[eurojap]

When starting the car, there was an occasional short "grunt" along with a small vibration in the steering wheel. It became more frequent and started to happen when shutting off the engine.

Brought it to the dealer yesterday and it turns out there is an issue with the steering column adjustment system that moves the steering wheel into/out of position as the car is started/shut off. They are going to replace the steering column.

It's back-ordered and I have a feeling it will be a bit of a wait.

LL

Bummer. Year/model/miles?

So far, I've been letting the motors move the wheel in and out of the driving position but, have been thinking about turning it off to avoid motor failures.

 

[eurojap]

I don't have this one yet either (knocking on wood) and, I have not turned off the telescoping wheel or seat feature on start/stop. While I don't really need the clearance Clarence to get in or out, I'll be d@mned if I'm going to turn off features for fear of wearing things out. If they fail, Acura will be replacing them under warranty. If there is too much of that crap, the vehicle will be sold at the 4 yr mark.

 

[eurojap]

Mine has gotten worse (by worse I mean louder), still haven't taken it to the dealer yet. Haven't had time honestly...not a show stopper yet.

Yours is pretty loud! It groans enough to be clear something is wrong. Every once in a while, mine will grunt, just a little, near the end of its travel. I'm guessing this is an early indicator of things to come. While I only have about 3,500 miles on the car, I drive a little over 2 miles each way to work and go home every day for lunch. So, in those miles, lots of starts/stops. Steering column probably has the equivalent use of someone with much higher mileage.

Please keep us posted when you do take it in. I'm curious if the fix for yours is the entire steering column as it has been for others. Seems radical.

 

[eurojap]

I have the grunt as well. It started around 4K miles. I'm at ~6.7K now. It hasn't gotten appreciably worse after reaching an audible level. I let the wheel and seat move out of the way and then return to driving positions upon start up. Some suggested turning this feature off to preserve the steering column mechanism but, in principal, I couldn't do that. It's a feature. If it doesn't work, Acura will need to fix it.

My plan is to wait a while longer since replacing with the same design/manufactured column seems senseless. I'm hoping they resolve the root cause at some point so when I have the column replaced, it will be fixed permanently. I'll probably start by notifying the dealer soon and then press for a permanent solution around the 1 yr ownership mark which is August.

It's not terrible. Literally just a quick grunt of poor gear mesh or motor shudder caused by poor gear mesh. Anyway, this is definitely not rocket science so, Acura will likely have a root cause fix in the not too distant future. I can live with it until then but, I have every intention of having it fixed. Depending on what is going on, if not repaired, one day it may just bind up fully and stop moving.

 

[eurojap]

Update:

The steering wheel grunt has turned into a groan. The duration is considerably longer now at ~8K miles. I sent a video to the service manager at the dealership and didn't hear back for a bit. About a week later, I followed up with another email asking them to confirm they received the first email. Yesterday, I got a call from a service tech informing me they were ordering a new steering column and would contact me when it arrived to schedule replacement. He said the techs hate this repair as it is very labor intensive. I'm a little concerned about scuffs, scrapes, squeaks and rattles after they tear things that far apart since at the moment, I have none of that. Hopefully, I'll get a highly skilled repair tech.

I'll update this post again once the new steering column is installed. It seems like it would be much easier for Acura to fully diagnose the root cause and 1) modify the design going forward then 2) maybe identify a less invasive and costly fix. Clearly this is some sort of frictional or vibrational noise caused by moving parts. It could be as simple as different lubrication or some other vibration dampening mods. Oh, well. I guess I'll be trying an entirely new steering column.

 

[eurojap]

Let me know if this fix is permanent please. My warranty clock is quickly ticking away and I don't want to a replacement OEM part for it to just fail again, waiting for that redesigned part.

Will do. The tech sent a text saying the column was in and that he would call today to schedule the install. Like you, I'm concerned the same condition could repeat but hopefully, it's just a low percentage of the columns that have defect and I'll get a "good" one this time.

 

[eurojap]

Update: A driver just picked up the MDX and dropped off an Integra loaner. The dealership is 95 miles away and they offer this service. With the '06 MDX, they would drop off a new MDX to try and entice me to buy a new one. It almost worked a couple of times.

They are replacing the steering column which seems incredibly invasive to me. I am actually very concerned this could be the start of a really bad experience. I'm trying to keep my hopes up but, I have much low confidence in workmanship these days. Even if the column groaning issue gets fixed, will they scuff/scratch something? Will they cause a squeak or rattle?

Crossing everything I have two of. And, that can hurt.

 

[eurojap]

I think the full steering column might be the better option as most of them unbolt and connectors unclip. If they don’t have to take your steering wheel and airbag off and add it to the new one, then even better.
Hopefully all goes well. I heard a grunt once and just turned off the auto adjust.

Ya, not sure about the wheel/airbag but, yes, hopefully a complete unit. The steering column started grunting briefly and if it had stayed that way, I would have just lived with it. It turned into a groan of like 3 seconds long and loud. Kinda ridiculous. I turned the feature off recently just to shut it up. I don't need the clearance to enter/exit the vehicle. It's actually more of a principal issue. Don't advertise and sell a feature that can't be used.

If all goes well and the issue is corrected, I may not risk reoccurrence and leave the feature off but, I just can't ignore that it's F'd up at this point. The vehicle is essentially immaculate otherwise.

 

[eurojap]

I have a 2023 built in July of '22 and delivered in August '22. So, maybe some leftover 2022 steering columns. Model years are a designation more than an absolute transition.

Dealership called last night and said it's done and they will deliver it back to me this morning. Hopefully, no issues. I'll update once it shows up and I check it out.

 

[eurojap]

Well, they delivered it back to my office and as anticipated, there's good news and bad.

Good: The steering mechanism no longer groans when it moves into or away from the driving position. The core issue is corrected, at least for now. It doesn't make any other noises, creeks or rattles based on a short test drive.

Bad:

1. The lower left trim panel has broken clips and does not appear to be in the correct position. Although, I have some question about the position. I know the clips are broken since one fell on the floor.
2. The alignment is off. It now pulls to the right at a moderate level. So much that driving in the wrong (oncoming) lane near my house makes it drive straight. It even pulled itself up and over the centerline on a pretty severely crowned road. Driving in the correct lane, if you let go of the wheel, you'll be off the road within a couple hundred feet.

So, first, I can only just say F^@#!! I probably should have just turned the feature off. Now that I'm here, I need to find the shortest and least painful way back. I called the service tech while the driver was still here but, he couldn't call back for about 15 minutes. By that time, the driver had left with the loaner. The service tech called the driver and was able to turn him around but, I told him we should wait. I already knew the panel was broken so, they would have had the vehicle over the weekend and then called on Monday to tell me then needed to order the part. I'm now wondering how much the panel costs and if I should just order it and replace it myself.

For the alignment, I guess I will have to let them try again but, I have zero confidence in their ability to get it right. It seems like after a factory alignment get's messed with, you never get that straight wheel and true tracking again. I'm so bummed about this. I didn't even think about them screwing up the alignment. I thought there may be some zero point where the column gets installed and the alignment woudn't need to be touched. I was wrong.

So, @Chazzy J, can I ask your help in removing that trim panel? I pulled it away enough to see the panel itself is broken on the very upper left. The post that holds the clip is just snapped off. The post and clip are in the slot. It pulled away with virtually no force since the panel is broken. The clip that fell on the floor must be from a different spot. Again, I pulled the upper corner away but, stopped once I saw the broken panel. I wanted to make sure I do it right as not to cause any further damage.

I would really appreciate any advice on how I should proceed from here. I don't know if I trust them to install a new panel and the issue of them finding it requires another ~200 mile trip and invites additional issues. Uhhhggg!!!

Here are a couple pics.

Is the gap just left of the column normal? I can't see how it could be raised any further given the area to the left is tight.

 

[eurojap]

Thank you so much Chazzy. I really appreciate the help. I was home at lunch and couldn't wait so, I removed the panel. It is surprisingly easy. As you well know, you can reach behind and push many of the clips out from the back side.

Here's a pic showing all of the carnage from the repair tech. After removing and reinstalling the panel, I can't believe someone could do this. Again, it's a really easy to reinstall. You just start at the bottom, set the clips in their respective slots as you rotate the panel upward. Once all the clips are ALL seated in their slots, just press gently inward and Viola'! It just snaps into place with very little force. Certainly not enough to bust the crap out of it. The tech must have been in a big hurry.

So, now, I will do as you suggest and make a service appt to get the panel replaced and alignment redone. Like you, I can't stand driving it out of alignment. How could someone have test driven it and decided it was good? What is this world coming to? Rhetorical question.

 

[eurojap]

When I first drove it after it was returned, the seat auto adjust didn't do anything. It turns out, the setting for the seat position was gone. No green LED on the #1 position button. So, I adjusted the seat and saved the setting to the #1 button again. The auto adjust started working again. After removing the dash panel and reinstalling, the setting was gone again. I find this interesting as that panel doesn't seem to have anything to do with the seat position. Just an observation in case others experience this. Apparently, it's normal.

 

[eurojap]

Ya, your thoughts about the quality of meaningful work is well taken. I had the same thought. If the tech can't remove and install this simple panel, what harness clips/routing is wrong, bolts/nuts not tightened properly or missing, etc., etc. It's really scary to think the tech broke the panel removing it because that would mean he knew it and put it (partially) back on anyway. I didn't mention that one of the lower clips below the wheel was not even in its slot. There is enough flex to just leave it bulged out. Crazy.

