2002 ACURA MDX — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

The contact owns a 2002 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH up an incline, the vehicle stalled. The service engine and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart, but made an abnormal grinding sound while shifting into gear. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the failure could be related to the water pump; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 213,722.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - Immobiliser System. Yes, available. May be repaired by local mechanic unless I learn from you to defer such repair. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - The inappropriate activation of the immobilizer system (at least I think that's what happened) caused the vehicle immediately to become unnamageable. All lights off, motor stopped, no power brakes pr power steering. No way to give warning to other drivers. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - The identical behavior has occurred about 6 times, once on busy US 101 through downtown Oakland, CA during rush hour. The car will be towed to a mechanic's shop later today. I have no history with this mechanic's shop. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? - No. It is my inference that the immobilizer system activated while at speed due to description in the owner's manual of the appropriate behavior of the immobilizer. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - No. The first appearance of the "green key" light preceded the entire shutdown by only a few seconds.

1. Rear subframe body mount rust-through, newly discovered. 2. Available for inspection. 3. Risk of frame failure and resulting instability at speed 4. There is a TSB for the virtually identical Honda Pilot regarding this issue; TSB 21-019 "2003-2008 Pilot Rear Subframe Body Mount Rust Repair (Customer-Pay Repair)". 5. Not inspected. A local body shop reviewed a photo and won't touch it. 6. No warnings

The contact owns a 2002 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated that she depressed the accelerator pedal and the RPM’s revved; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact pulled over, turned off and restarted the vehicle and started driving; however, after getting up to speed the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact believed that the vehicle had slipped out of gear. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond while shifted into drive or reverse. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The contact had driven the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V176000 (Power Train). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

The contact owns a 2002 Acura MDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V027000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted several times and informed the contact that they did not have the equipment needed for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and followed up with the dealer. The contact stated an unknown service light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000. Parts distribution disconnect.