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2003 Acura MDX Power Train:automatic Transmission Problems

NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · data through 07/12/2026

56Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints
27.2%Of all 206 complaints
#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How power train:automatic transmission ranks on this vehicle

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION56 · 27.2%
POWER TRAIN49 · 23.8%
AIR BAGS42 · 20.4%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM14 · 6.8%
Unspecified / other10 · 4.9%

Share of the 206 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2003 Acura MDX overview page.

What owners report

“2003 ACURA MDX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE…”NHTSA complaint 10504004 — filed 03/20/2013
“VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY. DRIVER REMOVED KEY, EXITED VEHICLE AND REMOTELY APPLIED THE DOOR LOCKS. VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN COASTING DOWN AND ULTIMATELY OFF…”NHTSA complaint 10490506 — filed 12/30/2012
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FURTHER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT…”NHTSA complaint 10422447 — filed 08/29/2011

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints by year filed

1200312004120064200752008122009212010920111201212013

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Acura MDX have power train:automatic transmission problems?

Power Train:automatic Transmission is the most-reported problem area on the 2003 Acura MDX: 56 of 206 complaints on file (27.2%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2003 Acura MDX have in total?

206 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 11 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, 9 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's power train:automatic transmission category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.