I did call the parts dept and asked them to order the part. The parts guy apologized and said he would get it on order. He's going to let me know when it's coming in and I'll schedule a follow-up appt then.

I really don't want the same tech replacing this panel so, will make the request. I may offer to exchange it myself just to make a point. I literally removed the panel and disconnected things without further damage in less than 2 min. I also reconnected and reinstalled it less than another 2 min. This was my first time removing anything from the dash of a car in quite a few years. I guess 35+ years developing products has taught me something. Monkeys can learn.

Thanks much again for your interest and support. I sincerely appreciate it.

 

[eurojap]

Same problem 22 MDX, steering column replaced 3 months ago, so far so good. Went to the dealership for oil change last month and was told that multiple other owners were coming in with the same problem. Apparently corporate headquarters has now told the dealership that the solution is to grease the steering column and not replace it !!

Hopefully, the greased the crap out of the new one they installed in mine BEFORE installation. I've been driving it all weekend and no issues outside of the broken panel clips. Oddly, the pulling seems much better as well. Maybe I was looking for that problem. The roads here are heavily crowned.

 

[eurojap]

I had the same issue.... they replaced it for me within 6 mos of purchasing the car. No problems since....

About how many miles have you driven since the replacement? Mine is fine after the first week and, for now, I have the auto adjust feature on just to test it thoroughly. I may turn it off at some point to avoid reoccurrence. Now waiting for the lower left dash trim part to arrive at the dealership so they can replace it. I would rather do it myself but, I'm sure they wouldn't give me the part.

 

[eurojap]

Let me know if this fix is permanent please. My warranty clock is quickly ticking away and I don't want to a replacement OEM part for it to just fail again, waiting for that redesigned part.

I'm sorry to report that replacing the entire steering column is not a permanent fix. It appears they replaced the column with one of the same design. No revisions to address the grunt/groaning sounds. After several months and few thousand miles, the sounds are back intermittently. I would say this is how they started with the original steering column. For now, I have turned off the auto adjust steering column feature . It's not like I need the wheel or, the seat for that matter, to move for me to comfortably enter and exit the vehicle. It's just a convenience.

Also, I have an update on the destruction to the dash panel that occurred when the highly trained Acura technician mauled it during the repair. I was able to talk the stealer into letting me install the new replacement panel myself. It took about 20 min and I, the untrained shade tree mechanic, didn't break anything. It was easy and just really difficult to understand how anyone could have done that much damage to the panel in the process of removal or installation. What really frosts my arse is if the person broke it during removal, they absolutely had to know. There were parts snapped off. If they did, they reinstalled the broken panel (poorly) and hoped I wouldn't notice it. If it broke during reassembly, It is amazing they could have pushed or pounded hard enough to get some clips to hold and break off 4-5 other areas. Unbelievable. As it is, one of the clip supports is molded into the parking brake switch housing. I would need to replace the parking brake switch to recover that clip. As it stands, I have 12 of the 13 total clips fully engaged and it appears to be fine. Fits perfect and no squeaks or rattles, nothing is loose, etc.

 

[eurojap]

I'm on my 3rd column and turned the auto adjust feature off after the last replacement. I'm pretty confident the grunt/groan would return after a few months but, certainly after some longer period of time. There is clearly a design flaw. It doesn't appear Acura has addressed and corrected the root cause. My plan is to leave the feature off for a while longer and when I get within 6 months, or so, of the warranty ending, I'll turn it back on. If the condition reoccurs, I'll get the column changed again. Hopefully, by then, they will have revised the design and the replacement will be good for the remaining life of the vehicle.

I doubt Acura will do anything about the condition after warranty unless they finally formally admit to a design problem (TSB) at some point.

For me, the feature is not a thing. Just thought it was cool and made it easier to get in and out with stuff in my hands, or whatever. Not at all necessary, just a convenience. But, I definitely don't want to listen to the grunt/groan. It's actually embarrassing when people would ask "what the heII was that?"

 

[eurojap]

LOL, I ignored it because I though I'm just losing it hearing things.

I'm at 36K miles and this has been happening for past 10K miles, sometimes more pronounced than others. Grunt is the right word to describe it.

If this is not some mechanical issue I'm probably going to leave it for now.

It is almost certainly a mechanical issue. It's vibration caused by incorrect gear mesh, I suspect. It's either caused or exasperated by time and wear. Most of them are quiet when new. I'm on the third column and have no confidence this one will not fail (make the grunt/groaning noise). I begrudgingly turned the feature off since I don't really need it. That said, on a $62K+ vehicle, I should be able to use any and all of the features. I'm going to turn it back on within about 6 months of the end of the warranty and if it happens again, get yet another column. Maybe the 4th time is a charm.