| doveldog |
I have an 02 MDX. We bought used at 56k, and at 88k in 4/2008 the transmission went. After printing out multiple AcuraMDX.org posts on bad 02 trannys, the dealer replaced the tranny for free. Two years later, driving down hwy and noticed smoke coming from my engine. Not overheating. Turned out to be alot of oil or fluid on driver's side of engine from what looks like a blown seal somewhere. The dealer's service mgr thinks it is differential fluid though it looks to me like engine oil. It has not been looked at yet by a tech. From reading this forum, it appears there is a leak problem that is common after a tranny replacement. Any thoughts or ideas that will help me speak intelligently to the mgr when he calls to tell me what is wrong with it?
Thanks! |
|
|
| G. COLTON |
It is not clear to me what kind of information that you want. What is it that you want to talk intelligently about?
If he tells you that it is a blown seal what would you like to be able to tell him?
Just what is it that you need education about.
G |
|
|
| doveldog |
| Sorry, it was kind of vague. Was wondering if it sounded like a common problem after having the tranny replaced. Just heard from the dealer - they want $4600 to put a new tranny in - so I got 54,000 miles on the 2nd tranny and they want me to put $4600 into a new one. I am on the line with Acura Customer Care right now to see if they will help out. I could understand if I was driving a KIA or Hyundai, but this is an ACURA!! |
|
|
| G. COLTON |
You got lucky once. 54,000 miles in two years is a lot of driving. Again it is over any warranty period. Why would you expect Acura to replace the transmission a second time?
It really does not matter if it is an Acura or a Kia. A warranty period is a warranty period. Yes, Acura has a known transmission problem, that is why they replaced the transmission the first time.
G |
|
|
| doveldog |
| I disagree. Why would anyone put $4600 into a tranny that might only last another two years? Even the local Acura service rep agreed with me. Acura has obviously had problems with the 02 MDX and Pilot tranny - they replaced it for free the first time because I had about 15 pages of tranny problem posts from this site that I showed them. I do put a lot of miles on this car, but most are highway miles which are much less demanding. |
|
|
| ROTORRAY |
...but I would expect Acura to replace it. This tranny has a MISERABLE history. Just do a search on this and other similar sites for proof of that, or check out Consumer Reports. 54K miles from a tranny, even a rebuilt one, is deplorable. This is a MAJOR component of the car and should last MANY, MANY more miles. Some have reported 2 and 3 replacements. I hope that "doveldog" keeps us posted on his experience(s) with getting all of this sorted out. Along with Honda/Acura's miserable tranny they have also been quite arbitrary with settlements. Some folks get 100%, some 50%, some get a free tranny but pay for labor, you name it. With fuel prices going where they're going if Acura wants to continue to sell their "luxury" cars they had better get their act together. A similar car costing over $10k less (for which you can buy a LOT of fuel) is a more viable option in today's market. They don't even market a hybrid, which Honda already makes in the Civic. I know, this car was out of warranty, but I'm not one to believe that when the warranty expires the car falls apart.
Again, JMHO. |
|
|
| doveldog |
Still waiting for Acura Customer Care to tell me what they will do if anything. I think this is much more than a monetary issue. From what I read, these trannys can create a safety issue when they go bad. It is a shame that a great company like Honda/Acura deals with an obvious quality defect in such an underhanded manner. Why not treat everyone the same that has a similar problem?
Has anyone else out there had a problem with the replaced transmission going bad? |
|
|
| Fabvsix |
The 01 & 02 CL Type S with the "slush box" has had members replace their transmissions "4" times under warranty! Its NOT uncommon. heck some have had the replacement go south 2 miles after leaving the stealerships! AND yes some stealerships can do ****ty jobs on the replacement tranny that leaks or makes horrible noises or just breaks a day or month later.....
NOTHING is like from the factory! Imagine the poor soul that has to RIP YOUR HEART OUT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION UNDER THE GUN IN A HOT SWEATY SHOP AND AN AHOLE MANAGER WANTING IT DONE QUICKLY?????????????? Do you REALLY think they are HAPPY employee's???????????????????????????????? They would much rather do 15 BS eye ball inspection services!!!!
My 01 CL was bought brand spanking new. I'm super anal, it still FAILED me at 74,000 precious Califookya miles. They agreed to replace it with another time bomb "rebuilt". BTW $4600.00 buys a "rebuilt" and NOT a brand new one like from the factory..... I picked it up and walked over to my saleman and said take this POS back and get me in that 04 RL ASAP because I knew the history on this model (bullet proof/8 year production tank/90's technology/4 speed transmission) before they screw up this model, which in my opinion thats what they did and sales are horrible. Is it realiable ? Yes, Nice looking? NO! Looks like an Accord on steroids......and current sales reflect that.......so you 05+ RL owners GET OVER MY OPINION! The trunk is SMALL, back seat is SMALL, FAUX WOOD and heavy with no V-8 option....Not to mention the ROAD noise for a $48+ vehicle......
My suggestions: Get rid of that 02 time bomb and get in an 05+ model where the transmissions were REDESIGNED!!!!!!!!
RaNt OVA.......:1: :1: :1: :1: |
|
|
| drcoffee |
I may be somewhat late on this thread but "been there, done that."
My situation was better in the sense that I still had 7 days on my certified warranty. It's really simple. Wipe the oil with a white paper towel and if it's pink its tranny fluid if its brown its motor oil. I took mine 01 into the service department and said I have an oil leak and it's motor oil. They looked at it and said nope its the transmission and we'll replace it free. (who am I to argue witha new FREE transmission? LOL So I didn't argue since it was on their dime. I brought it home and now it was leaking worse from the same location (engine trans joint) with the same brown oil. I bring it back and they put it on the lift for all of us to discuss. I walk under and say here! This is what I brought it in for last week and now its worse. I mentioned that it would most likely be the "rear Main seal" but hell, what do I know? I've only been working on my vehicles since High School. Why must they treat everyone like idiots? So the funny part is that service writer looked at the mechanic and it wasn't with loving eyes. Man was he irritated with his goon. Now he had to drop the transmission again to change a $5 part he could have and should have before. So now the repair was really on the shops dime since they could not bill out twice for the same repair. They decided that the transfer case needed a new seal too, to justify the repair. How stupid can these mechanics be. naytime you seperate the trans from engine, change the main seal. Why would you want to do the repair twice. Oh that's right, the customer would have to pay for the work twice. Silly me. My leak is sealed and truck runs great.
Long story longer; It's the main seal and don't get suckered into a new transmission if the leaking fluid is not bright pink. The repair will be about $1500.
Good luck |
|
|
| doveldog |
Acura decided to replace the tranny and charge me 50% of the Warranty Cost, which turned out to be about $1900 and they gave me a 3 yr/36,000 mile warranty on the new tranny.
I guess I am happy with that.... |
|
|
| midnightMDX |
| Thats not too bad, and you got a nice warranty there. Definitely worth it. |
|
|
|
