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
224 reports, newest first.
Suspension, Feb 12, 2004
LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION SPRINGS COLLAPSED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FALL ONTO THE TIRES. *AK
Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 20, 2004
A DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER-SIDE DOOR LOCK RENDERS THE WHOLE LOCKING (AND UNLOCKING) MECHANISM UNUSABLE. MY DRIVER-SIDE DOOR HANDLE GOT SCRAPED IN LOCKED POSITION, WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN. DUE TO THE DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER SIDE LOCK, IT COULD NOT BE OPERATED ELECTRICALLY OR MANUALLY. ON PARKING THE CAR I MANAGED TO GET OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR BUT ON CLOSING THE SAME DOOR, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM LOCKED THE DOOR AUTOMATICALLY. SINCE NONE OF THE OTHER DOORS, INCLUDING THE ONE ON THE TRUNK, HAS A MECHANICAL LOCK, THE CAR CANNOT NOW BE UNLOCKED. THERE IS NOW NO WAY OF GETTING INTO THE CAR, WITHOUT WHICH THE DAMAGED DOOR CANNOT BE REPAIRED. ACURA MOTORS DID NOT HAVE A WAY OUT OF THE SITUATION. *AK
Power train, Dec 4, 2003
DRIVING AT 70 MPH MY 2001 ACURA MDX SHIFTED HARD TO, I GUESS, 2ND GEAR, RED LINING THE ENGINE AND CAUSING CONTROL PROBLEMS. I WAS ABLE TO SWERVE TO RIGHT TO PREVENT ACCIDENT. THE CAR IS NOW DOWN SHIFTING RANDOMLY. IT IS DOWN FOR A $3000 REPAIR. ONLINE, THERE ARE OTHERS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. RADLEY ACURA IN VA TELLS ME THE PROBLEM IS COMMON. THIS WILL KILL SOMEONE SOON. PLEASE LOOK INTO IT AND INSTITUTE A SAFETY RECALL OF THE TRANSMISSION! *NLM
Structure, Dec 1, 2003
WITHOUT WARNING THE TAILGATE GLASS FELL TO THE GROUND WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS CLOSING THE TAILGATE. CONSUMER HAS NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. *AK
Tires, Sep 26, 2003
BOTH GOODYEAR INTEGRITY FRONT TIRES, SIZE P235/65R17, DOT#UNKNOWN LOST AIR PRESSURE EVERY WEEK. DEALER STATED NOTHING WAS FOUND WRONG. *AK
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
Structure, Jun 10, 2003
SUBFRAME SHIFTS WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Tires, Jun 9, 2003
THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE BLEW OUT. *NLM *SCC
Seat belts, May 1, 2003
MY 5 1/2 YEAR OLD SON WAS BELTED IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE MIDDLE ROW SEAT OF MY ACURA MDX YEAR 2001 WHICH HAS 3 ROWS OF SEATS. NEXT TO HIS RIGHT SHOULDER IS THE SHOULDER STRAP OF THE MIDDLE SEAT WHICH IS CONNECTED TO A MECHANISM IN THE SEAT AND EXTENDS TO THE ROOF OF THE CAR. AS IT TURNS OUT, DESPITE PREVIOUS WARNINGS, HE WAS PLAYING WITH THAT MIDDLE SHOULDER STRAP AND INADVERTANTLY IT LOOPED AROUND HIS NECK, RETRACTED AND BEGAN TO HANG AND STRANGLE HIM. HE CALLED OUT TO ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN A CRYING, RASPY VOICE. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE CAR AND LOOKED BACK. I AM AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN, AND WHAT I SAW WAS MY SON BEING LIFTED OFF THE SEAT, BEING HELD DOWN BY HIS SEAT WHILE HIS HEAD WAS BEING PULLED AWAY. HIS FACE WAS RED AND HE COULD HARDLY BREATH AND HIS BREATHING WAS GETTING MORE LABORED. I JUMPED IN THE BACK SEAT AND TRIED TO PULL THE SHOULDER STRAP DOWN TO GIVE HIME SOME SLACK, BUT IT WAS LOCKED. HE MUST HAVE PULLED IN OUT ALL THE WAY PRIOR TO THE SEAT BELT RETRACTING, AND IT WAS LOCKED. I HAD TO RELEASE HIS BELT AND HOLD HIM UP WITH MY HAND. I COULD NOT PLACE MY FINGER BETWEEN THE BELT AND HIS NECK BECAUSE IT WAS TOO TIGHT, AND THERE WAS NO WAY TO UNWRAP THE BELT. I LOOKED DOWN AT THE LOCKING MECHANISM. THERE IS A WAY OF