I've had my '22 Advance MDX for about 5 weeks now, ~ 1500 mi. I had just pulled up to my garage, put it in reverse to line the car up and the steering went out. I understand it's electric steering on this car, but the amount of force needed to move the wheel was more than I've ever experienced on any car. Then probably every warning on the vehicle came up one after another to say that each system had been disabled; rear wheel drive, lane keeping, collision avoidance, etc etc, probably 8 to 10 warnings. I turned the car off and then back on several times, cycled through all the gears but it made no difference.

I had it towed to Jim Hudson Acura (Augusta, Ga.) this morning and they looked at it but they could not find a cure and said they have to consult with the regional Acura organization. To me it smells like a software problem given that all the other systems went south, but we'll see. If they cannot find a specific cause and just resort to resetting or reloading the system software i'm going to be very reticent to drive the car again. What if it failed as I was going into a curve and the steering can't be turned fast enough to avoid an oncoming car?

I'll report back when I know more.

 

This is VERY concerning, please post the results as soon as you know the resolution.

I have had my Advance model for two months now with about 2300 miles. Two weeks ago a brake system alert showed up on my dash warning that the system was compromised and advising I should contact the dealer. I couldn’t feel any degradation of braking performance and upon restart the warning did not reappear. The dealer said not to worry unless the warning reappeared. Nevertheless I have some concern about the warning. Here is a pic of the warning:

 

Yup, that's the warning, except I got all of them, one after another. Were you driving when this appeared or standing still like I was? Dealers know nothing about software and the shop guys only follow their service manuals so they won't know what to tell you but cars now are much more software intensive than than they used to be and software bugs happen. Does anybody think that Acura or even Tesla knows more about complex software than, say Microsoft or Google? All software has to deal with bugs and this is possibly what's going on.

We'll see. At least your warning went away and was not a bad system. Mine did not, however that could be good for the debuggers if this turns out to be software. My biggest concern is that electric steering (as opposed to hydraulic 'power' steering) is different and when faulty is many times harder to turn than when a power steering pump fails. This system should simply not be allowed to fail due to a single electrical problem or a software glitch, and if it does then the fallback operation should still you to still steer the car. Right now it's possible but a frail person without a lot of strength would have trouble doing that; it almost feels like it's locked.

I would 'think' that brakes would still be using the old fashion design of the brake pedal mechanically actuating the master cylinder which is also redundant, but maybe they've eliminated that linkage in lieu of a 'brake by wire' approach.

I'll post as soon as I know something.

 

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My brake fault alert was while I was parked and not moving. I took a pic, shut off the car and when I restarted it was cleared. Since then I have driven about 200 miles without a recurrence.

If the power steering assist went out while driving I’m certain that my wife would not be able to control the car. Let’s hope Acura can figure out what happened to your vehicle and then insure others are not at risk. This should be a top priority for them.

 

I did some googling and this is not uncommon but usually on older Acuras. The steering is indeed electrically controlled, by the EPS module/system (Electrical Power Steering) and if that system fails then your steering is gone of course. Why this module would fail on a new car or why the shop didn't figure that out quickly is still unknown. Still waiting to hear from Acura!

 

You may want to search for "limp mode" in the RDX/MDX threads.

 

The dealership figured it is the power steering module and will order one after the Acura regional office weighs in on why the other warning messages happened.

I'll check on limp mode but I think I've convinced myself that the steering would still works as well as the older hydraulic steering when the pump went out, at speed.

 

Update on the power steering failure. The dealership ordered the part which consists of the rack & pinion assembly as well as the electric motor. It was supposed to arrive 2 days ago on 10/20 but that's been pushed out to Nov 5th, so if it's not delayed again I'll have been without the car for 9 weeks, which is more time than I had it. The dealer did give me a loaner MDX which is great, but I got to the point where I said I want either a new car or my money back.

