Acura MDX Maintenance and Repair

mikeb · June 2004

I think it would help Acura if someone in the corporate office would screen these problems as we report them, prepare a summary and present the most popular problems to their Board of Directors. Who knows, it might get some attention and lead to advancing the quality of their vehicles.

ssmeier510 · June 2004

I have now had my MDX'2002 in the Dealer 2x's for the check engine light on. The first time they said they just reset the computer- 3 days later it was back on. This time they indicated they needed to replace the sensor which they needed to order. This worked for 3 days again. The check engine light is back on. Has anyone else found out the real problem?

Please let us know. Thanks.

fndlyfmrflyr · June 2004

Have 02 also. No check engine light problems, but have noted both Acura dealers I have used have a hard time dealing with anything other than routine service. Apparently this is a common situation because I can say the same thing about other brand dealers I've used too.

templecity · June 2004

'01 & '02 MDX OWNERS:

I had my transmission serviced back on May 7, '04 for the trans. recall and notice a decrease in power when traveling to Las Vegas and San Francisco. I thought that the climate and different elevation played a factor in the decrease HP, but the fact was the transmission was not changing gears correctly (4th to 5th gear). I confirmed the problem with my mechanic (Ex-Honda Mech.) and then with the service center @ Acura of Pasadena.

Now I will be needing a new transmission for my '02 MDX. The trans. is on order. My vehicle should be ready this Wed. If anyone had the transmission kit install recently (Trans. Recall '04) and is experiencing the same problem, you may need a new or rebuilt trans. installed by the dealer!

fndlyfmrflyr · June 2004

Had the transmission recall done and noticed no change in performance or economy. Car had 25K miles at the time of the work. Looks like a couple of rubber hoses were added.

Templecity: Interesting your transmission was giving problems with shifting between 4th and 5th. The recall is a fix for second gear lubrication. Your problem sounds more like the other transmission problem that Honda/Acura has been having with transmissions since the 1999 model year (the problem that has more than twice as many vehicles involved and where there has been no recall, but owners received an extended transmission warranty).

Makes me wonder if the 01 and 02 MDX transmissions will have the same shifting problem too. My neighbor is on transmission number four in his Odyssey and a friend is on transmission number three in her CL. Both had shifting problems between top gear fourth (CL) or third (Ody).

cb22222222 · June 2004

I am at 45k miles on a may 2002 purchased MDX. No real trouble yet other that oil leaking on my driveway(minor).

If I buy a warranty should I get the Acuracare?

Where is the cheapest place to get one?

Also, I have seen the tranny recall, is there an engine recall also?

fndlyfmrflyr · June 2004

See service bulletin 03-022 Timing Belt Auto-Tensioner/Safety Recall: V6 Engine Water Pump for affected VIN. Only 2002 MDXs are affected.

sbcooke · June 2004

I believe honda extended the transmission warranty on the odyssey and TL due to the potential trans problem in those vehicles (99-02 I think). Has anyone heard anything about the 01/02 MDX and 02/03 Pilot? It sounds like this recall is just preventative, but it would be nice to get 100K on the trans.

biju · June 2004

When I have just the front passenger window open on '04 MDX, every other window and moonroof closed, I get a very low pitch constant thudding noise that is almost deafening when going at least 45 to 50. Anyone else experience this?

biju · June 2004

I started seeing condensation inside the front driver's side headlight recently on my '04 MDX when the weather got real hot in the Northeast and just had the entire unit replaced. Just wondering how common this is?

wmquan · June 2004

Honda has not extended the transmission warranty on the 01-02 MDX or the Pilot (all model years) yet. They've only done it for specific model years of the previous TL, CL, Accord V-6, and current Odyssey.

geo2 · June 2004

Just bought 04 mdx and is considering putting after market chrome wheels. dealer did not seem to be too excited about this idea as it may affect the tire pressure sensors. Has anyone experienced any difficulties with this. If this is going to negatively impact the sensors then I'll just have to get over it.

fndlyfmrflyr · June 2004

Could it be the dealer wants to sell wheels? The dealer that did my tranny recall had an MDX with 20 inch wheels on the showroom floor.

golfgod2 · June 2004

I own an '03 MDX and am average only 14 MPG. We do a combination of city and highway driving. I'm very disappointed with this as I would have expected it to be in the 17-18 range at least. I'm curious what kind of mileage others are getting. Thanks for your feedback.

fndlyfmrflyr · June 2004

Have an 02, but there shouldn't be much difference between model years when it comes to mpg.

