2020 Acura MDX Transmission replaced at 500 miles

HJ_7

I have a new 2020 Acura MDX and at 500 miles the transmission needed to be replaced. The dealer told me they were replacing it but did not do so. Instead they lied and only replaced a transmission electrical cord and told me it was good to go. This after having it towed in because it would not go into gear and only neutral. I took the car back and that same day I got it back, it did the same thing and needed to be towed in again. This time they say they did replace the transmission, a control module and a new electrical harness. I have complained to Acura and have asked for a new car, but they haven't made a decision yet. The dealer wants me to take the car back and return the loaner. We are an elderly couple and after spending two episodes at the side to the road waiting for a tow truck and a ride somewhere, we are afraid of the car and our health and welfare to be faced with this again in 100 degree heat. Question: what can we do short of filing a lawsuit or lemon law demand to the government and secondly, how does this affect the value of the car?

stickguy

First off, did you buy or lease? And unfortunately, sometimes a part is defective and fails early. Should have no impact if repaired correctly, but that new can see why you would want a change. If the car was repaired this time, lemon law won’t apply. And all Acura is obligated to do is fix it. It really sounds like a dealer issue (at least poor communications).

Not uncommon to try a smaller fix first before replacing a whole module like the trans. Sucks though if they couldn’t (or didn’t bother) doing enough road test to make sure it worked. So confirm they used it enough to have replicated the problem if still there.

If it’s working fine now, might not have a choice. Certainly can keep after Acura corporate for some accommodation. They may not be willing to replace it (but never hurts to ask) but might extend the powertrain warranty to placate you.

If you take it back, and the problem happens again, raise heck and say you are about to file lemon law since you might be hitting the conditions to qualify for that. Good chance though if they replaced the whole thing, the problem won’t happen again.

pensfan83

Your experience is unfortunate and as a current Acura owner disappointing to hear, but as @stickguy cites it sounds like you aren't dealing with a dealer that's very communicative about your MDX and maybe even misdiagnosed it the first time.

If it's a lease, I wouldn't worry about the value of the car as that will ultimately be Acura's problem and not yours. Whether you can initiate lemon law proceedings is probably determined by what state you live it, my anecdotal knowledge is some states make it easier to get a vehicle labeled a lemon than others. I personally think you would have an uphill battle in getting the lemon label applied and/or getting a replacement vehicle until you give the second set of repairs a chance to demonstrate that still hasn't resolved the problem. The nuclear option is simply trading it on a different vehicle altogether but you'll take a bath (and then some) on the trade, so I would avoid that if at all possible.

HJ_7

I purchased the car. The dealer says it's good to go but have agreed to wait on Acura's decision(so far anyway). Acura told me it could take a week. I just heard it's repaired today and today was the first time Acura contacted me. Acura had told them to replace the transmission and then changed their mind initially and the dealer didn't tell me. The dealer says Acura has the final say on this. They drove it 50 miles and said it was fine. I drove it about 60 when it malfunctioned. It's a good idea to get a warranty although the dealer does say they have a forever drive train warranty, but maybe I can get add ons like transportation, meals, lodging if Acura won't replace the car. I will forever be on edge when my wife drives the car on her own. Update: Just had a call from the dealer and he says the local Acura rep says I have to pick up the car because it's repaired. They drove it 20 miles and say it's good and it could take a month to get Acura to make a decision. The person I spoke with from Acura told me up to a week. I had to hang up because the dealer I was speaking with had a call on another line from the local Acura rep. Stay tuned. I'll continue with the saga.

stickguy

Powertrain warranty is 6 years, 70,000 miles. So pretty long already. My bet is they resolved the problem, and will want you to take it back before doing anything else. Certainly frustrating, and very rare, but not the way you want to start out with a new car.

HJ_7

Power train warranty is 4 years, 48,000 miles.

HJ_7

4 years, 50,000 basic and 6 year 70,00 on the power train. But, I think any out of pocket is yours to bare in addition.

stickguy

Bumper to bumper is 4 years, 50,000 miles. Powertrain goes out to 6/70,000. Assuming you are in the US of course!

graphicguy

Ask your dealer to set up a meeting between you, them, and their Acura Rep. That way there can be no "wait for a call back" type of delays.

Failing that, although I've done the Lemon Law "thing" on another brand of car, it's a big hassle (on purpose, because manufacturers loath taking a car back), and there's no guarantee of the outcome, positive or negative.

See how the meeting goes and let us know what they say. Then, we can guide you a little better.

BTW...I love Acuras. But, if something keeps failing, sometimes you have to go on the offensive.

Acura's warranty provides tow service and will cover out of pocket expenses if you're stranded far from home, or overnight. All of that's free of charge. There should be a sticker on one of your door windows with the number to call. Plus, the number is also in your owner's manual.

HJ_7

Okay, I think this will be my last installment. The dealership says Acura has agreed to give me an extended warranty over and above what is provided and they are supposed to call me about that. I will pick up the car Saturday and give them their loaner back. I think this is the best the dealer and Acura will do and of course, I want it over with and I hope this car does not malfunction in any way. Thanks to everybody who took the time to give their input. It was valuable and I appreciate it.

stickguy

good luck. if the car is fixed you will quickly forget about the whole thing, but get a nice extended warranty out of it. Which can be $1,000+ if you wanted to buy one yourself.

HJ_7

I had certainly hoped that my last entry was my last, but nope. Acura has put new untenable conditions on giving me an extended warranty. They waited from last Wednesday to today, Monday to do so. They now say I have to drive the repaired car for 1 week, sign a release and then they will "talk" about the extended warranty. This is a guy in California who has reneged on what he told the dealer that they would do an extended warranty. What a slimy character and probably all of Acura since he is their employee. He wouldn't give me his supervisor's name or any above him. More slippery slime. The dealer is of no help. I relayed this to them and they called him and then called me back and related the same thing. They had said they would help me last week. Some help. Give a release? For what? A few hundred dollars on a $50,000 car after driving it for a week? I will pick up the car tomorrow and I think it's time to put this matter in other hands if you know what I mean. Watch out for Acura in Duluth, Ga. They will just tell you to call California and talk to Acura and leave you stuck with some bozo who will lie, lie, lie. Do business with them at your own peril.

HJ_7

By the way, my request for a different car won't be addressed for at least a month. Does anybody wonder what the result will be? I don't.