| nugg_dawg |
| Has anyone else's MDX been making funny plastic on plastic rubbing sounds? When I hit a bump for example, I hear random plastic rubbing noises eminating from the dash. Also, the door locks vibrate when I turn the music loud. It really seems like that the MDX's craftmanship is shotty. The car is a very good car engine/transmission wise......but the build quality including the paint job is very suspect. I am somewhat dissapointed.:confused: |
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| dmyles |
quote:
Originally posted by nugg_dawg
Also, the door locks vibrate when I turn the music loud.
Yes, I have this problem too. There was a thread about this months ago. My work-around has been to lock the doors--- seems to stop the rattling. Annoying, but in the grand scheme of things, it's a relatively minor problem compared to other things that could go wrong. :rolleyes: |
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| ssMDX01 |
nugg,
I had the rubbing noise coming from the dashboard and it was being caused by the sunroof. There is a TSB on this. After I had the TSB performed the noise was gone. |
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| srpbep |
jmj,
Why should you live with it ... you bought a $40.000 high line SUV ... don't you think that you deserve to have it right ... our door doesn't rattle and I would suspect that most other owners' doors don't rattle so why should you have to drive an MDX with a door rattle.
Simply take it back, get a loaner, tell them to keep it until they fix it. If they can't fix it, then simply replace it with a new one that doesn't have the door rattle feature. If they give you static, simply contact Acura Corporate and let them handle it with the dealer.
Door rattles can be fixed. The tech probably was really ticked off becuase he gets paid for the "problem", not how long it takes him to fix it. Thus, he is probably an unhappy camper. This is the dealer's problem, not your problem. At this point, they would probably like it if you chose to "live with it". But they are there to serve you, you are not there to accomodate them.
Also, suggest you discuss the problem with the Service Manager. Tell him that you are not pleased. Suggest to him that he call Acura Techline if they can't figure it out. He knows this anyway, BUT if he knows you know and he knows you are ticked, he will intervene to get the problem resolved (this might mean reassigning the repair to a different mechanic). |
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| mdxxxx |
quote:
Originally posted by srpbep
jmj,
Why should you live with it ... you bought a $40.000 high line SUV ... don't you think that you deserve to have it right ... our door doesn't rattle and I would suspect that most other owners' doors don't rattle so why should you have to drive an MDX with a door rattle.
Simply take it back, get a loaner, tell them to keep it until they fix it. If they can't fix it, then simply replace it with a new one that doesn't have the door rattle feature. If they give you static, simply contact Acura Corporate and let them handle it with the dealer.
Door rattles can be fixed. The tech probably was really ticked off becuase he gets paid for the "problem", not how long it takes him to fix it. Thus, he is probably an unhappy camper. This is the dealer's problem, not your problem. At this point, they would probably like it if you chose to "live with it". But they are there to serve you, you are not there to accomodate them.
Also, suggest you discuss the problem with the Service Manager. Tell him that you are not pleased. Suggest to him that he call Acura Techline if they can't figure it out. He knows this anyway, BUT if he knows you know and he knows you are ticked, he will intervene to get the problem resolved (this might mean reassigning the repair to a different mechanic).
AMEN:4: |
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| nugg_dawg |
quote:
Originally posted by ssMDX01
nugg,
I had the rubbing noise coming from the dashboard and it was being caused by the sunroof. There is a TSB on this. After I had the TSB performed the noise was gone.
hey ssMDX01, could you please elaborate on how the sunroof caused the sounds? Also.....whats TSB? hehe.... |
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| TheWorm |
| Part of the solution depends on which part of the dash is making the noise. One common source of dash squeak is where the radio stack/console meets the center console (horizontal). A little 303/Vinylex/ArmorAll in the cracks there eliminates it. |
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| srpbep |
jmj,
Re MDX vs. Pilot:
=======================
** The Pilot "door scrunch" problems are not isolated and appear to be the result of a design defect.
** The problem you report with your MDX appears to be an isolated occurence (rare, maybe unique, problem).
** The body designs of the Pilot and MDX are totally different. I strongly urge you to ignore the Pilot site regarding this problem, don't see where or how this will help you.
Re Being Tired of the Problem:
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I hear you, I really do. Acura has a problem and they are making it your problem. I really don't care "how nice the dealer is being", they simply need to fix the problem. Many inept and incompetent people in life are "really nice"; however, being "really nice" doesn't resolve "failure to do the job".
The dealer needs to:
** Give you a loaner.
** Take your MDX and fix the problem. They should keep it until it is fixed. No BS, no excuses, simply fix the problem.
** If they need help from Acura, they should ask for it.
** If you are fed up, then call Acura and explain the problem. They WILL get involved.
The simple fact that YOU ARE LIVING WITH THE PROBLEM is a crying shame. If Acura can't fix the problem (sounds silly doesn't it, it is just a door rattle), then let Acura give you a brand new MDX and take the old one back. That way the problem is their problem, not your problem.