The dealer told me I needed to call Acura Care myself and request it, which sort of annoyed me as I'd have thought that they would make it happen, but OK. Acura Care assigned a case manager who said they cannot approve that until the car is repaired, which is also annoying since they'd likely need to order one and that's time lost. Sigh. I will add that case managers seem to be hard to get a hold of and they don't always call you back when you leave a message; same with email. Not good.

Apparently, this failure has happened at least once on other new MDX's regionally, but that's all I know. The ironic part of this is that part of my buying decision was based on Acura reliability, but perhaps I should just have heeded the advice to never buy a 1st year model/refresh.

I got to the point where I've configured an X5 and may just go that route if Acura either refuses a new car or refunds my money. The BMW is very nice, a bit sportier and has a terrific engine but costs about $10K more for 'most' of the same options. I hope this works out though because I do like the Acura.

 

I wouldn’t hold your breath for satisfaction from Acura customer service. Speaking from the experiences that I had with my 2019 RDX you will be getting the run around and lip service. Your best bet is what the local dealer may do for you. After that forget about it. Ask to speak with the regional and see what happens, lol. They don’t meet with customers!! I almost went for an Audi or BMW instead of the MDX but decided on the MDX with my eyes open and low expectations from Acura ‘customer service’. I’m disappointed that some annoying software problems with the infotainment system have carried over from the RDX. Acura can’t seem to get software figured out. Other than that I have been satisfied with the appearance and performance of my MDX. Sorry to hear of your problems and hope it works out for you. If you decide to switch vehicles that BMW X5 is really nice !!

 

"Acura reliability" is one of the biggest fallacies you will read about in AZ. Just because Acura is a Japanese car manufacturer doesn't mean it's reliable. You might have been better off if they made their cars in Japan and imported them here but that's less and less likely these days.

 

^^^^^

Nothing in perfect in this world. Once in a while, even the most reliable brand on earth gets a lemon sometimes, unless other MDX owners are starting to report in with the same power steering failure.

 

Cazman, I doubt highly that Audi or BMW would be able to,provide better Customer service. And Service Costs are significantly higher than Acura's in general. I posted a story either on thsintyrhrea dor another about what my Nephew did when he brought his Q5 Audi in for a 30K mile service. Said No Thanks to the estimated $3K Bill !!!, went doen the Block , tyraded in the Q5 and took a new Honda Pilot Touring .

 

not sure what the deal was with your nephews dealer experience. We’ve owned several BMWs and have several audis in the family and no one has experienced a 3k service on any of their cars or Really anywhere close to it with the exception of Porsche.
He should have picked another dealer. Unless he needed tires and all new brakes that’s a crazy high service bill.

 

Yeah I don't buy that $3k "service" bill either. It it was correct, must have included a repair of some kind.

I just had a B service on my GL450 and it cost a shade over $1k.

 

Wow. Had this happen to me last week and was told it was an 80A multifuse. No cause for the fuse blowing.
https://acurazine.com/forums/4g-mdx-.../#post16783691

 

Wowzer. It's been almost four months and I'm still waiting for the repair. The part (rack/pinion/motor) assembly arrived two weeks ago and the repair is almost complete. Interesting enough, a few days after the part arrived the service manager said they were waiting on a fuse. As that sounded more consistent with the failure (car stopped, wheels cranked to the right and shifted from D to R), I asked if after waiting for over three months on the part, could it have been a simple fuse. He said they tested it during initial diagnostics but that it had power going through it, but I'm doubtful.

In any event, as I said earlier I had asked for a new car to replace mine and Acura has avoided my request every step of the way, saying it had to be fixed before they'd consider the request. So two weeks ago I'd had enough and filed a lemon law case with the state (Georgia). Now "that" got their attention and I received a call two days later asking if I'd accept a cash settlement. At this point I said no, I want you to buy the car back. I've had the course with Acura. They have 20 days to offer a settlement and if I don't like it I'll push it to the next phase which is arbitration. We'll see what they do, but I had expectations that a car company with Acura's reputation would do more, so I'll likely buy an X5.

