| will.cover |
I purchased a 2003 MDX for my wife back in July 2007. When I purchased the vehicle, it had logged 59,661 miles. I purchased the vehicle from a used car dealership that specializes in selling Honda/Acura vehicles and brings their vehicles up to "Acura pre-owned certifed" standards. The dealership is family owned and the owner used to work for Honda/Acura and only hires mechanics that have worked for Honda/Acura as well. The vehicle came off a lease in Miami, FL. The vehicle had a clean CARFAX report at the time I purchased it.
The dealership that I purchased it from included a 30 day warranty as they have a full service center. I did not opt to buy an extended warranty as it has always been my belief (up until now) that extended warranties have too many exclusions and aren't worth the paper they are written on.
My wife was driving home last night and exited the interstate and came to a stop light. As she released the brake pedal and tried to accelerate, the vehicle would not move. The engine made a high-pitched noise and would only move once she had the RPMs above 4000. She managed to drive the vehicle home safely last night.
I called the dealership this morning as well as AAMCO and Cottman's Transmission shop. I decided to bring the vehicle to Acura, even though they charged $79.95 for a diagnostic test, whereas AAMCO and Cottman's do the diagnostic test for free. The reason why I decided to bring it to Acura was because I am hopeful that Acura will replace the transmssion and cover it under warranty, even though I have no warranty and now have 62,541 miles logged. I called the 800 number to Acura and voiced my concern and displeasure and made sure I mentioned I was aware of other 2003 MDX owners experiencing the same problem I am now experiencing.
Acura performed their diagnostic test and determined that the transmission has to be replaced, as they had to push the vehicle back into the parking lot of the service center. When I first purchased the vehicle, my MDX was brought up to Acura like "pre-certified" and also had a 60,000 checkup done (same as Acura standards). I test drove the vehicle, inspected it and brought the vehicle back home with me. The vehicle has performed flawlessly up until last night.
Is it possible that this vehicle had a known transmission problem, but a "band-aid" method was applied to the transission in order to get it sold? Was there anything I could have looked for? Or is it simply a case of I now have a defective transmission and it is what it is?
My local Acura dealership is asking for the 60,000 checkup documentation to provide to the local Acura representative and I will soon get a decision as to what will be done, if anything at all. The service manager doesn't seem to confident about what Acura will do for me, because I didn't buy the vehicle from a certified Acura dealership. He said it has been his experience that Acura may meet me half-way and cover 50 % of the cost. While I believe that is a nice gesture on their part and would be grateful for whatever help or assistance is given to me, I believe if Acura accepts 50 % of the cost, they are consenting that their is indeed a problem with the 2003 MDX transmission and should accept full liability, even if the vehicle has not been serviced by Acura (don't know if it was serviced at Acura during the previous customer's lease in Florida) or not sold through one of their dealerships.
Thoughts/opinions?
And lastly, does my local Acura record the transmission problem and make a note of it in the CARFAX report?
I bought used on the advice of Dave Ramsey and while I do believe used is still the way to go, in terms of depreciation, I must say that buying my first used vehicle has not left a good impression with me. Plus, I now have an upset wife who is questioning my decision making process.
Advice?
Thanks,
WC |
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| dj-mdx2 |
Transmission failures seem to be much less frequently reported on 2003+ than the previous generation since Acura changed the tranny.
Acura "may" be acknowledging a known issue by covering half the tranny replacement cost but there has been no official recall, and the goodwill gesture is just that, if you are beyond the warranty period.
I don't know if there's any band-aid fix to a failed tranny on the 03. What does the vehicle history show? And what does the dealer you bought it from say? I would think that if Acura does approve half the replacement cost, some of the burden should be borne by the selling dealer.
Good luck! |
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| JeffK |
Just a thought:
First, I had an '03 and the transmissions were changed in that year. Most of the transmission failures were to the older models. However, if you have been reading this board, I guess you already know that.
Here is what I would do: Go to your Acura dealer. Have him trace the service records of your MDX by VIN number.
If your MDX was serviced regularly by Acura (prior lessee) then this should bolster your case in trying to get Acura to stand behind their (and your) transmission.
JeffK |
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| will.cover |
quote:
Originally posted by dj-mdx2
Transmission failures seem to be much less frequently reported on 2003+ than the previous generation since Acura changed the tranny.
Acura "may" be acknowledging a known issue by covering half the tranny replacement cost but there has been no official recall, and the goodwill gesture is just that, if you are beyond the warranty period.
I don't know if there's any band-aid fix to a failed tranny on the 03. What does the vehicle history show? And what does the dealer you bought it from say? I would think that if Acura does approve half the replacement cost, some of the burden should be borne by the selling dealer.
Good luck!
The CARFAX Vehicle History Report lists the following:
Year Purchase: 2003
Type of owner: Private Lease
Estimated length of ownership: 4 years
Owned in the following states/provinces: Florida
Estimated miles driver per year: 14,600/yr
Last reported odometer reading: 59,666
No title problems. No other information listed on the CARFAX report.
Under Details:
5/23/2003 - Registered as private lease vehicle.
5/25/2003 - Odometer reading reported for title or registration.
6/04/2003 - Title issued or updated. First owner reported. Loan or lien reported. Registered as commerical vehicle. Registered as lease vehicle.
1/06/2004 - 8,660 miles. Palm Beach Acura - West Palm Beach, FL. Vehicle serviced. Oil and filter change. Chassis lubricated.
2/18/2004 - 10,086 miles. Palm Beach Acura. Vehicle serviced. Brakes checked. Steering/suspension checked. Tire condition and pressure checked.
3/02/2004 - Registration issued or renewed. Loan or lien reported. Registered as commercial vehicle. Registered as lease vehicle. Vehicle color noted as Gray.
03/23/2004 - Palm Beach Acura. Vehicle serviced. Brakes checked. Steering/suspension checked.
No other service records listed after this date.
06/20/2007 - 59,666 miles. Sold at auction in Florida. Listed as a fleet vehicle.
06/20/2007 - Vehicle offered for sale in Tennessee.
It's apparent that the vehicle was serviced at an Acura dealership in Florida, but it appears that it may have been serviced elsewhere as well, since there are only 3 listings of Palm Beach Acura on the CARFAX report.
WC |
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| will.cover |
quote:
Originally posted by JeffK
Just a thought:
First, I had an '03 and the transmissions were changed in that year. Most of the transmission failures were to the older models. However, if you have been reading this board, I guess you already know that.
Here is what I would do: Go to your Acura dealer. Have him trace the service records of your MDX by VIN number.
If your MDX was serviced regularly by Acura (prior lessee) then this should bolster your case in trying to get Acura to stand behind their (and your) transmission.
JeffK
Thank you for the suggestion. I am going to do just that.
I will post my results here.
Have a good day.
WC |
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