NHTSA Complaint #10196239 — 2003 ACURA MDX

I HAVE A 2003 ACURA MDX, WITH ~115,00 MILES ON IT. OVER THE LAST YEAR I HAVE PERIODICALLY EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION DURING SHIFTING OF GEARS. IN MY INVESTIGATION INTO THE MATTER,I HAVE FOUND THESE SYMPTOMS ARE IDENTICAL TO THOSE EXPERIENCED BY OTHER MDX OWNERS AND IS CONSISTENT WITH THE MANY COMPLAINTS OF FAILED TRANSMISSIONS WITH THE MDX MODEL. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER , FRANKEL ACURA IN COCKEYSVILLE, MARYLAND, FOR SERVICE ON THIS ISSUE ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT THEY HAVE CONSISTENTLY DENIED THAT THERE IS ANY PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE OFFERED TWO REPAIRS THAT THEY SAID WOULD ADDRESS THE PROBLEM . REPLACED ENGINE MOUNTS AND FLUSHED/REFILLED TRANSMISSION FLUID FOR A TOTAL COST OF ~$800. THEIR CONTINUED DENIAL OF PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION CONFLICTS NOT ONLY WITH MY COMPLAINTS, AND THOSE OF MANY OTHER OWNERS, BUT THE CONCLUSIONS OF TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS I HAD EVALUATE THE TRANSMISSION ON MY MDX. ONE OF THESE MECHANICS IS A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST AND THE OTHER HAS OVER THIRTY YEARS EXPERIENCE IN AUTO REPAIR. THEY BOTH CAME TO THE SAME CONCLUSION THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING ,AND ONE EVEN SPOKE TO THE SERVICE AND PARTS MANAGER AT FRANKEL ACURA ABOUT MY CASE. HOWEVER, FRANKEL ACURA WAS STILL DENYING ANY POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. IF ONE INVESTIGATES THIS TYPE OF COMPLAINT ON THE INTERNET, THEY WILL READILY FIND DOZENS IF NOT HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR CASES, AND A VERY CONSISTENT PATTERN OF DENIAL ON THE PART OF THE ACURA DEALERSHIP NETWORK. THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT THIS ISSUE WARRANTS A PRODUCT RECALL, JUST LIKE THE ONE ISSUED FOR THE 2001 AND 2002 MDX MODELS. *AK