VehicleVerdict

2001 Acura MDX transmission problems

The 2001 Acura MDX has 131 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 49% of the year's total, and the first year with meaningful reports in this category.

131

Transmission complaints

49%

Share of year

4

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Related recalls

04V176000TransmissionApril 15, 2004 · 1,099,796 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

What owners report

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SHIFT LEVER DOES NOT LOCK INTO PLACE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK. THERE WAS A CHILD WHO WAS IN THE VEHICLE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE CHILD WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE LEVER INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE RAN INTO A HOUSE BEFORE IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. MR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 4, 2002 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2001 Acura MDX have?

NHTSA has 131 complaints about the 2001 Acura MDX transmission — 49% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2001 Acura MDX transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 04V176000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.