Acura MDX 2001–2006 problems by year and mileage
1st generation (YD1)
NHTSA data through 24 September 20261,072 complaints, 822 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2001 Acura MDX
Close- Median failure report
- 100,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 224
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2001
- Transmission and driveline131 reports · median 104,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system19 reports
- Suspension19 reports
4 recall campaigns name the 2001: Air bags — frontal; Suspension — front; Power train — automatic transmission. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2002 Acura MDX
Close- Median failure report
- 98,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 204
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2002
- Transmission and driveline124 reports · median 98,000 mi
- Airbag system23 reports
- Engine and its cooling system14 reports
4 recall campaigns name the 2002: Air bags — frontal; Suspension — front; Power train — automatic transmission. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2003 Acura MDX
Close- Median failure report
- 108,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 206
- Recalls naming this year
- 11
Most reported on the 2003
- Transmission and driveline104 reports · median 109,000 mi
- Airbag system42 reports
- Electrical system18 reports
11 recall campaigns name the 2003: Air bags — frontal; Air bags; Electrical system — ignition. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2004 Acura MDX
Close- Median failure report
- 94,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 171
- Recalls naming this year
- 8
Most reported on the 2004
- Transmission and driveline77 reports · median 91,000 mi
- Airbag system26 reports
- Electrical system21 reports
8 recall campaigns name the 2004: Air bags — frontal; Air bags; Electrical system — ignition. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2005 Acura MDX
Close- Median failure report
- 82,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 180
- Recalls naming this year
- 11
Most reported on the 2005
- Transmission and driveline87 reports · median 80,000 mi
- Airbag system39 reports
- Electrical system18 reports
11 recall campaigns name the 2005: Air bags — frontal; Air bags; Traction control system. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2006 Acura MDX
Close- Median failure report
- 76,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 87
- Recalls naming this year
- 9
Most reported on the 2006
- Transmission and driveline38 reports · median 69,000 mi
- Airbag system15 reports
- Engine9 reports
9 recall campaigns name the 2006: Air bags — frontal; Traction control system; Electrical system — ignition. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
Each tile shows the median mileage at which that model year’s failures were reported. The 2003 reports latest and the 2006 earliest, but part of that gap is age: the 2003 has had 3 more years on the road to accumulate mileage.
The short answer
“Is the 2001–2006 Acura MDX reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 96,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 166,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 822
- Recalls
- 20
Most reported
- Transmission and driveline52.3% of complaints · median 96,000 mi
- Airbag system15.2% of complaints · median 132,000 mi
- Electrical system7.7% of complaints · median 112,000 mi
Owners filed 1,072 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001–2006 Acura MDX; the transmission and driveline leads with 52.3% of them, and half of the 822 that record an odometer reading came by 96,000 miles. A count like this can’t rate reliability on its own: NHTSA records what owners chose to report, not how many of each car were sold.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 69,000 and 132,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2001–2006 Acura MDX last?
Complaint records can’t measure how long a car lasts; they show when reported failures happened. On the 2001–2006 Acura MDX, half of the 822 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 96,000 miles and 90% by 166,000 miles.
142 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 42 past 200,000 — each one proof that a MDX reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Acura MDX 2001–2006 · 822 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 10,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 88 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 42 complaints (5.1%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 34,264
- 25%
- 69,000
- Median
- 96,000
- 75%
- 132,221
- 90%
- 166,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 40 | 4.9% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 16 | 1.9% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 15 | 1.8% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 24 | 2.9% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 20 | 2.4% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 43 | 5.2% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 55 | 6.7% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 65 | 7.9% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 88 | 10.7% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 66 | 8.0% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 71 | 8.6% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 49 | 6.0% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 50 | 6.1% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 41 | 5.0% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 37 | 4.5% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 38 | 4.6% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 27 | 3.3% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 16 | 1.9% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 15 | 1.8% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 4 | 0.5% |
| 200,000+ | 42 | 5.1% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Common MDX problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Acura MDX 2001–2006
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Engine and its cooling system73 reports78,00040,000–90,000Engine and its cooling system: 73 reports, median 78,000 miles, middle half 40,000 to 90,000 miles.
- Throttle and speed control49 reports86,00036,000–124,000Throttle and speed control: 49 reports, median 86,000 miles, middle half 36,000 to 124,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline561 reports96,00074,000–125,000Transmission and driveline: 561 reports, median 96,000 miles, middle half 74,000 to 125,000 miles.
- Electrical system83 reports112,00085,000–150,000Electrical system: 83 reports, median 112,000 miles, middle half 85,000 to 150,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise42 reports124,00085,000–176,000Problems owners could not categorise: 42 reports, median 124,000 miles, middle half 85,000 to 176,000 miles.
- Airbag system163 reports132,00059,000–161,000Airbag system: 163 reports, median 132,000 miles, middle half 59,000 to 161,000 miles.
