PortlandRL

My mom mentioned to me that her car (2012 MDX Tech in PPM) was acting up in reverse when cold, almost like it was hanging up on something so I let it sit for a few hours and went out to check it for myself. It doesn't matter where the car is (driveway, garage, etc) but if it's cold and you select reverse, it doesn't seem to engage reverse right away until you rev it between 1500 and 2000 RPM at which point it 'thumps' into gear, sometimes with a bit of drama.

She took it into the dealer and upon diagnosis, they announced that it needs a new transmission at 16,200 miles. Having come from a Lexus RX300 that suffered a similar issue (thumping when downshifting into 1st) around 90K and again less than 20,000 miles later, mom's not too happy right now even though warranty is covering it. Personally I understand that if you build something en masse, you're going to have good ones and bad ones. The service advisor says he's only ever seen one other MDX of this generation need a transmission but I'm curious if any owners have seen or heard of something like this.

Given Honda's issues with their 5AT models, you can understand my reluctance to believe he's only seen one.

Acura_Dude

I'm hoping the tranny was defective from the factory.

ls973800

If you search this forum and other MDX forums, you will see that your mother's transmission failure is a very rare occurrence with this generation of MDX.

I don't even think I've seen reports of any other failure, only a few concerns regarding the torque convertor.

Sorry it happened, but it doesn't appear to be anything other than an unusual occurrence.

Acura_Dude

Yeah I'm thinking it was a defective one from the get go. I've seen issues with the 07-09 MDXs (torque converter) but I believe an update software fixed that issue. Haven't seen any issues with the MMC MDX's 6spd autos other than Portland's mom's MDX which isn't a normal occurrence.

PortlandRL

Crack open chapter two. Things aren't improving.

Mom picked up the car an hour ago and before she even got it home, it started slipping 3rd gear. Stay tuned.

Acura_Dude

Nooo....! Hopefully it's a sensor or something that wasn't installed correctly.

Cu2Suspect

Wow that's a short life for a tranny, at least u guys were covered so it sucks but it's not costing u thousands

mondster

Lemon!!!

Acura_Dude

Update?

Myke215

As frustrating as it is. You are fortunate that you have a warranty. Worst case scenario, your mother will get a "new" car.

I'm driving an MDX because my previous, patriotic purchase, left me hanging without a power train warranty and several other issues. I was 100 miles from home when the tranny on my 06 Chevy TrailBlazer crapped out on me with barley 50,000 miles. I called GM with with a false sense of confidence to discover that I did not have a power train warranty. Fortunately the service manager at Klick-Lewis GM in Palmyra, PA saw thing my way, and helped me get a new tranny with warranty for $1050.00. But my troubles didn't stop there. I had to replace the fuel leveling whatever at 60,000 miles. later to be covered by a recall. Belt tensioner. Fan clutch. Starter. Ignition tumbler. Water pump. The radio - because the speakers died. ALL FOUR OF THEM. So why not get a new head unit... and the effin On-Star ran thru the radio. That required additional $$ for a harness. The check engine light would seemingly come on without rhyme or reason. The last straw was when the drivers door controls failed the day the recall took affect...seven years after this vehicle went in to service.

Two years after I replaced the fan clutch, it failed once again.

So, count your blessings.