| tmsquirg |
I have a 2001 MDX with 44K on it. Since 30K, we have noticed a shuddering on occasion when going from acceleration to cruising at all different speeds. At 30K, it was once a month, now it's daily. Sometimes it's fairly mild, other times it feels like the car is going over rumble strips. When I read of the transmission recall, I thought I'd hit the jackpot in terms of what was causing the problem. We had taken the car in at 30K and they couldn't find anything. Anyway, today I took it in to have the transmission recall done and described the noise and the service rep told me it's NORMAL!! I've owned an Acura for 14 years, and I have never experienced anything like this, nor can I imagine Acura considers this okay. Please, please, any help would be great....
Thanks. |
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| hockeyplayer |
| I have a question.... I think I have the same problem. It happens mostly when I take my foot off the accelerator around 45-55 mph. The transmission "shudders" down a gear after I coast for a couple seconds. At least that is what it feels like to me. I have had the transmission fluid replaced at 30,000. I am at 36,600 right now. I complained of rough shifting at about 15,000 and they went ahead and flushed the system back then. |
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| tmsquirg |
| That's what it's like for us too, only it happens at 20 mph, 30mph, 40mph, whenever we take our foot off the accelerator to "cruise" I just can't imagine Acura could think it's normal. Sometimes it's a few seconds of shuddering, but as I said, it can feel (and sound) like rumblestrips...not very pleasant and kind of scary. |
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| jsolo18 |
| My 2001 with 60k miles shuddered for 15k before an aggressive service mgr took them (Our wonderful friends at Acura) on. Trust me, this is not normal. When they replaced my transmission the shuddering was history. Have them call the regional service people on this. You are being snowed, badly. Good luck! |
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| servicemanager |
| There are also EGR valve malfunctions that can cause a shudder that feels like tranny problems. This is another avenue for your dealer to follow. They will need to monitor the EGR system to find out how it is operating during the shudder. |
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| Munch |
Just got back from the dealer, new tranny on the way. Acura will do it under warrantee since problem started under 50,000 miles (58,000 now). Great service by the way at Sunnyside Acura in Nashua, NH.
Our problem is a low speed part throttle shudder the tranny also hunts 4/5 on partial throttle at hiway speeds.
Was told by the service writer that the torque converter was bad also.
FYI keep after them to replace the tranny. Shudder/stumble is not normal. |
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| Jeff |
We had an identical problem and were also told it is normal. Also, dealer had problem replicating it until we learned the tech was driving around in D4 instead of D5.
They replaced the EGR valve, but there was no fix. The tranny was replaced yesterday under warranty. Keep after it - its not normal. |
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| Tnman |
| I have the same problem that just started around 48K when you are just "cruising" on flat pavement it will sudder. You can play with speed and throttle to get it to do it more or less, acceleration makes it go away but just regualr driving will casue it to shudder. Its going in for 45K service (Im late) and for the Tranny recall, hopefully they will get it fixed! |
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| sar10 |
| We have noticed this symptom recently. We have had the transmission recall performed already. Actually don't know when it started, but it may have been just after the recall was performed. Now at about 24K. I'll ask about this at the next service. This is our 5th Acura (2 more in the family) and this is NOT normal. |
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| Tnman |
| Got it back, they replaced the EGR valve, so far seems to have fixed the issue |
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| tmsquirg |
| I'm the initial poster on this thread. We had complained to Acura about the shuddering and they sent us for a second opinion at a different dealer. The service manager spent a lot of time with me test driving the car but could not replicate the shudder. He had his head mechanic call the engineer at Acura, and they suggested replacing the EGR valve. We had that completed yesterday along with our 45K service. Will keep you posted on whether or not this fixed the situation. |
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| tmsquirg |
| It's still doing it. Will be placing ANOTHER call on Monday.... |
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| mdt2003 |
