| fallbrook |
I have a 2005 MDX with only 23K miles on it. I need a new torque converter.....should I be worried about the longevity of this vehicle?
Ruth |
|
|
| 65fastback |
Hey Ruth,
We just got our 2003 MDX out of the dealer with a new torque converter this weekend. We have 81,000 easy freeway miles on ours. Luckily we bought into the 100k warranty up front. Our invoice shows the torque converter at $920 but with labor and fluids it came in at just over $2000. This is actually our 7th acura in our family and we haven't had any tranny problems with any of them till now. Looks like Honda needs to beef up there engineering a bit.
For those who are curious the symptoms of a bad torque converter are from 20 mph to 40 mph under light acceleration you will have a chattering or surging of the transmission. It is very light and hard to detect. Make sure to have the windows closed and the radio off. We felt ours going out stuck in stop and go traffic. We needed to leave ours at the dealer for two days to have a few of the technicians drive it to feel it. There is a TSB for this problem.
As far as longevity? I hope to realistically get 150k out of the vehicle. A fully tranny replacement will run 4k. The 105k service is going to run $1700. So the buy in after 100k gets a little steep. Makes me want to sell this MDX while it is worth something at all. |
|
|
| fallbrook |
Hi 65fastback,
My MDX only has 24K miles on it, and I asked if a new converter at this age/miles is 'out of the norm", and I was told yes. Hope that it is the end of my early transmission problems. However, I think I'm still feeling the engine is still not right....do you ever wonder if you're going crazy?
The engine still feels like it's bogging down a little after switching gears. I have the urge to hit the gas to make it sound like it's a normal rpm's. I don't hear the chattering noise anymore. That's good.
My husband recommended driving another used MDX with similar miles to see how the engines compare. If I feel I need to revisit the dealer with this, I just might do that.
Good luck with yours.
Ruth |
|
|
| 65fastback |
Hey Ruth,
I know what you are going through. I am a little paranoid now about the car and find myself listening for any weird sounds while driving. For instance, just after we got the car back we were driving it around and I went to start it up and all of the dash lights or idiot lights (abs, 4wheel drive, batt, seat belt ect.) stayed on and lit. I called the dealer who wants me to bring it back for a computer reset. I am a little frustrated. Your husband is right about driving another MDX for comparison. It is a shame you are having so many problems this early in the mileage.
My parents just bought a brand new 2007 MDX and I am encouraging them to buy the extended 100k warranty now that we have had these problems. |
|
|
|
