Good question. This is what Acura has to say in the latest Acura Style Magazine:

"A major update is planned this fall that will greatly expand map coverage and the database of points of interest. Contact your dealer to learn when this update will become available. Information concerning the update will also be posted online at www.acura.com. Refer to the Navigation DVD update ordering screen."

I just checked owners link (www.acura.com) and the only version available is version 2.05b released 9/01/01 and no news about the update release date. On the web site it did have the following statement under FAQ's:

"Q: How often should I update the system?"

"A: Purchase of the update is optional and depends on the individual needs of the customer. The updated DVD disk is available in the fall of each year. The update contains maps of new Detail Coverage Areas and updates of existing maps as roads are modified. Additionally points of interest (POI) is continually being updated as businesses move and phone numbers change."

Where I live (Southern Oregon) it is not mapped. I knew this when I purchased My MDX with navi over a year ago. When I made this purchase I also was led to believe by Acura that updates would occur annually each fall.

Because no update has occurred I have been unable to use the Navi as designed in my area. Acura owes compensation to owners like myself for this situation IMHO. In the very least the overdue update should be discounted of even free.

 

I guess technically it isn't fall yet but fall will come and go pretty quickly as well as the thought of an update. Last update 01?? I thought the last one was in 02? I do have 2.05b. I still don't believe that Honda/Acura has anyone actually working on an update on an antiquated system with various limitations when they have gone ahead and released a newer system with larger database capabilities.(Note: Honda/Acura are the ones who created this situation by not thinking of expansion capabilities when developing the first nav unit) How would you like to be that technician that has been relegated to work on the 01/02 system when next door the group gets to work on the newer system? How does Honda/Acura motivate a group that is developing software for an "out of date" vehicle.

 

How does Honda/Acura motivate a group that is developing software for an "out of date" vehicle.

How about "threat of class action lawsuit" for having "out of date" software after indicating it would be updated?

I would not have bought the navi if I knew it would not be updated.

 

How about "threat of class action lawsuit"?

:4: :4: Where's litigator?

 

How about "threat of class action lawsuit" for having "out of date" software after indicating it would be updated?

I would not have bought the navi if I knew it would not be updated.

I would say free for 2001 owners, and maybe $50 for 2002s. Like they are going to listen to me...

 

I say anyone who purchased a MDX should get a free 1 time upgrade.

 

yeah.. I agree totally.
Acurea should send us Free update since they DID not do any update since 01

 

I would say free for 2001 owners, and maybe $50 for 2002s. Like they are going to listen to me...

DaleB,

Should I get $50 plus free upgrade for my 2000 TL then?! :2: :2:

Labor and NorcalChuck,

Is this a case of Promissory Estoppel? We were told that update would be available to keep our navi current.

The MB replaces owners who bought the E Class with Navi and took delivery without it with a brand new car! That's customer service!

http://www.washtimes.com/autoweekend/20030724-075503-9840r.htm

 

FREE DVDS all around!!!

 

should get the ML320 in the first place then.. Can't believe Acura has this kind of customer service.. No wonder Motor trend say it is "entry level lux"...

 

Labor and NorcalChuck,

Is this a case of Promissory Estoppel? We were told that update would be available to keep our navi current.

I'm no Atty, so you get what you pay for, but you may show that you RELIED on an update, and that this was a "Reliance Contract" you signed at your dealership. Also, because you didn't get an update as stated, you were unable to find your way to the nearest hospital when you were in another city, and you lost valuable time in transporting someone to the ER. Just a stretch, but hey, since wer'e asking for an update, anything's worth asking for. :2:

 

Since the MDX nav system wasn't available in Canada as an option in 2001 (it still isn't), I bought an aftermarket nav unit - the StreetPilot III. Garmin (the manufacturer) made updated CDs available in June 2002. So since June 2002, I have had coverage of virtually 100 % of the US (contiguous states - every city and town is covered) as well as most of Canada's major cities.

I think it's pretty bad that Acura still has not updated its nav software.

 

I think it's pretty bad that Acura still has not updated its nav software.

Yep, worse than bad. Absolutely unexcusable. Hate to think we've been had.:3:

 

Also, because you didn't get an update as stated, you were unable to find your way to the nearest hospital when you were in another city, and you lost valuable time in transporting someone to the ER. Just a stretch, but hey, since wer'e asking for an update, anything's worth asking for. :2:

greatscot,

What you said is not far fetch!

There are so much changes just in the Bay Area by itself that require annual update! I have the first hand knowledge on some of the changes with the highway and freeway system. There are many more changes in the next two, three years. Devil Slide Tunnel, Bay Bridge East Span, Bay Bridge West Approach, Central Freeway Project (just named a few) will change the existing alignments of our freeway/highways. In two years, you would get lost in the Bay Area using our navi!

When I took my daughter to University of Pacific (UOP) in Stockton, CA, this summer, I was sup prised that only the couple of the main streets were showing on the screen. I'm sure that the streets around UOP have been there for many years.

 

Here here - I heartily agree

I would say free for 2001 owners, and maybe $50 for 2002s.

 

When I took my daughter to University of Pacific (UOP) in Stockton, CA, this summer, I was sup prised that only the couple of the main streets were showing on the screen. I'm sure that the streets around UOP have been there for many years.

I had the same experience in Stockton, and was quite surprised compared to other cities I've been in, including Clovis, which is mapped out quite well. (Except where I live!!!)
But even smaller towns like Sanger are mapped better than Stockton.

 

I checked out Stockton with the StreetPilot III and it was mapped in great detail. I believe these nav units are now selling below $700.

 

I checked out Stockton with the StreetPilot III and it was mapped in great detail. I believe these nav units are now selling below $700.

Well, you are in luck if you should ever end up in downtown Stockton. Not that I would wish that on you....

 

Was at the local dealer today. They have no clue when an update will be available, all they could say was "call the 800 number." Doesn't the left hand tell the right hand what's going on?

 

so Acura should change name to Honda+. :3:
Don't call themselves a Lux player....if they can't afford ths customer service..

 

I go to Honda for routine service now. They charge me less and don't treat me any worse (or better).
In fact if they sold this car as a Honda that would be fine. As long is didn't cost any more I could care less about the emblem.

Acura is a luxury marque still waiting to happen.

Do NSX drivers get treated special? Does one have to spend 90K for that kind of customer service?

 

greatscot wrote:
Was at the local dealer today. They have no clue when an update will be available, all they could say was "call the 800 number." Doesn't the left hand tell the right hand what's going on?

Hey ... the two hands are in sync on this one. The folks at the 800 number say that an update is planned for later in the year:

** When asked "when later", the answer is "don't know, have told you all the info available".

** When pressed with "I have been told this before, is the later in the year, this year or another year" the answer is "we have given you all the information available at this time".


Sooooo ... the two hands are in sync ... that is real easy when neither hand knows what is going on ....

More and more, I am coming to understand why the RX is the market leader, it is a very good vehicle with excellent customer service. I believe the X is a good vehicle, but I am not ready to commit to very good or great. We have sure had a lot of problems (some of which Acura has been unable to fix so far). Only had the dash warning lights look like a Chrismas tree once so far. Tranny is holding up after 3X flush, at least so far. They did dethunk our brakes (guess that makes us luckier than many) and the dethunk is working so far, yada yada yada. As to customer service, well the map update, or rather the lack thereof, sort of speaks for itself. Since the odo just rolled 13,000 the "problems per mile" raio doesn't look real good at the moment. Since the X is only 1.5 years old, the problems per year ratio doesn't look real good at this point either.

Oh, by the way. When I pushed the lack of map update, the 800 number did let me know that there is NO PROMISE that any updates will be issued. That made me feel like I had been serviced alright!!

 

When I spoke to Acura about three months ago they said the following....." We will have an update later this yer. When I asked, the guy said probably in the Fall(?)> When I said that the only thing on their website was from Sept. '01, he said yea, they know. I said that the DEALERS DON'T! They (Acura) needs to do a MUCH better job of keeping the dealers INFORMED! He also said that the update was being done by ALPINE. We probably could get the update sooner through them. The problem is, we will have to PURCHASE it from them. Acura, what's wrong with this picture?? That's why youo will NEVER BE a truly Luxury auto manufacturer!" Well, they said "they'll see what they can do". I just want a yearly update. We have a town of about 150K people called PUEBLO,CO. There is like NO street's even in the version 2.05e I have for my Navi. How bad is that? Come Acura! You can do better than this.......

 

Lrpba300 wrote:
How bad is that? Come Acura! You can do better than this

Do you really think that they can? If they could, wouldn't they? Lexus they are not ...

 

I would say free for 2001 owners, and maybe $50 for 2002s. Like they are going to listen to me...

Not enough in some situations IMHO. $50 would be fine for me if where I live was mapped. It is not.

I have only been able to use my navigation system when I travel out of town to a mapped area. The closest area to me that is mapped is Eugene, about 3 hours away. Because of this lack of mapping I have had little opportunity to use the navi.