04 issue, don't necessarily expect to not hear some noise while accelerating and at certain rpms.

fndlyfmrflyr

I tried several things two years ago on my 02. Mostly modifying how the exhaust was supported/hung. Also played with the heat shield a little. Nothing I tried changed the resonance.

As you noted, it isn't very bad on the 02s, and in my case doesn't begin until 76 mph. I've also found that on roads that are a little coarse, common around here, the speed the resonance is heard will vary (but always beteen 76 and 85).

I drove an 04 last week at a GM auto show in motion. I think I set the record for the slowest time around the course. I drove the whole course in first gear trying to maintain 2000 rpm listening for the resonance, but heard none. Probably not enough load on the engine to make the resonating noise. I noted on the 04 the driver's seat back will now go much more vertical than on my 02.

graykotj

Yes, fellow MDX enthusiasts, I noticed the resonant tone from the exhaust - either at a certain RPM, or when the engine backs off. It's kind of a low muffled tone - it's not there all the time. However, I purchased an MDX anyway, because in two comparison test drives of two different Lexus RX330's, I detected lots of street / traffic / engine noise in the RX330, which is supposedly rated as very quiet - it is not. Although the MDX has this resonance from the exhaust, for me it is a much more quiet vehicle, e.g., than the comparatively noisy RX330. So enjoy your MDX's sweet resonating tone - I think we made the right choice.

bdadams1

Well, I took my '01 MDX in for the jerking and rough transmission prolem I had, turns out to be ERG vavle that was not open. Covered under warrenty..BUT, the dealership asked if I wanted my 30K service done while it was there, what's the price I ask, $ 439.00! Oh my gosh!@ For what! I am going to get a breakdown of teh services whe I pick the car up. Has anyone ever paid this amount of $$ for a 30k service?
Overwhelmed!
Brian

fndlyfmrflyr

Let's see:

Replace engine air filter
Replace engine oil and filter
Replace rear differential fluid
Replace brake fluid
Replace cabin air filter
Rotate tires
These should take an hour or so, maybe less. The total cost for parts and fluid should be around $100 at full retail

Nearly everything else is a quick visual look-see that should take less than an hour.

My servicing dealer charges $340, which includes all parts and materials. Other dealers in the area charge $363, $419, and $450. Shop around. My dealer wants the car for three hours, which actually means the job takes less than three hours.

Some of the dealers here sell both Honda and Acura out of different showrooms and have different service buildings too. These charge less for a Pilot service even though it is essentially the same service as for an MDX.

Scheduled service is a high profit item for a service department.

bdadams1

I can get the 15K service with all the 30K service except for.. Replace Automatic Transmission Fluid(IF NEEDED) Replace Spark Plugs(IF NEEDED) Replace AC Dust and Pollen Filter(IF REQUIRED)
for $246.00 LESS! Both plans call for the VTR fluid to be change(IF NEEDED)$79.95

So I will have the 15K service done and check the rest myself!

What a rip off!

Brian

harjits

If anybody interested, I can send the details about the fix. Soon there could be a TSB (technical Service bulletin)from Acura but I can't wait to drive it without the hummmmmmmmmm. The dealership in upstate NY /Acura tech line is pretty confident that the problem is with one of the hangers supporting the exhaust system and Acura will be ordering new part in bulk pretty soon.

harsmdx@yahoo.com

lkns

I posted awhile back with the same problem...seemed that about 25-50% of the time my voice navi did not respond on my 04 MDX. When I go out later, I'll try your method and see what happens.
I need to bring my MDX in for the 3500 oil change in the next couple of weeks and I planned on talking to them about this issue. Glad to see that I'll be able to re-create it (I was afraid that it would work fine when there...kind of like your toothache disappearing while at the dentists office!)

mchen007

Good luck with the dealer. I haven't been back to the dealer yet since I discovered how to recreate it. Let me know how your experience goes. I hate the service dept at my dealer.

After getting little/no response here I've started posting at the other forum. There is a specific disscussion on the voice nav issue. Although it doesn't compare to the overwhelming posts on resonance here, it has better organization.

If you want I can email you the link.

icec97

I am enterested on the fix for the resonance or hummimg. could please elaborate how it's done? Thanks

upstatedoc

this noise is so loud at certain speeds that it sounds like the cherry bomb muffler that I put on my '79 Volare back in college. Any idea what dealership in upstate NY did the fix? I bought mine in Syracuse. I also just received a recall for "inadequate emissions" Does anyone know if this is related to our resonance problem? So many questions...so few answers, is this typical of acura or car manufacturers in general.

asbtl

I heard that few MDX owners have problems with their MDX transmisions. I know that Acura has redesigned the transmision for for 2003 year model. Does anyone know if this has fixed the problem? Does onyone have a transmision problem for either 2003 or 2004 model? I am considering to purchase the 2004 model. Any info will be much appreciated.

