| goterps |
After many months of tolerating an intermittent transmission that slipped between 2nd and 1st gears, I was lucky to have my service advisor test drive our MDX for a second time, to finally experience the problem himself. Our transmission is being replaced, with 89K miles.
I specifically asked my service advisor if there was a history of failed transmisisons on the MDX and if I could expect Acura to cover the expense of the replacement. I said I thought I read that Acura had extended the drive train warranty to 100K. He said that was only on certain CL and TL models and not the MDX.
Any goodwill to cover this out of warranty repair would only be offered from the local District Parts Sales Manager....and I would not be able to talk to him directly unless I was in the service shop the day of his monthly visit.
I was asked where I serviced my vehicle and if I have detailed records of all maintenance. After providing these records, I was told that my transmission problem was likely the result of using non Honda fluids as recommended. I proved to them my local repair shop,who has an account with this dealer, uses exclusively OEM Honda fluids and parts.
I finally got the word that because of my 'lack of loyalty' to this dealer, I would have to split the cost of the tranny 50/50.
I was quoted the tranny replacement costs are typically around $6000, but that they could get it down to $3500....my cost $1750.
After speaking with Acura customer relations, again I was told the best they could do is 50/50 because I chose not use that dealer for repair and maintenance work.
I was able to renegotiate and received a concession on the tranny repair only after agreeing to get additional service work done at the same time. Acura's customer relations said he would "go to bat for me" to reduce my costs of the rebuilt tranny, as long as I was spending more in total repair costs than my original quote of $1750.
Acura's main motivation is to meet their repair and service revenue goals and not take care of their customer.
What a racket!
Funny thing....Acura should coach all of their service employees as well as their service advisors in denying that there are problems with these transmissions....I had asked another service employee how many transmission repairs she had seen lately....she said at least 18-20..."we have been very busy with tranny replacements, MDX's included."
At least my dealership has the experience in tranny replacements... |
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| Mr. Mom |
| You’re lucky, any American auto manufacture would have charged you full price and given you this for a loaner. |
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| Justasktony |
| This makes me worry, first that my 2003 could be like the 2001 and 2002's, |
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| trixie |
| I am angered by your experience. I love my 03 and it has performed almost flawlessly for 42K miles. However, I've had doubts from day one regarding what I feel is just slightly better than middle-of-the-road quality. As for Acura sales and service, they wish they were middle-of-the-road, IMHO. I'm the type of guy that expects Swiss watch performance in exchange for years and years of brand loyalty. I've been hooked by Nissan, Levi's, State Farm, and Heineken. I've been just short of being hooked by Acura and your experience may have sealed the deal for a brand swap on my next purchase. Perhaps I'll strengthen my Nissan loyalty and an Infinity will arrive in my driveway. More likely, I'll rekindle my Toyota loyalty and go with a Lexus. Thank you for sharing. |
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| JL_SS |
quote:
Originally posted by trixie
I am angered by your experience. I love my 03 and it has performed almost flawlessly for 42K miles. However, I've had doubts from day one regarding what I feel is just slightly better than middle-of-the-road quality. As for Acura sales and service, they wish they were middle-of-the-road, IMHO. I'm the type of guy that expects Swiss watch performance in exchange for years and years of brand loyalty. I've been hooked by Nissan, Levi's, State Farm, and Heineken. I've been just short of being hooked by Acura and your experience may have sealed the deal for a brand swap on my next purchase. Perhaps I'll strengthen my Nissan loyalty and an Infinity will arrive in my driveway. More likely, I'll rekindle my Toyota loyalty and go with a Lexus. Thank you for sharing.
If you want better than MDX predicted reliability in a current SUV, then you have a very short list to choose from. Nissan/Infiniti SUVs (especially the Armada and QX56) fall well below Honda/Acura quality. I agree that Acura needs to up it's service experience a lot. Acura is going through a period of tranny problems much like Toyota/Lexus went through their period of sludged up V6 engines. |
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| SouthOCMDX |
quote:
You’re lucky, any American auto manufacture would have charged you full price and given you this for a loaner.
First time I looked at the photo I didn't look carefully at the seat.
LOL. |
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| goterps |
I keep reading how the 2003 model year has the redesigned transmission and how much improved this transmission is over the dreaded 2001-02 designs.
As I read through this forum....we are seeing significant evidence that the 2003's are just as troubled as the 2001-02's.
How much longer can Acura refuse to officially acknowledge the history of problems with this vehicle? |
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| phins2rt |
quote:
Originally posted by goterps
we are seeing significant evidence that the 2003's are just as troubled as the 2001-02's.
