2003 Acura MDX complaints

DRIVING DOWN I78 ON THANKSGIVING AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE CAR STOPPED RESPONDING. ENGINE WAS REVVING BUT CAR WASN'T ACCELERATING COMMENSURATE WITH THE ENGINE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. I NAVIGATED MY WAY TOWARDS THE RIGHT ACROSS A COUPLE OF LANES OF TRAFFIC AND MADE MY WAY TO THE EXIT. GOT OFF THE INTERSTATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED RESPONDING. I PULLED OVER AND COULD NOT MOVE AT ALL - THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE. CALLED AAA AND HAD THE CAR TOWED. I STARTING RESEARCHING THIS AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS WAS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE FOR ACURA MDX'S OF THE 2003 VINTAGE. I EVENTUALLY HAD THE CAR TOWED TO CLINTON ACURA AND OF COURSE THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR $4000. I COMPLAINED AND ASKED IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THEY COULD DO AND THEY SAID NO. I TOLD THEM TO WAIT AND THAT I WAS GOING TO CALL ACURA CUSTOMER CARE. I DID SO AND ASKED THEM TO HELP DEFRAY THE COST OF THE NEW TRANSMISSION SINCE IT WAS APPARENT THAT THEY HAD A DEFICIENCY. THEY TOOK THE COMPLAINT AND REQUEST BUT SUGGESTED I NEEDED TO MAKE THE SAME REQUEST OF THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THE DEALER WOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR LOCAL ACURA FIELD REP TO MAKE A DECISION. I DID AS THEY SUGGESTED AND ABOUT 3 HOURS LATER THEY CALLED ME BACK AND SAID MY REQUEST WAS DENIED. ESSENTIALLY THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY SO IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY. I TOLD THEM I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED BUT I HAD THEM DO THE WORK. I ALSO CALLED BACK ACURA CUSTOMER CARE AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED. FURTHER, I

REGARDING A 2003 ACURA MDX WITH 108,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION AND TWO MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED. INFORMATION ON THE EDMUNDS WEBSITE CONFIRM THESE REPETITIVE FAILURES AND POTENTIAL TRANSMISSION LOCKUP AT HIGH SPEEDS. I HAVE ALL MAINTENANCE RECORDS TO SHOW THE CAR WAS TAKEN CARE OF. NEW MOTOR MOUNTS WERE $500. THE DEALER PAID FOR MOST OF THE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT BUT IT STILL COSTS US $460 OUT OF POCKET. *TR

MY 2003 ACURA MDX SHOWED NO SIGNS OF A TRANSMISSION ISSUE UNTIL ONE DAY THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING. BY THAT I MEAN NO ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON. I PULLED OVER SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE WHICH THAN WENT BACK INTO GEAR. THIS HAPPENED OCCASIONALLY FOR ABOUT A WEEK. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER WHO CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID THERE WERE NO ISSUES. UPON LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP IT HAPPENED AGAIN BUT THIS TIME THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. *TR

2003 ACURA MDX APPROX 89,000 MILES. DRIVING AND CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FROM STOP. CAR WAS IN GEAR D5 BUT WOULD NOT RUN. HAD TO STOP IN TRAFFIC AND RESTART. GOT TO SIDE OF ROAD AND WOULD NOT RE-ENGAGE IN GEAR. HAD TOWED REPLACED DRIVE TRAIN IN VEHICLE. DEALER DID 75-25 SPLIT THEY KNOW IT'S A PROBLEM. *TR

2003 ACURA MDX TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

FAMILY IN 2003 ACURA MDX WITH 92,000 MILES ON IT AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN VEHICLE COMES OUT OF GEAR, UNABLE TO DRIVE, TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY. TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AND MUST BE REPLACED. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING. GEAR INDICATOR SHOWED IN D5. VEHICLE BASICALLY STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF ROADWAY. IT HAPPENED A COUPLE TIMES AND NO REPAIR HAS BEEN PERFORMED. SHIFTED TO P AND BACK TO D5, NORMAL DRIVING RESUMED. *TR

