Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Acura MDX owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 vehicle's transmission is faulty. I took it to a second-hand repair shop because, while I was driving on the freeway, the speed had been dropping rapidly. I later found out they recalled the transmission for this Acura in 2005. It is 2026. I took it to a dealership and asked about the transmission recall; they said they could close federal safety recalls, so it wasn't valid. I left the dealership and called Acura's client relations line, where they said that because I am the second owner, they would not accommodate the recall request, as it had closed in 05. I googled whether they can close federal recalls, and it said they couldn't. Then they changed what they said and said that because it was over 150,000 miles, it wasn't eligible for a goodwill repair either. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Acura MDX. When the contact shifted the vehicle into park and removed the keys from the ignition, it began to roll independently. As a result, the contact's vehicle crashed into another vehicle. The air bags deployed. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The dealer diagnosed that the transmission interlock failed. The approximate failure mileage was 171,000.
The keys can be removed while car is not in park so it rolled and bumped into another car. I checked the recall and it is not included in their recall. My car is 2002 Acura MDX and the year they have recall is 2003 version.
My wife was driving west bound on hwy 50 just west of pollock pines ca. I was in the passenger seat. The vehicle abruptly downshifted to low gear and spun out of control . We glanced off the center medium with minimal damage to the vehicle. My wife and I were very shook up. I switched spots with her and moved the car off the freeway. We drove the vehicle the rest of the way home (10 miles) using back roads not going over 20 MPH. We contacted niello Acura of sacramento and they told us to bring the car to them and they would see what they can do for us. They told me I would have to pay $5,500 for a new transmission and they would not take care of this as a safety issue. If this happens to someone else, they might not be as lucky as we were. I was told there was a recall for this issue (the transmission downshifting unexpectedly). …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Acura MDX. The contact noticed that whenever the speed reached between 20-35 MPH, the gears would stick. In addition, the check engine indicator began illuminating on the instrument panel. The dealer stated that the transmission was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Immediately following the repair, the gears became even more difficult to shift than before the repair was performed. The vehicle was driven back to the dealer, but they could not duplicate the failure. The following day, while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle began smoking from the rear and all of the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle stalled and was towed to the nearest Acura dealer. The contact was informed that the intermediate bracket failed, which caused the transmission to fail. The vehicle has not been repaired. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Acura MDX. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who confirmed the failure and stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, while driving various speeds, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle jerked before moving forward. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V176000 (power train). The failure mileage was 161,810. The VIN was unavailable.
Drove vehicle on the highway and noticed a vibration in the front end. Also noticed when driving vehicle in the morning a vibration that felt like driving over rubble strips. Talked to my daughter (primary driver) and she said the vibration has been occurring for a couple of months, but not consistently. Did some research and took vehicle to a transmission mechanic. Need a new transmission. Bought this Acura in 2006 as a certified vehicle from dealer with 43K miles. Torque converter was replaced in 2009 at 90K miles. Need a new transmission at 156K. I expected more from a Honda vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Acura MDX. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle felt as if the brake pedal were depressed quickly and the accelerator pedal were suddenly depressed inadvertently. When depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to move and would suddenly engage and operate normally. The dealer diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 04V176000 (power train). The contact notified the manufacturer of the failure. The failure mileage was 220,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle failed to shift from second gear. Additionally, the engine revved. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 180,000.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
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.
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.
Transmission complaints in other MDX years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2002 Acura MDX?
NHTSA has 125 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2002 Acura MDX, 61% of the model year's 205 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (84 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Acura MDX transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-176 (automatic transmission, Apr 15, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Acura MDX transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.