| After reading many messages on the various boards about MDX transmission problems (mostly '01/'02 models), I'm a bit more disconcerted than I was this weekend when my 2003 MDX with 40K miles started making a shuddering noise in the rear area of the car when driving at low speeds on some local backroads. My wife described the noise as a small jackhammer. The descriptions I have read about "driving over a rumblestrip" are dead-on accurate to my ears. Over a two day period, I experienced this shuddering problem at least four times. I have correlated it with a normal/gradual acceleration up to the 20-30mph range followed by a normal relaxing of my foot off the accelerator pedal to get into "cruise" or constant velocity mode. It seems to last for 2-3 seconds. I have scheduled an appointment with the dealer for next week. Approximately 80% of the 40K miles are highway driven. I'll post more information next week sometime. |
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| servicemanager |
| I would recommend that the rear VTM4 fluid be changed and see if it goes away. If it does not have the the dealer then follow normal trouble shooting procedures. Good luck. |
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| tmsquirg |
| Is that the rear differential fluid? We just had that replaced as well. My husband just called the dealer and they've ordered us a new transmission!!!! I was so worried that since they couldn't replicate it we were out of luck. What a relief. Will keep you posted. |
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| hockeyplayer |
I have the same thing MDT... I have an appointment to take it in for Friday. Still cannot believe the hassle it is to get a loaner car out of Acura. The guy started whining telling me he could shuttle me to work. I had to reassure the guy that I live in friggen Atlanta and the shuttle thing might work in some small town but hot here. When my wife takes her Infiniti in she gets a loaner....NO QUESTIONS ASKED!!!! I will be getting them to do an oil change plus the transmission fix and the brake thingy.
One thing... My MDX does the same shuddering when I release the gas at around 45-60 mph. |
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| mdt2003 |
Thanks for the information, servicemanager and hockeyplayer. I have a scheduled appointment for Friday as well. I did some more experimentation last night. I can now reliably reproduce the problem. If I let my foot off the accerlerator at somewhere between 35-40mph, a loud 2-3 shudder occurs. I also think it is happening less dramatically at other speeds as well. I wonder if other 2003-2004 owners will start seeing this problem when they hit 40K+ miles too. Only time will tell.
When I bought my MDX at Acura in Boston, MA, one of the selling points was how they would provide free loaner cars for their high end models, such as the MDX. Less than a year later, they stopped providing loaners altogether. I've recently moved to a suburb of Boston, and I'm now actually closer to Nashau, NH, so I'm planning to take the MDX to Sunnyside Acura in Nashua on Friday. The Service Manager indicated to me yesterday that he has not had a 2003 MDX with a transmission problem come through the shop. I'd hate to be the first. |
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| WoodstockMDX |
I'm having the same "shuddering" problem. Anywhere between 35 and 65 MPH, when you let up on the gas (not all the way to coasting), the X starts shaking and stuttering. Can get it to be more pronounced by lightly adjusting the throttle pressure. Some times it feels like it's totally misfiring. Have 45K on it now and it's been doing this for the last 5 - 6K. Have an appointment with the dealer tomorrow to check it out. Have also asked for the tranny recall to be done and can't wait to hear about the pictures.
Does anyone else here think taking digital pictures through a small opening (speed sensor port) and comparing the video results with some color scale on computer monitor a bit unreliable a test? Too easy for human interpretation based on the bias of the observer and miscalibration of color scales on the CRT?? Why don't they just take fluid samples and have them analyzed for overheating??
Anyway, more tomorrow after another wonderful dealer experience. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by WoodstockMDX
I'm having the same "shuddering" problem. Anywhere between 35 and 65 MPH, when you let up on the gas (not all the way to coasting), the X starts shaking and stuttering. Can get it to be more pronounced by lightly adjusting the throttle pressure. Some times it feels like it's totally misfiring. Have 45K on it now and it's been doing this for the last 5 - 6K. Have an appointment with the dealer tomorrow to check it out. Have also asked for the tranny recall to be done and can't wait to hear about the pictures.
Does anyone else here think taking digital pictures through a small opening (speed sensor port) and comparing the video results with some color scale on computer monitor a bit unreliable a test? Too easy for human interpretation based on the bias of the observer and miscalibration of color scales on the CRT?? Why don't they just take fluid samples and have them analyzed for overheating??
Anyway, more tomorrow after another wonderful dealer experience.