I HAVE 2003 ACURA MDX WHICH SEEMS TO HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ITS AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT TO NEUTRAL STOPPING THE CAR IN MID TRAFFIC IT HAS HAPPEN ON NUMEROUS OCCASION, NO REPAIRS LIGHTS TO INDICATE THERE IS A PROBLEM. I HAD 2 TAKE THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES BEFORE THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM AND THAT WAS ONLY AFTER MECHANIC TRIED 2 DRIVE IT HOME WHEN IT HAPPENED 2 HIM. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED PERIODICALLY AT ANY GIVEN TIME. MY VEHICLE HAD JUST BEEN SERVICE FOR ITS 90,000 MAINTENANCE AT $560 I TOLD THEM THEN I NOTICED THIS PROBLEM ASSURED ME VEHICLE WAS FINE. NEXT WEEK TOOK IT BACK THEY TOLD ME THE MAT WAS CAUSING THE ACCELERATION TO STICK REMOVED MATS DROVE HOME NEXT DAY SAME PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING CAR JUST STOP IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. TOOK VEHICLE BACK THAT'S WHEN MECHANIC TRIED TO HOME WITH IT HAPPENED TO HIM HE BROUGHT BACK INTO SHOP SHE'S RIGHT IT IS DANGEROUS. NOW THEY WANT $4700 TO FIX IT.. THERE ARE STILL NO WARNING SIGNALS THAT THIS VEHICLE NEEDS SERVICE COMPUTERS STILL SAYS ITS FINE. I ALSO JUST REPLACED ALTERNATOR A FEW MONTHS AGO COULD NOT SIT IN PARK POSITIONS WITH LIGHTS ON OR KEY HANGING IN IGNITION CAR WOULD JUST STOP AND WOULD NEED A HOT SHOT. *TR

WHILE DRIVING I LOST POWER MEANING I COULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO LINKAGE FROM THE ENGINE TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING OK, BUT I HAD NO POWER TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. WHILE ACURA IS A RESPECTED AND QUALITY VEHICLE, I FEEL THAT THERE MAY BE A PRODUCT DEFECT IN THAT MY PROBLEM RESULTED IN ME HAVING TO REPLACE THE COOLING SYSTEM ALONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WHILE IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE ACURA DEALER, I OVERHEARD SOME OF THE SERVICE MECHANICS SAYING THAT THEY'VE SEEN THIS HAPPEN TO THIS MODEL VEHICLE BEFORE AND THAT ACURA OF TORRENCE CALIFORNIA SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. ACURA WOULD HAVE PAID FOR THE REPAIR BUT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE A COPY OF THE SERVICE MANAGERS REPORT TO THE TD BANK AS TO WHAT,'THEY, THE DEALERSHIPS SERVICE DEPARTMENT" THINKS CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. THIS LETTER CAN BE MADE AVAILABLE TO YOU UPON REQUEST. *TR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH I CAN REMOVE THE KEY FROM MY ACURA MDX WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND STILL IN GEAR. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM FOR EARLIER MODELS HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/CARS/PROBLEMS/RECALLS/RESULTS.CFM?SEARCHTYPE=QUICKSEARCH&RCL_ID=05V025000&SUMMARY=TRUE BUT IT DOES NOT COVER MY VEHICLE. *TR

