| steinre1 |
I am looking to buy a MDX within the next month or two. The only "serious" reoccuring problem that I have read with previous MDX model years is the transmission failing. Does anyone have any information that would lead them to believe that the '04s would be any different? Has Acura made any changes to the transmission over the years? What actually causes the transmission to fail?
PS - I currently own a '00 TL and have had no problems with my transmission even though Acura extended the warranty on it. However, I have a friend who is already on his third tranny.
Thanks. Any info would be appreciated before making such a significant purchase....I mean if I wanted to buy a SUV with possible tranny/engine failures I might as well save myself 10k and buy domestic....:D |
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| DaleB |
You make a good point about domestics, but many problems do not stop with transmissons when choosing that option.
If you do a search on this forum you will find a fair number of complaints related to the tranny. By the same token, keep in mind people often join forums to 'share problems' with other owners. So that makes it difficult to draw conclusions about the true failure rate for all MDXs.
There were transmission changes exclusive to the 03 and 04 models, which I understand were to have some positive effect on reliabitlity, but also were related to 'packaging' considerations perhaps to save some weight of newer vehicles laden with more options.
So far, it does not appear transmission failures are a trademark of the MDX among other vehicles overall, and certainly not to the degree experienced by the TL, which invovled a major recall. |
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| steinre1 |
| I suppose that I must keep these problems in perspective. For every person that posts a problem about a bad tranny, there must certainly be many more who have had no problems whatsoever. I also have to admit that as I've researched other "highly rated" cars such as the rx330 and the 4runner, there are reoccuring problems showing up on those message boards as well. I guess I'm just a little surprised that Acura/Honda hasn't taken a more proactive approach to the tranny issues, given that there have been at least "a decent amount" of complaints over the last couple of years. While I hear rumors that the 2003 tranny was "redesigned", it would be reassuring to actually read in black in white that the new design helps to aleviate some of the problems. I've never been one to buy an extended warranty, but some of these posts are making me think twice. |
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| Mando |
quote:
Originally posted by steinre1
...While I hear rumors that the 2003 tranny was "redesigned", it would be reassuring to actually read in black in white that the new design helps to aleviate some of the problems. I've never been one to buy an extended warranty, but some of these posts are making me think twice.
You will NEVER see Acura say "Redesigned Transmission that cures the problems of the old design." With that statement, Acura would pretty much be admitting the older trannys are faulty. |
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| DaleB |
| And remember you don't have to buy the extended warranty right away. You have lots of time to see what happens as the MDXs pile on more miles and get a better idea how well they hold up. |
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| BlueStreak |
Keep in mind one important point when you talking tranny or any other component failure, and that is maintenance. Sure, most people change the oil and they do that because they know they HAVE to. I know for a fact MANY people neglect other maintenance issues. Heck, look at a simple thing called tire pressure and how many cars today are running tires 5-10 PSI low. That is why monotiring systems are now MANDATORY on new cars.
There are always going to be mechanaical failures for this part or another. Humans are involved in making them and there will be always be a small problem rate and I think most mfg's do what they can to fix these. When there are large scale problems, like with the TL, Honda did the right thing and extended the warranties.
In general, the failure ratio's on these trannys has been low. Go read the NHTSA investigation into Honda tranny problems and you'll find some MDX data referenced. These failures were related to the TL failures and they list dates of units in question. Beyond this report, failures reported at this point are minimal.
So take the comments about failures and consider the source and the situation. I read comments about Accord tranny's also failing and at 150K mine is shifting very good and has zero problems when others have had rebuilds. But then again I stay on top of my maintenance schedules. |
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| DaleB |
I think most members here are very conscious of what good maintenance entails.
However, quite a few of us go beyond the manual in doing ATF changes, flushes, etc. On the other side of that coin, we have a transmission that does not even have a filter to be replaced periodically. Something that seems odd from the getgo.