Here we go again. There seems to be this underlying theme that the 'recall' is to fix and/or prevent all transmission problems.
No where on the recall info that has been referenced here as well as distributed to owners is a shuddering symptom specifically mentioned as related to the failure mode being addressed by the recall.
It should not be beyond our comprehension that due to the complexity of automatic transmissions, they can have more than one failure mode, with totally different causes. |
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| WoodstockMDX |
Thanks, Dale. I certainly didn't mean to suggest that the recall would fix the problem. It's just that I'm having the recall done while they troubleshoot the shuddering problem.
HOWEVER, the first thing the service adviser told me this morning when I dropped off the X was that the oil jet WOULD fix the problem. I suggested to him that I didn't think so but that if that's what he thinks, then be sure to test drive it before they call me and tell me it's ready.
Can't wait for the call! |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by WoodstockMDX
Thanks, Dale. I certainly didn't mean to suggest that the recall would fix the problem. It's just that I'm having the recall done while they troubleshoot the shuddering problem.
HOWEVER, the first thing the service adviser told me this morning when I dropped off the X was that the oil jet WOULD fix the problem. I suggested to him that I didn't think so but that if that's what he thinks, then be sure to test drive it before they call me and tell me it's ready.
Can't wait for the call!
The fix is supposedly a preventative solution. Oh, well....got to take most of those service advisers with a grain a salt. :) good luck!
Interested in the outcome. |
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| DavidM |
I have an '02 and started having the shuddering issue at about 42k.
I took it in, showed the tech the problem, and they flushed the transmission in an effort to try to fix it. They said if it didn't, they would keep trying to fix it. They also did the recall service.
I picked it up the next day, and drove away. The problem was not fixed. The next week, I called and made another appointment. The service manager was prepared to install another transmission. I told him about the EGR valve, and he said to just bring it in, they would take care of it.
The tech said that he had another MDX, an '01 model that had the same problem the day earlier. The EGR valve replacement fixed it. So, that was what they were going to do on mine. They gave me a loaner, and told me that if the EGR valve didn't fix it, they would replace the transmission. The tech assured me that he would personally insure that it was corrected before they called me to pick it up. The service manager told me to be prepared to drive the loaner for 6 days in case it needed the full-blown tranny replacement.
The next day they called and I picked up my MDX. The problem was completely eliminated by replacing the EGR valve. I was quite happy that the tranny was okay!!:cool:
Bottom line:
Don't be too certain that the tranny is bad. This EGR thing could very well be the problem. The tech explained that the valve would stick open, causing the exhaust gases to build up in the combustion chamber. Then the engine would misfire and seem like a tranny problem. That's why it happened after acceleration, (when the valve is opened) and would only surface when you let up on the accelerator. (Valve stuck too far open when at partial throttle).
Notify your service manager, and have them check this out first. And save yourself the headache. |
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| servicemanager |
| My Service Department has eliminated the shutter on 2 MDX's by replacing the EGR valve. It can be deceiving and tricky to diagnose. I had one yesterday that I was able to eliminate the EGR by disconnecting it and hooking up Chassis Ears to the transfer case and listening for sounds while the shutter is actually happening. In this case it happened to be in the tranny. Have mercy on us poor service facilities. It is not always easy. Thanks. SM. |
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| WoodstockMDX |
Thanks, guys, for the advise on the EGR valve. I did in fact mention this to the SM when I brought it in this AM. He said he would check that as well. I heard about it in other sections of this web site before going in so - the old adage "forewarned is forearmed". And thanks you ACURAMDX.ORG
Regardless, just got a call from the SM - they're replacing the tranny (remanufactured). Did the recall and the pictures looked OK but they still couldn't fix the shudder. Presume they also checked the EGR - they're not going to pay for a tranny when all it takes is an EGR. Replacement to be scheduled when I pick up the X tonight and free loaner to be provided.
I hope after all of this it doesn't turn out to be the EGR after all. At least I'll get a new tranny out of it.
