[KnoxMDX]

In a word, yes. Honda quality has been circling the bowl for a while now and Acura is no exception. The third generation MDX has a particularly notorious ZF-sourced transmission that has been reviled in every vehicle it’s been put in (mostly Fiat-Chrysler and Honda products).

Honda's CEO seizes the wheel as quality crisis hits profits

At a two-day gathering for Honda's suppliers in March, Chief Executive Takahiro Hachigo sounded the alarm

www.detroitnews.com

Toyota Continues Reliability Dominance, Honda Declines

New Consumer Reports reliability study shows that the two Japanese automakers have gone in different directions.

www.designnews.com

Honda, Grappling With Quality Problems, Will Replace Its President (Published 2015)

The company’s main crisis, which stems from faulty Takata airbags, predates Takanobu Ito’s tenure. But his efforts to quickly expand drew criticism.

www.nytimes.com

I read your message with a heavy heart. I bought my first new Honda in 2003 (minivan) and it was rock solid. I've owned a few Honda's over the years and they have been very reliable.

I understand that the market is very competitive and they have to reduce certain costs to compete with cheaper brands, but I hope they can find a better balance in the future.

I've seen survey results that rated brands that I've always felt were quite inferior to Honda at a higher level recently. This is just hard to imagine. Honda has been synonymous with quality for so many years and I sincerely hope they can right the ship quickly and maintain that reputation.

I researched for weeks before I decided on the MDX. There were certain things that were a must have for us and this narrowed it down to just a few candidates. I could find negative points on every vehicle we considered, but in the end my faith in Honda is just so strong I went with the MDX.

I've told my son many times, it's not that Honda and Toyota make perfect cars. There's always going to be a some that have problems. It's just you're less likely to have problems with them compared to other brands. (My personal opinion)
My father bought his first Nissan (Datsun back then) in 1974 and that was the only brand he would buy until he died. His last car, a 1999 Maxima was solid without a single issue. Fast forward a few years from 1999 and you'll notice Nissan quality took a big hit after they were acquired by Renault. Don't know if it was coincidence but Nissan just seemed to have a different cooperate attitude about quality and today the brand is not associated the same way they were years ago.

I certainly hope Honda does not choose the same path that Nissan did, and I just backed that up by trusting them with my recent purchase.

 

[KnoxMDX]

I wanted to update anyone who happens to still be following this thread:

CarMax delivered our MDX ahead of the stated time they originally quoted. I'm pretty sure they quote long times to cover the unexpected delays, etc. They told us 3 weeks to have the car here and it arrived in a little over a week.

The MDX was exactly as expected and described to us.

We were given a 24 hour test drive and we drove it around and looked in every nook and cranny while listening for any odd sounds or unexpected issues. Nothing. Very well maintained vehicle.

My son's girlfriend happens to be from the area of south Florida where the previous owner lived. As soon as I told her the area she said it is a retirement community. When she got in for a ride and saw the saved FM radio stations she confirmed the previous owners were likely older folks. I personally found this comforting.

We drove around with our family all weekend in the MDX and we really like this vehicle. Smooth and secure. Many felt so comfortable they just had to nap (wife included). There were no complaints.

The only issue that I had was driving in the city coming up on a traffic light I didn't hear the ambulance coming from my right until I was right in the intersection. I am always very mindful of emergency vehicles and I always give them the right of way if at all humanly possible, so this was embarrassing. I critiqued myself after the incident thinking: wow, my hearing must be getting bad. But just the other day I was in my wife's car and I heard an ambulance very clearly passing over me on the interstate. I heard it both coming up and going over and leaving very well.

I paid closer attention to the noise around me (or lack thereof) and I realized the MDX seems to do a great job of reducing much of the unwanted sounds we often have while driving. I think I'll just have to be extra mindful that sirens may be harder to hear in the MDX.

Has anyone else noticed this?

 

[KnoxMDX]

I do the brake fluid flushes myself and it's simple to do with just a wrench for the bleeder screw, some tubing to fit over the nipple, and an empty water bottle (or anything similar). There's no need for a special bottle - just clear tubing long enough to reach the bottle that's set on the ground. To help prevent spills I simply place that bottle inside a larger plastic container that helps it to not tip over on the ground. I use Acura brake fluid - it's inexpensive and no need to research which fluid best meets Acura's spec.