I don't see these incidents as "significant". I still think these are anomalies. Are the symptoms even consistent?
Most of the people reporting problems seem to have a small post count. Implying they have joined just to post about their tranny problem. I think this skews the perception that this is bigger than it really is. YMMV. |
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| Jin_Chris |
I don't understand...
From the chart that JL_SS posted...
Why Lexus GX has more problems than 4runner?
Why Murano has more problems than Infiniti FX?
Why MDX has more problems than Pilot?
Specifically why why why MDX "seems" to have more tranny issues than Pilot?????
Lexus GX has basically same drivetrain/chasis etc as 4Runner
Murano has basically same drivetrain/chasis etc as Infiniti FX (35)
MDX has basically same drivetrain/chasis as Pilot
Then,
I do not want to say that chart is not reliable as I also find the similar pattern from most of web internet forums (Lexus forums, Toyota forums etc). I actually was able to find that there are tons of 4runner & Land cruiser lovers while there are tons of complaint about Lexus SUV's (which are basically rebadged 4runner and land cruiser).
There are a lot of people just loving so much their Infiniti FX's, while there are many many many quality complaints about Murano...
Also, I don't see much complaint about Pilot transmission issues (very few), while in our MDX forums, almost everyday, there are numerous new posts about Tranny issues/concerns and also increasing...
As far as I know, MDX and Pilot shares same tranny (if not similar) at some model years. Yet, I do not see many tranny issue posts in hondapilot.org etc. I seriously doubt that Honda would use significantly different tranny in MDX (or Pilot, either way). What else would cause these many numerous tranny issue posts only on MDX forums???? Why why why? |
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| JL_SS |
quote:
Originally posted by Jin_Chris
I don't understand...
Why MDX has more problems than Pilot?
Specifically why why why MDX "seems" to have more tranny issues than Pilot?????
Also, I don't see much complaint about Pilot transmission issues (very few), while in our MDX forums, almost everyday, there are numerous new posts about Tranny issues/concerns and also increasing...
As far as I know, MDX and Pilot shares same tranny (if not similar) at some model years. Yet, I do not see many tranny issue posts in hondapilot.org etc. I seriously doubt that Honda would use significantly different tranny in MDX (or Pilot, either way). What else would cause these many numerous tranny issue posts only on MDX forums???? Why why why?
The Pilot issue is a mystery - it did not get the new tranny that the 2003 MDX got until 2005 or 2006, yet there are very few failures posted on the Pilot site. The 2001/2002 MDX had the same HP/torque ouputs as the 2003/2004 Pilot with the same tranny. There were slight differences in tuning/gearing though with the max torque of the MDX coming at 3000 RPM versus the Pilots 4,500 RPM. It would be interesting to here Honda/Acura's theory on this, but of course we never will. |
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| Jin_Chris |
High torque output at 3000rpm and
High torque output at 4500rpm are quite different (from what I see...)
Is it also true for 2004 and after MDX tranny vs 2005 and after pilot? |
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| JL_SS |
quote:
Originally posted by Jin_Chris
High torque output at 3000rpm and
High torque output at 4500rpm are quite different (from what I see...)
Is it also true for 2004 and after MDX tranny vs 2005 and after pilot?
But that alone is not enough info - it depends on shift points/etc.
The MDX tranny was redesigned for the 2003 model year. It would take some digging to verify the exact year for the Pilot but I believe the new MDX tranny was finally incorporated into the 2006 Pilot. |
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| jug_head_7 |
| Should I be worried? I am about to be a proud owner of a 2003 Acura MDX Touring (Pick it up tomorrow!!! :D). Reading the posts has me slightly worried. I realize that all cars are not perfect but should I be worried about the transmission or are there only a small number of people experiencing this with their 03's? |
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| ROTORRAY |
| ...since '03. Has 38K on it now, which is kinda low mileage. No problems with it. I do change the tranny fluid (3 quarts) every-other oil change, which is about 2ce per year just in case, but I'm kinda anal about that, I guess. Get you '03 and enjoy it. Keep us posted on your experiences with it. Also get the shop manual and you will find that you can do a lot of work on it yourself, which will save you $$$ in the long run..... |
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| JL_SS |
quote:
Originally posted by jug_head_7
Should I be worried? I am about to be a proud owner of a 2003 Acura MDX Touring (Pick it up tomorrow!!! :D). Reading the posts has me slightly worried. I realize that all cars are not perfect but should I be worried about the transmission or are there only a small number of people experiencing this with their 03's?