Oh well, we do what we can I guess. |
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| diamondmd |
| I got ,my 03 MDX in JAN 03 and 6 weeks later my trans goes haywire, no acceleration at awkward moments. I WILL NEVER BUY AN ACURA AGAIN! |
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| Pauls MDX |
| I can't believe I have the tranny problem. I changed and serviced the tranny at 2 separate intervals and did the triple flush and I still have the issue. My dealer states alot of the 01 and 02's are starting to come in with the same issue that the 3rd gear slips. It is intermittant and will not get you stuck. It will always go from a start but will slip when it hits the 3rd gear as if you are in neutral. I don't let it rev to high and it eventually hit in the gear. I believe this was the same problem the TL's were having. Oh well, I'm bringing in next week to have a rebuilt put in. I was hoping not to have the issue but from what I see, even if you baby your tranny and do the flushes it can still happen. Mine was one of the first built in 2002. I received in November of 2001. When cold the problem doesn't even exist, only when the tranny heats up. I recently moved further out on the Island and drive much farther distances. I wonder if I didn't move and still drove the shorter distances would the problem never came out? Well sorry to say I have to get a rebuilt now, I'll keep you guys up-to-date on the rebuilt unit. |
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| xcel |
Hi Paul’s MDX:
___I am sorry to hear of your tranny problem as well … Boy have we had heated debates over this in the past (Third gear clutch pack destruction again …) but the one item I seem to remember is that someone said the MDX’s tranny design had something to do with or is from the same company that designed a few of the infamous Chrysler tranny’s? You know, 105,000 and they are guaranteed to be toast? Common connection or just a coincidence? I hope I have my facts straight?
___In any case, I am still bothered by the fact these things fail in any number of note. It is not like any of our X’s are abused in the least. I am sure some are but for the most part, the X has to be one of the most babied automobiles that I know of and I know you took very good care of yours as well …
___Good Luck with the rebuild.
___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net |
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| Jon |
I think the 01's and the 02's are more prone to problems because they have 6 speeds(someone correct me if I am wrong) as opposed to 5 in the 03-04 models. The mechanic at the dealer told me that they have been replacing the all problematic tramissions with the 5 speed's off of the '03's, no matter what year the model was.
I my self felt for the first time the other day my tranny acting funny. I was in 3rd gear coming down a crest of a hill barely feathering the throttle when the tranny started to shrudder. Then with progressive throttle pressure it went away. I doubt I could douplicate the problem at the dealership, so I am just praying that it goes bad before warranty expires.:3: |
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| hammermdx |
quote:
Originally posted by Jon
I think the 01's and the 02's are more prone to problems because they have 6 speeds(someone correct me if I am wrong) as opposed to 5 in the 03-04 models. The mechanic at the dealer told me that they have been replacing the all problematic tramissions with the 5 speed's off of the '03's, no matter what year the model was.
I my self felt for the first time the other day my tranny acting funny. I was in 3rd gear coming down a crest of a hill barely feathering the throttle when the tranny started to shrudder. Then with progressive throttle pressure it went away. I doubt I could douplicate the problem at the dealership, so I am just praying that it goes bad before warranty expires.:3:
There are only 5 speeds in the 01's and 02's. |
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| oilchange |
According to the data at:
http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/show...15&pagenumber=2
many failures happened earlier than recommended ATF change.
Of 30 failures noted on the chart:
18/30 were at 45,000 miles or less.
10/30 were at 30,000 miles or less.
2/30 did not state mileage.
10/30 were above 45,000 miles.
The severe service recommendation for ATF change is 45,000 miles according to the 2002 owners manual.
The regular recommendation for ATF change is 30,000.
One cannot presume that owners did not do the maintenance. Most posters here do maintain their vehicles. Some over maintain.
A poll on odyclub.com of 2002-3 5spd auto owners shows 14% with problems. (25/151).
http://www.odyclub.com/forums/showt...15&pagenumber=1
quote:
Keep in mind one important point when you talking tranny or any other component failure, and that is maintenance. Sure, most people change the oil and they do that because they know they HAVE to. I know for a fact MANY people neglect other maintenance issues.
I could imagine a dealer saying that over and over. Problems happen. Dealer or manufacturer excuses are insult on top of injury. I was once told that my oil was black 100 miles after I changed oil myself. I was told I needed an immediate oil change and that I have not maintained my car. Yes, my dipstick's natural color was rather dark even when clean. The oil dripping from it was light yellow.
It seems we have not heard the last about transmission problems. |
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| DaleB |
I used to wonder if over maintaining would just mask or delay the inevitable, a transmission breakdown. Would not want to delay it long enough to be out of warranty.
In a way, it's too bad Acura does not offer customized warranties for a cheaper price that you could tailor for drivetrain, or bumper to bumper.