Just use a turkey baster to suck out most of the old fluid from the master cylinder and fill it with fresh fluid, put some clean brake fluid in the bottom of the bottle such that the hose is submerged, crack open the bleeder screw, and give it some pumps on the pedal, while checking the master cylinder every few pumps keeping it topped up with fresh fluid, and when fresh fluid emerges at the hose close that bleeder and move on to the next wheel. I usually do this solo but it's even easier if you have someone to pump the brake pedal for you.

Thank you!

I seem to recall that it's best to start at the rear wheels (farthest from the master cylinder) and more forward. Is this still the case?

If the dealer wants a crazy sum to do this I'll certainly do it myself. ($150 stated on their website. I'll see tomorrow when I take it in for recalls)

Hurry up and put the baster in the dishwasher before your wife sees what you did with it. (Not really - this is an opportunity for your wife to get a brand new turkey baster and the old one now goes in the tool chest).

Given all that - I'll probably take a second look at Ed19's bottle and consider if it'd make it any easier.

Had to laugh out load! I think my wife takes inventory and does quality inspections on everything in the kitchen. I'd never get away with this! I'll have to buy her a new one for sure.

 

[Ed19]

The correct bleeding sequence for mdx front driver front passenger rear passenger rear driver.

 

[KnoxMDX]

The correct bleeding sequence for mdx front driver front passenger rear passenger rear driver.

Thank you!!!

 

[mdxstang]

I'm glad you ended up with a nice MDX. I still really like the 2014 I've had since new and it even still feels and drives like new to me (8 years/76K miles later).

 

[Ed19]

I wanted to update anyone who happens to still be following this thread:

CarMax delivered our MDX ahead of the stated time they originally quoted. I'm pretty sure they quote long times to cover the unexpected delays, etc. They told us 3 weeks to have the car here and it arrived in a little over a week.

The MDX was exactly as expected and described to us.

We were given a 24 hour test drive and we drove it around and looked in every nook and cranny while listening for any odd sounds or unexpected issues. Nothing. Very well maintained vehicle.

My son's girlfriend happens to be from the area of south Florida where the previous owner lived. As soon as I told her the area she said it is a retirement community. When she got in for a ride and saw the saved FM radio stations she confirmed the previous owners were likely older folks. I personally found this comforting.

We drove around with our family all weekend in the MDX and we really like this vehicle. Smooth and secure. Many felt so comfortable they just had to nap (wife included). There were no complaints.

The only issue that I had was driving in the city coming up on a traffic light I didn't hear the ambulance coming from my right until I was right in the intersection. I am always very mindful of emergency vehicles and I always give them the right of way if at all humanly possible, so this was embarrassing. I critiqued myself after the incident thinking: wow, my hearing must be getting bad. But just the other day I was in my wife's car and I heard an ambulance very clearly passing over me on the interstate. I heard it both coming up and going over and leaving very well.

I paid closer attention to the noise around me (or lack thereof) and I realized the MDX seems to do a great job of reducing much of the unwanted sounds we often have while driving. I think I'll just have to be extra mindful that sirens may be harder to hear in the MDX.

Has anyone else noticed this?

Congratulations.And yes it’s a quiet car. I still annoy the wife rolling down the window at a construction site.Hey hon is this car quiet or what?Yeah yeah put the windows up please. I’m still impressed with this vehicle and I own it over a year.

 

[KnoxMDX]

I'm glad you ended up with a nice MDX. I still really like the 2014 I've had since new and it even still feels and drives like new to me (8 years/76K miles later).

This is great to hear!

Thank you!!!

 

[KnoxMDX]

Congratulations.And yes it’s a quiet car. I still annoy the wife rolling down the window at a construction site.Hey hon is this car quiet or what?Yeah yeah put the windows up please. I’m still impressed with this vehicle and I own it over a year.

As we are driving home from a day out on Sunday, my wife tells me she is "too comfortable" and shortly after I look over and she's fast asleep.

I like that we all feel quite safe inside the MDX. We're really enjoying it so far and I really hope to enjoy it for years to come.

 

[datechboss101]

I wanted to update anyone who happens to still be following this thread:

CarMax delivered our MDX ahead of the stated time they originally quoted. I'm pretty sure they quote long times to cover the unexpected delays, etc. They told us 3 weeks to have the car here and it arrived in a little over a week.

