Acura MDX Maintenance and Repair

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  • phild_masonphild_mason Member Posts: 99
    thanks for the feedback. The reason I suspected the sidesteps was the gaps around the plastic corner covers and the actual running boards. Looked like a prime place to create a whistle. I am sure you are familiar with wind in TX and I am in KS...
  • fndlyfmrflyrfndlyfmrflyr Member Posts: 668
    My 02 has a similar noise at freeway speeds with a strong non direct head wind. In mine, the noise is both a very loud whistling combined with a low rumble. To me, the sounds seem to be coming from the lower front fender area.
  • noisenoise Member Posts: 1
    I finally bought a new 04 MDX Touring a couple of weeks ago. Since the 2nd day, I heard a loud and continuous "click" noise coming from the left front side while driving about 30 miles per hour. This noise keeps coming back since then and each time, it goes on for about 5 seconds. The noise repeats about 2 to 3 times in the same day. Is anyone experiencing the same problem in this 04 Touring model? Thanks,
  • otis123otis123 Member Posts: 439
    2 weeks old. No gas tank noise, no 2200 rpm noise, no brake noise. Just took it on a 500 mile round trip drive. Only squeak is shiney part around shifter rubbing against fake wood below it when the car bends.

    1st tank [298 miles] 19.9 mpg highway 80%/around town 20% no AC driving VERY conservatively.
    2nd tank [570] 20.1 mpg interstate 90%/ around town 10% some AC driving VERY conservatively
    3rd tank [630] 26.7 mpg interstate 90%/ town 10% some AC less conservatively BUT filled in NJ by attendant - may not have topped??

    All manually calculated...actually, the computer is saying less...

    So far, so good... Basically what my 6 cyl. LLBean Outback gets! :-)
  • hopeitsfridayhopeitsfriday Member Posts: 396
    The MDX gets pretty good gas mileage on the highway, but it is pretty bad in the city. I am currently getting around 14.5 during city driving.
  • hushy555hushy555 Member Posts: 7
    I have a 04 MDX and I get 23 mpg overall. This includes lots of stop and go heavy traffic on 1-95 and the Capital Beltway everyday at rush hour. I use high test gas and use my own caluations , my trip meter says 22.5 mpg .
      On a another subject the first 05 MDX rolled off the assembly line on Sept.27 , 2004
  • cakes99cakes99 Member Posts: 27
    After having the two recalls done on my MDX 2002 I have discovered a very high pitched noise that kicks in when driving around 35-40 miles per hour. The faster I drive the higher the pitch of the noise gets. The service department decided it was a seal on the windshield had a leak and caused the air to make this noise. Well I have a new windshield and still have the high pitched noise. Now the service department is telling me that they no longer hear the noise, which is clear as day to me. My next option is to go for a ride with the Acura Rep the next time he comes to my dealer. Has any one else had this noise, you only hear it if you have a quite road, no vent on and no radio.

    Also I just had a repair done because the gas pedal was sticking and the SUV was reving the engine by itself when in park. I was terrified driving when this happened, lucky I was near home and turned back. Called Roadside service, and they were great and towed it to the dealer. The engine light did come on and the repair involved some valve that controls the idol. I hope this does not happen to many people, it was very scary to have my car excelerate on it's own.
  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    I had something like this from my old nissan. The sun roof would whistle on hot days. Dealer never could fix it. Have you isolated it to the windsheild or could it be the sunroof?

