[xoomercom]

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.

wow, 3 columns in? That sucks!!!

I'm going to pay attention to developments in this area. Steering wheel works fine besides the grunt and this does not happen every time.

 

[kgt]

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.

I'm waiting for a new addition to the Maintenance Minder, code 10 for steering column replacement every 15,000km's.

 

[TheBeast369]

I wonder if the 2025 will have this issue. I would say most likely so, as I don't see a revised part number for it. I let me continue to grunt. Not risking a bunch of rattles and broken clips in my dash from the repair when they don't have a revised or fix for it. It will be an issue for me when I can't adjust my steering wheel anymore, until then grunt on.

 

[Chazzy J]

It is curious as to why they haven’t developed a different part number with a fix. It can’t be cheap at all for Acura to cover the warranty claims on these - ridiculously expensive actually.

 

[TheBeast369]

Finally bit the bullet and had Acura replace it under warranty, given I had some other warranty issues at the same time. They said it was a common problem in the early years of the new gen and they revised the part and added more grease. So far everything is good.

 

[Chazzy J]

Finally bit the bullet and had Acura replace it under warranty, given I had some other warranty issues at the same time. They said it was a common problem in the early years of the new gen and they revised the part and added more grease. So far everything is good.

Oh, good. Definitely keep us posted

 

[enforcer21]

2023 MDX Tech lease here. Came across this thread. Just had dealer pick it up today and take it in for the exact issue others are describing. Waiting to hear back on what they find. The loaner guy even heard the noise and assumed it was the steering column. Started out maybe a few thousand miles into it and slowly got worse. At about 13500 now. It does it when opening the door now, too, so that's what made me tell them to come get it and give me a loaner. Can post update when I get one. They gave me a newer Aspec loaner for now and it starts smoother and no grunt, just under 3k miles.

 

[enforcer21]

2023 MDX Tech lease here. Came across this thread. Just had dealer pick it up today and take it in for the exact issue others are describing. Waiting to hear back on what they find. The loaner guy even heard the noise and assumed it was the steering column. Started out maybe a few thousand miles into it and slowly got worse. At about 13500 now. It does it when opening the door now, too, so that's what made me tell them to come get it and give me a loaner. Can post update when I get one. They gave me a newer Aspec loaner for now and it starts smoother and no grunt, just under 3k miles.

Dealer already called. They said steering column was replaced and car is done already. Said they've seen a couple others of that same issue come through so the guys were "already adept" at that repair. Reassured me that there would be no noticeable difference, alignment issue, etc.

 

[VooDoo]

I dropped off my 23 Acura MDX at the dealership to address an ongoing steering wheel issue, and they've been working on it for the past three weeks. They informed me that they’re unable to calibrate the steering wheel after installing a new steering rack. Apparently, they keep encountering an error code during the calibration process and have reached out to Acura engineers for assistance in diagnosing the problem. I am not sure whats going on but its kind of crazy that it takes so much time to fix it. Imagine if you are out of warranty and try to fix it at a regular mechanic.

 

[tobattle]

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

This is happening on my NEW 2025 MDX

 

[DenTheNed]

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.

View attachment 125935
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.
View attachment 125936

Hey @eurojap I also had my 2025 MDX steering column replaced for the noise. However now the car pulls to the left. What did they do to fix your alignment issue?

For us they keep redoing alignments and cross rotate tires, and the dealer can't seem to understand that this issue started after the steering column replacement.

 

[Almatti]

I dropped off my 23 Acura MDX at the dealership to address an ongoing steering wheel issue, and they've been working on it for the past three weeks. They informed me that they’re unable to calibrate the steering wheel after installing a new steering rack. Apparently, they keep encountering an error code during the calibration process and have reached out to Acura engineers for assistance in diagnosing the problem. I am not sure whats going on but its kind of crazy that it takes so much time to fix it. Imagine if you are out of warranty and try to fix it at a regular mechanic.

Dealer already called. They said steering column was replaced and car is done already. Said they've seen a couple others of that same issue come through so the guys were "already adept" at that repair. Reassured me that there would be no noticeable difference, alignment issue, etc.

I just dropped my 25 A-Spec Advance at the Dealer for the similar issue of a Rumble when the Steering wheel is adjusting - seems to be a little Intermittent, especially prominent after I have drived the car, not on the Initial start up. It Rumbles when re-entering the car after stopping off, with the Steering wheel Rumble as it goes into the down position from the exit position. The advisor seemed to know that it is prevalent by the way he asked the questions.

 

[nws405]

It’s a known problem. Solution is to get the whole column replaced. No guarantee that you’ll get a good replacement as posted above, but that’s going to be your next step

Yup... Same thing happened to my '25 Tech package with about 4K on it. Took it straight to the dealer and was told it was a known issue. The column was replaced. Others on a similar thread I posted stated that it will probably occur again. So far so good!

 

[DenTheNed]

I also had my 2025 MDX steering column replaced for the noise. However now the car pulls to the left.

For us they keep redoing alignments and cross rotate tires, and the dealer can't seem to understand that this issue started after the steering column replacement.

Has anyone had this issue? Really wish they didn’t replace the steering column if this was going to be the end result.

 

[nws405]

I also had my 2025 MDX steering column replaced for the noise. However now the car pulls to the left.

For us they keep redoing alignments and cross rotate tires, and the dealer can't seem to understand that this issue started after the steering column replacement.

Has anyone had this issue? Really wish they didn’t replace the steering column if this was going to be the end result.

Didn't run into the problem you outlined here concerning the alignment. Again, so far so good!

 

[Almatti]

Per my Dealer Service rep last evening, My Steering Column needs to be replaced. He ordered a new unit for delievery to the dealer today. My Car could be ready today (Wednesday) or Thursday depending on the receipt of the new Unit. Clearly, baswd on the fact that they determined my car has the Rumble problem and the fact that the parts are readially available, it is "known" problem. The Tranny jerkiness / laggy issue is to be looked at today as well. I can say that the 26 MDX loaner (A-Spec non Advance model) with 500 miles on the clock seems less Laggy driving it around town and some highway miles too in Normal and Comfort Modes. I'm not hopeful they will find something specifically wrong with the Tranny and will issue the standard response....."That's normal".