If you are not using premium gasoline your mpg will be lower. In my case, when I tested mine it was 8 percent or so lower. Cost less per mile to use premium.

If you are using the on board trip computer for mpg data it may be inaccurate. Mine is off by 5% to 10%, usually showing better mpg than the car actually gets. You may have one off the other way.

I keep a log in the car and keep track of all fuel added. Using the log, my real mpg since day one is about 17 for a mix of driving. The first 3000 miles was only 15.7 mpg. Mpg gradually increased during the first 10K miles. For the last 15K or so miles the mpg has been 18 mpg. Straight highway driving hasn't changed much since new, with mpg usually in the 20-22 range (with A/C on and speeds compatible with the common 75-80 mph flow of traffic). Looking at the on board trip computer instant mpg readout I don't see much difference in mpg between freeway cruise speeds

I've found the car to be mpg sensitive to how much weight is in the car. An extra 300 pounds results in about a 5% loss in mpg.

Worst mpg was 12.4
Best mpg was 23.2
Last fill was 22.2 (SBA-SAN with A/C- all freeway)

There was no mpg change after switching to synthetic oil (Mobil-1) and no mpg change after the engine recall, the transmission recall, or the product update for the rear brake clunk.

waynee · June 2004

I had both left and right headlight assemblies replaced under warranty on my 2002, due to condensation. That was in Sept. 2003; no problems with the new units, nor explanation why the original units had condensation.

golfgod2 · June 2004

thanks for your feedback. I'm going to take it up with the dealer.

icec97 · June 2004

My '04 driverside headlight has also been replaced due to condensation.

cheeks · June 2004

Should I relax and go for the 2004 or wait until the 2005? Please advise.

bflgroupie · July 2004

I purchased my 2004 MDX Touring in March. I have been very happy with it. However, shortly after the purchase I noticed that the low beams have a weird shadow in the middle (shaped like a zigzag -presumably matching the headlight design as the lights are pointed slightly inward). The shadow is very noticable in areas where there is very little light, such as, a country road or a residence area with no streets lights.

Initially, I thought it was exclusive to my vehicle so I asked the Acura dealer service to look at it. They did, and indicated that the lights were at company specs. and couldn't see it in my vehicle or any of the others. However, when I pressed the service manager about it, she indicated they tested during daylight hours (duh!). Finally, after a bit of back/forth discussion she told me another customer noticed the same thing with his MDX. But, she sd that since it was company specs there was nothing they could do. She gave me the Acura Customer Care number, which I did call. I got the same response...oh we care, but there is nothing we will do about it.

I have to say the shadow is very distracting when I drive it in these low light areas. Even my mother, who has had two cornea transplants and can't see well enough to drive at night could see this shadow! And, I just think for the price of this vehicle and the implication of the manufacturer's name...ACURA, like in accurate that the darn lights shouldn't have a "Z" in the middle of the road! hmph! >:|

Has anyone else experienced this anomoly with the 2004? I am just wondering if there is some adjustment that could be made, like turning the bulb slightly outward?

Thanks for reading my long huffy note!
Marcia

rodzilla · July 2004

It's an example of a Helholtz reasonator. In this case, a Helmholtz cavity. Because cars are sealed so wonderfully today, it can occur in just about all vehicles. Here's an article that mentions it.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=20&article- _id=1268&page_number=4&preview=

bluenoser1 · July 2004

Sorry to post this in more than one location but I need some advice quickly. I brought my 2003 MDX into the dealer to fix a broken gas gauge and while replacing the gauge they reset the vehicle odometer! Not just the trip odometer, the vehicle odometer. It now reads 30 miles! I know this will definitely affect the resale value of my vehicle. Has this happened to anyone? Do you have any advice? Ive spoken to the dealer on phone; a face-to-face discussion is scheduled for later today. They suggested they would provide me with a letter certifying the vehicle odometer has been reset, and the actual miles are XXXXX. I said this was not acceptable. This was where I left it until we meet with the dealer this afternoon. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Im not mentioning the name of the dealership at this point, as I would like to give them an opportunity to make this right. Oh, one other thing, when I picked up the vehicle last night I found that while it was in their shop, someone hit it! They did however say they would fix it. Thanks for you help.