ON APRIL 7, 2009 TOOK MY 2003 ACURA MDX INTO LOCAL DEALER FOR IT'S 60,000 MILE SERVICE (ODOMETER READ 63,438). NO PROBLEMS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION. JUNE 16, 2009 (ODOMETER 67,608) A/C STOPS WORKING. PAY OVER $1300 TO HAVE A/C COMPRESSOR, CLUTCH, STATOR & HI PRESSURE HOSE REPLACED. GET CAR BACK ON JUNE 18, 2009. JULY 1, 2009 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON (ODOMETER 68,219). AM TOLD THAT CAR NEEDS A "VALVE REALIGNMENT" - ALL GASKETS AND SPARK PLUG SEALS REPLACED ($600). GET CAR BACK ON JULY 2, 2009. JULY 3, 2009 BURNING SMELL COMING THROUGH A/C VENTS. AM TOLD THAT IT'S RESIDUE FROM V/C GASKETS FROM THE VALVE REALIGNMENT JOB- SUPPOSEDLY RESIDUE REMOVED. GET CAR BACK JULY 6, 2009. JULY 17, 2009 NOTICE OIL IN FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL. POP HOOD, NOTICE RADIATOR OVERFLOW CONTAINER IS OVERFLOWING, RADIATOR IS VERY MOBILE AND OVERFLOW CONTAINER IS BLACK AT THE BOTTOM. HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. AM TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR CRACKED INTERNALLY AND THAT THE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID WERE MIXING TOGETHER - THEREFORE HAVE TO FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE RADIATOR FOR ANOTHER $900. THIS JUST DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT TO ME. STARTED RESEARCHING AND AM BEING TOLD THAT THESE ARE NOT "NORMAL" REPAIRS ON THIS MODEL FOR SO FEW MILES ON IT AND THAT THE BURNING SMELL WAS MOST LIKELY THE MIXING OF THE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION OIL NOT RESIDUE FROM THE VALVE REALIGNMENT. DEALERSHIP ISN'T ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY. ACURA CUSTOMER SERVICES IS SAYING THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO EITHER BECAUSE THE DE

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE VSA LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE WEIRD NOISE (BY THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDAL) AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP BY ITSELF. CALL THE DEALER AND THEY SAY IT WAS DUE TO THE TIRE BEING IN A PUDDLE OF WATER FOR A LONG PERIOD. IT RAINED TODAY AND MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE BUT THE PUDDLE OF WATER WAS NO DEEPER THAN 1 IN. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT THEY WERE NOT ANY VEHICLES FOLLOWING BEHIND ME WHEN THE CAR STOPPED ALL OF A SUDDEN. PLEASE ADVISE AND CHECK THE ISSUE WITH THE VSA SYSTEM SINCE THERE ARE A LOT OF THREADS ON GOOGLE AND YAHOO SEARCH ENGINE IN REGARDS TO PROBLEMS WITH ACURA'S VSA SYSTEM. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS INCIDENT HAD OCCURRED. *TR

1. ON MARCH 21, 2009, I HAD BEEN DRIVING THE CAR FOR 10 MINUTES WITH THE SEAT HEATER ON. I HAVE USED THE SEAT HEATER FREQUENTLY ON COLD DAYS FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS. 2. I SMELLED BURNING FABRIC, PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO CHECK ORIGINS OF THE ODOR AND DISCOVERED A HOLE THE SIZE OF A DIME BURNT IN THE CENTER OF THE DRIVER'S SET BACKREST, WHICH IS WHERE THE SEAT HEATER IS LOCATED. I ALSO DISCOVERED A SIMILAR HOLE IN MY JACKET. I TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER. 3. ON MARCH 23 I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED AND TO ACURA CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE. THE DEALER TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO BECAUSE I WAS OFF WARRANTY, BUT HE WOULD REPLACE THE HEATER AND REPAIR LEATHER FOR $1050. I ASKED HIM IF HE HAD INVESTIGATED THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE: DID THE FUSE FAIL? WAS THE HEATING ELEMENT FAULTY? THE DEALER WAS NOT INTERESTED IN THE CAUSE. 4. I WROTE A DETAILED LETTER TO THE DEALER AND ACURA CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE, DESCRIBING WHAT HAPPENED AND MY CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHER UNAWARE ACURA DRIVERS. THE PHONE RESPONSE I RECEIVED FROM ACURA CORPORATE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO ME REGARDING THE SAFETY ISSUE. THEY SAID THEY HAD NO LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT HAPPENED BECAUSE MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. *TR

ACURA HAS KNOWN FOR SOME TIME NOW THAT MDX MODEL, YEARS 2001-2003, HAVE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE WITH A LOT OF ACURA OWNERS. *TR

