2001 Acura MDX
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 224 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 24 MDX model years with reports.
Of the 2001 reports, 9 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 10 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleJan 17, 2020
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 vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
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 protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
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. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138.
Campaign 20V027000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleJan 17, 2020
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, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
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 protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
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 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.
Campaign 20V026000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, springs, coil springsSep 1, 2005
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, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN AREAS WHERE LARGE QUANTITIES OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS HAVE INSUFFICIENT CORROSION PROTECTION, AND MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION.
EXCESSIVE CORROSION CAN CAUSE SPRING FAILURE AND A BROKEN SPRING COULD PUNCTURE A FRONT TIRE, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS WITH IMPROVED SPRINGS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 11, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ACURA AT 800-382-2238.
Campaign 05V385000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionApr 15, 2004
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 BREAKAGE.
GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
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 THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
Campaign 04V176000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
18 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Mar 14, 2023, crash
car accident
Seat belts, Air bags, Mar 16, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SRS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO UNDERRINER HONDA (3643 PIERCE PKWY, BILLINGS, MT 59106, (406)255-2350) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT BELT SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Air bags, Oct 9, 2020
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V02700 (AIR BAG) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. NO DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Aug 12, 2020
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V027000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED THE POHANKA ACURA DEALER LOCATED AT 13911 LEE JACKSON MEMORIAL HWY, CHANTILLY, VA 20151, AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. Consumer stated car would not be repaired until Oct, 2020.
Air bags, Mar 23, 2020
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V027000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *BF CONSUMER STATED LIGHT IS STILL ON.*JB
Air bags, Dec 14, 2019
AIR BAG LIGHT ON
Air bags, Mar 12, 2019
PASSENGER AIRBAG KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF WITH TEMPUTURE FLUCUATINS
Power train, Air bags, Engine, Sep 29, 2016
SRS LIGHT IS ON, ENGINE LIGHT IS TRANSMISSION IS MISS FIRING, FUEL TANK HAS A LINK. TRANSMISSION BEEN FIX ON A RECALL BEFORE
Power train, Air bags, Nov 18, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,218.
Air bags, May 22, 2015
11/21/2003 REPORTED SRS LIGHT WAS OFF NOW IT IS ON. ACURA DEALER SERVICE (DS) DOCUMENTED AS MAINT. LIGHT ON. WAS TOLD IT WAS A MATTER OF SERVICE TECH. TURING THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON OR OFF. CODE 9002 REPORTED. 8/29/2004 MIL. 43469 REPORTED SRS LIGHT IS STAYING ON ALTHOUGH TURNED OFF LAST VISIT.CODE 9002 DS ORDERED MODULE. 9/29/2004 DS INSTALLED SOP SRS MODULE. CAUSE:SHORTED. CODE 751100 SRS CONTROL UNIT REPLACED S/B# 02-018, 177960-S3V-305 UNIT, PART# 77960S3V305. AS DRIVING OFF LOT LIGHT CAME BACK ON. 6/14/15 STILL NOTICING SRS LIGHT. DS DOC. B C/S SRS LIGHT ON CHECK AND ADVISE. WAS TOLD BY DS IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD AND THE AIRBAG MOST LIKELY WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN EVENT OF ACCIDENT. 2/17/15 AIRBAG LIGHT ON CHECK ADVISE. CODE 9002, OP DS UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, 90241 CAAS. 3/31/15 DS STATED THAT SRS AIRBAG NOT RECOGNIZING PASSENGER IN DRIVERS FRONT SEAT, SENSOR NEEDS REPLACING TOO. THE TWO PARTS MUST BE DONE TOGETHER. AT A COST TO ME. CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTEE WHEN THIS ALL BEGAN. EVERY TIME UNIT WAS RESET IT COMES BACK ON BEFORE LEAVING LOT. CURRENT DAY AIRBAG STILL A HAZARD/SAFETY ISSUE. ADVISE.