golfgod2 · July 2004

Holy cow - my 3 year old son almost just hung himself with the second row seat belt that hangs from ceiling!! My wife just called and said he started screaming - she turned around and he had the seat belt wrapped around his neck very tightly. She pulled over and tried to undo do but it just it just kept getting tighter because of the auto-tension feature. She couldn't get it off, had to drive to a gas station and get a pair of scissors to cut it off. Has anyone ever heard of something like this? If you think about it, it's kind of nutts that a seatbelt with an auto-tension feature hangs from the ceiling in a back seat with little toddlers. Who do you recommend I call about this? I know it's a fluke accident but I also can't imagine this is the first time it's happened.

cheeks · July 2004

Traded my BMW 530 in for a 2004 MDX touring. Of course I don't expect the same performance but I do expect reliability. What I've already noticed is the brake noise that seems to be common among MDX owners. I had the dealer install the shim kit but it doesn't seem to correct it to the extent that there are no noises. Anyone else have similar experience? Also, the gas slosh noise is a first. The service dept. at Acura says that there will be a fix for this down the road.

fndlyfmrflyr · July 2004

All of my cars have seat belts that will auto tight when pulled out all the way. Only the driver's seat belt has a release feature.

The center seat belt in the MDX does not hang down if properly stowed. It should only be removed from the tight against the ceiling stow position when it is in use and attached to the part of the belt attached to the seat bottom area.

The same can't pull the belt situation will happen in virtually any car when the rear belts are pulled all the way out and released - they auto retract and cannot be pulled out. It is supposed to be a safety feature that makes it possible for the belt to hold a car seat firmly and securely in place.

craigs · July 2004

I'm experiencing an occasional engine or transmission noise/vibration when my 2002 MDX is going between 30-45mph. The tachometer fluctuates about 300 rpm even though I hold the accelerator steady on a flat road. I've taken the vehicle in to the dealership and they can't find the problem and have done the quick fix on the trans recall. The noise is quite loud and there is a slight jerk of the auto when noise occurs. Has anyone experieced this or had their transmission go out and replaced?

ovation00 · July 2004

I have an '02 Odessey and am experiencing the same problem. The difference is that the problem occurs only when the AC is on. It only appears in summer. I have taken my oddy to the dealer and of course, they could not duplicate the problem. Frustrating.

golfgod2 · July 2004

You shouldn't have to remember to stow away the seat belt when it's not in use - this is unrealistic. Also, something that dangles from the roof, can wrap around a toddlers neck and automatically tightens is a design flaw. I will take it up with Acura.

rowemowe · July 2004

Ridiculous... I feel like I've been taken.

I have a one month old '04 MDX I bought brand new. I'm not one to complain, but the brake thud/click noise and the gas sloshing noise are unacceptable. They are so prevalent that I turn on the radio before I move the SUV in hopes that it will drown out the sounds.

The gas slosh is from a cheap plastic tank with no baffling installed. With a full tank (where I find it most noticeable) there's over 100 lbs of gas moving around.

Isn't there a rule in physics that states an object in motion tends to stay in motion until something stops it? Well in this case, it's a thin piece of plastic they call a gas tank.

Don't most tanks have baffles that are intended to prevent this?

I'm sitting in the waiting room of the Acura dealer waiting for the shims to be installed... the shims are an in stock item at this dealer.

Question: If Acura knows there's a problem with the rear calipers making noise and they have shims available at the dealer, then why don't they install them at the factory and save us all an extra trip to the dealer?

The attention to detail by Acura is sub par for a "luxury" SUV. Now that I've had 1 month to feel like a fool, I realize that the extra 10K might not have been a bad investment for the Lexus GX470.

The sales manager here said that there needs to be a "Grass Roots" movement by customers for there to be a fix. He gave me an 800 number for Acura customer service that should be used to lodge a formal complaint with them. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

You might be able to get the number from the manual, or if you email me, I'll give it to you.

Hopefully someone will listen...

By the way, I don't blame the dealer, salesmen or service department. I blame Honda/Acura for being "reactive" to a series of well established problems. You'd think that they'd come up with a permanent fix then be "proactive" in preventing them from happening again. Now we're all stuck dealing with it while they do nothing.

Mike

sbcooke · July 2004

Too bad. I understand your frustration being at the dealer and waiting, but neither of those problems bother me too much. I have an '02. I barely notice the sloshing, if at all...maybe once the first week I owned it. The brake clunk never bothered me, nor could I hear it with the windows up, but I did have the TSB applied. I am not sure if it worked since there is still something with the windows down. Since we keep the climate control on all the time and rarely use the windows I don't notice the brake noise.

In general I have been extremely happy with my MDX. It has proved a very reliable, pretty fun to drive and great road trip SUV. Super luxury not quite, but I think feature packed and performs great.

Maybe try taking yours on a long weekend somewhere...everytime I get back from a long road trip I am very happy I bought it.

fndlyfmrflyr · July 2004

The windows open on an 02? Kidding aside, the only time a windows is opened is to pay a toll. Yes, there is at least one toll road in SoCal.

My brake noise was like two rifle shots inside with the windows up. The shims eliminated the noise.

Never heard any gas tank sloshing in my 02. Several rattles inside the car, but nothing from the gas tank.

I agree the MDX makes a fine trip vehicle, though a little more range would be nice. As for fun to drive I guess everyone has their own definition. To me the MDX ranks down at the bottom with my Avalon as a real yawner. It does what I need it to do and does it well.

I hope my MDX proves reliable in the long run.

hopeitsfriday · August 2004

I too have the brake noise and the gas slosh problems, but like many MDX owners, it doesn't bother me at all. Well maybe a little bit, but not to point where I even bother to have the brake TSB install. Both of those problems were louder when my X were new, they seem to be not as loud and happens less frequent now that the X is worn in. Everyone has their own threshold for noise torlarance, but for $10000 less, I will stick with the brake and gas noise over the GX470n and take that money to the back.

rosietella · August 2004

I have managed to set off the car alarm system (2001 MDX) several times, always when inside the car -- not sure why. An example: after a comfortable night car camping (sleeping inside vehicle on comfortable mattress)in Jackson Hole, we had to get going early at dawn, but there were three large moose grazing around the car. The car had been locked from inside by the remote the night before. I crawled over into the driver's seat, rather than get out of the car in their presence, tried to start the engine, and the alarm went off, startling everyone --us, other campers, and moose. What is the cause? Is it that the alarm system says to itself, nobody has entered by opening the driver's door, therefore something's amiss? Ideas appreciated. Anybody else enjoy MDX car camping like we do?

fndlyfmrflyr · August 2004

The alarm is working as designed. Once the alarm is set, opening a door from the inside or starting the car will activate the alarm unless the alarm has been turned off (use the key fob). On mine, the only way to turn the alarm off, once activated from the inside, is to use the key in the door lock.

I've had other cars do the same thing too. Happens when the key fob lock button is accidently pushed before starting the car.

badnews · August 2004

I just bought a 2004 MDX. Try as I might I can't take my eyes off the MPG computer. Just when I start having fun it tells me I am getting 5 mpg. Yuk! It's driving me crazy. Short of putting Duct tape over it I don't know what to do. Any thoughts?

waynee · August 2004

You'll probably get over the novelty of it pretty soon, at least I did. I've had my MDX for a year now and hardly ever look at the MPG computer anymore. You can also adjust the display dimmer so the computer screen isn't so bright.

themax · September 2004

I'm considering trading in my 2002 Odyssey for an '04 MDX. Is the humming noise merely a nuisance or is it something that would eventually lead to mechanical failure? If it's the latter, I might just go for the '05 Odyssey.

fndlyfmrflyr · September 2004

Now that the 05 Odyssey has a memory seat available plus more content than my MDX Touring Navi, in addition to a higher mpg rating, maybe it is time to trade back into a van.

phillybigeasy · September 2004

I have a 2004 MDX which is about 2 months old. The VTM-4, VSA, and Airbag dummy lights have come on about a dozen times. I've taken to two different dealers, one couldn't diagnose because their software wasn't working. The other told me it was a loose harness, which they connected. On the way home from the dealer, the lights came back on.