Thanks

lawsdw1

I had my drone issue fixed today. The problem is a hanger bracket in the front behind the muffler. They took the bracket off and the drone is gone. I was told they will leave it off since there are enough brackets to hold the muffler system. I was also told that a fix is in the works and it will be soon. As for the question from ASBTL.. I have an 04 and the transmission whines at 50 mph. Now I have to tackle this problem.

asbtl

Thanks for the info. About the transmission whines at 50 mph, Is it common to 04 model or this just happens to your car only? Does Acura know about this problem/how to fix it?

lawsdw1

ASBTL. I am not sure if it is only 04 that has the transmission whine.. I have been asking if others have this and no one has responded

dayinalife172

I purchased an '04 MDX in late October. My wife drives it the majority of the time (apparently with the C/D player blasting). When I drove it, I immediately noticed the drone at 70 mph. At first I thought it was the transmission, but I realized at various speeds it occurred. Noticed the common link was 2,000 RPM - spoke with the dealer who indicated that they hadn't heard about the problem and checked with Acura California. Brought it in in late November. After having it in the shop on two occasions, I was told it was a "characteristic" of the car. I immediately fired off a certified letter to the owner stating that if I knew it was a "characteristic", I would have gone with the Volvo X90. He got back to me quickly and has been working on my behalf...earlier this month I was told that a temporary fix is imminent and a permanent fix is only a few short months away. Now the emissions. I love the car - it's just that the enjoyment of driving is impeded by continually trying to avoid the dreaded 2,000 RPM. I was told that I would be the first to be "fixed"... we'll see!

gty62

Had the same issue w/ my 2-day old '04 - dealer put it on a lift and removed one hanger from the exhaust system (the hanger on the front of the muffler). This seems to have done the trick.

With a little coaxing, he stated that he had heard of this "fix" from another dealer, and that it's probable a real fix may be out in a few months. Good luck.

fndlyfmrflyr

Nice to know there is a fix.

tbooth2

I was and still am looking forward to my purchase of this vehicle within the next two weeks. In spite of this humming problem (and there seems to be a temporary fix in lieu of a permanent fix at this time based on the previous posts), would you proceed with purchase or look elsewhere? I've looked at Sequoias (didn't set me on fire). The only other vehicle I've looked at and truly love is the TL, but it's a four-seater - too bad!!!

harjits

Happy to report that the humming noise is fixed on my car after removing the hanger, its a small 4x2 inch rubber thing.

saugatak

I really wouldn't worry about the humming noise. It sounds like they've got a temporary fix and when Acura makes sufficient numbers of those brackets to slap on, the fix will be permanent. There are sufficient hangers where removing that one won't be a problem.

The 2004 MDX is the best one so far and with all the competition, it's even possible to get it off for MSRP.

gty62

The problem is that all cars are asembled within certain tolerances - and that combination (as it relates to the MDX) directly dictates whether or not the hmmmm appears at 2000rpm.

I drove the dealer's demo car three times, for a total of about an hour, 20 minutes on the highway, and never heard the hmmmmm. On the contrary, I got my new MDX, and the second day of ownership, on a parkway I thought a low flying plane was coming up behind me (turned out to be the hummm). Bottom line is: 1)it's a hit-or-miss problem, and 2)there does seem to be a fix.

Also, I don't think a Sequoia (14-17 mpg & 240 Hp V8) and MDX (17-24 mpg & 265 Hp V6) are really an apples to apples match . . .. Look at the volvo!

bandofgold

I recently pursued the Lemon Law with Honda and they have agreed that to repurchase my 03 accord (it took less than a month from the date of initial filing). I have test driven the MDX and find it's one of the better SUV's to drive/ride in. However, after reading all these posts about the humming/noise I'm a little leery. I have one on order, but won't be here for a month or so, so i have some time. Thanks

rerenov8r

While I can understand you being a bit leery, it does seem that you have had EXCELLENT results with Honda -- I've never heard of a lemon law case being done in A MONTH!

There are quite a few posts here, but most of the posts are over 'picky' things, hardly something that renders a vehicle unusable/materially flawed.

If you browse the similar threads for other brands you will tend to find many problems that are MUCH more severe.

btw, what was wrong with your accord?

bandofgold

My engine has a "knock and ping" in it. It is really noticable at high rpms, just prior to shifting. They replaced the knock/ping sensor and it didn't solve the problem. They called, I believe Model Engineers, and they didn't have an answer, they even took computer "snap shots" of the engine while driving and emailed the files to that dept. and they don't have a solution. The accord should be repurchased by them this coming week. I have owned the car almost 6 months. I was really surprised that I didn't need an attorney to resolve this. American Honda Motor Co. Mediation Dept for the most part was very good to work with.

I owned a 1994 LX accord (new when i purchased it) prior to this. I looked at the Honda Pilot but it doesn't appear to drive as nice as the MDX, nor does it have some of the same "basic" features as Moonroof, I think heated seats, power passenger seat.

Do you know if they have resolved the brake squeals, humming, or the thing with the tire have a flat spot on it?

Thanks!

fndlyfmrflyr

Manufacturers are different than one another in how they handle lemon vehicles. It also depends on the individual situation. In addition to hearing lemon law cases for years I have had four lemon vehicles. Two were fixed when the manufacturer sent the cars to independent shops at their own expense. Both of these cars proved reliable after the outside work was completed. In another, all I did was tell the dealer I had had enough of the car and the dealer refunded my money on the spot and dealt with the manufacturer. In the last, and most recent case (a 2000 model car), all it took was one letter to the manufacturer to get a replacement vehicle.

During all the years I heard lemon law cases all but one manufacturer (not Honda) seemed reasonable most of the time.