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: vehicle speed control
12 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Feb 4, 2023
I was Driving down the HighWay at 70 MPH and the Vehicle is “Jerking” like I am Breaking then proceeded to fail to Accelerate and keep up with my RPMS.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jan 7, 2021
ITS SHOWING ALL THE SYMPTOMS OF THE RECALL THAT INDICATES THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACED AND RADIATOR AS WELL AND HAS OBVIOUS SIGNS OF OVER HEATING AND GEAR DAMEGES. ENGINE LIGHT AND FLASHING D5 WITH ALL CODES FROM POWERTRAIN.*DT*JB
Suspension, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 29, 2016
THE SPRINGS DON'T WORK RIGHT, THE 4 WHEEL DON'T WORK AT ALL, THE CAR DON'T GET UP TO SPEED LIKE IT'S SUPPOSE TO. EVERY TIME YOU MAKE A SHARP TURN THE TRANSMISSION STARTS MESSING UP
Power train, Vehicle speed control, May 9, 2016
TAKATA RECALL I HAVE A 2001 AURA MDX AND WHEN I FIRST GOT THE VEHICLE W MONTHS AGO LIKE 2 WEEKS AFTER I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND THE D 5 LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH THE SPEEDOMETER WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN AND THE RPM WAS HIGH THEN THE SPEEDOMETER WENT BACK UP IT DID IT A COUPLE OF TIMES BUT I WAS STILL GOING THE SAME SPEED IT JERKED A LITTLE BIT I PULLED OVER TRIED TO PUT IN PARK BUT IT WAS STUCK SO I PUSHED THE SHIFT UNLOCK AND I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT IN PARK THEN EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON NOW A MONTH IN A HALF LATER IT WOULD STALL TO GO WHEN I'M TAKING OFF THE ROADS WERE BLOCKED OFF SO I ATTEMPTED TO DO A U TURN I PULLED IN SOMEONE'S PARKING LOT AND TRIED TO REVERSE OUT AND COULDN'T IT WOULD JUST REV TWO GUYS HELPED ME AND PUSHED IT OUT THANK GOD I HAD MY INFANT WITH ME AND OLDER DAUGHTER I WAS ABLE TO GO FORWARD TO MAKE IT BACK HOME BUT THE WHOLE WAY THE CAR WAS REVVING LOUD AND THE RPM WAS HIGH AND WHEN CAME TO. A STOP IT WOULD REV THEN JERK HARD AND GO LUCKILY I DIDN'T CRASH INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME THERE SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL ON THESE CONSIDERING SEEING HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE ITA CRAZY AND I HAD ALWAYS THOUGHT ACURAS WERE VERY GOOD RUNNING CARS PLEASE FIX THIS ISSUE IN OVERALL I LOVE THE ACURA MDX AND WOULD HAVE HOPED IT LASTED ME LONGER I HOPE IT IS ADDRESSED THANK YOU *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Dec 5, 2014
VEHICLE/TRANSMISSION CONSTANTLY JERKS AFTER READING NUMEROUS FORUMS OF INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS ON REPLACEMENTS FOR RECURRING ISSUE...THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED/REPAIRED. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 1, 2014
CAR KEEPS SLIPPING LIKE IT'S TRYING SHIFT GEARS. JERK LIKE WHEN SPEEDING UP. NOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND DOES NOT PICK UP SPEED. DRIVING ON D5. IS THIS A KNOWN ISSUE? THIS IS DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 20, 2013
2ND OCCURRENCE) DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2012, I WAS DRIVING WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER MOVED UP AND DOWN REALLY FAST. THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO SHUT OFF. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND PRESS THE GAS PEDAL TO KEEP IN RUNNING. ON MY WAY TO THE MECHANIC THE CAR ACCELERATED REALLY FAST WITH A HARD JERKING MOTION. IT CUT OFF WHEN I STOPPED AT THE STREET LIGHT. I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND DROVE NO MORE THAN FIFTEEN FEET WHEN IT STARTED JERKING AGAIN. THE MECHANIC SAID I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE IDLE UNIT THE VALVES. 3RD OCCURRENCE) DURING THE MONTH OF MARCH 2013, I WAS DRIVING TO VEGAS WHEN THE CAR STARTED SMOKING I PULLED OVER TO LET THE CAR COOL. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND DROVE A FEW MILES WHEN IT BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND SMOKE AND. I CALLED AAA AND GOT TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. WHICH HE QUOTED ME $3,400 FOR A ONE YEAR WARRANTY. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 20, 2013