    What finally resolved my problem was a simple solution my dad gave me. Silicon spray on a rag and wiping down the weather stripping twice a year. It makes it stick better and then no noise.
  • hopeitsfridayhopeitsfriday Member Posts: 396
    Yes it sounds like some of the seals are starting to go. Silicon spray is a good suggestion.
  • caseterricaseterri Member Posts: 2
    Similar .. We had difficulty with starts such as long cranking times and then nothing .. followed by a wait of 10 -20 minutes then it would start ok.. This repeated over several days ( car was 2 week old 2004 without Nav ) following day required a jump and a trip to the dealer .. Faulty battery I'm told.. They replaced at no charge ( but of course didn't reset my clock or radio stations ... anyway .. starts fine now and no current problems..
  • caseterricaseterri Member Posts: 2
    HEY yeah we have the same issue .. but it goes away if I just crack one of the other windaow
  • electricalfireelectricalfire Member Posts: 2
    Has anyone had a fire under the hood of an MDX along the fire wall? We were driving along the highway when we smelled something burning....smoke came into the passenger compartment through gaps in the dash. There were flames along the fire wall at the back. So far the dealer cannot find a cause and has said they have never heard of this before.
  • todd53todd53 Member Posts: 47
    Wow. That sounds very unusual for a Honda product. How many miles does it have? Is it still under warranty? How bad was the damage? Good luck....
  • electricalfireelectricalfire Member Posts: 2
    The MDX is a 2002 with 35,700 miles and is still under warranty. The dealer now says that they can find no cause, but they are pretty sure that with cold weather a small animal built a nest in the vehicle and that is what caused the fire. The problem with that "solution" is that the car is driven every day (one hour in the morning and one in the evening) and was driven about 13 hours before the fire. Also, the fire did not occur until we had gone about one hundred miles at highway speed. Within five minutes after the first smell, smoke and flames, there was no evidence of a nest or other foreign matter to be seen .....a pretty flammable "nest". They are also installing the third CD player into this vehicle......we have a history of problems with the dash that the dealer caused when the first CD player failed. They claim this is unusual but see no connection....
  • hopeitsfridayhopeitsfriday Member Posts: 396
    Where did the fire started?
  • zuccherozucchero Member Posts: 3
    BETWEEN 20 TO 50 MPH IF YOU LET OFF THE GAS AND PRESS IT AGAIN EASY THE VEHICLE SHUTTERS AND JERKS.ALMOST LIKE ITS SEARCHING FOR A GEAR (TORQUE CONVERTER)?==SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE.ALREADY HAD TRANS.RECALL BUT IT MADE NO DIFF.DEALERS RESPONCE,"IF IT DOESNT GIVE A FAULT CODE THEN NOTHINGS WRONG.TWO DEALERS SOME ANSWER.MILAGE=28K.
  • doneill1doneill1 Member Posts: 1
    I too have had my experience with Acura runaround. I recently sold my '04 MDX with only 6K miles on it. My main issue was the fit and finish of vehicle. It came with chipped paint, scratched interior parts and hood, door and bumper not aligned properly. Both dealer and Acura rep. said that all these issues were within "acceptable defect tolerance range" for Acura. I could not believe what I heard. I asked the regional rep. why these issues not on the Honda Pilot, and I was told that the Pilot is a newer design and that many of the MDX problems therefore are not in the MDX. Well, I could not believe my ears. Luckily, I sold this car and broke even. Went out and bought a Pilot and saved a ton--no problems whatsoever.
  • fndlyfmrflyrfndlyfmrflyr Member Posts: 668
    Turn off caps lock please.

    If you can demonstrate the problem it should not matter if there is a fault code. If not, the dealer has nothing on which to base a repair.

    If you can demonstrate and it is abnormal for the model (sounds like it is) and the dealer still won't address the problem contact Acura. If no help all you have left is your state's lemon law and maybe arbitration or a court case.