2003 ACURA MDX 68,000 MILES TRANSMISSION WON'T GO INTO DRIVE NORMALLY, HAVE TO DRIVE IT LIKE A STANDARD TRANSMISSION, START IN 1-2 THEN PROCEED INTO REGULAR DRIVE MANY PAST PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR, A/C PROBLEMS, ELECTRICAL, TRIM ETC. DEALER STATES OOPS YOU NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION --40,000. DOLLAR CAR AND YOU ONLY GET 68,000 MILES. DEALER STATES WELL YOU CAN DRIVE IT LIKE THAT FOR MAYBE A DAY OR TWO MAYBE A WEEK BUT IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IT WILL LOCK UP ON YOU SOON. WE CAN FIX IT FOR 3600.00 IN THEIR DREAMS I WILL PROBABLY PAINT IT YELLOW AND PUT IT UP ON BLOCKS :) NO WARNING WHEN THIS HAPPENED JUST PULLED UP TO A RED LIGHT AND IT WOULDN'T MOVE AFTER THAT. *TR

2003 ACURA MDX, PURCHASED FOR USED CAR LOT, SHUTTERS DURING 30-40MPH DRIVING. TOOK VEHICLE IN TO DEALERSHIP FOR THE SECOND TIME AND THE RESULTS WERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING. *TR

DURING REGULAR SERVICE DEALER INSPECTION REPORTS FRONT MOTOR MOUNT IS LEAKING AND THE SIDE MOTOR MOUNT IS CRACKED. NEVER HEARD OF A 5-YEAR OLD CAR NEEDING MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED. ESPECIALLY WHEN CAR IS DRIVEN 100% ON PAVED ROADS BY A CONSERVATIVE 40+ YEAR-OLD DRIVER. *TR

STATE INSPECTION FAILED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MOTOR MOUNTS 86,000 MILES ON VEHICLE THAT OTHERWISE RUNS LIKE NEW, WE'RE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS, FIND IT UNUSUAL TO NEED MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED, NEVER NEEDED TO REPLACE IN OTHER VEHICLES, I THINK THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM ALONG WITH THE DEFROSTER WAS INOPERATIVE. IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, ICE BUILDS UP ON THE WINDSHIELD, WHICH CAUSES REDUCED VISIBILITY. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $3,000 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE NAVIGATION UNIT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. HE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000. UPDATED 12-08-08 *BF UPDATED 12/10/08. *JB

WE HAVE RECENTLY BOUGHT ACURA MDX FROM HERB CHAMBERS DEALERSHIP IN BURLINGTON. WE TOOK AN EXTENDED BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY FOR THE CAR AND PAID A GOOD AMOUNT FOR THAT. FEW DAYS BACK, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED. AS SOON AS IT WAS DETECTED, CAR WAS STOPPED TO AVOID ANY DAMAGE TO ENGINE. WHEN THE BUMPER WAS OPENED, SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF CAR BUMPER, IT COULD HAVE CAUGHT FILE AND KILLED PEOPLE TRAVELING IN IT. IT IS NOTIFIED TO US AS TRANSMISSION SEAL BROKE. THE DEALERS WAS INFORMED AND CAR WAS TOWED TO THEM SAME DAY. I WANT TO REPORT THIS DAMAGE, WHICH COULD NOT BE EXPLAINED, AS THE CAR WAS SAFELY PARKED IN VERY SAFE AREA. CAR WAS DRIVEN BY EXPERIENCE DRIVER AND FAMILY MEMBERS, AND WE ARE CERTAIN THAT THE CAR WAS NOT DAMAGED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER IS NOT READY TO TAKE THE TAG BY SAYING IT IS VANDALISM. PLEASE TAKE A NOTE OF THIS AND HELP US OUT TO GET THE JUSTICE HERE. SUNITA *TR

I HAVE A VERY WELL KEPT 2003 ACURA MDX TOURING LUXURY SUV THAT RETAILS AT MORE THAN $45,000 WHEN NEW. THE ENGINE IS MOUNTED ON 3 ENGINE MOUNTS AND I JUST DISCOVERED THAT 2 OF THE 3 ENGINE MOUNTS ARE BROKEN. IF THE 3RD MOUNT HAD BROKEN, THE ENGINE COULD SHIFT POSITION RESULTING IN SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. THIS VEHICLE WAS USED FOR NORMAL HIGHWAY AND CITY DRIVING (NO OFF HIGHWAY DRIVING). AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, IT APPEARS ACURA UNDER-DESIGNED THIS PART MAKING THESE ENGINE MOUNTS VERY PRONE TO FAILURE. SOME PEOPLE REPORTED HAVING TO REPLACE ENGINE MOUNTS EVERY 30,000 MILES. TO MAKE THE PROBLEM WORSE, THE COST OF REPAIR IS ABOUT $1,000 WHICH MAKES IT LIKELY FOR PEOPLE TO POSTPONE REPAIRS UNTIL A CRASH HAPPENS. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE PART OF A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON ACURA MDX - WHICH IS WELL KNOWN FOR ACURAS - AND THEIR UNWILLINGNESS TO LIVE UP TO THEIR LIABILITY. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE!!!!! *TR

TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY FOR ABOUT A DAY BEFORE. I ATTEMPTED TO ENTER TRAFFIC AND THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. I WAS LUCKY NOT TO BE ABLE TO GET IN TRAFFIC, OTHERWISE THERE PROBABLY BEEN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STILL IN GEAR EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO STILL ROLL IF ON AN INCLINE OR BUMPED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACES THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE, THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT WORK AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE UNLESS IT IS SHIFTED INTO RESERVE. OCCASIONALLY, THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE WARMED UP IN ORDER FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO WORK. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER DUE TO THE DISTANCE FROM HIS HOME AND THE CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 126,000.

I HAVE A 2003 ACURA MDX, WITH ~115,00 MILES ON IT. OVER THE LAST YEAR I HAVE PERIODICALLY EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION DURING SHIFTING OF GEARS. IN MY INVESTIGATION INTO THE MATTER,I HAVE FOUND THESE SYMPTOMS ARE IDENTICAL TO THOSE EXPERIENCED BY OTHER MDX OWNERS AND IS CONSISTENT WITH THE MANY COMPLAINTS OF FAILED TRANSMISSIONS WITH THE MDX MODEL. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER , FRANKEL ACURA IN COCKEYSVILLE, MARYLAND, FOR SERVICE ON THIS ISSUE ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT THEY HAVE CONSISTENTLY DENIED THAT THERE IS ANY PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE OFFERED TWO REPAIRS THAT THEY SAID WOULD ADDRESS THE PROBLEM . REPLACED ENGINE MOUNTS AND FLUSHED/REFILLED TRANSMISSION FLUID FOR A TOTAL COST OF ~$800. THEIR CONTINUED DENIAL OF PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION CONFLICTS NOT ONLY WITH MY COMPLAINTS, AND THOSE OF MANY OTHER OWNERS, BUT THE CONCLUSIONS OF TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS I HAD EVALUATE THE TRANSMISSION ON MY MDX. ONE OF THESE MECHANICS IS A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST AND THE OTHER HAS OVER THIRTY YEARS EXPERIENCE IN AUTO REPAIR. THEY BOTH CAME TO THE SAME CONCLUSION THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING ,AND ONE EVEN SPOKE TO THE SERVICE AND PARTS MANAGER AT FRANKEL ACURA ABOUT MY CASE. HOWEVER, FRANKEL ACURA WAS STILL DENYING ANY POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. IF ONE INVESTIGATES THIS TYPE OF COMPLAINT ON THE INTERNET, THEY WILL READILY FIND DOZENS IF NOT HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR CASES, AND A VERY CONSISTENT PATTERN OF DENIAL ON THE PART OF THE

THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT IN MDX ACURA SUV, 2003. I HAVE PASSED MY WARRANTY BY 6,000 MILES. THE DEALER COULD NOT TELL ME WHY THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THEY JUST SAID THE TRANSMISSION WAS COMPLETELY TOTALED , AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHY OR WHAT HAPPENED. THE CAR WAS IN GOOD SHAPE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE MADE A NOISE AND HESITATED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO ADDITIONAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 59000. *AK

ACURA MDX YEAR 2003. DEALER DISCOVERED DURING REGULAR MAINTENACE THAT TWO OF ENGINE MOUNTS BROKE. PARTS WERE RELACED AT TOTAL OF $650.00. I THINK THISWAS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN ,AND NOTICED MANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON THE WEBSITE. ACURA SHOULD REPLACE ALL ENGINE MOUNTS WITH UPDATED DESIGN AT NO COST TO CUSTOMERS. I OWNED MANY OTHER VEHICLES AND I NEVER HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE MOUNTS.*AK

I OWN A 2003 ACURA MDX, THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING OUT OF ORDER, I WENT TO WWW.ACURAMDX.ORG ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 MODEL, THE DEALER CHANGED THE FLUID AT AROUND 55,000 MILES AND I CHANGED IT AT 68,000 AND IT WAS DARK BROWN IN COLOR, THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED AT THE SITE SHARED BY MDX OWNERS. I FEEL THAT SOMEONE SHOULD LOOK INTO HOW MANY OF THE ACURA MDX 2003 TRANSMISSION HAVE BEEN REPLACED UP TO THIS POINT, THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 01 AND 02 MODELS WHICH CAUSED HONDA TO OFFER A 100,000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSIONS, I AM NOT SURE IF THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED FOR 2003 BUT I AM STARTING TO THINK THAT IS WAS NOT, AND SO ARE OTHERS ON THE SITE. I HAVE A FAMILY THAT RIDES AROUND IN THIS VEHICLE AND I WOULD HATE FOR SOMETHING TO GO COMPLETELY WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION DURING ACTIVITY TIME OF THE DAY. THANK YOU *JB

HI, I DON'T KNOW WHETHER MY ISSUE IS RELATED WITH SAFETY. MY ACURA MDX 2003 (35K MILE) HAS A BAD SMELL FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER. I BROUGHT IT TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP (ACURA OF BELLEVUE) IN BELLEVUE, WA AND THEY SPENT 1 HOUR OR SO AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHY IT HAS A SMELL. THEY ASKED FOR $600.00. SO I CONTACTED ACURA OF USA BUT THEY DIDN'T GIVE ANY CLEAR ANSWER FOR MY PROBLEM. SO I COMPLAINED ABOUT IT. MY QUESTION IS THAT THIS BAD SMELL FROM THE AIR CONDITION, IS IT UNDER WARRANTY? JUST ASKING FOR GET HELP IF YOU COULD PROVIDE ME. THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING. *JB

AFTER THE ENGINE WARMED UP,THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE GEARS WOULD NOT CHANGE. (THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DETRIMENTAL TO MY HEALTH AS I MUST LEAVE MY HOUSING SUBDIVISION AND ENTER A FOUR-LANE HIGHWAY!) WITHIN A FEW MINUTES THE TRANSMISSION HAD COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. AFTER TURNING THE MOTOR OFF AND ALLOWING THE ENGINE TO COOL, MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND DRIVE IT TO OUR HOUSE. NO WARNING SIGNS WERE GIVEN TO ALERT US TO A POTENTIAL PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY INSPECTED IT AND SAID THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH, I DISCOVERED THAT 2002 MDXS WERE RECALLED DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING TRANSMISSIONS. DO YOU THINK THAT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT SOME OF THE 2003 MODELS ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSIONS? PLEASE NOTE THAT SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE WAS ALWAYS COMPLETED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT USED TO TOW ANYTHING. WHEN CONSIDERING ALL THE FACTS, I BELIEVE THAT AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD ENSUE. *JB

THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET RECLINE ADJUSTER TO LOCK IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. *TS THE HARNESS ADJUSTER STRAP WAS FRAYED ON BOTH SIDES. (BRITAX MARATHON MODEL E9W0642) *JB (11/21/05) *SC