The MDX was exactly as expected and described to us.

We were given a 24 hour test drive and we drove it around and looked in every nook and cranny while listening for any odd sounds or unexpected issues. Nothing. Very well maintained vehicle.

My son's girlfriend happens to be from the area of south Florida where the previous owner lived. As soon as I told her the area she said it is a retirement community. When she got in for a ride and saw the saved FM radio stations she confirmed the previous owners were likely older folks. I personally found this comforting.

We drove around with our family all weekend in the MDX and we really like this vehicle. Smooth and secure. Many felt so comfortable they just had to nap (wife included). There were no complaints.

The only issue that I had was driving in the city coming up on a traffic light I didn't hear the ambulance coming from my right until I was right in the intersection. I am always very mindful of emergency vehicles and I always give them the right of way if at all humanly possible, so this was embarrassing. I critiqued myself after the incident thinking: wow, my hearing must be getting bad. But just the other day I was in my wife's car and I heard an ambulance very clearly passing over me on the interstate. I heard it both coming up and going over and leaving very well.

I paid closer attention to the noise around me (or lack thereof) and I realized the MDX seems to do a great job of reducing much of the unwanted sounds we often have while driving. I think I'll just have to be extra mindful that sirens may be harder to hear in the MDX.

Has anyone else noticed this?

Congrats and glad that you like it! I personally found the MDX platform as my favorite and my go to. I've got 63k miles on my 17 and I still love it. And I am going to be putting ~18k more miles on it in the next 16 weeks (highway of course). South West Florida is the retirement part of the state. Actual South Florida is alright, lol.

Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk

 

[17TouringAccord]

The correct bleeding sequence for mdx front driver front passenger rear passenger rear driver.

How were you able to figure this out? Old school is longest line to shortest line.

Thanks

 

[Ed19]

How were you able to figure this out? Old school is longest line to shortest line.

Thanks

I got this just now from ACURA service bulletin. I think originally I might have got this information from this forum a while back.

 

[17TouringAccord]

OP congratulations on your new rig. I’m glad for you that you are pleased with the deal and the new to you car. We bought an ‘18 this year as well. Pretty good car, although all the electronic wizardry is neat, while it works.

Ours has a handful of codes the selling dealer cleared just before our test drive, although we figured it out prior to buying with my code reader. I pretty much count on dealers clearing codes after every test drive. I take hour plus long test drives and turn the engine on and off a handful of times. Pretty easy with Covid nowadays. I still need to get the auto wipers and LKAS taken care of under the B-B warranty. Buyer beware, as alluded to above.

 

[17TouringAccord]

I got this just now from ACURA service bulletin. I think originally I might have got this information from this forum a while back.

Thanks Ed. I’ll make a note of it.

 

[JTM]

The only issue that I had was driving in the city coming up on a traffic light I didn't hear the ambulance coming from my right until I was right in the intersection. I am always very mindful of emergency vehicles and I always give them the right of way if at all humanly possible, so this was embarrassing. I critiqued myself after the incident thinking: wow, my hearing must be getting bad. But just the other day I was in my wife's car and I heard an ambulance very clearly passing over me on the interstate. I heard it both coming up and going over and leaving very well.

Has anyone else noticed this?

Congrats with the purchase.

I agreed with you on the noise reduction on the MDX (especially when I have audio on). But I have habit of checking rear view mirror frequently, which able to catch emergency vehicle approaching prior they are right behind/by side of me.

 

[KnoxMDX]

Congrats and glad that you like it! I personally found the MDX platform as my favorite and my go to. I've got 63k miles on my 17 and I still love it. And I am going to be putting ~18k more miles on it in the next 16 weeks (highway of course). South West Florida is the retirement part of the state. Actual South Florida is alright, lol.

Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk

Thank you!

We have not gone on a long road trip yet, but I am pretty confident it will be a pleasant ride.

I have not been in south Florida in a while, but I never really liked how fast the folks down there drive. One of my south Florida buddies used to say (about drivers down there): If you want @ssholes, just add water. They seem to drive even faster when it's raining.

South west Florida was not as bad, for sure.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[datechboss101]

Thank you!