    My 02 has, in the 40-45 mph range, lugged. Can't call it shuttering or jerking, but it was like the transmission was in too high a gear. The hesitations to accelerate have been annoying and happen only with very light gas pedal pressure. mild. More aggressive use of the gas pedal eliminates the problem on mine. 26k on my 02 and I first noticed this characteristic (slow tranny downshift with light gas pedal) about 20k ago. Mine has had the recall's addition of the extra oil line.
  • orthoemergorthoemerg Member Posts: 2
    I own an '01 MDX Touring that has had persistant and progressive transmission troubles Around 30,000 miles the car would buck and shudder between first and second gears if accelerating gently. Also omnipresent was a "searching" of gears when letting off the throttle at highway speeds. Multiple complaints at scheduled service visits have not resolved these issues. Transmission fluid changes and recall for second gear injector jet have been to no avail. The shuddering now occurs at multiple shift points in non-aggressive acceleration. To wear me and my warranty down, the dealer(Ramsey Acura), has persistantly given me appointments 4-5 weeks from my request date. Finally a service manager has taken a ride and confirmed my complaint "which we are unable to reproduce" without me. BEWARE, if you have these symptoms. Document and resolve prior to warranty expiration. I will keep you posted to see how Acura addresses this Transmission Impossible. Sound familiar to any readers out there?
  • phillybigeasyphillybigeasy Member Posts: 31
    I think this is strange, but in order to turn off the rear A/C, I have to press the Rear A/C button so that the green light is ON. I would think that when the green Rear A/C light is off, the Rear A/C is off. Nope, just the opposite! Is this common with all MDX' (Japanese cars?)?
  • bubbaman99bubbaman99 Member Posts: 2
    I have a 2004 Base MDX which needed a new catalytic converter 3 months after purchase. I continue to have a sulfer odor emenating from the car after the 'fix'. Any thoughts would be helpful (BTW- I also have the break noise which is annoying). Could I have a lemon?
  • harjitsharjits Member Posts: 35
    Just spoke to the Service Manager here in RI and he confirmed that Acura has released the TSB (04-027) on Oct 22nd, for the dreaded drone. He ordered the part and it will be replaced next Monday...Bug ur local dealers and get it fixed before part is backordered....

    Good luck...
    HSJ
  • hopeitsfridayhopeitsfriday Member Posts: 396
    bubbaman99,
    There is a TSB for the brake clunk, check with your dealer to install the shims.
    Most car gives out that sulfer oder when you push it hard. If that is not your case, then try switching feul brand. Some gasoline contain more sulfer than others, sounds like your car cannot cleanly burn off all the feul. Are you using preimum gas?
  • wckitty1wckitty1 Member Posts: 1
    Like You, In January 04, my 2001 MDX with 54,000 miles had major transmission problems. The gears began to slip, and rpm's went down fast while driving on the freeway. The Car almost cut out.
    This lasted for a few seconds, and then it drove fine. Five minutes later, gears started slipping, rpm's dropped, and it was making some strange noises. It was was clear I was loosing my transmission. This kept happening every 5 minutes or so.

    Countless others have had the same problem, and although Acura has had a recall on certain year and model transmissions, they are making it extremely difficult to qualify for this recall, and are not paying for replacement parts or labor if your car is out of warranty. In order to confuse the consumer, they talk in "codes". If your car didn't have the right "code" when it was serviced, then you do not qualify for the recall? Does anyone know about these codes? I am pushing me dealer to help me interpret these codes.

    I believe my car, and coutless others, are part of this transmission defect recall (recall number 04V-176.) Why are so many of us having transmission problems?

    There may be a class action filed through the Center For Auto Safety. I will keep this board posted.

    I am interted in hearing from anyone who has had major transmission problems (Slippage, Noises, Locking up) with their Acura's.
  • zuccherozucchero Member Posts: 3
    i am taking my 02 mdx to the dealer soon with these messages(531,533,534,539). i will keep you informed on how the dealer handles my problem.
  • otis123otis123 Member Posts: 439
    What is the 04 Drone??
  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    I have an '02. My dealer applied the fix no questions asked. I don't know about codes, I am sure it was just a matter of my VIN falling in the right range.
  • Firebird_EOUFirebird_EOU Member Posts: 250
    I have a 05 MDX but I can not get the Homelink to learn Craftman (2004)'s code. I tried the learning mode from the garage door opener and depress the Homelink for 30 seconds or 3-4 seconds, release, then 3-4 seconds, but it does not learn it.
    When I tried it via the separate remote, it never stayed flashed to indicate it's a rolling code either. Has anyone successfully programmed their Homelink w/recent Craftsman's opener?
  • cheekscheeks Member Posts: 67
    Can you let me know if you have heard any gas sloshing noises from 2005. Most prominent when breaking. Prior year models have experienced this due to the gas tank design. The 05's have a new tank so problem may have been resolved. I have an 04 and I hear it all the time when my tank is 3/4 to full. The less gas the less often you hear it. I have considered trading in the my 04 for the 05.
  • orthoemergorthoemerg Member Posts: 2
    In fairness to Acura and my dealership (Ramsey Acura) I need to report a satisfactory resolution to my problem. After 30,000 miles of complaining about my progressive transmission problem they took the MDX in and replaced the transmission. No more bucking between upshifts nor searching for gears while coasting! Acura stood behind their product..... Would I buy another? You bet!
  • darandalldarandall Member Posts: 57
    I have a 2001 MDX with 66,000 miles. for the past year or so, my wife noticed a "shuddering" when she went between 20-25 mph. I read about the transmission recall, got the notice, and recently took the car in. Service advisor called at the end of the day to tell me that my transmission problem was not the same problem as the recall, BUT, because I had been such a good customer and had had the car serviced there regularly, they were going to replace the transmission under warranty. I like the result, but not the way it was done. The transmission was defective, and they should just replace it. Also, I'm getting a rebuilt transmission. does that mean it will be just as defective a design as the first one? Also, we are now past a week at the dealer. Is that a normal time? Thanks for any comments or suggestions. Donn
  • wenwen Member Posts: 42
    I own a 2003 Acura MDX (Touring/NAV) and at 20K miles, I'm getting the famous (just as I did in my '00 3.2 TL at around same mileage) WARPED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. Sure it's annoying, but really NOt a problem as I just purchased (2)new POWERSTOP rotors for the front. The questions I have are:

    (#1) I purchased Honda #06435-S3V-A01 SHIM KIT for the REAR. Will this help "eliminate" the REAR BRAKE CLUNKING that plagues the MDX's ?? Where can I find the correct T.S.B. or Service Bulletin including part numbers and "correction procedures"?? So far all I located was a HONDA (Pilot/Odyssey) Service Bulletin #04-019 (dated March 23,2004)

    (#2) What are the "best" BRAKE PADS (FRONT & REAR) for "heavy footed" driving ?? I used CERAMACOOL's on the TL and after initial break-in (about 300 miles) they were the BEST brakes I have had in the past 20 years. I remember "Repco" made great pads in my distant past, and recently I hear a lot of talk about AXXIS pads ???? ANY COMMENTS ?? Please jump in and help !! THANKS !!
  • gocanongocanon Member Posts: 10
    I was wondering if one can replace the donut tire that comes standard with the MDX with a full size spare?
    Thanks
  • zuccherozucchero Member Posts: 3
    transmission problem turned out to be the egr valve on my o2 mdx.service department at park ACURA AKRON OH. GET AN AAA+++ SEE MSGS. 531,540 THANK YOU!!!!
  • kat5kat5 Member Posts: 2
    2004 (and probably 2005) MDX buyers beware. If the car is moving and the passenger's seat belt is not fastened, a loud and repetitive sequence of chimes is heard in the cabin. This is not temporary, but continuous. For medical reasons not everyone can wear a seat belt. Or, it you are on that long trip across the desert and just want to relax, you had better not take off your seat belt less you and your passengers will be bombarded with Honda's version of Chinese water torture. And the dealer will turn a blind eye to any type of request to "fix" the problem--for "legal reasons." What were the Honda engineers thinking when they installed this unnecessary Big Brother feature?--it's not on the 2003s! So if not prepared to wear your seat belt all the time, the MDX may not be for you. Know this BEFORE you buy the car. Anybody else bothered by this problem?
  • todd53todd53 Member Posts: 47
    kat5:

    My new 05 MDX only makes the chimes if the driver does not buckle up. Apparently it doesn't care whether passengers are wearing their seatbelts. I would suggest going to a salvage yard and cutting a buckle (male end) from a wrecked MDX and insert it indefinitely into your passenger seatbelt receptacle. I imagine that would fool big brother and solve your problem.
  • otis123otis123 Member Posts: 439
    Reminds me of my best friend's father back in the 70s when they started the seat belt chimes. The first thing he did when he bought a car was cut the seat belts out...

    Never drive without mine...law or not...
  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    Rebuilt is standard for replacement parts.

    I am 90% sure you can fit a full size under there. You can order a rim/tire from Hondacuraworld.com for $200 and then get a tire somewhere.
  • bubbaman99bubbaman99 Member Posts: 2
    Thanks. FYI - there is a TSB (if that is a service bulliten) for replacing the catalytic converter for sulfer odor. Will upgrade our gasoline and hope that helps.
  • kat5kat5 Member Posts: 2
    Todd: Re: MDX chimes. Meant driver's side, not passenger's side. And just try to find a used buckle at a salvage yard for an MDX. I tried for three weeks. There aren't any. Even was ready to buy a new seat assembly from the dealer. He will not sell these to customers directly. They are considered a "controlled part." Dealers will install them however, but that does me no good. I don't need a new one installed. I just need the buckle. What a bummer. kat5
  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    I don't understand why you want have this huge need to not wear your seatbelt. Even on the long drive across the desert. If you meant the drivers side and you have a medical condition, I am sure you could find a shop to fit you with something, try calling other dealers and explain the condition.

    If you really have to drive without a seatbelt, I suggest 2 things. Go to a junk yard as suggested (don't give up, for $100 they will search and get you one) or find the speaker and cut the wires. It has to be coming from somewhere.
  • todd53todd53 Member Posts: 47
    kat5: I would think that a buckle from any late model Honda or Acura vehicle would do the trick. There's got to be plenty of "deceased" Accords and TLs in salvage yards out there. Good luck....
  • tempstertempster Member Posts: 1
    I have a tough time believing that. I have the infamous "rumble strip" feeling at 30mph, which then changes into a "gear searching" or "lunging" of the tranny. I have searched a lot of sites for info on this. Check out acuramdx.org and explore the tranny issue, for example. I am out of warranty, and I need a new tranny. What do you think Acura will do? They offered to pay for half. They are asking me to pay for a replacement for an issue that is their design problem.

    My advice: if you experience this "rumble strip" issue or having other issues with the transmission, get in and get it replaced. The last remaining issue may be that we will be trying to demand a recall on these, considering that they have a faulty design. Lastly, they are dangerous. A friend of mine read to me the review and stories of an MDX owner that had the same problem, and who nearly lost control as the vehicle dramatically downshifted uncontrollably and he was able to stay on the road because he was a ex-fighter jet pilot with specialized training and split-second reactions. Will anyone die before these are replaced?
  • darandalldarandall Member Posts: 57
    I had the same problem. I took the vehicle in for the recall inspection, and was told that the problem existed but was not the subject of the recall, BUT, because I had been such a good customer at the dealership, they would replace the transmission without cost. '01 with 66,000 mi. They made good. You may be able to get somewhere with Acura of America or whatever they are called. I've found that polite persistence works the best. Good luck! Donn
  • asteinastein Member Posts: 2
    After reading all the concerns posted on this board I am having second thoughts about buying the MDX.

    My question has to do with not paying too high a price for the '05 MDX with the touring package. MSRP is somewhere between $42,000 & $43,000. Where can I find the Invoice price for this car? Is it printed anywhere for the customer to see. If the salesman is asked for that number must he show it to you?

    Appreciate hearing from someone.
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    Please see my reply to you in "Meet the Members".
  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    There are lots of concerns about the transmission, but very few problems. Actually there are several posts about Acura replacing the transmissions at no cost to the owner. That is actually a good sign that Acura is backing the vehicle.
  • tickaticka Member Posts: 1
    I purchased my mdx 2004 model in Aug, 03. i heard the noise of the sloshing of the gas tank. i also took it to the dealer and they said nothing can be done for this, they also saying that this is a problem since 2001, Also did you call main head Quaters in California , ask your dealer for the number and make a complaint. They also said that they my have fix it in the 2005 ? haev you try any other way to fix it?
  • cheekscheeks Member Posts: 67
    After trading in a BMW for the MDX, I soon had regrets due to the sloshing. I thought the 2005 with the new gas tank wouldn't have the noise. After test driving one last week, I'm sorry to report that the 2005 sloshes as well. I'll hold onto my 2004 through the winter but I'll be looking to get rid of it in the spring.
  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    I have an '02 and have only noticed it once...I think. Is it that noticeable? Maybe some are worse than others? My is not present? I never have the windows down though, I just keep the climate control set on auto all year round.

    Do you notice it under specific conditions?
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