Consumer Reports lists a less than 2% problem rate for the 2003 MDX - and that includes all problems serious and minor. I wouldn't worry about it too much. There are many vehicles with a worse tranny problem rate. |
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| jug_head_7 |
| Thank you! That certainly calms my nerves. I am so excited to pick up my '03 MDX! I get it tomorrow afternoon. I am so glad there is a forum sppecifically for MDX drivers and I can't wait to join in more discussions with you all! |
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| Orlamy |
Hello, I am new to this forum which I looked up because need info about my MDX. My 2003 MDX 50,000 miles just recently developed the transmission torque converter problem you all been talking about where you can hear and feel a rumble when in high gear around 40 mph. I have been driving with shift in 4th gear when in town and then moving to 5th when in highway.
Reading this forum confirms for me Acura has a problem with the MDX transmissions as well as my neighbors TL. I plan to talk to dealer today and find out what they are going to do about.
Keep you posted. |
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| ROTORRAY |
| My son's '03 Accord EXL tranny took a dump. Honda gave 25% toward the repair. Others (Acura and Honda) have received total labor or total parts or even 100%. I found their response to this continuing problem to be quite arbitrary so I contacted Honda and today spoke to their rep. He said their criteria is based on loyalty to Honda (purchase) and dealer (maintenance). Well, we have 6 hondas in the family, not including 5 dirt bikes, 3 of which my son (39 years of age) races. Thought we passed the loyalty test. As far as maintenance both the Acura and Honda dealers have damaged our cars during maintenace (Acura wrecked the 30K mile engine doing a warranty repair), so not too loyal to them for obvious reasons, but still use them for warranty work until the warranty expires. Told him about variety of considerations Honda has given, even a 100% on reported 177K mile car. He couldn't comment specifically on that car, and I understand that because neither of us know the details, only what was reported. He did say something interesting, however. He said that if that owner had NOT done the transmission recall fix and the tranny failed, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE Honda would have been obligated to provide 100% replacement. So, if they recall your car and you get it fixed and the component subsequently fails they will not cover the repair. If you do NOT do the recall and the part subsequently fails they will cover it 100%. What will you do at the next recall? Lesson learned! |
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| ncelk |
Seems pretty petty to me, the transmission fails due to no fault of the owner, and then you have to prove that you are "loyal" to Acura/Honda. Seems like they should be proving it to those with failed trannys.
This type of crap will come back to bite them far more than the cost to replace the transmissions would have. There are too many people that will get stuck and go to another brand, only to never look back.
Our 02 TL blew the tranny at 35k, it had been serviced at 30k with fresh fluid. The replacement tranny blew at 39k. I then sold it. That was years ago, and we still have these issues on relatively new cars. Not good.
I was reading on Odyclub tonight that 3 different people have lost trannys this week on 02-03 Odysseys. The trend continues........... |
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| ROTORRAY |
| ...that he would "note my comments." I replied, "and what good would that do?" The only real weapon in the customer's arsenal is his wallet. If you are not satisfied with their product you go elsewhere. It's that simple, and I told him so. I also told him that there are MANY new vehicles coming in the coming months, and even more on the drawing board. "Reliability" is a concern of all auto customers, along with how the manufacturer stands behind their product. When they wrecked my 30K mile MDX engine I was in the process of negotiating the purchase of a new TL-S. That IMMEDIATELY stopped and I never looked back. They will continue to sell Hondas and my experience likely will not stop anyone from a purchase. I do know that it has stopped me. If Honda expects Acura to be a "luxury" line they are going to have to step up to the plate both in manufacturing quality vehicles and the dealership experience, or they will miss the game. Merely calling the car a "luxury" vehicle does not make it a "luxury" vehicle |
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| highcountrymdx |
quote:
Originally posted by ROTORRAY
As far as maintenance both the Acura and Honda dealers have damaged our cars during maintenace (Acura wrecked the 30K mile engine doing a warranty repair)
Just curious what these guys did to your cars? What should we be on the look out for? Thanks |
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| ROTORRAY |
My MDX suffered a water pump failure at 30K miles (covered under warranty). Took it to the dealer on a Thursday. They called confirming the pump pooped out and one was on order. On Saturday I called and they said it was "being repaird" and wasn't ready. On Monday I called and asked them to replace the timing belt during the repair. Belt has to be removed to get to the pump so I thought I might as well get it done while it's out. They called back and said engine was almost back together and it would cost $235 to take it back apart to change the belt. I said to forget it. On Wednesday at 9AM, not hearing anything from them, I called wanting the status of the car. At 1:00PM the service manager called and said the engine had been "damaged" during the repair and a valve had been bent. Head was being repaired with ALL valves on the rear head being replaced. I immediately went to the dealer. My car's engine was in pieces. Head was out at a shop being repaired because they didn't do "head work", according to the SM. I asked for an extended warranty on the engine. He said he would give me a phone number for Acura (why would Acura warranty the dealer's mistake???). I said "Get me the number." Three minutes later he came up to me and offered a 50K mile/5 year (I think it was...have to check the paperwork) warranty. I said OK. I asked for all paperwork on the head work and for DAYS they kept putting me off on the paper work. It was in Accounting, it was here, it was there. When I picked up the car the service rep told me another fairy tale about the paperwork. I was going to raise hell but there were people around and I didn't want to create a scene. On the way home I called him and told him that I did not appreciat his telling me things which were not true. When I finally got it it was a receipt for $40-ish to check that the head surface was OK. This is what I waited DAYS for.
