I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALER BECAUSE I WAS HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS OR POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. I INDICATED THAT THE CAR MAKES A WHINE AT ABOUT 1500 RPM. THE DEALER CHOSE TO TREAT IT AS A POWER STEERING PROBLEM. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS STILL A WHINE ALTHOUGH LESS. THE CAR RPM HANGS UP ON DECELERATION TO A STOP. SOME TIMES WHEN GOING DOWN HILL THE CAR DOES NOT UPSHI…
2009 Acura MDX powertrain problems
moderate 7 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I TOOK MY 2009 MDX INTO ACURA DEALER FOR SHUDDER AT 35-45 MPH AT 68K. SERVICE TECH WROTE UP REPAIR ORDER AS PCM UPDATE. THEY DID NOT DOCUMENT THE SHUDDER COMPLAINT. EVEN THO I DROVE WITH SERVICE TECH AND THEN HE DROVE ALSO, VERIFYING SHUDDER. I HAD TO GO BACK 2ND TIME AS PCM DIDN'T TAKE ACCORDING TO DEALER AND THAT'S WHY SHUDDERING CONTINUED AFTER 1ST PCM UPDATE. NOW AT 107K, SHUDDER IS BACK. M…
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2009 Acura MDX?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 7 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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