RoadVitals

2001 Acura MDX Powertrain (other) Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
42
Latest Apr 11, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
19%
of 224 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Acura MDX submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 42 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming powertrain

The 25 most recent of 42, in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 11, 2024

The contact owns a 2001 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started stalling while attempting to accelerate. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.

NHTSA ID
11582444
Incident
Jan 4, 2021
Mileage
152,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 4, 2023

I was Driving down the HighWay at 70 MPH and the Vehicle is “Jerking” like I am Breaking then proceeded to fail to Accelerate and keep up with my RPMS.

NHTSA ID
11505607
Incident
Jan 10, 2023
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 30, 2021

The contact owns a 2001 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while he was at a stop light, the vehicle inadvertently switched gears to neutral independently. The contact stated that he switched gears to drive and was able to drive the vehicle; however, the vehicle switched gears to neutral when he made another stop. The contact also stated that the vehicle started jerking. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer also referred the contact the dealer for diagnosis. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The dealer also advised the contact that the recall repair for NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V176000 (Power Train) had already been completed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

NHTSA ID
11442161
Incident
Nov 11, 2021
Mileage
150,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 30, 2021

When driving the car will shift into neutral. The only way to accelerate is to manually shift the gear shift into neutral and then back to drive. This occurs frequently at stops. There was a recall for this issue in 2004. The Acura dealership in Fort Worth, Texas indicated that the recalled part was replaced, however, this issue has re-occurred or was not properly fixed in the first instance. This is likely due to a replacement of the same defective transmission part. I have requested the Acura dealership to look at the transmission as it relates to the recall (recall number 04V17600). Although they are aware that this is the issue, they refuse to redress the problem. They state that I will need to pay for an entire new transmission. This is an issue with the Acura components and not a problem caused by the driver. Acura should be required to fix the issue. They are making the road unsafe for drivers at the driver's expense.

NHTSA ID
11422985
Incident
Jun 23, 2021
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 7, 2021

ITS SHOWING ALL THE SYMPTOMS OF THE RECALL THAT INDICATES THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACED AND RADIATOR AS WELL AND HAS OBVIOUS SIGNS OF OVER HEATING AND GEAR DAMEGES. ENGINE LIGHT AND FLASHING D5 WITH ALL CODES FROM POWERTRAIN.*DT*JB

NHTSA ID
11387087
Incident
Jan 4, 2021
Mileage
160,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 26, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE IN EITHER FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. THE GEARS WERE STUCK IN NEUTRAL AND THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING SOUND WHEN HE TRIED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE CONTACT SUSPECTED THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND AT THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE FOR A YEAR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID
11351300
Incident
Aug 2, 2019
Mileage
200,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 2, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING OVER 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE IGNITION, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,000. *LN CONSUMER STATED THE FOLLOWING TRANSMISSION CODES ARE GENERATED FROM THE DIAGNOSIS TOOL P0700 - A/T SYSTEM MALFUNCTION P1740 - 4TH PRESSURE SWITCH FAILURE P1750 - CLUTCH PRESSURE FAILURE *JB

NHTSA ID
11286456
Incident
Nov 23, 2019
Mileage
192,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 16, 2019

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION- I BOUGHT MY 2001 ACURA MDX IN MARCH 2019 IT HAS RAN FINE UNTIL AUGUST 2019. IT STARTED MAKING A LOUD CLANKING NOISE ON AND OFF WHEN I TOOK OUT OF REVERSE, THEN AT ABOUT 40-50 MPH IT STARTS HAVING A VIBRATION THEN GOES AWAY AT OTHER SPEEDS. ABOUT A WEEK AGO WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL SET MY RPM WENT UP TO 5000 SO I TAPPED ON BREAK WHICH MADE IT GO BACK DOWN TO NORMAL, SO I WENT TO ACCELERATE BACK UP TO SPEED AND NOTHING HAPPENED OTHER THEN IT ACTING AS THOUGH I WAS DRIVING IN NEUTRAL AND THEN IT WAS FINE AGAIN FOR A SPLIT SECOND SO I TURNED MY HAZARDS ON AND SLOWED DOWN MORE AND PULLED OFF INTO GAS STATION TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON AND NOTICED ATF ALL OVER THE PLACE THE GROUND WAS COVERED. I HAD TO GET TRAILER TO GET IT HOME, ONCE I DID I PULLED OUT MY CHILTON'S HANDBOOK FOR IT TO SEE IF COULD FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE WAS AND IT SHOWS THAT THE 2001 HAS A RECALL ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, BUT WHEN I GET ONLINE IT ONLY SHOWS THE RECALL IF I PUT IN 2001 ACURA MDX IT DOESN'T SHOW IT WITH MY VIN. NUMBER. CAN I STILL GET THIS RECALL ISSUE FIXED AND IF SO HOW DO I GET IT FIXED? I CALLED MY LOCAL ACURA DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME TO GET ON HERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION.