2ND OCCURRENCE) DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2012, I WAS DRIVING WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER MOVED UP AND DOWN REALLY FAST. THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO SHUT OFF. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND PRESS THE GAS PEDAL TO KEEP IN RUNNING. ON MY WAY TO THE MECHANIC THE CAR ACCELERATED REALLY FAST WITH A HARD JERKING MOTION. IT CUT OFF WHEN I STOPPED AT THE STREET LIGHT. I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND DROVE NO MORE THAN FIFTEEN FEET WHEN IT STARTED JERKING AGAIN. THE MECHANIC SAID I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE IDLE UNIT THE VALVES. 3RD OCCURRENCE) DURING THE MONTH OF MARCH 2013, I WAS DRIVING TO VEGAS WHEN THE CAR STARTED SMOKING I PULLED OVER TO LET THE CAR COOL. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND DROVE A FEW MILES WHEN IT BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND SMOKE AND. I CALLED AAA AND GOT TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. WHICH HE QUOTED ME $3,400 FOR A ONE YEAR WARRANTY. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 20, 2013
1ST OCCURRENCE) DURING THE MONTH OF MARCH 2011, THE CAR STARTED JERKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT WOULD SPEED UP THEN LOSE POWER. IT WAS VERY HARD TO STOP THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO PUT IT ON A MACHINE THAT SHOWED I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I PAID $2,800 FOR A REBUILT 90 DAY WARRANTY TRANSMISSION. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE TO BRING AWARENESS TO THIS ISSUE ALONG WITH REIMBURSING CUSTOMERS FOR HAVING TO SPEND THEIR MONEY REPEATEDLY FOR ISSUES THAT KEEP OCCURRING. I NEED HELP IN FINDING OUT HOW I CAN SUBMIT A CLAIM FOR REIMBURSEMENT TO COVER THE COST OF HONDA'S FAULTY MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Dec 9, 2004
DRIVING HOME LAST EVENING; FIRST 5 MILES; UP A HILL; SLOWED TO MAKE TURN ONTO FREEWAY. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR, AND THE ENGINE DIED. POWER STEERING BECAME VERY SLUGGISH; HAD TO STRUGGLE A LITTLE TO PULL OFF SIDE OF ROAD. CAR RESTARTED EASILY, PROBLEM DID NOT RECUR THAT NIGHT. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Dec 9, 2004
2001 ACURA. WHILE DRIVING LAST EVENING IN 35 MPH ZONE. PUSHED AND RELEASED THE "SET SPEED" BUTTON ON STEERING WHEEL TO MAINTAIN SAFE, LEGAL SPEED. CAR IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO ACCELERATE. I LET IT GO TO SEE IF IT WOULD CEASE; IT DID NOT, SO FINALLY AT 60 MPH, I TAPPED THE BRAKE TO DISENGAGE AND SLOW DOWN TO CORRECT SPEED. TRIED TO REPRODUCE, ONCE, DID NOT RECUR. BUT SCARY EVENT NONETHELESS.*AK
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Sep 11, 2002, crash
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65MPH, I ATTEMPTED TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE TO MY RIGHT TRANSMISSION FIRST APPEARED TO DOWNSHIFT FROM 5TH TO 4TH AND THE CAR ACCELLERATED NORMALLY, BUT SUDDENLY THE ENGINE RPM INCREASED DRAMTICALLY, THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED DEACCELERATING AND FISHTAILED WIDELY. IT SIDE SWIPED THE CENTER DIVIER OF THE FREEWAY, DAMAGING THE LEFT SIDE. IT APPEARS THAT THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED TO A MUCH LOWER THAN NORMAL GEAR (LIKELY 2ND) AND THE ENGINE RPM THAT WENT OVER REDLINE, CAUSING THE ENGINE GOVENOR TO SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE AND THE LOWER GEAR TO PROVIDE EXCESSIVE ENGINE BREAKING, CAUSING THE LOSS OF CONTROL.*AK