The Lemon Index
Transmission complaints owners filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) for each model year, per 100,000 cars sold. A complaint counts when it's filed under the transmission, or under the power train and the owner describes the transmission (shifting, slipping, gears, CVT). It's an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and older years have had longer to collect complaints.
What owners describe
Share of this model's transmission complaints that mention each symptom. One complaint can mention several.
Transmission and power train recalls
- 2014 2013
The bolts that attach the drive shaft to the automatic transmission transfer assembly may not have been properly tightened.
- 2002 2004
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 LEADIN…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
In owners' words
I own an acura 2001 mdx with a slipping transmission. Authorized repair shop says it will cost $3,400.00 to replace (fix)
2001 Acura MDX owner · NHTSA complaint
2001 mdx shudders at 1500 rpm (like running over a speed strip) apparently a faulty torque converter (transmission).
2001 Acura MDX owner · NHTSA complaint
Quick answers
Which Acura MDX years have transmission problems?
By transmission complaints filed with NHTSA per car sold, the worst Acura MDX years are 2001, 2002, 2003.
What are common Acura MDX transmission problems?
Owners most often describe shudder, transmission replaced, lost power while driving.
Which Acura MDX years have the fewest transmission complaints?
Since 2010, the Acura MDX years with the fewest transmission complaints per car sold are 2013, 2024, 2025.
See every problem, not just the transmission: Acura MDX reliability by year. How we count