My bro just bought a 2003 Acura MDX, fully loaded, and came with factory burlwood trim.

My question is, for the price of a loaded MDX, why in the hell can't Acura include the matching burlwood shift knob with it? Instead, you have to buy it from them for such an incredible price. I guess this is one way for Acura to make extra money out of their customers.

Anyway, my actual gripe is with the design of the shift knob. I heard from many that this is a common problem. The knob itself doesn’t screw in right. It leaves about half of an inch of tread expose. This is an actual Acura burlwood shift knob, specifically designed for 2003 MDX. I don’t understand why it doesn’t fit and why Acura is not aware of this fitment problem.:buck
I hate to make any modification just to remedy the problem so we ended up returning it to the dealer.

Can anyone suggest any other source to get this type of shift knob that will fit perfectly or should I expect them all to be the same?
:cry:

My bro just bought a 2003 Acura MDX, fully loaded, and came with factory burlwood trim.

My question is, for the price of a loaded MDX, why in the hell can't Acura include the matching burlwood shift knob with it? Instead, you have to buy it from them for such an incredible price. I guess this is one way for Acura to make extra money out of their customers.

Anyway, my actual gripe is with the design of the shift knob. I heard from many that this is a common problem. The knob itself doesn’t screw in right. It leaves about half of an inch of tread expose. This is an actual Acura burlwood shift knob, specifically designed for 2003 MDX. I don’t understand why it doesn’t fit and why Acura is not aware of this fitment problem.:buck
I hate to make any modification just to remedy the problem so we ended up returning it to the dealer.

Can anyone suggest any other source to get this type of shift knob that will fit perfectly or should I expect them all to be the same?
:cry:I have a 2003 Acura MDX and it has the optional Burlwood Shift knob. It fits perfectly! You might want to try screwing it in the whole way! It fits, there should be no problem.

I have a 2003 Acura MDX and it has the optional Burlwood Shift knob. It fits perfectly! You might want to try screwing it in the whole way! It fits, there should be no problem.


I was beginning to think that nobody else was experiencing the same problem. I found several other forums with the same topic with no replies. Apparently, I'm not alone on this and I find it very odd for Honda or Acura for not realizing this fitment issue. Trust me, I tried my best to force it to go all the way but still leaving a little space...about half an inch gap. The Honda dealership mechanic did the same and got as far as I did. I even went to Sears to purchase one of those specialty tools for plumbers, the strap type wrench to tigthen further but that's as far as I can go. I was told by another MDX owner, with Burlwood Shift Knob, that some do sit properly and some just don't. Out of seven shift knob in stock...we tried every single one of them and sure enough the same results...I gave up on the idea. BTW, the other guy got his in Virginia...no way near that desperate to drive all the way down there just for that. Thanks anyway for your reply and consider yourself lucky to have one. They do look better with them on than the stock leather type.