I did learn after hearing from their department of mediation that they do not like to respond to emails, so if I send one, this guy will call and say ihe received it. The last guy (Acura (we don't) care) didn't even do that, just ignored me. I'm sure it's for liability sake but it's not very customer friendly.

I'm angry, stressed out and frustrated. My wife will not drive in the car if/when we get it back and I don't blame her. Having this happen at speed could have been a disaster and I'm sure I'll never learn the root cause. I was told that there were 7 customers ahead of me for the part and if this part is unique to the 2022 MDX then they definitely have a problem. In any event, I did like the car. It has a few nits about it but overall it's a good vehicle, but I'm done with Acura. It's been a bad experience.

 

So were you driving when this happened or stationary like I was?

 

I was backup up real casual-like. Foot partially off brake, no gas. Nothing was plugged in, no accessories. Phone was in pocket/not on charging mat.
Can't remember how much time had passed between putting it in reverse and everything dying, but it wasn't long, but I just started to back up so it wasn't very long after shifting into reverse.

Really sorry to hear what you've been going through. I'll give Acura Client Relations their 2 weeks, then pursue a conversation with my attorney and filing a case if I don't get a satisfactory response.

I'm over being angry. At this point it's just absurd and pathetic. Please keep us posted with any updates! I'll do the same.

 

OMG, you also had your failure when shifting into reverse. That to me is significant.

Good luck with Acura Client Relations. My case manager was no help at all. If I got him on the phone (which was rare, he was very sympathetic, but after the call ended nothing happened, which is why I filed the lemon law case.
I don't think that Client Relations is much more than a PR department.

 

Well, to be fair, Client Relations DID call me back after a a month and a half passed post-call and e-mail through their site regarding an issue with my HUD. They let me know a regional tech would be in the area at some point and set me up with him.

So there was some work they were able to do!

Of course, nothing happened. Regional tech acknowledged the issue, and he, the service advisor, and I agreed that ripping things apart to replace the HUD might cause more harm than good. But hey, Client Relations did indeed call back several times! Even in follow up, asking if things went to my satisfaction.

I'll give them their two weeks, then will proceed. I've got detailed documentation, an excellent attorney, and will have plenty of time soon to work on this.

 

The lemon law 20 day timer expired yesterday and I heard nothing from Acura. They did shut down for the holiday so I gave them a week; If I don't hear anything by next Thursday then I file for phase 2 of the Lemon Law, arbitration. My expectations are low and I suspect that Acura will not respond to delay it. We'll see.

Meanwhile, in the shop, I called the service manager who said the new rack/pinion/motor assembly has been installed but the car won't start. They apparently can't figure it out so have scheduled an inspection with the regional rep on the 6th. Not good.

 

Sorry you’re going through this. I wish you the best of luck.

please keep us posted, I’m grabbing the popcorn in anticipation of what’s gonna happen.

 

Status update. After telling my case manager that I was planning to file for state arbitration within a week, he called back and said Acura has decided to buy the car back. He also asked if I would accept a new car instead but I said it was too late and that the whole non-communication thing from Acura has soured me on the brand. He said it takes about a month to set up a meeting with a 3rd party they use for refunds to meet at the dealership, sign papers and deliver my check. I don't really like it taking that much time but it's progress I guess.

One thing for sure though is that nothing would have happened if I'd not used the leverage of the lemon law.

 

I will add that Acura has not sent me anything in writing stating that they have decided to buy back the car, nor do they plan to. I asked the case manager to send me a letter stating that and he resisted, stating vague reasons about the 'process'. So basically I'm supposed to go back to sleep for over a month trusting that they will come through and buy back the lemon without, say charging me for the loaner car (which is not permitted according to the lemon law. I half expect to be surprised when I actually see the what the buy-back amount will be, and will have to move the lemon law case to the arbitration phase.

