Problems with 2002 Acura MDX POWER TRAIN

My mdx has 85k miles on it, and the tranny started the infamous going into neutral at 30-40 mph on an intermittent basis...i've done all the various oil sending unit and egr valve fixes but started having the above problem about 7k ago, but when i took it to the dealer they gave the old hmmm, if we can't repeat it, we really can't replace it.... then, the engine light came on. i made an appt with the dealer (pleasanton acura), they gave me a $69 a day rental and said they would check it out. they did, and confirmed the engine code was tied to the defective transmission. i only had the standard warranty (50k, 4 yr) . i received a call back the same day saying acura has agreed to pay for the transmission, but i would have to pay for the labor...$1,100. i think acura should have to announce and support a total recall. i never thought i would spend $1,100 on a transmission for a 2002 acura mdx with an out the door price of ~$47,000 - unbelievable! i posted the above on the acuramdx.org website after doing a google search on mdx transmissions and finding hundreds of complaints from car owners across the united states, all having the same transmission problems on 2002 mdx. apparently, acura extended the transmission warranty on their 2002 tl's with the same transmission problem but for some reason have avoided addressing the mdx with a formal recall or extended warranty even though they know and the public all know the transmission was a defective design and really poses a safety risk for hundreds of mdx owners and others that might be affected when the mdx transmission fails to allow the vehicle to accelerate when merging onto a highway with a semi-truck that doesn't know you're having a transmission failure which causes your transmission to slip and lose engine drive power. this is one blatant safety issue that acura should do the right thing and extend the warranty and replace these defective mdx 2002 transmissions. *nm

Driving at approx. 40 mpg. during acceleration the car did not respond and then lurched forward. the second time the car did not respond during acceleration going up a hill and i started to lose momentum. engine light finally came on after approx 10 seconds. i was stuck on the road without being able to move the vehicle off the road. dealer concluded that it was transmission failure. no help in subsidizing fix as vehicle was out of warranty. *nm

2002 acura mdx automatic transmission failure occurred at 77k miles. symptoms included up-shift hesitation between 2-3 drive gears, hard and jerky transmission changes in both drive and reverse. the symptoms started to get progressively worse and more frequent. i took this mdx to a local aaa-approved, independent auto repair shop for a diagnosis. the shop's repair technician and a transmissions specialist test drove the mdx and experienced the same type of symptoms. they returned and reported that the transmission was indeed failing. i had the mdx towed to the acura dealership where the vehicle was purchased. the dealership's service department confirmed that the transmission was failing and it had to be replaced completely. the transmission was replaced with a rebuilt unit by the acura service department. a historical note: back in the fall of 2004, i received notice of a mdx transmission recall from acura. shortly upon receiving this notice i did take this mdx to an acura dealership service department and had the transmission recall service done. *nm

2002 acura mdx has had the transmission replaced twice and it needs another transmission now. *nj the transmission temperature light illuminated and the transmission would slip before taking off. the transmission was replaced due to an internal failure of the clutch. *jb

Automatic transmission frequently hesitates and makes loud grinding noise. this happens especially when driving at low speeds (5mph to 45mph). *tr

2002 mdx transmission shudder, vibrate, noisy between 20 to 40mph. dealer install a/t oil jet kit to resolve the problem. however, the problem is not solved. *tr

Dt*: the contact stated the transmission is failing on the vehicle. there is an nhtsa recall, #04v176000 concerning the power train: automatic transmission; however the recall did not correct the problem. the vehicle's transmission was not failing at the time of the recall. the dealership determined the recall repair should consist of installing an oil jet kit. the recall was performed on august 12, 2004. the mileage on the vehicle at this time was 64,111. in august 2005, the contact noticed the transmission slipping upon acceleration into second gear. the vehicle was taken to the dealership. the dealership determined there was not a problem with the vehicle's transmission. the problem became progressively worse. in january 2006, the dealership confirmed the transmission wa sreplaced at contact's expense. a safety concern existed as acknowledged by honda when the recall repairs were made. the repairs have not prevented transmission failure. therefore, creating a safety hazard. *ak

My wife was driving our 2002 acura mdx about 35-40 mph when the car locked up like the brakes were slammed on. car was immobile and could not be pushed off the roadway until the arrival of a tow truck. dealer now has the car and says it was transmission failure. symtoms are the same as discribed as failures in a recall of this vehicle. recall work was done about 5000 miles ago in which an oiling device was installed to correct the problem. failure occured anyway after the correction. my contention is that the required inspection of the gears was not performed correctly and the "fix" was performed instead. the dealer says i may be liable for 4500 dollars to replace the defective transmission because it has 101000 miles on it and they only warrenty it to 100000. if the problem was recognized at 96000 when the recall work was done, i wouldn't be in this predicament- thanks

2002 mdx transmission needed to be replaced.***no answer required***. *mr the sway bars cracked six months after purchasing the vehicle, the supplemental restraint light illuminated and it took 4 months to get it fixed. *jb

Dt: after accelerating the car locked up and he skidded 3 or 4 feet. has a clicking noise from the transmission. now the car won't shift gears or go over 10 mph; had it looked at and was told by manufacturer that it was not covered in the recall. did get other opinions on the transmission problem, and was told that the first person that looked at it was incorrect in their diagnosis.*ak