Problems were they wrecked the head on Sat or Mon and didn't tell me until I raised hell on Wed; runaround with the paperwork and referring me to Acura for a warranty. Oh, forgot...remember the $235 charge for replacing the belt? SM told me it was "dealership policy" to replace any timing belt with a new one when a belt was removed. If that was so why were they going to charge me $235 additional to take the engine apart to replace the belt???? This was my worst dealership experience. To put in bluntly, they were totally dishonest in handling this repair. They delayed telling me of the problem, they told me fairy tales. I could go on and on but, needless to say, Acura service at this dealership leaves more than a lot to be desired. Car has worked fine since the repair but it's only been 11K miles. I asked for another tech to complete the repair but the SM said the tech who failed to complete the pump replacement was their "most experienced", having done it for many years. Problem is he didn't do it according to Acura's recommended procedure and he let the belt slip when he tried to start the engine, damaging the valves.
I was a commercial helicopter pilot and flight instructor for 25 years. I also managed a major aircraft maintenance program. I know mechanics sometimes make mistakes. Had they been up-front and honest with me I could have worked with them. They, instead, took the low road and tried to pull something on me. This is not how to do business in ANYONE'S book.
When I later brought it in for the famous failure of the rear A/C failure they broke the driver's side A/C vent, which is also a common failure with this car. This meant ordering another part and a 2nd trip for the replacement. UGH!!!
Remember...you asked. |
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| NewMDXOwner |
Sorry to hear about your experience ROTORRAY. I hate to raise the alarm, but they might have caused more hidden damage to your engine than just the head.
My guess is that, in the course of replacing the water pump, they had to open up the timing cover and the mechanic popped the timing belt off somehow.
With the MDX engine being what they call an "interference engine," when the timing belt comes off, the piston hit the valve when they tried to start the engine. That's about the only scenario I could imagine that'll result in a bent valve.
So they took the head off to replace the bent valve. But what about the piston that hit the valve? It may have an imprint the size of the valve on it now, but you'll never know.
I suggest that you keep a record of this episode so that you can go back and nail them should that piston develop a crack later on. |
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| aluong |
Hi:
My 2003 Acura MDX is broke down (transmission is broken). I need a new transmission per Acura's dealer.
Can I have your case # or your car vin #?
I want to convince Acura to help me to pay the cost. Your information would be very hopeful to us.
I just have the MDX for more than 3 months
Please email: bll108@yahoo.com
Thanks
Andrew |
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| Jin_Chris |
That dealer sounds very "Un-professional" in terms of Mechanics Techniques (not to mention the customer relationship).
I myself maintain multiple cars including t-belt service, I have had 3 Acura's (owns 2 now), the engine of which are all interference engine. I also have many other non-interference engine T-belt experience such as some Toyota models. Per my experience, the only scenario that I can think of "for bending valves while T belt service" is, the service person may mistakenly identified Crank-pully 0 degree point, then, start the engine with such wrongly positioned T belt, the job/process of which is not really technical actually but needs careful re-assurance, which means the service dept of the dealer is not really qualified to service T-belt of any vehicle. Moreover, a little bit of "off" of T-belt does not really bend valves, it may result in a bit odd engine response though, which can be detected pretty easily & immediately per simple test drive, consequently also can lead the service person to re-think and do the job again...
Sorry to hear the story...
Not to mention, they do not know how to do business with Acura customers. |
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