NHTSA ID
11244522
Incident
Aug 11, 2019
Mileage
239,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Jul 10, 2019

I PURCHASED MY 2001 ACURA MDX IN MARCH 2019. SINCE PURCHASE THE CAR CONSISTENTLY MAKES A LOUD CLUNK WHEN SHIFTING THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO REVERSE. IT ALSO CLUNKS CONSISTENTLY GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE. THERE IS HESITATION IN THE CARS SHIFTING. AT TIMES I EITHER HAVE TO SPEED UP OR LET SPEED OFF FOR A TRANSMISSION SHIFT TO OCCUR. THE CAR SHUDDERS HORRIBLY WHEN BRAKING AT LOW OR MEDIUM SPEEDS. IT FEELS UNSAFE AND SCARY AND ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE A COMPLETE WIPE OUT OCCURS. SEEING THIS AS A ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND YET CALIFORNIA IS NOT IN THE VEHICLE RECALLS SEEMS RIDICULOUS. THESE HAPPEN ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS DAILY WHILE DRIVING SAID VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11230870
Incident
Apr 1, 2019
Mileage
186,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 6, 2019

VIBRATION/SHUDDER/GRINDING BETWEEN 20-50 MPH WHILE ACCELERATING. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME FOR THE PAST 5 MOTHS WHEN I ACCELERATE FROM A DEAD STOP.

NHTSA ID
11174653
Incident
Feb 6, 2019
Mileage
115,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 11, 2019

THE VEHICLE UNCONTROLLABLY LOCKED UP AND VERED INTO THE ON COMING LANE OF TRAFFIC

NHTSA ID
11166552
Incident
Jan 11, 2019
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 30, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING 45 TO 50 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THE ENGINE, MAINTENANCE REQUIRED, VTM-4, AND AIR BAG INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, RESTARTED, AND DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 201,000.

NHTSA ID
10910776
Incident
Mar 10, 2015
Mileage
201,000 mi
AirbagsEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 29, 2016

SRS LIGHT IS ON, ENGINE LIGHT IS TRANSMISSION IS MISS FIRING, FUEL TANK HAS A LINK. TRANSMISSION BEEN FIX ON A RECALL BEFORE

NHTSA ID
10910591
Incident
Jun 8, 2016
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed May 9, 2016

TAKATA RECALL I HAVE A 2001 AURA MDX AND WHEN I FIRST GOT THE VEHICLE W MONTHS AGO LIKE 2 WEEKS AFTER I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND THE D 5 LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH THE SPEEDOMETER WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN AND THE RPM WAS HIGH THEN THE SPEEDOMETER WENT BACK UP IT DID IT A COUPLE OF TIMES BUT I WAS STILL GOING THE SAME SPEED IT JERKED A LITTLE BIT I PULLED OVER TRIED TO PUT IN PARK BUT IT WAS STUCK SO I PUSHED THE SHIFT UNLOCK AND I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT IN PARK THEN EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON NOW A MONTH IN A HALF LATER IT WOULD STALL TO GO WHEN I'M TAKING OFF THE ROADS WERE BLOCKED OFF SO I ATTEMPTED TO DO A U TURN I PULLED IN SOMEONE'S PARKING LOT AND TRIED TO REVERSE OUT AND COULDN'T IT WOULD JUST REV TWO GUYS HELPED ME AND PUSHED IT OUT THANK GOD I HAD MY INFANT WITH ME AND OLDER DAUGHTER I WAS ABLE TO GO FORWARD TO MAKE IT BACK HOME BUT THE WHOLE WAY THE CAR WAS REVVING LOUD AND THE RPM WAS HIGH AND WHEN CAME TO. A STOP IT WOULD REV THEN JERK HARD AND GO LUCKILY I DIDN'T CRASH INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME THERE SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL ON THESE CONSIDERING SEEING HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE ITA CRAZY AND I HAD ALWAYS THOUGHT ACURAS WERE VERY GOOD RUNNING CARS PLEASE FIX THIS ISSUE IN OVERALL I LOVE THE ACURA MDX AND WOULD HAVE HOPED IT LASTED ME LONGER I HOPE IT IS ADDRESSED THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ID
10864064
Incident
May 1, 2016
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 3, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VTM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN SHIFTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 249,000.

NHTSA ID
10839669
Incident
Feb 4, 2016
Mileage
249,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 30, 2015