On january 12, 2005 while traveling on i-5 at approximately 60 mph the transmission in my 2002 acura mdx locked up. hinshaw's acura concluded the failure caused damage to the half shaft, vtec pressure switch, oil filter housing, intermediate shaft, and right outside driveshaft. hinshaw's acura concluded all of these items required replacement to restore my mdx to normal. they gave me a repair estimate of several thousands of dollars. i informed them that i have always complied with all of the scheduled acura recommended maintenance items on my mdx during the warranty period and afterwards. in fact, the most recent 60k maintenance was performed at hinshaw's acura on november 22, 2004. i also informed them that my maintenance records were available for their review from both acura of seattle and bellevue acura. for the record, i have been the sole owner and driver of this vehicle since it was new. it has never been off road, abused, or been involved in an accident. the local acura representative refused to acknowledge the failure or consider reimbursement for any damages. after i filed a complaint with acura customer relations, they agreed to only pay half of the repair costs. the injustice in this whole experience stems from the fact that this vehicle was recalled by acura (nhtsa campaign id number 04v176000) for exactly the same problem that caused the damages and endangered my life and that of other drivers near me. i have rigorously followed the recommended maintenance schedule as defined in my acura ownership manual. if this problem would have been properly resolved at the time i returned my mdx to the dealer during the recall, this malfunction would have never occurred.*ak

When the consumer applied the accelerator pedal, the vehicle suddenly hesitated, it then firmly jerked into acceleration. *jb

The vehicle had a transmission defective. *nm campaign id number : 04v176000. honda was unable to remedy the transmission defect. the vehicle transmission caused the vehicle to lurch forward. *tc

Nhtsa recall 04v176000 concerning automatic transmission. after having the oil cooler return lines revised vehicle vibrated/jerked, and the transmission locked up. vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that transmission needed to be replaced. *ak

The transmission slips upon acceleration, when shifting, it snaps. the vehicle was taken to the dealer stated the failure mode is not consistent and not related to the recall. the recall date is april 13, 2004. *la the dealer's diagnosis showed failure of the 3rd, 4th and reverse gears. the dealer repaired the vehicle under the provisions of the vehicle's extended warranty. *nm

1.) the at shift gear slides out of park even when vehicle is turned off. very dangerous for children shifting gears out of park while key is out of the ignition! per conversation with consumer, the dealer has identified that the shift-interlock solenoid assembly was damaged and replaced under warranty to customer's satisfaction. also learned that 4-yr old boy inside vehicle potentially damaged gear shift resulting in free movement from park to other gear(s). *mjj 2.) atf temp sensor remains on in dashboard even while trans is cool. electrical problem code (dtc) po710. 3.) the d5 gear indicator light remains on and flashing while driving. vehicle was towed to acura dealer in latham,ny for electrical repairs. *jb

I purchased the 2002 mdx on 12, january 2004. at that time i questioned the hard shifting from first into second. it would lurch, shudder, and jump from standing still to first gear, all the way through the gears. i was worried that the transmission would be damaged as well as other parts. on 27 july, 2004 the transmission began to rock front and back, with loud grinding and metal to metal sound. the dealer explained there was a recall on the at and an oil jet cooler was needed. over the next 7 years i had my mdx serviced at the dealership. each time i would complain about the noise at speeds between 20-30 and 35-45. again i was told nothing could be done. the engine broke the side motor mount, again i was told that nothing could be done. finally on 6 july 2011 while driving 75 on interstate 71, my transmission revved into the red area on the gauge, atf was blowing out the back and covered the back window. i pulled over and the transmission seized on the spot. the mdx was towed to the dealership were i was told the oil jet cooler had a drain nut, that came out, thus releasing the atf. the drain plug and atf was replaced, but again i was told there was nothing could be done as the defect was a part and not covered. the shop manager told me that the shock and spring was rusted and leaking fluid. i was told that both motor, the timing belt, the shifter cable and connection, outer tire rod, boots needed to be replaced. i searched the internet for 5 minutes and discovered thousands of complaints related to the transmission. i confirmed the recalls on the shocks coils transmission, and multitude of other components. i had the timing belt, every belt, water pump, and motor mounts replace at another dealership in town. this is a dangerous problem. as long as there are 2002 mdx's on the road and honda acura ignore or deny the problem. the risk of death is great. *tr

2002 acura mdx with approx. 17k miles repeatedly forcibly downshifted for no apparent reason on the evening of 5/28/03. dealer reproduced the behavior on a test drive on the morning of 5/29/03 and is replacing the transmission without any further diagnostics.*ak

Consumer stated transmission was slipping. however, consumer had this problem for the last 2 years. consumer took the vehicle to dealer several times, bu tproblem recurred. *ak

Upon starting the vehicle, there was a noise which also occurred while driving. the automatic transmission had to be replaced because it failed. also, the rack and pinion had to be replaced at 12,000. *ak the vehicle is still having problems with the rack and pinion. *jb

When brakes were applied there was a popping sound, also, when switching from forward to reverse there was a popping sound. *ak

Power train:automatic transmission shudder or vibration between 35 and 40 mph.[xxx] torque converter requires replacement. information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr