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: engine and engine cooling
19 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 11, 2011
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE CUT OFF. I LOST ENGINE POWER AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. AFTER PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, I WAS NOT ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK NOR REMOVE THE KEY. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND REMOVE THE KEY. THE CAR STARTED AGAIN AFTER 10 MINUTES AND DROVE IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE SHOP COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND SAID MY CAR IS FINE. I KNOW THE CAR IS NOT FINE BECAUSE IT CUT OFF ON ME WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS CAR IS AN ACCIDENT TRAP WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 14, 2010
I HAVE 2001 ACURA MDX WITH 80,000 MILES. WHILE THE DEALER WAS DOING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE I WAS TOLD THE FRONT AND RIGHT SIDE MOTOR MOUNT NEED TO BE REPLACED AND COST ABOUT $700.00. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT! THEN I WENT ONLINE TO RESEARCH THE ISSUE, I FOUND MANY PEOPLE PURCHASED THIS MODEL CAR HAVE THE SAME ISSUE (SEE THIS LINK: HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/ACURA-MDX/T54QBSPDKRMCCNV0A/P8). *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 5, 2009
2001 ACURA MDX WITH ABOUT 80,000 MILES HAS CRACKED FRONT ENGINE BLOCK AND BAD SIDE ENGINE BLOCK. DEALER WANTS ABOUT $800.00 TO FIX. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET OF THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT ACURA SHOULD FIX. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 30, 2008
2001 ACURA MDX WAS DRIVEN UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. AT 61,532 MILES, I WAS TOLD THAT TWO OF THE ENGINE MOUNTS WERE BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT IF I CONTINUED TO DRIVE, THE ENGINE COULD POSSIBLY IMPACT AND DAMAGE THE RADIATOR. I HAD THE PARTS REPLACED. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Structure, Sep 24, 2008
01 MDX MOTOR MOUNTS FAILURE, THESE MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE ON THE CAR ALREADY AND IT CURRENTLY HAS 105,000 MILES AND NEEDS MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACING AGAIN. *TR
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
Engine and engine cooling, Seat belts, Jun 20, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER ENGINE MOUNTS WERE TORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT A RECALL, BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT WERE NONE. THEREFORE, THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY $582.63 FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,799 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,200. UPDATED 09/10/08. *LJ THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED A MISSING TONGUE STOPPER ON THE SEAT BELT. UPDATED 09/12/08. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 7, 2007
MOTOR MOUNTS GOING BAD AND BREAKING IN MDX ACURA 01-CURRENT. REPLACING BETWEEN 40K-80K. INTAKE SYSTEM CLOGGED (AIRPORT) GIVES BAD GAS MILEAGE AND TO UNCLOGG RUNS $200 AT DEALERSHIP. MAKES VIBRATION AND NOISE AS IF YOU ARE GOING OVER A SPEED BUMP HEADING TOWARDS A TOLL BOOTH. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 10, 2007
ENGINE MOUNTS FAILED. CAR HAS 71,000 MILES, AND THE ENGINE MOUNTS FAILED. THIS HAS BEEN A SERIOUS PROBLEM WELL DOCUMENTED ACROSS THE INTERNET BY HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF 01 MDX OWNERS. I BELIEVE IT TO BE A DESIGN FLAW. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 27, 2007
MOTOR MOUNTS NEED REPLACEMENT AFTER ONLY 40,000 MILES. *JB
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jul 23, 2007
2001 ACURA MDX VIBRATIONS LEAD TO DEALER/ MANUFACTURER TO FOCUS ON OTHER COMPONENTS THEN THE TRUE ISSUE. WERE DIFFERENT FINDS STATED TO DIVERT ATTENTION OF KNOW PROBLEMS, TO MINIMIZE FINANCIAL AND REPUTATION? (LEMON LAWS OR POOR DESIGN RUN AROUND?) I'M NOT THE PRIMARY DRIVER AND THEN WHEN I DROVE IT (MY WIFE IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER), SAME PROBLEMS WERE FELT AND IT ONLY HAD DEALER SERVICE SINCE PURCHASING IT IN 2001. I INVESTIGATED THE NOISE MYSELF ON 7/15 /2007 AND NOTICED THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE BROKE. HOW LONG WERE THEY LIKE THIS, WHO KNOWS, BUT A NOTICEABLE ENGINE VIBRATION IS GONE AFTER I POINTED THIS OUT TO THE DEALER/ MANUFACTURER AND HAD IT REPAIRED. I ASKED FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE MOTOR MOUNTS FROM THE MANUFACTURER SINCE IT IS A DOCUMENTED PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURE, ACURA/ HONDA, WOULD NOT REIMBURSE DUE TO THE AGE AND MILEAGE. I PAID FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE MOTOR MOUNTS. A VIBRATION WAS OCCURRING AROUND 30 - 40 MPH, DEALERS/ MANUFACTURER STATE IT WAS A EGR VALVE NOT ALLOWING TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT SMOOTHLY, AND IT WAS DUE TO RUNNING BELOW GRADE GAS. PREMIUM HAS AND WAS RAN, YET THE TRANSMISSION WAS 1.5 QUARTS LOW OF TRANSMISSION FLUID, WHERE IS IT GOING? IS IT HEATING UP AND PUSHING BACK THROUGH THE EGR VALVE IN GASEOUS STATE AND THEN COOLING, CLOGGING THE INTAKE, THENCE EFFECTING THE SHIFTING? THERE IS KNOWN ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS AND THE DEALER/ MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE IT AND STEP UP TO THE KNOW ISSUE. LASTLY, THE SWAY BAR HAS BEEN LOSE AND I'VE BEEN TOLD IT WAS THE A/C COMPRESSOR TO A STRUT. I GOT UNDER THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY IT THE FIRST TIME. IS THE MANUFACTURER HIDING KNOW ISSUES ON THESE ITEMS STATED ABOVE? *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Mar 30, 2007
TL*-THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2001 ACURA MDX,ON A CLEAR DRY DAY AT 50 MPH THE VEHICLE MADE A JERKING MOTION AND FELT AS IF THE VEHICLE WENT INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE SKIDDED ON THE ROAD, IT SHIFTED INTO GEAR , AND THE RPMS WERE HIGH. THE VEHICLE DIDN'T LOSE POWER, BUT DID LOSE ACCELERATION. HE WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AND PROCEED, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY GO ABOUT 30-35 MPH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS RUINED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD 125,000 MILES, AND THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION TOTALED $4,100, THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO A NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED HIM THAT THE ENGINE MOUNT SHEARED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS GOING TO COST HIM ANOTHER $500.00. THERE WAS RECALL O4V176000 CONCERNING THE POWERTRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDEDE IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Dec 11, 2006
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 COLD. THE SERVICE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD RANDOMLY STALL WHEN HIS FOOT WAS REMOVED FROM THE ACCELERATOR. UPDATED 01/1/07. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 15, 2006
MY MDX STALLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. I HAD TURNED A CORNER AT AN INTERSECTION AND THE CAR JUST QUIT. INSTRUMENT PANEL LIT UP AND I LOST POWER STEERING ETC. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 12, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON . AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE STARTED TO RIDE ROUGHLY. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jul 13, 2004
PURCHASED CERTIFIED PREOWNED MDX FROM DEALER (FORMALLY DRIVEN BY FINANCE MANAGER FOR A YEAR. CAR CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 30 DAYS. DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. CAR CUT OFF AGAIN, TOOK TO A DIFFERENT DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. CAR BEGAN TO HESITATE AND STUTTER DAILY AT INITIAL CRANKING. DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AFTER 2-3 DROP OFFS. FINALLY THE CAR SHOWED A EGR VALVE (SENSOR) NEEDED REPLACING. CAR CUT OFF AGAIN TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING. DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE. CAR BEGAN TO STUDDER AND HESITATE GEAR CHANGES. DEALER FINALLY REPLICATED AND DETERMINED 1ST 2ND AND 3RD GEAR WERE BAD. DEALER REPLACING TRANSMISSION WITH REBUILT TRANSMISSION. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY CAR FOR MANY DAYS TO WEEKS AT A TIME. I HAVE NOT HAD MY MDX SINCE JUNE 21, 2004. I HAVE HAD A NEWBORN BABY AND THIS CAR HAS CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING LEAVEING MY FAMILY EXTREMEL UNSAFE. THE TRANSMISSION IS BEING REPLACED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I HAD TO PURCHASE. ACURA HAS REFUSED TO BUY THE CAR BACK OR GIVE ME FAIR MARKET VALUE ON TRADE. THEY HAVE ALSO TOLD ME THE PROBLEM NEEDS TO ADDRESSED WITH THE DEALERSHIP. PLEASE HELP. *LA
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 4, 2002
TRUCK WILL BECOME NON-FUNCTIONAL, NOT STARTING. OWNER HAS TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE TRUCK WILL ACTUALLY START, OR WAIT LONGER. DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO DETECT CAUSE UNLESS IT ACTUALLY DUPLICATES ITSELF ON THE PREMISES OR SHOWS ON THE COMPUTER. *AK *YH
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 17, 2001
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN. *AK THE CONSUMER SAYS WHEN FOOT IS OFF THE ACCELERATOR THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN ALSO, LOSES ALL POWER, LIGHTS COME ON DASHBOARD AND POWER STEERING IS LOST. *YH
Engine and engine cooling, May 29, 2001
CONSUMER WAS GOING 45MPH ON 3 LANE HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. ALL LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD LIT UP. CONSUMER GOT TO SHOULDER OF ROAD, STARTED IT UP AND DROVE IT TO DEALER. THIS WAS FOURTH TIME HAPPENING, AND DEALER STILL COULDN'T TELL CONSUMER WHAT'S CAUSED IT TO STALL. *AK *JB