This is a horrible company to deal with.

 

Well, I did finally convinced Acura to send me a letter stating that they had decided to buy the car back, however that was two weeks ago and did not actually have the $ offer in the letter. I received an email today saying that they would have the offer for me this week. We'll see.

The other interesting news is that I finally got to pick up my car after 4 1/2 months but they called me back the next day saying that then needed the car back as a regional engineer had to drive it over the weekend for safety check. He put 850 miles on the car!!! However, he did hear a noise when turning the steering wheel and they found that several bolts had not been tightened down properly. I assume that was for the rack and pinion assembly they replaced. And I think somewhere up above I revealed that after waiting for 3 months for that part, they found out it wasn't the problem; it was the wiring harness.

 

Well, Acura came through. I received the detailed offer today and it's acceptable. I have to sign some papers and then schedule for the car to be picked up, but it should go smoothly from here. I'll use that refund for a down payment on the X5 I ordered, which just started production.

For those of you who haven't been following this thread, it started with the power steering failure and Acura ordered the rack/pinion/gear box assembly. That part took three months to arrive only to find out it was not that part but the wire harness. In the interim I asked Acura to give me a new car as only had it for 2 months and then it was in the shop for 4 1/2 months. When they refused I filed a lemon law complaint and they agreed to buy the car back.

In retrospect, i still do like the car and thought about that as I drove it home from the shop. If Acura had been more communicative in this process and had just agreed to provide me with a new replacement I'd be driving that right now, but I've moved on. The local dealership (Jim Hudson Acura in Agusta, Ga.) has been great however Acura NA has a ways to go.

So this will likely be the last post I make, but for anybody who has read this far, I have a nice Acura leather key ring holder that I'll donate to the first person who sends me a PM with your name and address. I'll just pop it in an envelop and pay for the shipping It's been great conversing with you'all.

 

My wifes 22 MDX ASpec just went down yesterday. Three weeks old and 800 miles. She was driving and every light on the dashboard came on and she lost power steering. Scared her to death. Luckily she was pulling into the neighborhood. She called roadside assistance had if towed to the dealer and we are awaiting their findings. Something is wrong with these cars. Dealer said they wouldnt have a loaner till may 5th but after some pushback magically theyll have one tommorow. Stay tuned. Anyone else figure out what the problem is now? Ive read everything from software to fuses to steering module.

 

Well, I do know that on my MDX a fuse was blown, I think the so-call multi-something fuse at 80 amps, but according to the shop the root cause was the wiring harness. I assume that something shorted out.

 

Thanks for the info! Ive read a couple posts about this 80a fuse. But yes fuses dont just blow for no reason. Has to be a short somewhere.

 

Have your shop call the service dept at Jim Hudson Acura in Martinez, Ga (855) 381-8731. Also, the regional rep down here should be up on this. I do remember the service manager telling me that this has happened a number of times on the '22 MDX.

 

Thanks. We were told they are speaking with Honda North America on it but will pass that info along. I surr do appreciate it!

 

Just an update. Dealer still hasnt found anything amiss but wanted to keep car into this week for additional diagnosis. Due to the potential safety issues regarding a partial failure of the steering system, I filed a NHTSA complaint. My wife is terrified to drive her brand new car once it gets back.

 

So dealer states the only issue they’ve found is a loose ground wire somewhere. According to them they spent alot of time on the phone with Honda North America working through all systems. Im skeptical but we are picking the car up today and I’ll keep this post updated if the issue resurfaces.

 

One month update…..all has been good since the trip to the dealer. Either they fixed it with the loose ground wire or it just hasnt popped up again. Ill update if the problem arises again.

 

what is scary is what happens to OP's car after. Do they sell it back out. Even with a Certified sale extending warranty, may not be a deal. And will they be able to sell it without a Lemon Law stigma?