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: equipment
6 reports, newest first. Show all
Equipment, Jul 27, 2007
REAR SEAT AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING. *JB
Power train, Equipment, Jul 16, 2006
TRANSMISSION FAILURE: APR 15, 2004: MY 2001 ACURA MDX RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION CAMPAIGN #04V176000. JULY 20, 2004: MY ACURA HAS 65,809 MILES - LEWIS ACURA IN SHELBURNE VT INSPECTED TRANSMISSION - AND INSTEAD OF REPLACING IT THEY INSTALLED A "JET KIT" TO LUBE THE GEARS AND KEEP THE TRANSMISSION FROM HEATING UP TOO MUCH. I BELIEVE THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED. JULY 16, 2006: TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND I HAVE READ MANY REPORTS ON LINE OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR 2001 ACURA MDX TRANSMISSIONS. THESE PEOPLE TOO ONLY RECEIVED THE "JET KIT" AND THEIR TRANSMISSIONS FAILED. I HAVE HAD CARS FOR A LOT LONGER AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS NOT FAILED LIKE THIS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A BETTER LOOK INTO HOW ACURA HANDLED THIS PROBLEM AND REALLY FIX THE PROBLEM RATHER THAN PUTTING A BAND-AID (JET KIT) ON IT. *JB
Power train, Equipment, Aug 24, 2005
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 OCCURED UNTIL I FINALLY GAVE UP AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE FINANCE COMPANY. I TRIED AAFTER THE 3RD TIME TO GET IT FILED UNDER THE LEMON LAW AND THE DEALER NOR AMERICAN HONDA WOULD ASSIST ME CAUSING ME TO FILE BANKRUPTCY.
Equipment, Mar 26, 2004
SUMMARY: THE JACK SUPPLIED WITH MY 2001 ACURA MDX SLIPPED WHILE I WAS CHANGING A TIRE IN MY DRIVEWAY, CAUSING THE CAR TO FALL ON MY RIGHT ARM AS I WAS MOUNTING THE SPARE TIRE. I RECEIVED A CRUSH INJURY ACROSS MY RIGHT ELBOW, WHICH IS USEABLE NOW BUT STILL SORE 2 MONTHS LATER. WHYS: I ALMOST DID NOT REPORT THIS BECAUSE I WAS STUPID AND FORGOT TO SET THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE MY BROTHER-IN-LAW IN DALLAS, WHO OWNS A 2001 ACCURA MDX, HAD A SIMILAR THING HAPPEN TO HIM (WITHOUT INJURY) A FEW MONTHS EARLIER WHEN HIS EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS SET; HE HAD NOT MENTIONED IT TO ME UNTIL HE HEARD ABOUT MY ACCIDENT. I WOULD LOVE TO BE THE LAST PERSON THAT AN MDX FALLS ON. BOTH MY BROTHER-IN-LAW AND I HAD DECIDED TO CHANGE OUR OWN TIRES AS WE HAD FLATS IN OUR DRIVEWAYS (BOTH OF US HAVE CHANGED MANY FLATS IN THE PAST, ALTHOUGH IT HAD BEEN SEVERAL YEARS SINCE I HAD DONE SO), WERE IN A SAFE, LEVEL, AND DRY PLACE, AND HAD NO NEED TO WAIT AN HOUR FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. I THINK MANY PEOPLE WOULD MAKE THE SAME CHOICE IN THAT SITUATION, OR, MORE HAZARDOUSLY, ALONG A ROADSIDE (WHERE THE ROAD'S CROWN MAKES THE GROUND UNEVEN, AND WHERE PASSING TRAFFIC WILL SHAKE A CAR). MY BROTHER-IN-LAW'S 2001 MDX SHIFTED (EVEN WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON) AND BENT THE JACK, BUT DID NOT FALL ALL THE WAY OFF OF IT. HE CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. WHEN THE R.A. MAN ARRIVED TO HELP, HE LOOKED AT THE JACK AND SAID THAT IT WAS WAY TOO SMALL FOR A CAR AS HEAVY AS AN MDX. MY JACK ALSO BENT. ALTHOUGH MY EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS OFF, THE CAR DID NOT ROLL OR SHIFT WHEN MY NEIGHBOR CAME OVER WITH A LARGER JACK TO RE-RAISE MY CAR AND INSTALL THE PASSENGER TIRE FOR ME. (AT THAT POINT WE DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS NOT SET). I WAS NEGLIGENT, BUT MY BROTHER-IN-LAW WAS NOT; THIS JACK MAY BE DANGEROUS WHEN SUPPORTING THIS CAR. WILL YOU PLEASE FOLLOW UP ON THIS? *AK
Equipment, Aug 5, 2002
VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT A LOCAL DEALER, WHO WITHOUT OWNER'S CONSENT SERVICED AIR CONDITIONER WITH A PRODUCT THAT WAS STANDARD PRACTICE, USED TO KILL BACTARIA. CONSUMER LATER HAD AN ALLERGIC REACTION, CAUSING TONGUE TO SWELL/ DIZZINESS/ HEADACHES, AND WEAKNESS. NAME OF PRODUCT WAS FRIGI FRESH, DISTRIBUTED BY B.G. PRODUSTS CORPORATION.*AK
Equipment, Aug 2, 2002
AIR CONDITIONER OPERATED POORLY. *AK