Has anyone had any similar problems? Is it safe to drive? The last two vehicles I owned, I had problems with dummy lights coming on and staying on. I expect faults with Ford and Mercury, but not with a luxury car manufacturer like Acura.

sbcooke · September 2004

It is not normal, This is the first report of this type of problem I have seen on this board in the last few years. However that means it is probably something simple like a bad harness or something.

Did you take it back to the first dealer whose SW wasn't working? Sounds like a line to me. I would think it is safe to drive. However I would take it in, ask for a comparable loaner and leave it until it is fixed (easier written than done). Electrical glitches are hard to diagnose (but hopefully relatively easily repaired once properly identified). You could potentially be spending a lot of time back and forth on this one.

2 months old, you could qualify for the lemon law after a 2 more trips...which I don't think you need to pursue at this point, but if they cannot fix it, replacing it with a new car isn't unreasonable, you paid for a new car, you deserve one.

wxman3 · September 2004

Hello,

Referring to post 474 on 6/15/02, I was wondering if you have solved this problem. I just picked up my MDX several weeks ago. I like to drive with the passenger window open, and at higher speeds a thudding window noise develops that is very bothersome.

Was the dealer able to fix this? I really prefer to drive with the windows open in nice weather.

Thanks for a reply

kitkat14 · September 2004

I'm getting ready to pickup my 04 MDX, service department suggested I put on a exterior sealer since I chose Aspen White. Any suggestions or experiences with this? Also he said he would throw in a leather protector on the seats, is this worth anything?

fndlyfmrflyr · September 2004

As long as you don't pay anything for these it is worth it.

fndlyfmrflyr · September 2004

Common problem on many vehicles, especially with rear windows open at speed. Try opening the sunroof a bit and or a rear window a bit.

cybur · September 2004

I've had my MDX for a week and overall am well pleased. The headlights are very annoying. On country roads there is a very definite horizontal line between light and dark on the low beams. On hills, it feels like I can only see a few yards ahead of the vehicle. Can the headlights be adjusted? Maybe I'll just get used to it, but right now it's driving me crazy. Any suggestions? Prozac?

fndlyfmrflyr · September 2004

The last several vehicles I have purchased, including my MDX, had headlights aimed too low. On my 02 MDX the adjustment is located behind the headlights. With the hood open you can see a hole behind the top of the headlights. The markings around the hole (D for down, U for up) tell which way to turn the adjuster, located below the hole.

The sharp horizontal cutoff on low beam is normal for today's headlights.

When adjusting headlights keep in mind the aim should be slightly down. Aim should also take into consideration that as you load a vehicle with passengers and cargo the back tends to go down, raising headlight aim.

robbie · September 2004

Philly,

It is safe to drive.

We had the same problem with our Acura (2002 Model). The problems started as soon as we bought the car (100 miles). After much running around and 48,000 miles later, the dealer told us that the problem is in the alternator. Just got it "fixed" last week. Have not seen the problem reappear.

Was very displeased with the run around all the dealerships gave us. Expected better from Acura. Their brand promise is not aligned with actual performance.

phillybigeasy · September 2004

Thanks for responding Robbie. Next time I take it in for service, I'll mention that. I too, am upset about the runaround I'm getting from the dealer. This is my first "Luxury" car, and I expect more from Acura than I have gotten. Otherwise, the MDX is a great vehicle.

It just went on again today, I'm beginning to take a pictures of it with a time stamp when it happens so I have proof.

phild_mason · September 2004

The wind was howling in KS the other day, over 25 mph and my just purchased '03 MDX was whistling loudly, especially in the cross wind. It kind of sounded like it was coming from the running boards.

Anyone else have this experience? fixes?

Overall I love my MDX. Smooth on the highway and lots of room.

msu79gt82 · September 2004

The MDX is susceptible to highway wind noise; particularly from strong crosswinds. I'm on my second MDX and have logged over 60K miles in the vehicles now. I am unaware of any complicating features such as running boards (I have noticed this both with and w/o side steps).

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