I'll ask about extended warranty on the new tranny and if Acura is going to do something like they did for the TLs for the MDXs in an extended warranty. |
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| servicemanager |
| #1 The transmissions that are used as replacements are remanufactured, not new. New transmissions are never installed as a replacement. #2 The warranty is the remainder of the original factory warranty. This does not imply however that there will be no consideration if you have further problems. SM. |
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| WoodstockMDX |
My X is going in on Tuesday for a replacement (remanufactured). Discussions so far about warranties has been a lot of hot air. "Of course, Acura will take care of it if it fails. They've done cars with 100,000 under warranty". I wish some of the other members who are fighting to get their labor costs reimbursed could have been there to hear that.
BTW - the warranty book says that "replacement parts", which I'm presuming is a correct distinction for the replacement tranny, are covered for only 12,000 or 1 year. When I go in for the work, I'm going to push them to put in writing an extended warranty of another 50,000 miles - same as the original tranny. If they're not willing to do so, it says something about how they feel about the remanufactured unit. And it will trigger another call to Acura Client Services, for whatever good that might do. The current 45,000 plus another 50,000 is still less than what they're doing for the TLs. Maybe it will sell?? |
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| WoodstockMDX |
quote:
Originally posted by WoodstockMDX
BTW - the warranty book says that "replacement parts", which I'm presuming is a correct distinction for the replacement tranny, are covered for only 12,000 or 1 year.
OOOPS - just ready some more in the warranty book. Servicemanager is absolutely correct. The "replacement parts" warranty excludeds parts repalced under the new car warranty and the new car warranty says the replaced parts are covered only unitl the original new car warranty expires.
Even more reason to put for another 50,000 miles. |
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| tmsquirg |
| I'm waiting for my transmission to be replaced and find it alarming that they use manufactured ones! I got the feeling they don't even know what's wrong that's causing the shuddering. How do I know that a remanufactured one won't do the same thing? Or worse? I had at least hoped I'd get 30K or so out of the new one... |
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| servicemanager |
| The transmissions that dealerships get as replacements have been reworked at the factory with the latest updates and countermeasures for known existing problems. We have had good success at my facility with these transmissions. Don't worry about it. Acura has been good so far in standing behind the product. There is no secret about this concern. |
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| DaleB |
I say maintain the MDX well, but drive the crap out of it. I think overall it will hold up very well. The tranny being the weak sister.
But when you get close to 50K or 4 years, better get the extended warranty before continuing. |
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| sar10 |
| Had MDX serviced yesterday and had them check the shuddering problem. Thye were unable to replicate problem, so no fix yet. At least I'm on record with my problem before warranty is up. I'm sure I'll have it checked again in the future. |
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| tmsquirg |
| Keep after them. Although the dealer (two dealers) were never able to replicate, I got an EGR valve, which didn't fix the shudder, and finally a new transmission. My step after the first dealer couldn't replicate was to call Acura customer service to file a complaint-- they sent us for the second opinion. Good luck. |
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| 2001mdxsilver |
| Hi All - I'm a new member finding comfort that I'm not the only one with this problem. I'm experiencing the same shuddering problem and after 2 visits to the dealer, I've been told it may be due to "bad gas." I was asked several times if I had used regular octane instead of premium - responded that I've only used premium since I purchased my 2001 MDX. I was advised to run the tank empty and put a new tank of gas to eliminate "bad gas" as a possible cause. I was not aware of any transmission recall - can someone let me know where I might be able to find more information? |
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| dj-mdx2 |
quote:
Originally posted by 2001mdxsilver
Hi All - I'm a new member finding comfort that I'm not the only one with this problem. I'm experiencing the same shuddering problem and after 2 visits to the dealer, I've been told it may be due to "bad gas." I was asked several times if I had used regular octane instead of premium - responded that I've only used premium since I purchased my 2001 MDX. I was advised to run the tank empty and put a new tank of gas to eliminate "bad gas" as a possible cause. I was not aware of any transmission recall - can someone let me know where I might be able to find more information?
If you're the original owner, you should have gotten the recall notice for the oiljet kit ages ago. The recall is on the Acura owner's link website, Consumer Reports and NHSTA under vechicle recalls. A diligent search here should also give you a (somewhat skewed) wealth of info since owners with problems are more vocal about them. |
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