- Engine47 reports145,000100,000–180,000Engine: 47 reports, median 145,000 miles, middle half 100,000 to 180,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 561 | 52.3% | 96,000 | 74,000–125,000 |
| Airbag system | 163 | 15.2% | 132,000 | 59,000–161,000 |
| Electrical system | 83 | 7.7% | 112,000 | 85,000–150,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 73 | 6.8% | 78,000 | 40,000–90,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 49 | 4.6% | 86,000 | 36,000–124,000 |
| Engine | 47 | 4.4% | 145,000 | 100,000–180,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 42 | 3.9% | 124,000 | 85,000–176,000 |
| Seat belts | 36 | 3.4% | 117,000 | 40,000–160,000 |
| Body structure | 35 | 3.3% | 79,000 | 61,000–120,000 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 33 | 3.1% | 124,000 | 75,000–205,000 |
System by system, in words
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 96,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 52.3% of complaints (561 reports, 507 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 96,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 74,000 and 125,000 miles.
A single system taking 52.3% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The airbag system accounts for 15.2% of complaints (163 reports, 70 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 132,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 59,000 and 161,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 7.7% of complaints (83 reports, 65 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 112,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 85,000 and 150,000 miles.
The engine and its cooling system accounts for 6.8% of complaints (73 reports, 58 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 78,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 40,000 and 90,000 miles.
Throttle and speed control accounts for 4.6% of complaints (49 reports, 36 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 86,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 36,000 and 124,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 4.4% of complaints (47 reports, 36 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 145,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 100,000 and 180,000 miles.
Known problems with the 2001–2006 MDX
Automatic Transmission 2001–2006
Failure of the Honda 5-speed automatic — slipping, then complete disengagement without warning, often stranding the vehicle. Reported around 120,000 miles on 2001 and 2003 vehicles and around 80,000 miles on 2004. Part of the broader Honda/Acura V6 5-speed automatic durability problem of the era; repairs typically exceed $4,000.
Before you buy a 2001–2006 MDX: the 3-minute check
Generated from 822 mileage-tagged complaints, 20 recall campaigns, 1 documented problem area. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 20 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check automatic transmission on 2001–2006, with 2001, 2003 and 2004 the most heavily reported cars. Failure of the Honda 5-speed automatic — slipping, then complete disengagement without warning, often stranding the vehicle. Reported around 120,000 miles on 2001 and 2003 vehicles and around 80,000 miles on 2004. Part…
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 69,000 and 132,000 miles, with a median of 96,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the transmission and driveline and the airbag system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The transmission and driveline in particular shows a median failure mileage of 96,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
MDX problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer reading, or read the common mileages in the table. Your marker lands on the timing chart above and on the curve below.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi19% below | At 90k mi45% below | At 120k mi67% below | At 150k mi83% below | At 200k mi95% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 74,000–125,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 59,000–161,000 | in window | in window | in window | in window | earlier |
| Electrical system | 85,000–150,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Engine and its cooling system | 40,000–90,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Throttle and speed control | 36,000–124,000 | in window | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 100,000–180,000 | later | later | in window | in window | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 85,000–176,000 | later | in window | in window | in window | earlier |
Figure 3 · Acura MDX 2001–2006 · 822 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 19% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 45% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 67% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 83% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 95% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it above
The staircase tops out at 95%: the remaining 5.1% of reports (42) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
2001–2006 Acura MDX recalls (20)
NHTSA records 20 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (13), traction control (1), the electrical system (1). Several campaigns against one area can mean a remedy that did not hold, or separate defects in parts filed under the same heading; the summaries below name each defect.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Jan 2020 · 2001–2002 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL, 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL, 2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey, 2001-2002 Acura MDX and 2000 Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles. These…
What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly…
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bags in the vehicles, replacing the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design, as necessary, free of charge.…
Jan 2020 · 2001 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL…
What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly…
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October…
Jun 2019 · 2003–2006 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at…
Jun 2019 · 2003–2006 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.…
Mar 2019 · 2003–2006 · Air BagsAn explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic…
What can happen. An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or…
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service…
Jan 2017 · 2005–2006 · Air BagsAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2011 Honda Element vehicles, 2005-2012 Acura RL vehicles, 2006-2012 Honda Ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2005-2008 Honda Pilot…
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall bagan March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.…
May 2016 · 2003–2006 · Air BagsAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that…
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.…
Jun 2015 · 2003 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX vehicles manufactured June 14, 2000, to August 19, 2004, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid…
What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly…
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.…
May 2015 · 2003–2006 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura…
What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or…
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.…
Jan 2015 · 2003 · Air BagsInadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
The defect. Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured February 13, 2002, to August 13, 2004, and 2003 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to September 23, 2003. Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag…
What can happen. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
The free fix. Honda dealers will replace the supplemental restraint system electronic control unit (SRS ECU). The recall began on February 22, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.…
Nov 2014 · 2003–2005 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could…
The defect. American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles…
What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious…
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Jun 2014 · 2003–2005 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could…
The defect. American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda Ridgeline…
What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious…
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer…
Sep 2013 · 2003 · Air BagsInadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
The defect. Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Odyssey and model year 2003 Acura MDX vehicles. Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module may fail causing the front air bags, side curtain air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to…
What can happen. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a noise suppressor unit, free of charge. The recall began on November 1, 2013. A renotification letter went out on July 11, 2014 for the 2003 Acura…
Mar 2013 · 2005–2006 · Traction Control SystemSudden inadvertent braking, especially without illumination of the brake lights, may increase the risk of a…
The defect. Honda is recalling certain model year 2005 Pilot vehicles manufactured July 29, 2004, through August 29, 2005; model year 2005-2006 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 16, 2004, through September 22, 2005; and model year 2005 Acura RL vehicles…
What can happen. Sudden inadvertent braking, especially without illumination of the brake lights, may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
The free fix. Owners will be notified and instructed to take their vehicles to a dealer of their respective brand. The dealer will install a partial wiring harness containing a capacitor for the VSA modulator…
Dec 2012 · 2003–2006 · Electrical SystemRemoval of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been…
The defect. Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Pilot and Odyssey and 2003 through 2006 Acura MDX passenger vehicles manufactured from November 26, 2001, through August 30, 2006. The interlock lever of the ignition switch may deform, which can allow the…
What can happen. Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a…
The free fix. Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated shift interlock lever and, if necessary, replace any necessary part of…
Jul 2006 · 2006 · EquipmentThe language in the owner's manuals is not in accordance with the current mandatory requirements.
The defect. On certain passenger vehicles and motorcycles, the owner's manuals contain incorrect contact information for the national highway traffic safety administration's (NHTSA) vehicle safety hotline.
What can happen. The language in the owner's manuals is not in accordance with the current mandatory requirements.
The free fix. Honda will send a postcard to dealers and owners with the correct NHTSA vehicle safety hotline information and with instructions to insert the card into the "reporting safety defects" section of the…
Sep 2005 · 2001–2002 · SuspensionExcessive corrosion can cause spring failure and a broken spring could puncture a front tire, which increases…
The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio…
What can happen. Excessive corrosion can cause spring failure and a broken spring could puncture a front tire, which increases the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace both front springs with improved springs. The recall began on october 11, 2005. Owners may contact Acura at 800-382-2238.
Nov 2004 · 2005 · Fuel System, GasolineIn a crash, the fuel tank could be damaged and leak fuel.
The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles, some fuel tanks were improperly manufactured.
What can happen. In a crash, the fuel tank could be damaged and leak fuel. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The free fix. Dealers replaced the fuel tank. All owners were notified by telephone on november 10, 2004.
Apr 2004 · 2001–2002 · Power TrainGear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash.
The defect. On some MINI vans, sport utility and passenger vehicles, certain operating conditions can result in heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft second gears in the automatic transmission, eventually leading to gear tooth chipping or gear…
What can happen. Gear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash.
The free fix. On vehicles with 15,000 miles or less, the dealer will update the transmission with a simple revision to the oil cooler return line to increase lubrication to the second gear. On vehicles with more…
Aug 2002 · 2002 · Engine and Engine CoolingIf the timing belt breaks, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. On certain minivans, sedans, coupes, and sport utility vehicles equipped with v6 engines, a timing belt tensioner pulley on the water pump is misaligned and could cause the timing belt to contact a bolt on the cylinder head. Eventually the belt could be…
What can happen. If the timing belt breaks, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the water pump and if it is one of the defective pumps, the water pump and timing belt will be replaced. Owner notification began august 30, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 1,072 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 69 (6.4%)
- Fires
- 13
- Injury reports
- 45
- Fatality reports
- 0
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
MDX problems by model year
The 2001 drew the most complaints of this generation, 224, most of them about the transmission and driveline, and the 2006 the fewest, 87. A typical year drew about 192.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 224 | 169 | 100,000 | Transmission and driveline (131) | 4 |
| 2002 | 204 | 161 | 98,000 | Transmission and driveline (124) | 4 |
| 2003 | 206 | 157 | 108,000 | Transmission and driveline (104) | 11 |
| 2004 | 171 | 133 | 94,000 | Transmission and driveline (77) | 8 |
| 2005 | 180 | 139 | 82,000 | Transmission and driveline (87) | 11 |
| 2006 | 87 | 63 | 76,000 | Transmission and driveline (38) | 9 |
What MDX owners reported
The contact owns a 2002 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH up an incline, the vehicle stalled. The service engine and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart, but made an abnormal grinding sound while shifting into gear. The vehicle was taken to an independent…
2002 · 214,000 miles · Engine and its cooling system
The contact owns a 2001 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started stalling while attempting to accelerate. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was…
2001 · 152,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
The contact owns a 2005 Acura MDX. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light was flashing with an occupant seated in the seat. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and she was informed that the front driver’s and passenger’s side air bags and seat belt pretensioners were defective…
2005 · 210,000 miles · Airbag system
The contact owns a 2002 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated that she depressed the accelerator pedal and the RPM’s revved; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact pulled over, turned off and restarted the vehicle and…
2002 · 170,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
Built from 822 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-09-26 · open data · how it is built
Other MDX generations
- MDX 2007–2013 300 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system
- MDX 2014–2020 574 reports with mileage, most about the engine