| paulbare |
Just curious. I have recently convinced Acura to spring for a new transmission under warranty for my 03 MDX. Thank goodness, as the bill would be about $4,500 otherwise.
I'm curious as to how those who are running the replacement trannies are enjoying life? Smooth as silk for the time being? My rep said that once it's in there, I should be extra diligent with the tranny fluid changes and flushes (i.e. every 40,000 kms), and it should be good for long time.
Any bad luck or good luck stories so far? |
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| ROTORRAY |
| How many miles on your '03 before the tranny took a dump? Is Acura covering the entire labor and parts cost? How much talking to them did you do before they came up with that settlement, and what's the warranty on the replacement? Sorry for all the questions but I've got an '03 and I'm just curious. Thanks for your time.. |
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| paulbare |
| 115 K kms (I'll let you do the miles conversion yourself, because I'm lazy). It didn't take a dump, but the 1500 rpm growl / shudder was getting more and more frequent. Accelerating through the gears was fine, but it was when I tried to maintain speed at about 30-45 miles per hour that the truck would almost try to shift to a higher gear, and "lug" if you know what I mean. The first time I took it in, they said it was in "lock up" mode, in which the tranny tries to find the optimal RPM range to achieve maximum fuel efficiency. That made sense, but it got more and more frequent. The last time I took it in, they diagnosed it as torque converter, and agreed to cover it. Note that I still had 2500 miles left on my Acura Certified Used Car warranty, so that likely made the battle non-existent. |
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| JL_SS |
quote:
Originally posted by paulbare
Just curious. I have recently convinced Acura to spring for a new transmission under warranty for my 03 MDX. Thank goodness, as the bill would be about $4,500 otherwise.
I'm curious as to how those who are running the replacement trannies are enjoying life? Smooth as silk for the time being? My rep said that once it's in there, I should be extra diligent with the tranny fluid changes and flushes (i.e. every 40,000 kms), and it should be good for long time.
Any bad luck or good luck stories so far?
2001/2002 trannies often require multiple replacement. 2003 and up model years have a different design that has a better than average reliability rating. There aren't many 2003 failures but of those reported, I can't recall seeing any multiple replacements reported. |
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| Orlamy |
:p
15,000 miles to sell the MDX.
My MDX is a 2003 with 50,000 miles. My transmission problem was rumble noise and vibration at around 35-40 mph in high 5th gear. If I run in 4th gear never had a problem. Acura Service Bulletin #05-024 calls for a replacement of the transmission TORQUE CONVERTER and PCM unit (sounds expensive) to solve the problem.
Went to my local dealer (Esserman Acura) in Miami that has two different locations. In the first northern location the service people where kind of arrogant and show little interest in helping me with the problem arguing that I should leave the MDX and sign a sheet to authorize work on the car. My first thought, if anybody is to work on that car it would be the competition. I left and went to the other Esserman southern location where the service person seemed less arrogant and more competent. They diagnosed the problem as lack of transmission oil maintenance, which was true, I was late by 5,000 miles, and told me performing a Flush of the tranny would be needed. Not believing it, I ask for a warranty that it would fix it and got kind of reassured so I agreed. They provided the following service:
Transmission fluid change and flush - $150.00
Front Differential fluid change - anther $40.00
VOILA, it works!
The only complain would be the service guy told me this service needed to be done every 15,000 miles, to which I reply that couldn't be since the book calls for 45,000.
For 2003 trans warranty expired at four years and 50,000 miles after which (according to Murphys law) you will most likely have the problem.
I believe the MDX was a good car for the money but having known MDX transmission problems, high cost of maintenance and without the car warranty I am now looking for a Lexus or Toyota. Better put my money into a new car than an unreliable used one.
Good Luck! |
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