Just think about how much you paid for the MDX -- this may help you in addressing the situation. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by srpbep
The simple fact that YOU ARE LIVING WITH THE PROBLEM is a crying shame. If Acura can't fix the problem (sounds silly doesn't it, it is just a door rattle), then let Acura give you a brand new MDX and take the old one back. That way the problem is their problem, not your problem.
Just think about how much you paid for the MDX -- this may help you in addressing the situation.
How many people do you know from reading problems presented on this forum, that ended up getting a new MDX?
I believe Acura would rebuild the car at the dealership from the ground up, before they agreed to give a customer a new vehicle.
Why should they give a new vehicle vs. a new door? Could you imagine the precedent that would set?
Transmissions and engines have been replaced, and they are going to give someone a new vehicle for a door rattle?
Get real! Now, if you are talking about the Lemon Law, that could be a whole new ballgame.
Let's hope a new door and the paint matches! |
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| srpbep |
DaleB,
I didn't mean to suggest that Acura would "smile and deliver a new MDX". Where I was headed was the following:
** It is a problem, obviously one that could be fixed.
** Tell the dealer to fix the problem.
** Inform the dealer that if they can't fix the problem, then they can replace the MDX.
Eventually, one of the following will happen:
** Dealer will fix the problem.
** Consumer will get tired of the dealer trying to fix the problem and simply give up.
** Consumer will get really sick and tired of the problem and Acura's inablilty to fix the problem. Then the customer may elect to pursue the Lemon Law path. This law, assuming the customer is found to be qualified under the provisions, does provide the customer with the ability to get a "new, replacement vehicle" or a refund of money paid (ALL MONEY PAID) less a charge for use obtained. And at this point in the process, Yes, Acura would end up providing a new vehicle.
Now that this is all said and done, I absolutely believe that the whole thing is silly!! Why the heck doesn't Acura (the dealer) simply fix the problem. I really can't believe that a dealer suggested "replacing the whole door" because of a rattle. This really blows me a way. In fact, I can't believe that Acura would let the dealer replace a door because of a rattle. I have got to believe that Acura would insist that they simply find and fix the problem. |
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| DaleB |
Maybe I over stated my thoughts on the subject. But I seriously doubt any auto maker is in the business of replacing a defective car with a new one, sans situations involving the lemon law.
But for those situations not covered by the Lemon Law, I think customers will accept problems that arise with less apprehension if they are confident that the dealer and automaker are willing to go to bat for them 110%. And they sense the dealership knows what they are doing. |
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| TheyCallMeBruce |
quote:
Originally posted by srpbep
Now that this is all said and done, I absolutely believe that the whole thing is silly!! Why the heck doesn't Acura (the dealer) simply fix the problem. I really can't believe that a dealer suggested "replacing the whole door" because of a rattle. This really blows me a way. In fact, I can't believe that Acura would let the dealer replace a door because of a rattle. I have got to believe that Acura would insist that they simply find and fix the problem.
According to Tim of HondacuraWorld, the dealer can't order a door, he would have to order the shell, and build the door
from all original parts, or by swapping the old ones over.
If this is the case, it wouldn't be much different for jmj's dealer to dismantle and re-assemble the exisitng door components. All it takes is a single loose bolt on a part to be causing all the racket.
I've removed about half the door parts myself to paint the door handles and apply dampening material to the inner skin. I find the door to be a fairly complex assembly. There are bolts and nuts that cannot be fully viewed, even with a mechanic's mirror. Because of the awkward obstructions, I had to install and remove a nut and bolt entirely by feel, dropping the bolt/nut several times before being successful. It is entirely possible that at the factory, the assembler just gave up trying to retrieve and refit the bolt/nut, resulting in either a free agent nut/bolt bouncing behind a component against the skin, or the component becomes loose as a result of an un-installed fastener. If the dealer mechanic can't find the loose part, I wonder if he or she would be able to build a new door perfectly.
My greater concern is that if the mechanic was frustrated enough to take the door panel and chuck it across the garage floor while probably releasing a few expletives, would you really want that same mechanic to continue working on your door, removing and re-installing delicate fastener pieces, trusting him to wrap and protect user-visible components to carefully avoid storage & handling damage? yikes, are there no other dealers with a half day's drive? While competence includes courtesy, the reverse does not hold true. If at all possibel, I would take the problem to another dealer. |
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| srpbep |
TheyCallMeBruce,
I believe that you are 100% correct on the door. That is why I was suggesting that Acura wouldn't authorize replacing the door because it doesn't sound like the door is the problem. To replace the door you would have to do the things you observed:
** First totally dismantle the current door. Why would Acura replace all the parts when most (probably all) of them are fine.