UNLOCKING THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT AND RETRACTING IT ALL THE WAY INTO THE ROOF FOR STORAGE, IN MY PANIC I COULD OT IDENTIFY IT. I CALLED OUTSIDE TO PEOPLE IN THEIR CARS PARKED AT A STOP LIGHT FOR A KNIFE. NO ONE HAD A KNIFE. I WENT BACK AND THOUGHT AGAIN AND REMEMBERED THAT A KEY WAS REQUIRED TO UNLACTCH THIS MECHANISM. I TOOK MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, AND FOUND A SMALL RECTANGULAR HOLE ALONG THE SIDE OF THE BUCKLE MECHANISM, PLACED MY KEY INTO IT AND RELEASED THE BELT. I WAS ABLE TO THEN UNWRAP THE BELT FROM THIS NECK AND SAVE HIS LIFE. IF I HAND NOT PREVIOUSLY BEEN AWARE OF THIS MECHANISM, HE WOULD HAVE HUNG/STRANGLED TO DEATH. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR COMMENTS. IT SEEMS TO ME THERE SHOULD BE AN EASIER WAY OF UNLOCKING THAT BELT.
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
Steering, Dec 6, 2002
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 65MPH A TIRE ROD BROKE SLASHING THE LEFT REAR TIRE CAUSING IT TO BLOW OUT. TS
Power train, Oct 10, 2002, crash
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SHIFT LEVER DOES NOT LOCK INTO PLACE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK. THERE WAS A CHILD WHO WAS IN THE VEHICLE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE CHILD WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE LEVER INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE RAN INTO A HOUSE BEFORE IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. MR
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
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
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
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
Equipment, Aug 2, 2002
AIR CONDITIONER OPERATED POORLY. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 20, 2002
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *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
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
Tires, Nov 5, 2001
WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATLEY 40 MPH IN A 2001, ACURA MDX RIGHT/FRONT GOODYEAR INTEGRITY TIRE, SIZE: 235/65R17, DOT: 4B87 EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT. CONSUMER SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING BEFORE INCIDENT OCCURRED. A TIRE SHOP WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE CAUSE FOR ANY SMOKE OR BURNING SMELLS. THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 5,530 MILES ON TIRE, AND IT WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. *AK *TT *NLM
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
Seat belts, Child seat, May 21, 2001
SEATBELTS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY FOR A BOOSTER SEAT. COSUMER FEELS THERE'S A DEFECT IN THE WAY THEY WERE MADE. SEAT WILL SLIDE 7 TO 9 INCHES IN A COLLISION.*AK CONSUMER STATES BOOSTER SEAT IS A COMMON MODEL MANFACTURED BY CENTURY PRODUCTS, THE SEAT BELT STRAP GOES THROUGH THE BACK OF THE BOOSTER SEAT TO INSTALL IT, BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE OF THE VEHICLE IS NOT ON A SMALL STRAP LIKE THOSE IN THE SECOND ROW SEATING THAT ALLOWS IT TO MOVE TO A VERTICAL POSITION, CONSUMER STATES UNABLE TO GET BOOSTER SEAT TO INSTALL PROPERLY, THE BUCKLE WILL NOT ROTATE BACK FAR ENOUGH AND THE BOOSTER SEAT WHEN BUCKLED IN AS TIGHT AS POSSIBLE WILL MOVE 7-9 INCHES, CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL POLICE DEPT. AND AN OFFICER WHO IS CERTIFIED COULD NOT MAKE THE INSTALLATION EITHER, CONSUMER THEN TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND COULD NOT PROVIDE A SOLUTION ,EXCEPT FOR TRYING A LOCKING CLIP ON THE BELTS BUT THAT DID NOT WORK EITHER. *JB