Problems · by component

2001 Acura MDX power train problems

131 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2001 Acura MDX cite power train, 58% of all 224 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
131
58% of all complaints
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 11, 2024Power trainODI 11582444
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 30, 2021Power trainODI 11442161
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 30, 2021Power trainODI 11422985
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 7, 2021Power train, Vehicle speed controlODI 11387087
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 26, 2020Power trainODI 11351300
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 2, 2019Power trainODI 11286456

Showing 6 of 131 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Power train: automatic transmission

Free remedy

ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.

Power trainReported Apr 15, 2004NHTSA 04V176000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.