** Paint the new door.
** Mount the new door.
** Assemble the new door.
And would all this solve the problem? Well, maybe!! The assumption here is that the dealer would have the body shop do the work, not the mechanic who is having the snit fit.
Sooooo ... it all comes back to the solution ... sounds like the dealer needs to have someone else work on the door ... In a way I feel for the mechanic!! He has probably been paid 1-2 hours for the job and may have 8 hours invested!! Unfortunately, one of the problems with the setup here is that a "come back" is usually given to the original mechanic ... so if he can't fix it the 1st time, likely to be the case the 2nd time, 3rd time, etc. ... This is where the Service Manager needs to intervene and take care of the customer. |
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| Dale MDX |
Regarding lemon law comments: I don't believe that anyone, anywhere has had a vehicle taken back under the lemon laws (which vary state by state) for rattles or squeaks. The laws seem to say that you have to have a problem that affects the driveability or safety of the vehicle in order to have a successful claim. Little noises (or probably even big ones) don't count. If your engine dies in traffic and they can't fix it, or the headlights won't come on and they can't fix it, you'd be in luck. Maybe this is unfortunate, and the law should be written that any warranty claim (that can be verified by an independent party) that the dealer/manufacturer can't fix would entitle the owner to a new vehicle. But that would open a HUGE can of worms. Every car on the road would be able to be replaced under the lemon law. All cars have defects if you look hard enough.
BTW, I don't like funny noises either. I've been trying to find the souce of one that sounds like it's coming from the lower driver's side doors for a while now. It is a "snapping" or "tink" kind of noise, similar to a small rock hitting the door panel, that occurs when going over just the right bump. (It could in no way be described as a thunk or thud). It's temperature dependent and goes away at about 20 degrees F or lower or 90 degrees or higher. The same bumps make it do it every time, and other bumps don't cause it at all. It takes just the right sharp impact, and it will do it many times per mile on typical city streets. Once it does it, it doesn't seem to be able to do it again for a couple of seconds, like it has to reset. Since it's predictable on some bumps and seems to come from the bottom of the doors or rocker panel area, I tried opening the door a little over a bump - it still did it. That makes it seem like it's less likely to actually be in the door itself. Unless it's the back door.
I did mention it to the dealer. They drove it, without me there, and said they never heard anything. The said they drove it even on a rough gravel road. (I didn't like that at all. Plus on really rough road, it tends to not do it - something to do with the "reset" thing I mentioned maybe). It did it for me leaving their lot right afterwards. It's easy to hear. Frustrating. |
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| srpbep |
DaleB,
Acutually California does have a lemon law that addresses this:
** One provision deals with n times on the same repair (and I believe that this is "significant items", but that may have been removed!!).
** Another provision covers cumulative days in the shop for repairs during the first 18 months (??) of ownership.
The lemon law was updated to in CA to try addressing the flawor of lemon where the car does break, the dealer does fix it, but a lot of different things break. Or, the owner keeps taking it in to be fixed and the dealer doesn't fix it. After all, how many times should an owner have to take the vehicle in and how many days should a new vehicle have to spend in the shop!!
If I had more time right now, I'd pull down some info on current law in CA for you .... but I'm at work and just taking a break ... bye for now. |
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| Dale MDX |
You're correct on some of that detail - the laws that I have seen summarized say the manufacturer gets a certain number of attempts to fix the problem, and there is a certain number of days out of service that can make the car qualify. But there also almost has to be some sort of "significance" criteria, and the ones I have seen summarized do have that. (Driveability related or safety related, typically). They almost have to. Otherwise, a person could drop off a car he didn't like every week and eventually get it replaced. Week one: Squeek from the dash. Week 2: Tire out of balance. Week 3: Brakes squeal. Week 4: I think my fan belt is loose. Week 4: Dash squeak is back. You get the picture. If one dealer gets "wise" to the plan or refuses to work on it, take it to another dealer.
Also, to get the car replaced under lemon laws, I think typically you have to go to court or some sort of arbitration. The process isn't automatic even if it looks like you clearly qualify. I would guess that the fictitious person above that was trying to play the system wouldn't be successful.
Not sure why we need to discuss this at length though. With Acura, it's a rare car that would qualify as a true lemon. (But all makes have them). |
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| ByeByeChrysler |
Back to the original question, anyone find the solution to the sound/squeek in the dashboard.
I asked this earlier this week on a different thread, I think it might be the steering wheel. I'll mention it next time I'm at the dealer.
Also as Worm suggested, I'll try spraying some WD40 type stuff around, hopefully it won't overpower the new smell of leather. |
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