[jford62]

Hi Sis!

(Forum gremlins for me tonight. This is my third attempt...sorry if this is a triplicate!)

I will fill in the details for the inevitable questions.

My sister bought her MDX a few weeks ago based on my glowing recommendation. She just dumped her well maintained Mercedes E320 wagon because the transmission failed just beyond the mileage warranty (still under the 4 year time frame though.) Mercedes "generously" split the $7000 repair bill with her...so much for Mercedes reliability and customer service.

The ticking noise is coming from the front of the MDX - it happens whenever the vehicle is in motion. She uses premium fuel and it also ticks when the engine is not under load, so it is not a "pinging" problem. The service department determined that the noise was coming from the outside, ruling out speedo cable, glove box, etc. The drive shaft was replaced today and did not silence the ticking. The service advisor is working with the technicians in California, who told him something to the effect that this is a common problem and replacing the transmission would fix the noise. It will be replaced with a rebuilt transmission. My sister is understandably concerned about this because of her recent Mercedes experience. Her salesman refused her request for an extended warranty and referred her to the service manager. I advised her to ask for an extended warranty on at least the transmission, so that the warranty matches the miles she will put on the MDX before her lease is up.

I am concerned that the technicians in California have termed this a "common" problem, as well as the fact that there are rebuilt transmissions around already for MDXs. Anybody have any suggestions? My sister will not let me forget my recommendation if this turns out to be another Bellteck nightmare!

 

[jford62]

In squeezing a few more details out of my sister, it is pretty obvious the service department is tap dancing here.

The ticking sounds to her like it is coming from the speedometer. It is a constant tick while the truck is in motion...no variation with speed. My first thought was the speedometer cable...do the electronic speedos even have cables anymore?

 

[jford62]

Update from service department:
Technician notes:
Ticking noise @ 35-55 MPH at test drive.
Checked tech line summary concerning underhood buzzing noise.
Checked throttle brackets position next to firewall, mounting bold tight, bracket clear from firewall (Not related to noise)
Checked with aid of "chassis ear" (audio equip) area around transmission, differential housing, transmission housing, intermediate output shaft (front). Found loudest noise transmitted to bearing on intermediate output shaft. Replaced intermediate output shaft (Not related to noise)
Checked bolts and tightness surrounding transmission. No loose bolts found.
Checked vehicle noise with other MDX. Found more noise from transmission than other MDX.
Recommend to replace transmission only after approval from customer.

The service department will give my sister an answer on the extended warranty for the transmission before they replace it. I was fishing on a TL forum (might replace mini van with a new TL) and was surprised by the number of transmission problem complaints. I hope there is no pattern here.

 

[jford62]

I am thinking twice about that TL purchase...Acura really does have a lot to learn about making you feel like more than a Yugo buyer.

I am in KY and jmt is in FL....did you know that there were 8 TL lemon law buy backs in FL?

 

[jford62]

Still waiting for appointment with regional rep, who is supposed to be in town this week. I will post any updates.

 

[jford62]

Great News!

My sister talked to the District Service Manager today and he told her that they will replace the transmission and if it does not fix the problem, they will put her transmission back in. If it does fix the problem, Acura will give her an extended warranty on the new transmission through the end of her lease. She said she felt like he was really making an effort to make sure she is happy. I will post the resolution when it is fixed. By the way, she thinks she is developing the "thud."

 

[jford62]

After 3 days at the dealer for transmission replacement, my sister got the MDX back with a notation from the dealer that the noise "seems" to be gone. My sister says it now is a higher frequency noise at higher speeds. I will be down for a quick visit next weekend and she wants me to drive to give my opinion.

 

[jford62]

Update: I drove the MDX when I was there several weeks back and did hear the ticking once. The ocean breezes made the wind noise so loud, I really could not hear it all the time. My brother-in-law started driving the MDX to work a few weeks ago and he hears it constantly now, too. Another trip to the dealer coming up .

My sister called me on her cell phone the other day and I got a chorus of the MDX kazoo....it also sounds like she has the "thud." Looks like this will be her first, and last, Acura. On the bright side, the nephews love it.