AS I WAS BACKING-UP IN PARKING LOT, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. AFTER TRAVELING ~ 20' AT AN ACCELERATED PACE, THE REAR OF THE CAR HIT A CONCRETE BALLARD. UPON IMPACT THE CAR JUMPED INTO A FORWARD GEAR, ACCELERATED FORWARD AND HIT A PARKED CAR. IF NOT FOR THE PARKED CAR, OUR ACURA MDX WOULD HAVE PLOWED INTO A STORE FRONT. *JB

THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD MOVE APPROXIMATELY 1 INCH FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THIS ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH WHEN CONSUMER'S FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT WAS THE NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THAT VEHICLE, AND IT MET NHTSA SPECIFICATIONS. *AK

THE VEHICLE JUST ROLLED BACKWARD OUT OF THE GARAGE AND HIT THE TREE. *BF *SC THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED PARTIALLY OFF TO ALLOW A VIDEO TO PLAY AND THE GEAR WAS STILL IN REVERSE, SO WHEN THE CONSUMER CLOSED THE DOOR THE VEHICLE ROLLED. *JB

WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS RIGHT TURN SIGNAL SWITCH STUCK INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL DOES NOT RETRACT UNLESS HE MAKES A 90 DEGREE TURN. *TC

CLIMATE CONTROL NOT WORKING; AC NOT WORKING AT ALL AFTER 2 REPAIR OVER A PERIOD OF TIME OF 1 MONTH.

THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON MY 2003 ACURA MDX CAME ON 9/1/04. ACURA BEDFORD HILLS LOOKED AT THE CAR ON 9/2/04 AND SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR, IT WAS "SAFE TO DRIVE", AND THEY'D ORDER A NEW PART. ON 9/4/04, THE CAR BECAME FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF WHEN WE STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE BEGAN UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT (I WAS SITTING ON IT). THE CAR WAS TOTALED, AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAS HIRED A FIRE INVESTIGATOR. ACURA HAS DONE NOTHING TO DATE. *AK

THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES WHEN STARTING OUT GOING EITHER FORWARD OR REVERSE AND APPLYING THE BRAKES. ON OCCASION, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO GEAR, THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION, TORQUE CONVERTER, CLUTCH OR SOME PART(S) THAT IS BEING PRESSED TOGETHER WITH ANOTHER.*AK

NOXIOUS ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. ACURA HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR VEHICLE, INSISTING ODOR IS NORMAL. CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. HYDROGEN SULFIDE IS PROVEN TO CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM. SMELL HAS NOT SUBSIDED. ACURA REFUSES TO REPAIR TO CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED TO HELP BUT ACURA CORP. WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO GO ANY FURTHER. CAR NOW HAS 15, 000 MILES AND STILL HAS PERSISTENT ODOR COMING FROM CATALYTIC CONVERTER. ACURA HAS ADVISED US TO PURSUE LITIGIOUS MEANS. *JB

KEY CAN BE REMOVED IN ANY POSTION OF THE TRANSMISSION AFTER TURNING OFF.

NOXIOUS ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE VEHICLE DUE TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVERWORKING. ACURA INSISTS THIS IS NORMAL AND HAS ADVISED US TO CONTINUE DRIVING CAR WHILE CAUSING MY FAMILY TO BECOME NAUSEOUS AND SICK FROM THE SMELL. THEY INSIST THAT HYDROGEN SULFIDE IS ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE BUT RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS CHEMICAL CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM. ACURA HAS REFUSED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AND HAS ADVISED US TO PURSUE LITIGOUS MEANS. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY MY CAR SMELL IS SO POTENT WHILE OTHER MDX'S DO NOT SMELL.

WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHILE DRIVER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. *AK FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED BY A STOP SIGN AT AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. THE PROBLEM WAS AN AIR INTAKE LEAK, WHICH BEGAN APPROX. THREE WEEKS AFTER CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND STILL EXIST TODAY. THE ENGINE DIED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE HER MONIES REIMBURSED OR A BRAND NEW MDX WITH THE SAME OPTIONS AND COLOR OF HER CHOICE. *PH *NLM

WHEN THE VEHICLE RAN OVER A BUMP IN ROAD THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR RECEDED AND LOCKED UP. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE THE SEAT BELT FROM THE RETRACTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE MECHANIC CHECK OUT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. *AK THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE SEAT BELT REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE DESIGNED TO LOCK UP IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS. *TS *NLM

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH IT ROLLED OVER. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO AIR BAG LIGHT WARNING PRIOR TO THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT AND PICTURES CAN BE MADE AVAILABLE PER CONSUMER. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *SCC *JB

EXCESSIVE BRAKE CLUNK / THUD NOISES UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS. SEVERE BRAKE NOISE AND CONTROL ISSUES UNDER EMERGENCY BRAKING CONDITIONS. TOLD BY ACURA ALL IS "NORMAL". WITH SUCH TRAVEL IN CALIPERS (CAUSE OF NOISE) POTENTIAL FOR BRAKE FAILURE MUST EXIST. WORRIED... *JB

I PURCHASED A 2003 ACURA MDX IN DECEMBER, 2002 FROM GILLMAN ACURA, HOUSTON TEXAS. ON THE DATE OF MY COMPLAINT, THE VEHICLE HAD JUST OVER 11,400 MILES. ON SEPT. 05, 2003, I HIT A ROCK ON THE HIGHWAY WHICH PUNCTURED MY LEFT FRONT TIRE AND DENTED MY WHEEL. ADDITIIONALLY, THE FRONT SEAT BELTS LOCKED UP AND ARE NOW NOT FUNCTIONING. ADDITIONALLY, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON MY DASH BOARD IS BLINKING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO GILLMAN ACURA ON 09/08, KNOWING I WOULD PAY FOR THE WHEEL AND TIRE. THEY (GILLMAN ACURA AND ACURA CORPORATE, TORRENCE, CA) INFORMED ME THAT THE SEAT BELTS MUST BE REPLACED AT MY COST (>$1,00O). THEY ALSO CLAIM THE SEATBELTS FUNCTIONED PROPERLY VIA THE 'TENSIONES' LOCKING UP THE SEAT BELTS. ADDITIONALLY, THEY CLAIM THE BLINKING LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY NEED TO BE COMPUTER CONTROLLED WHICH ALSO WOULD BE AT MY COST. THIS IS TOTALLY CONTRARY TO GILLMAN AND ACURAS' WRITTEN AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES I RECEIVED WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THEY TWIST THE WARRANTY AND AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE FROM ACURA HAS NOT EVEN INSPECTED MY VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD BY ACURA THAT THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT BUT THE CONCLUSION IS FINAL. THEY ARE NOT PAYING TO GET ME SEAT BELTS INTO PROPER WORKING ORDER. THUS, I HAVE A 2003 VEHICLE WHICH IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND NEGLECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIER WARRANTY. OTHER DEALERS I HAVE SPOKEN WITH CONCUR THAT GILLMAN ACURA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THEY HAVE ALL INFORMED ME THAT SEAT BELTS ARE DESIGNED TO LOCK AND SUBS

ACURA REFUSES TO HONOR THIER WARRANTY ON THE SEAT BELTS OF MY 2003 MDX. SPECIFICALLY, GILLMAN ACURA, HOUSTON, TX. VEHICLE HAS 11,500 MILES, SEAT BELTS ARE INOPERABLE (LOCKED UP'), AND THEY SAY THEY TO NOT REPLACE SEAT BELTS. THIS IS CONTRARY TO ALL LITERATURE IN THEIR PRINTED AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES I RECEIVED. *AK

ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASION THE ABS MADE A CLUNKING NOISE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *NLM THE BRAKE PROBLEMS HAD COME BACK AGAIN. THE DEALER FOUND A BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE CODE. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM BUT IT REMAINED THE SAME. *SCC