I'm looking for a third vehicle to putt around town and have been looking at MDXs. Budget is $5000 and would like any tips.

Are there certain years where tranny is worse off? Do some models have engine issues? Should I get one model year over another model year?

Thanks in advance everyone.

 

wouldnt touch a 1st gen mdx.
if you do, be sure to have funds for that tranny swap

almost ALL hondas in this time frame had/has tranny issues.
from 2000-2008...

 

Yikes what is with Acura these years?

I looked at getting an automatic 3G TL as well and every for sale ad included either tranny was replaced or needs replacing. My 02 TL needed replacement around 114k miles as well.

 

almost all honda's in that time period have some issues with tranny.
my mom's bf just got his Honda element's tranny replaced at the honda dealership for like $4k...
i would not touch any honda in that time period unless i knew that i could swap the tranny for something better or 6MT

 

hmm...maybe I should just find a decent Civic or Accord then.

 

Problematic 5 Speed Auto years were from 00 to 03-04-05 (Model Specific)
Story is too long to be told for the 100th time but basically all honda & acura products from that time frame came with a lemon transmission specially if they were V6s...
It was the first time honda released a 5 speed auto and failed BIG TIME.

Now into the MDX: The problematic years are the 2 first years 2001 and 2002 = AVOID THEM AT ALL COST...
In 2003 the transmission was upgraded to a 4 shaft design (vs the previous 3 shaft which was the dreaded transmission) The new trans is less prone to failure so if you can buy a +2004 and up to be sure you should be fine.

Problematic cars per years:
2G TL 00-03 (Super common to fail)
3G TL 04-05 (Uncommon but some early 04-05 3G TLs got bad transmissions tied to the same issue)
2G CL 00-03 (Super common to fail)
1G Pilot 03-05 (Pilot got the updated 4 shaft transmission from the 1G MDX in 06 IIRC)
1G MDX 01-03 (MDX got the updated 4 shaft transmission design first in 2003 so they were sold as 2004 models)
7G Accord 03-04 (Super common to fail)
2G Odyssey 00-04 (Super common to fail)

After 2005 there weren´t any prevalent issues with bad 5 speed transmissions, some other issues arrived but nothing like the dreaded trans issues from the OG 5 Speed.. For example the 1G MDX 05-06 got a bad batch of Torque Converter issues, But the transmissions were solid.

 

Crabman
MDXs do not have an available trans swap, You are confusing the TL/CL AV6 Swap that does not have the Transfer Case for the AWD that the MDX has.
2008? More like 2005 at max.

 

Thanks for the great writeup!!!

I've dealt with the 02 TL tranny bs and swapped and really don't want to deal with another swap down the line.

so 04+ MDX got the updated tranny but they also received bad torque converters?? ugh, I think I'll avoid 1G MDX entirely.

Going to test drive an 04 IS300 Friday and at least I know they're bulletproof.

 

Sadly there is no swap available for the MDX or Pilot due to the Transfer Case, They cant upgrade to the AV6 trans but it would not matter as Trans Ratios are all different too. The torque converter issues in the 1G MDX are hit and miss not widespread like the trans issues, The TC issues are related to bad software making the transmission upshift too early and baking the TC, You can fight this with throttle control though or if the MDX already has the TSB Software Update this has been resolved by now you will just have to get used to 3-3.5K 1st gear shifts ... I would still buy one today .

Before buying my 2G MDX I was ready to pull the trigger to a 06 (Budget reasons Obviously) thankfully my Parents lend me the money so I could jump to the 2G and well I sincerely recommend it over the 1G all year long... The issue is, The 2G MDX is 2x more expensive than a 1G so budget wise is in a different tier altogether.

 

The 1G MDX cant swap to the 2G MDX Heavy Duty Transmission because they changed the bolt pattern for the J37 making it completely incompatible for a swap.. Maybe if someone dared to change the complete Engine and Trans combo? That would be a first for a 1G MDX in the entire world.

 

thats why I wouldnt buy....

 

i'm kinda diggin the 1st gen mazda cx-5. manny tranny!

 

So I read on a previous forum that for the 2001 Acura MDX we could switch the transmission with a 2006-2007 Honda Accord . My 2001 Acura MDX is not shifting correctly…it’s “ bucking” and so I am having to shift from 1st to 2nd to drive manually. I cannot just put it in drive. It codes a TCC solenoid and people are saying don’t waste your money as it’s a faulty design transmission. They are trying to say that the Honda Accord 2006-2007 tranny will swap with it but from what you are saying I am chicken to go find one of those trannys and waste more money