We have not gone on a long road trip yet, but I am pretty confident it will be a pleasant ride.

I have not been in south Florida in a while, but I never really liked how fast the folks down there drive. One of my south Florida buddies used to say (about drivers down there): If you want @ssholes, just add water. They seem to drive even faster when it's raining.

South west Florida was not as bad, for sure.

Enjoy your trip!

Central Florida is worse than South Florida now. Most my accidents happened in Central FL. Even the amount of stubborn people are located in the Orlando area.

Also thanks!

Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk

 

[KnoxMDX]

OP congratulations on your new rig. I’m glad for you that you are pleased with the deal and the new to you car. We bought an ‘18 this year as well. Pretty good car, although all the electronic wizardry is neat, while it works.

Ours has a handful of codes the selling dealer cleared just before our test drive, although we figured it out prior to buying with my code reader. I pretty much count on dealers clearing codes after every test drive. I take hour plus long test drives and turn the engine on and off a handful of times. Pretty easy with Covid nowadays. I still need to get the auto wipers and LKAS taken care of under the B-B warranty. Buyer beware, as alluded to above.

Thank you, and congratulations to you as well.

So far our experience has been a very pleasant one. I did have to take the MDX into the dealer for recalls that the previous owner did not complete, but the dealer gave me a 2020 MDX to drive while they did everything. They were quick and very nice. No complaints from me. (They even changed the brake fluid under one of the recalls, so I didn't have to do that!)

We do have 30 days to return the MDX to CarMax, but I can safely say we have no desire to give up the MDX. In our case, it just suits us very well. I do like having the return option, however. If we happen to have received a lemon we would be able to return it without much fuss.

Be well!

 

[KnoxMDX]

Congrats with the purchase.

I agreed with you on the noise reduction on the MDX (especially when I have audio on). But I have habit of checking rear view mirror frequently, which able to catch emergency vehicle approaching prior they are right behind/by side of me.

I am much more careful now.

Small price to pay for the comfort of these vehicles.

I am amazed when I open the window for a moment while out and about to hear the actual noise outside. The MDX does a great job and keeping it quiet inside!

 

[KnoxMDX]

We've had our MDX for a little while now and honestly we are more pleased with it each passing day. It just suits us very well.

Earlier this year I had a different car branded vehicle that was new, but was experiencing problems. After several trips to the dealer and calls to the cooperate office to get the dealer to address the issues, I gave up and traded it in on a used Honda Pilot. My local dealer only put the good techs on issues that paid the techs commission. Warranty repairs were given to the new and inexperienced techs and in my case, they just could not fix the car. Sorry I passed on the troubles, but I just hoped the next owner would have better luck with the dealer (or a different dealer). I won't mention the brand, as I have no desire to paint them in a dark light. It really was the dealer that failed me.

Anyway, my point here is that we had a '16 Honda Pilot Elite. Drove it for a few months and we were pretty satisfied with it, but my vertically challenged wife could not get comfortable with it. She drove over a curb or two and she just never could seem to get in sync with the Honda. It did have a lot more miles than our MDX, but everything worked fine (although the transmission seemed to get confused from time to time about which gear to be in).

So I sold the Pilot (within a week of listing it) and got my wife a used CR-V. The size of this car seems to fit her much better and she is very comfortable with it.

Fast forward a few months and my wife misses the space of the Pilot. We have 3 grown children at home and we like to do things together and a larger SUV/Crossover is much more convenient. We're driving down the road one weekend and my wife spots a vehicle and she's like "what is that? It looks so nice!". What she saw was a MDX. My wife is from Thailand and they do not have Acura there, so she didn't recognize the logo or the vehicle.

Within a week I took her to an Acura dealer and we drove a used MDX. She really liked it. I'm over 6 foot and I could sit in the rear seat just fine, so I knew my son could sit back there as well. We were very interested. I found this site, received wonderful advice and guidance, and now we have our '18 MDX.

The strange thing is, my wife now likes to drive the MDX and she is much more comfortable with it as opposed to the Pilot. On paper they seem so similar, but in practice my wife finds that the MDX is much better for her. No complaints from me! The CR-V sits in the garage a little more these days and my wife drops me off at work in the morning so she can have the MDX for her errands. I know she's safe and comfortable, so I'm certainly happy all the way around!