TWO ISSUES WITH DRIVE-TRAIN: FIRST IS A GRIND/RUMBLE (LIKE DRIVING OVER A HIGHWAY RUMBLE STRIP) FELT AT LOW SPEEDS (20-30 MPH) WITH LIGHT ACCELERATION. SHAKES VEHICLE SLIGHTLY. CAN BE REPRODUCED. VEHICLE CAN ACCELERATE THROUGH THE GRINDING/RUMBLING BY FURTHER DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR AND SOMETIMES ACCELERATES THROUGH THE 20-30 MPH RANGE WITHOUT NOTICEABLE GRINDING/RUMBLING. IF, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE IS ACCELERATING SLOWLY AND IT DOES BEGIN TO GRIND/RUMBLE, MAINTAINING A CONSISTENT SPEED/RPM LEVEL (WITHOUT DRASTIC CHANGE IN ROAD SURFACE OR GRADE THAT WOULD CAUSE COMPUTER TO CHANGE GEAR DUE TO INCREASED/DECREASED FRICTION) THE DRIVER CAN CREATE A CONTINUED DURATION OF THE GRINDING/RUMBLING UNTIL RELEASING OF FURTHER DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR TO CHANGE OUT OF THAT GEAR/RPM/SPEED/LOAD COMBINATION WHICH RESULTS IN THE GRINDING/RUMBLING DESCRIBED ABOVE. THE SECOND ISSUE IS A WHIRRING/LUGGING DURING HIGHWAY SPEED CRUISING ON LEVEL SURFACE WITH D5 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEAR ENGAGED. ONCE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES ABOVE AROUND 45 MPH, MORE CONSISTENTLY AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MPH, ON LEVEL TERRAIN AT CONSISTENT SPEED VIA ACCELERATOR OR CRUISE-CONTROLLED, THE VEHICLE WILL FREQUENTLY INCREASE BY APPROXIMATELY 200-300 RPM AND BEGIN TO MAKE A WHIRRING SOUND WHICH LASTS A FEW SECONDS THEN THE RPM RETURN TO PREVIOUS SPEED AND THE WHIRRING SUBSIDES. A FEW SECONDS LATER THE SAME THING OCCURS AND THIS CYCLE CONTINUES THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF THE MAINTAINED SPEED. THE PHENOMENON IS MORE NOTICEABLE WITH CRUISE-CONTROL AS THE SPEED AND RPMS LIKELY HAVE MORE COMPUTER REGULATION BUT IT IS ALSO NOTICEABLE WITHOUT CRUISE-CONTROL ENGAGED. MY CONCERN IS THAT IN EITHER SITUATION THE TRANSMISSION INTERNALS COULD BE WORN IN A MANNER NOT INTENDED BY MANUFACTURER RESULTING IN OVERHEATING OR BREAKING OF INTERNAL COMPONENTS THAT COULD CAUSE A SUDDEN AND VIOLENT REACTION OF THE SPEEDING VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
10807482
Incident
Nov 29, 2015
Mileage
138,000 mi
AirbagsPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 18, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,218.

NHTSA ID
10794632
Incident
Nov 17, 2015
Mileage
161,218 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 27, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE RPMS RAPIDLY INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

NHTSA ID
10721717
Incident
Nov 8, 2012
Mileage
129,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 24, 2015

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000.

NHTSA ID
10690341
Incident
Dec 1, 2014
Mileage
164,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 13, 2015

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, JERKING FORWARD AND FAILING TO SHIFT GEARS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10683216
Incident
Oct 3, 2014
Mileage
207,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 5, 2014

VEHICLE/TRANSMISSION CONSTANTLY JERKS AFTER READING NUMEROUS FORUMS OF INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS ON REPLACEMENTS FOR RECURRING ISSUE...THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED/REPAIRED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10662347
Incident
Dec 5, 2014
Mileage
146,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 11, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY LUNGED FORWARD INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN PROVIDED WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

NHTSA ID
10621397
Incident
Jul 10, 2014
Mileage
137,000 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 1, 2014

CAR KEEPS SLIPPING LIKE IT'S TRYING SHIFT GEARS. JERK LIKE WHEN SPEEDING UP. NOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND DOES NOT PICK UP SPEED. DRIVING ON D5. IS THIS A KNOWN ISSUE? THIS IS DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10618068
Incident
Aug 1, 2014
Mileage
163,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 18, 2014

OWN A 2001 ACURA MDX (SINCE 105K MILES) AND I NOTICED ON DRIVING AN INTERMITTENT - WHAT ALMOST SOUNDED LIKE GEAR GRINDING. IS THAT POSSIBLY SHUTTERING. THE SOUND COMES AND GOES UNPREDICTABLY BUT SEEMS TO OCCUR MOST IN THE 42-50MPH RANGE - WITHOUT ANY DRAMATIC RPM CHANGES. NORMALLY DURING SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR, SOMETIMES SOUND LIKE LOUD DRUM BRAKE VIBRATION OR SHAKING, SCARY AND AT 150,000 MILE WHEN I TOOK IT FOR TRADEIN AT BUERKLEY ACURA MPLS MN THEY ADMITTED IT HAS FAULTY TC BUT BEFORE THAT LAST 6-7 YEARS I TOOK IT TO WHITE BEAR ACURA & SO MORE DEALERS THEY COMPLETELY DENIED IT HAS ANY ISSUE WITH TRANNY OR TC, ACCORDING TO THEM THE TECH COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE NOISE/VIBRATION, NOW THEY ARE SAYING JUST AVOID DRIVING IN D4 TO AVOID THE ISSUE, IM REALLY FELT LIKE BEING CHEATED BY FRAUD COMPANY WITH POOR ETHICS! *TR

NHTSA ID
10611409
Incident
Jun 1, 2010
Mileage
107,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 15, 2014

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10564508
Incident
Mar 28, 2013
Mileage
135,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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