In any case, it looks likes if it is going to 'go' nothing will stop it, and it could happen anytime by the numbers that have been collected. But 'most' owners will not have a problem...at least not by 80K + as much as we know so far. |
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| steinre1 |
believe it or not, when I brought my TL to my (trusted) mechanic, he recommend that I only drain, not flush my transmission. He said the couple of TLs he flushed started having problems not long after. Sometimes, transmissions are better left alone - when you start flushing them, all sorts of cr@p can get loose and get stuck in the wrong places. Not saying this is a good idea or not, but something to think about...
This transmission issue is kind of the last hurdle I'm having a tought time getting over before my big purchase. I kind of feel that I'm paying a premium for the acura name and perceived reliability. I'm starting to get slightly cold feet and am starting to wonder whether a 4Runner or something like that would be better in the long run....
I'm not sure why I'm even writing all this out - these are the types of arguments that can go round and round and eventually you just have to pull the trigger on something - I just suppose I'm just thinking out loud here....
As an aside, I went to a lexus forum and a bunch of owners were calling their GX470s lemons, so I guess you just can't win. |
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| bb123 |
It is unsettling. My wife and I owned nothing but Honda products from 1989 to this year and we have been telling anyone who would listen that Hondas were the only vehicles to get: "yeah, they're boring, not built to beat up, but they are unbelieviably reliable." Until our MDX, no Honda had EVER let us down in over 600,000 miles. Not ONCE.
After the tranny on our '02 started missing 3rd gear time and time again, we traded it in for an '03. Now I just don't have a good feeling about the '03 and about the build qualitiy of the MDX in general. The '03 tranny shifts oddly and abruptly and the vehicle gets worse mileage than the '02.
If I was buying new, I would not be looking at an MDX or Odyssey. I'd be looking at a Highlander or if going offroad occasionally, at a 4Runner. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by steinre1
believe it or not, when I brought my TL to my (trusted) mechanic, he recommend that I only drain, not flush my transmission. He said the couple of TLs he flushed started having problems not long after. Sometimes, transmissions are better left alone - when you start flushing them, all sorts of cr@p can get loose and get stuck in the wrong places. Not saying this is a good idea or not, but something to think about...
I've heard that one before, and maybe with the X not having a in-line filter it even has a thread of truth.
But if flushing it sooner causes that to happen, it is probably better than have it happen on it's own after the warranty is expired.
At least replacement transmissons come with in-line filters.
They do that so any 'crap' that never got totally flushed out of the transmission lines after removal, will not f*ck up the new tranny.
So no filter on the original tranny, because it should not have any crap like what some mechanics think might come loose. Go figure!
Remember Pretzel Logic? |
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| renov8r |
there are at least two issues.
Issue #1 -- Why do <i> some</i> clutch packs seem to shed? Is Honda/Acura dealing with a supplier problem? Is there a design problem that only reveals itself under certain sets of circumstances(think space shuttle engine o-rings...) It seems impossible that this related to use/abuse or service/loack of service
Issue #2 -- Why doesn't the tranny fluid go through an inline filter? Unless the filter was very restrictive (to the point where line pressure was insufficient to affect shifting) there seems to be no downside. The cost is minimal. There is room to add one.
I suppose if one were to add a filter and that prolonged failure out past 5/50K then you'd be kicking yourself, but that seems highly unlikely... |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by renov8r
there are at least two issues.
Issue #1 -- Why do <i> some</i> clutch packs seem to shed? Is Honda/Acura dealing with a supplier problem? Is there a design problem that only reveals itself under certain sets of circumstances(think space shuttle engine o-rings...) It seems impossible that this related to use/abuse or service/loack of service
Issue #2 -- Why doesn't the tranny fluid go through an inline filter? Unless the filter was very restrictive (to the point where line pressure was insufficient to affect shifting) there seems to be no downside. The cost is minimal. There is room to add one.
I suppose if one were to add a filter and that prolonged failure out past 5/50K then you'd be kicking yourself, but that seems highly unlikely...
On issue #1 I agree, there are inconsistencies that have not been explained. We have not identified all the failure modes. Some have failed with relatively low mileage, others past 30K.
On issue #2, I doubt pressure is a concern, as the replacements come with in-line filters. Perhaps one could install one between the line and the radiator cooler. Then it would be easy to remove in case Acura wanted to make it an issue in the event of a warranty claim. How a filter could be an issue is beyond me, unless as you suggest, one selects a filter that is too restrictive. I have trouble believing this transmission is that unique compared with others. Unless the excessive clutch pack debris might clog a filter.
BTW the Acura filters are installed at the tranny body. |
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