| shern |
My wife and I are a proud owner of an 02 MDX with ~79k miles. To make a long story short, I got the infamous P0740 CEL code a few weeks ago for the Torque Converter Control. Topped off the fluid, reset the code and it came back.
Today, I got the typical missed gear (I think 3rd gear) and the rev of the motor. It happened about 5-6 times today on the way home but somehow made it into gear and I made it home.
The MDX goes to Acura this weekend. I'll keep you posted. The good news is that I knew about the transmission issues Honda has had for a while and did my research since we purchased the truck. Having read through the majority of the threads in this forum, I'm feeling well prepared and confident to deal with the most stingiest of service providers. That threatening call to Acura seems to solve the issue right away.
I just hate how the service advisors act so ignorant when you speak of MDX transmission issues. I paid a pretty penny last year when the MDX went in for hard shifts and they replaced the front pneumatic motor mount. It didn't solve anything. However, I do have the complete service history with this dealer since I purchased the car so this should help.
Wish me luck! My wife loves her MDX but time will tell if we keep it after this mess. |
|
|
| dj-mdx2 |
| Good luck. Fix it, trade it in for the 08 MDX and enjoy the (better) ride! |
|
|
| shern |
Got the phone call I expected. The service advisor informed me that the transmission was toast...DUH!
He put a phone call into Acura to see what options they would present to me. He came back with the following terms:
1) Acura would cover 75% of the transmission replacement
2) I would cover 25%: $964
3) Replacement would come with a 3 year/36k mile warranty
I then put a call into Acura Customer Service and explained the situation. She was shocked (allegedly) that they would offer 75% right off the bat including the 3 year warranty. She said it was one of the best offers available. She said she's seen full coverage on a case-by-case basis, but that it usually does not include the warranty. She was willing to give my case to a case manager but it rarely gets better than 75% with warranty. She even told me that she's seen offers retracted. Not sure about the truth in that.
Considering I've owned the MDX for about 1 year, I think it's fair especially with the warranty. I went ahead with the transmission replacement. What do you think? |
|
|
| dj-mdx2 |
| Not too bad. I've read some posts where Acura pays for the transmission but the owner pays for labor, which usually runs up to $1000 anyway. I still say sell it and move on, but that's a personal decision. |
|
|
| Ceenit |
Hopefully they will improve on the deal for you. But if not, that's not a totally bad offer.
If you figure that just the tranny flush is about $175 and the warranty on the tranny is probably worth $200-$300. Then they the real cost is about $500-$600 for a new tranny. |
|
|
| shern |
I picked up the MDX today with the new transmission and all I have to say is WOW! The car shifts as if it was brand new, buttery smooth! It really feels like a brand new truck.
Looking at the receipt, it looks like the transmission ECU was also replaced. It made up ~20% of the entire repair bill. Not quite sure why it was replaced, but I assume new shift patterns were introduced to work with the reman transmission.
In addition, I noticed the oil jet was removed. I assume the new reman transmissions have a redesign internally to combat the issues that have plagued all of the honda transmissions that were defective.
All in all, I'm satisfied. Considering I've only had the truck for 1 year and the mileage (80K), covering 25% of the cost wasn't too bad. The cost included an alignment as well as a free RDX loaner vehicle. The MDX really does feel like a new truck.
Since the 3 year / 36k mile warranty was included, I think we'll be hanging on to truck for a while longer. Other than the transmission, there really isn't anything wrong with the truck. When we get half way through the 3rd year of the warranty, we may look to upgrade then, but I see no reason to dump it now. |
|
|
| ROTORRAY |
| ...of Honda/Acura's totally arbitrary way of settling these pesky tranny claims. They're done on a case by case basis and a search of this site, and Honda car sites, reveals a great disparity in how these issues are handled. My son got 25% from Honda on his owned-since-new Accord but did also get the 3/36mile warranty. Ended up consting him $2,500 out of pocket. You just never know. The bigger question is, "Would you buy another Honda/Acura product?" |
|
|
| shern |
quote:
Originally posted by ROTORRAY
The bigger question is, "Would you buy another Honda/Acura product?"
Absolutely positively. I've owned so many Hondas, I've lost count. I currently daily beat a 91 Accord with 190k miles. Runs great!
Let's be honest here, every manufacturer has a bad run occassionaly. I am also a Lexus owner and am very familiar with the tranny issues the ESs have had also. The question is how do they handle them?
I'm sure the profit margins on Acuras are much higher than Hondas, hence the more discretionary spending to keep Acura owners happy.
Do you guys remember the bad run that Ford had on their A4OD transmissions in the Taurus? They went for over a decade with that terrible design and owners were left in the cold. At least we have some recourse. |
|
|
|
