2013 Acura MDX Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 13%of 30 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 47,456miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2013 Acura MDX, 13% of the 30 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 47,456 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Torque converter problem...... I bought a used 2012 MDX with 4300 miles 5 months later I had this issue. I took the car to a Acura dealer and they fixed it but I did feel safe so I traded it in for a newer model thinking it would be better...long behold the 2013 MDX I got did the same thing 5 month later. The dealer never told me after bring the first car back that this was an issue with these cars. …”
NHTSA complaint #10882413, filed 2016-07, 69,000 miles“Purchased this a at a used car from Acura of los gatos an picked the car up late on jan 27th 2016. At noon on feb 5th (just about 7 days) the car suddenly stop when trying to pull up to the drive way of my friend house. The entire car is in the middle of a small street, blocking cars from moving. Car can't get started even with jumper from a towing company. The car was towed back to los gatos Acura and few hours later we were told the the entire engine is gone. …”
NHTSA complaint #10836993, filed 2016-02, 25,913 miles“I have a 2013 Acura MDX with an estimated 87k miles. Over the past 3 months, the engine will cut off while I'm driving and the steering wheel and brakes lock up. This has happened about 5 times in a three-month period. There are no warning lamps on my dashboard and no codes appeared during the diagnostic tests. My mechanic is unable to reproduce the issue. I have two young sons and am terrified of driving them in the MDX. The engine failure happens very randomly as it's cut off while driving at varying speeds.”
NHTSA complaint #11424043, filed 2021-07“The 2013 Acura MDX has a problem with the pistons in the engine which causes excessive oil consumption. This was the subject matter of a class action suit described in the website entitled Acura Oil Consumption Settlement. This defect should be subject to a recall and American Honda should be required to repair or replace the pistons.”
NHTSA complaint #11523749, filed 2023-05Related service bulletins
- 10145420Sep 28, 2018Service bulletin - A judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60 mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque…
- 10133008Mar 9, 2018Service bulletin - After the software update, some vehicles based on how they are driven (extreme conditions) may still experience ATF deterioration after updating the PGM-FI or…
- 10133007Mar 9, 2018Service bulletin - A judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60 mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque…
- 10129342Feb 14, 2018Dealer message - Every Service Bulletin requires you to take an HDS snap shot and use the job aid or Tech2Tech to confirm the judder/shudder is coming from the torque converter.
- 10108030Feb 11, 2017"service bulletin - after the software update, some vehicles based on how they are driven (extreme conditions) may still experience atf deterioration after updating the pgm-fi or…
- 10108029Feb 11, 2017"service bulletin - a judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60 mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque…
- 10099142Nov 17, 2016"service bulletin - a judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque…
- 10100125Nov 2, 2016Service bulletin - a judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque converter…
- 10085026Aug 3, 2016Service bulletin - a judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque converter…
- 10054806Jan 29, 2014Honda: the malfunction indicator lamp is illuminated. Stored p2101 (throttle control system malfunction). Ahm is attempting to collect specific parts from the vehicle before any…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 11% |
| 2025 | 6 | 5% |
| 2024 | 2 | 5% |
| 2023 | 12 | 27% |
| 2022 | 71 | 45% |
| 2020 | 21 | 9% |
| 2019 | 32 | 17% |
| 2018 | 23 | 14% |
| 2017 | 64 | 25% |
| 2016 | 113 | 30% |
| 2015 | 12 | 17% |
| 2014 | 27 | 16% |
| 2013 | 4 | 13% |
| 2012 | 13 | 17% |
| 2011 | 8 | 11% |
| 2010 | 5 | 11% |
| 2009 | 8 | 15% |
| 2008 | 3 | 6% |
| 2007 | 8 | 8% |
| 2006 | 38 | 44% |
| 2005 | 87 | 48% |
| 2004 | 77 | 45% |
| 2003 | 104 | 50% |
| 2002 | 125 | 61% |
| 2001 | 131 | 58% |
Other parts of the 2013 Acura MDX
9 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsForward collision avoidance
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Acura MDX
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology