Acura MDX 2001–2006
1st generation (YD1)
NHTSA data through 12 August 20261,375 complaints, 1,056 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 68,500 and 138,000 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 65 complaints (6.2%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 31,000
- 25%
- 68,500
- Median
- 98,000
- 75%
- 138,000
- 90%
- 171,235
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 55 | 5.2% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 22 | 2.1% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 22 | 2.1% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 31 | 2.9% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 29 | 2.7% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 52 | 4.9% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 63 | 6.0% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 85 | 8.0% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 103 | 9.8% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 79 | 7.5% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 89 | 8.4% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 58 | 5.5% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 62 | 5.9% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 49 | 4.6% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 51 | 4.8% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 46 | 4.4% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 44 | 4.2% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 20 | 1.9% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 23 | 2.2% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 8 | 0.8% |
| 200,000+ | 65 | 6.2% |
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.
Owners filed 1,375 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001–2006 Acura MDX, and 1,056 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 68,500 and 138,000 miles. The median is 98,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the transmission and driveline (41.5% of complaints, typically around 96,000 miles), the airbag system (11.9% of complaints, typically around 135,000 miles), the electrical system (6.0% of complaints, typically around 112,000 miles).
15 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Transmission and driveline96,000median 95,600 miles, middle half 74,000 to 125,000
- Airbag system135,000median 135,000 miles, middle half 59,000 to 165,000
- Electrical system112,000median 112,000 miles, middle half 85,000 to 150,000
- Engine and its cooling system78,000median 78,000 miles, middle half 40,000 to 90,000
- Throttle and speed control86,000median 86,000 miles, middle half 36,000 to 124,000
- Engine145,000median 145,097 miles, middle half 100,000 to 180,000
- Problems owners could not categorise124,000median 124,500 miles, middle half 85,000 to 176,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 570 | 41.5% | 96,000 | 74,000–125,000 |
| Airbag system | 164 | 11.9% | 135,000 | 59,000–165,000 |
| Electrical system | 83 | 6.0% | 112,000 | 85,000–150,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 76 | 5.5% | 78,000 | 40,000–90,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 49 | 3.6% | 86,000 | 36,000–124,000 |
| Engine | 47 | 3.4% | 145,000 | 100,000–180,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 42 | 3.1% | 124,000 | 85,000–176,000 |
| Seat belts | 36 | 2.6% | 117,000 | 40,000–160,000 |
| Body structure | 35 | 2.5% | 79,000 | 61,000–120,000 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 33 | 2.4% | 124,000 | 75,000–205,000 |
Which systems, and when
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 98,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 41.5% of complaints (570 reports, 515 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 95,600 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 73,789 and 125,000 miles.
A single system taking 41.5% 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 11.9% of complaints (164 reports, 71 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 135,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 59,000 and 165,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 6.0% 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 5.5% of complaints (76 reports, 61 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 3.6% 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 35,645 and 124,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 3.4% of complaints (47 reports, 36 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 145,097 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.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2001 model year drew the most — 266 complaints — while 2006 drew the fewest at 121. The median year sits at 243.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 15 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). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
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.
Reported severity
Of the 1,375 complaints filed against this generation, 101 reported a crash; 22 reported a fire; 87 reported an injury. Crash-involved reports represent 7.3% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 68,500 and 138,000 miles, with a median of 98,000. 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 95,600, 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.
Documented problems
Automatic Transmission 2001–2006, with 2001, 2003 and 2004 the most heavily reported
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.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 266 | 193 |
| 2002 | 242 | 194 |
| 2003 | 259 | 202 |
| 2004 | 243 | 191 |
| 2005 | 244 | 184 |
| 2006 | 121 | 92 |
Recalls (15)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 20V027000 | 2020-10-01 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module |
| 20V026000 | 2020-10-01 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module |
| 19V501000 | 2019-08-12 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 19V499000 | 2019-08-12 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module |
| 19V182000 | 2019-04-10 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module |
| 17V029000 | 2017-02-27 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 16V344000 | 2016-06-29 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 15V045000 | 2016-02-22 | Air Bags:frontal |
| 15V370000 | 2015-07-01 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 15V320000 | 2015-07-01 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module |
| 14V700000 | 2015-01-26 | Air Bags |
| 14V353000 | 2014-09-12 | Air Bags |
| 13V412000 | 2013-11-01 | Air Bags |
| 13V092000 | 2013-04-22 | Traction Control System |
| 12V573000 | 2013-02-22 | Electrical System:ignition:switch |
What owners reported
I purchased an Acura MDX in november of 01 and from february of 02 until august of 03' my transmission kept down shifting and i have taken my car to the dealer for repairs approx 6 times with the service department writting that my trans was assempled incorrectly. They tried to fix it again because the same issue…
2001 · 1,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
Dear NHTSA: we have had our 2001 Acura MDX in (apple Acura in york, pa) for the recall involving the automatic transmission. We knew something was wrong before the recall notice because the MDX would hesitate and almost stall at low speed at gear changes. Our MDX is still under factory warranty (4 year…
2001 · 5,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 20 MPH, the engine stalled when turning a corner and the automatic transmission froze up in drive. The key in the ignition could not be turned and the steering was difficult to turn without the engine running. The problem was intermittent and occurred when the weather was…
2001 · 9,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Acura MDX. The vehicle hesitates when attempting to accelerate. Also at speeds above 40 MPH the vehicle will shimmy. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the technician stated that the torque converter needed to be replaced at an expense of $2300.00. No repairs were made. However, five…
2001 · 23,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
Built from 1,056 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page