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: electrical system
6 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Seats, Nov 30, 2015
THE 2001 ACURA MDX TOURING IS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER HEATED SEATS CONTROLLED BY THREE-POSITION ROCKER SWITCHES (ONE SWITCH TO CONTROL DRIVER SEAT A SECOND SWITCH TO CONTROL PASSENGER SEAT) IN THE CENTER CONSOLE ALLOWING PASSENGER TO CHOOSE BETWEEN LOW-OFF-HIGH TEMPERATURE SETTINGS. THE SEATS ARE DESIGNED TO WARM THE SEAT CUSHION AND THE LUMBAR CUSHION OF BOTH FRONT DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS. CURRENTLY, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WORKS AS DESIGNED. THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT, HOWEVER, ONLY HEATS THE LUMBAR CUSHION WHEN THE HEATER IS ENGAGED AND THE SEAT CUSHION DOES NOT HEAT. WHILE CLEANING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED WHITE RUBBER UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER SEAT. THE RUBBER LOOKED LIKE WIRE INSULATION AND SOME OF THE PIECES LOOKED TO BE CHARRED. I SUSPECT THAT THE HEATING ELEMENT COULD HAVE BROKEN OR SHORTED SOMEHOW CAUSING THE WIRE INSULATION TO CRACK AND OVER TIME TO DISINTEGRATE. MY CONCERN IS THAT A BREAK IN THE HEATING ELEMENT AND/OR CIRCUITRY COULD RESULT IN A SHORT OR SPARK OR EVEN A FIRE WHICH COULD CAUSE HARM TO THE DRIVER IF SITTING IN THAT SEAT WERE SUCH AN EVENT TO OCCUR AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE A HAZARDOUS SITUATION IF SUCH AN EVENT OCCURRED EN ROUTE WHERE A DRIVER'S REACTION TO SHOCK, SMOKE, BURNING SMELL, OR FIRE COULD ENDANGER THE DRIVER, PASSENGERS, AND OTHER VEHICLES/PASSENGERS ON THE ROAD. EVEN IF THE VEHICLE IS USED WITHOUT INTENTIONALLY ENGAGING THE SEAT HEATING SYSTEM, THE DESIGN AND LOCATION OF THE ROCKER SWITCHES ALLOW THEM TO EASILY BE ENGAGED INADVERTENTLY.
Electrical system, Apr 10, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION INTERLOCK SYSTEM FAILED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY WHILE THE GEAR WAS NOT IN DRIVE GEAR. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET BACK INTO THE VEHICLE AND SECURE THE GEAR IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Dec 13, 2012
THERE IS A MALFUNCTION OF THE IGNITION INTERLOCK FEATURE. THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS IN NEUTRAL OR DRIVE. THE VEHICLE IS AT RISK OF ROLLING AWAY WHILE UNATTENDED. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 10, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION INTERLOCK SYSTEM WOULD ALLOW THE DRIVER TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION WHEN IT WAS NOT IN PARK. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND ALMOST STRUCK A MERCEDES BY ABOUT 4 INCHES. THE VEHICLE LANDED IN A HEDGE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. HONDA WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 135,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Sep 15, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT LOWER AND UPPER ENGINE MOUNTS WERE TORN. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,825 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000. UPDATED 10/16/08. *LJ THE EGR VALVE WAS FAULTY, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 10/17/08. *JB
Electrical system, Jan 3, 2008
ACURA MDX D5 LIGHT WAS FLASHING THEN SUDDDENLY ALL ELEC WENT OUT. CAR WENT ANOTHER MILE BEFORE STOPPING IN THE ROAD. LUCKILY MY FAMILY WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF CAR AND MOVE TO SAFETY. THIS MODEL AS EVIDENCED BY BLOGS ON THE INTERNET, HAS MANY SIGNIFICANT DESIGN FLAWS. I AM TOLD THAT THIS NEW ISSUE WILL TAKE ANOTHER $1000 TO FIX (MODULE AND SENSOR). THIS CAR HAS A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE WITH ITS MOTOR MOUNTS AS WELL.*CN