Air bags, Mar 4, 2009
I HAVE AN ACURA MDX 2001. SINCE I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE THE YELLOW WARNING LIGHT (SIDE AIRBAG) IS ALWAYS LIGHTING UP EVEN DRIVING THE CAR, WHEN I'M STOP, MOST OF THE TIME ITS LIGHTING UP. I'M WORRIED MAYBE ONE DAY IT WILL BLOW UP. ALSO UNDER THE CHASIS WHEN BACKING UP THEN FORWARD THERE WAS A NOISE THAT THE CRANK MIGHT BRAKE. *TR
Air bags, Jan 19, 2006, crash
A VEHICLE CROSSED THE MEDIAN ON MY LOCAL FREEWAY AND COLLIDED HEAD ON WITH MY 2001 ACURA MDX. EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS TOTALED, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF. POLICE ON THE SCENE AND EMERGENCY PERSONNEL THOUGHT THIS WAS VERY UNUSUAL AND SHOULD BE REPORTED TO NHTSA.*JB
Air bags, Sep 23, 2005
SRS SYSTEM FAILURE (3 * TIMES ) AIR BAGS SYSTEM SHUT DOWN DEALER REPAIRED PROBLEMS ( 50-50 CO PAY ). *NM
Air bags, Jun 30, 2003
CONSUMER STATES THAT AIRBAG LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON. CONSUMER SAYS THAT AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND THERE IS NO PASSENGER SITTING IN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT. *AK
Air bags, Apr 28, 2003, crash
ACURA MDX-LOW IMPACT LEFT FRONT COLLISION WITH STATIONARY OBJECT, WITNESSED BY OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE AND DRIVER PERSONS, NOTED DEPLOYMENT OF BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS APPROXIMATELY 2 SECONDS AFTER COLLISION. AUTO BODY SHOP 20 YEAR EXPERIENCED OWNER, WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE OF ABOVE VOLUNTEERED THAT HE WAS SURPRISED THAT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. WESTERN STATES REGIONAL MANAGER FOR ACURA CALLED IN TO ASCERTAIN WHY SRS LIGHT WOULD NOT EXTINGUISH AFTER REPAIR AND NEW AIRBAG AND "BRAIN" PLACED IN VEHICLE-1 MONTH DELAY. AFTER 2ND "BRAIN" REPLACED, SRS LIGHT OFF UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 5 WEEKS LATER-THIS TIME PASSENGER SENSOR REPLACED. *NLM
Air bags, Aug 5, 2002
NO REPLACEMENT PART AVAILABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. WHEN SRS LIGHT COMES ON FOR WHATEVER REASON, AIRBAGS PROBABLY WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A COLLISION.*AK
Air bags, Aug 3, 2002
THE WARNING SENSOR ON THE SRS SYSTEMS KEEPS FAILING. THE DEALER IS FIXING, BUT I'M TOLD THAT WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT IS ON THE SRS SYSTEM WILL NOT DEPLOY. THUS, THE REPEATED FAULTS IN THE SRS SENSING SYSTEM IS CREATING POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE AS THE WARNING SYSTEM IS (IN EFFECT) SHUTTING DOWN THE SRS SYSTEM. WHILE THE DEALER HAS BEEN FIXING, THERE APPEARS TO BE NO URGENCY TO WARN CUSTOMERS THAT THIS KIND OF WARNING SENSOR ACTUALLY KEEPS THE AIR BAG FROM DEPLOYING (MANUAL IS QUITE VAGUE ON THIS POINT). I AM PURSUING STATE LEMON LAW REMEDIES TO GET NEW CAR AS I AM NOW AT THE 4TH FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT. THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS SYSTEMATIC ISSUE.*AK
Air bags, Mar 6, 2002, crash
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, CONSUMER HIT A CENTER DIVIDER ON HIGHWAY, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER INJURED WITH FRONTAL IMPACT. *AK *JG