2002 Acura MDX
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 221 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 24 MDX model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 11 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 5 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
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
Engine and engine cooling, engineAug 28, 2002
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SEDANS, COUPES, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES, A TIMING BELT TENSIONER PULLEY ON THE WATER PUMP IS MISALIGNED AND COULD CAUSE THE TIMING BELT TO CONTACT A BOLT ON THE CYLINDER HEAD. EVENTUALLY THE BELT COULD BE DAMAGED AND FAIL.
IF THE TIMING BELT BREAKS, THE ENGINE WILL STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WATER PUMP AND IF IT IS ONE OF THE DEFECTIVE PUMPS, THE WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 30, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
Campaign 02V226000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
221 reports, newest first.
Suspension, Dec 27, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT HAD RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED FOR NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID 05V385000 CONCERNING THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. AFTERWARDS, HE NOTICED VIBRATION IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THAT PERFORMED THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THE DEALER PERFORMED A FRONT ALIGNMENT AND THIS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. *AK UPDATED 1/23/2006 - *NM
Structure, Sep 8, 2005
CONSUMER CONCERNED ABOUT POTENTIAL DESIGN PROBLEM WITH HONDA & ACURA VEHICLES RE TOWING VEHICLE BEHIND A MOTORHOME, 2002 ACURA MDX BROKE LOOSE FM MOTORHOME AT THE UNIBODY FRAME.*MR
Structure, Sep 8, 2005
CONSUMER CONCERNED ABOUT POTENTIAL DESIGN PROBLEM WITH HONDA & ACURA VEHICLES RE TOWING VEHICLE BEHIND A MOTORHOME, 2002 ACURA MDX BROKE LOOSE FM MOTORHOME AT THE UNIBODY FRAME.*MR
Structure, Jul 8, 2005, crash
CONCERN REGARDING TOWING HONDA AUTOMOBILES BEHIND A MOTOR HOME.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE BROKE AWAY FROM THE MOTOR HOME AT THE UNIBODY FRAME AT 89-9 MPH AND T-BONED A LIGHT STANDARD AND ROLLED INTO THE DESERT. THE VEHICLE HAD A BREAK AWAY SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE WITH A REGULAR BRAKE SYSTEM THAT OPERATES FROM THE MOTOR HOME BRAKE SYSTEM, BUT NEITHER OF THEM WORKED. *JB
Suspension, Power train, Air bags, Jul 8, 2005
2002 MDX TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE SWAY BARS CRACKED SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND IT TOOK 4 MONTHS TO GET IT FIXED. *JB
Power train, Jun 27, 2005
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2002 ACURA MDX ABOUT 35-40 MPH WHEN THE CAR LOCKED UP LIKE THE BRAKES WERE SLAMMED ON. CAR WAS IMMOBILE AND COULD NOT BE PUSHED OFF THE ROADWAY UNTIL THE ARRIVAL OF A TOW TRUCK. DEALER NOW HAS THE CAR AND SAYS IT WAS TRANSMISSION FAILURE. SYMTOMS ARE THE SAME AS DISCRIBED AS FAILURES IN A RECALL OF THIS VEHICLE. RECALL WORK WAS DONE ABOUT 5000 MILES AGO IN WHICH AN OILING DEVICE WAS INSTALLED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. FAILURE OCCURED ANYWAY AFTER THE CORRECTION. MY CONTENTION IS THAT THE REQUIRED INSPECTION OF THE GEARS WAS NOT PERFORMED CORRECTLY AND THE "FIX" WAS PERFORMED INSTEAD. THE DEALER SAYS I MAY BE LIABLE FOR 4500 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE IT HAS 101000 MILES ON IT AND THEY ONLY WARRENTY IT TO 100000. IF THE PROBLEM WAS RECOGNIZED AT 96000 WHEN THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE, I WOULDN'T BE IN THIS PREDICAMENT- THANKS
Power train, May 6, 2005
DT: AFTER ACCELERATING THE CAR LOCKED UP AND HE SKIDDED 3 OR 4 FEET. HAS A CLICKING NOISE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. NOW THE CAR WON'T SHIFT GEARS OR GO OVER 10 MPH; HAD IT LOOKED AT AND WAS TOLD BY MANUFACTURER THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL. DID GET OTHER OPINIONS ON THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FIRST PERSON THAT LOOKED AT IT WAS INCORRECT IN THEIR DIAGNOSIS.*AK
Power train, Feb 14, 2005
ON JANUARY 12, 2005 WHILE TRAVELING ON I-5 AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 ACURA MDX LOCKED UP. HINSHAW'S ACURA CONCLUDED THE FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE HALF SHAFT, VTEC PRESSURE SWITCH, OIL FILTER HOUSING, INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, AND RIGHT OUTSIDE DRIVESHAFT. HINSHAW'S ACURA CONCLUDED ALL OF THESE ITEMS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT TO RESTORE MY MDX TO NORMAL. THEY GAVE ME A REPAIR ESTIMATE OF SEVERAL THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. I INFORMED THEM THAT I HAVE ALWAYS COMPLIED WITH ALL OF THE SCHEDULED ACURA RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE ITEMS ON MY MDX DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND AFTERWARDS. IN FACT, THE MOST RECENT 60K MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED AT HINSHAW'S ACURA ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004. I ALSO INFORMED THEM THAT MY MAINTENANCE RECORDS WERE AVAILABLE FOR THEIR REVIEW FROM BOTH ACURA OF SEATTLE AND BELLEVUE ACURA. FOR THE RECORD, I HAVE BEEN THE SOLE OWNER AND DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS NEW. IT HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD, ABUSED, OR BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE LOCAL ACURA REPRESENTATIVE REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FAILURE OR CONSIDER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY DAMAGES. AFTER I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH ACURA CUSTOMER RELATIONS, THEY AGREED TO ONLY PAY HALF OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE INJUSTICE IN THIS WHOLE EXPERIENCE STEMS FROM THE FACT THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS RECALLED BY ACURA (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V176000) FOR EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM THAT CAUSED THE DAMAGES AND ENDANGERED MY LIFE AND THAT OF OTHER DRIVERS NEAR ME. I HAVE RIGOROUSLY FOLLOWED THE RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AS DEFINED IN MY ACURA OWNERSHIP MANUAL. IF THIS PROBLEM WOULD HAVE BEEN PROPERLY RESOLVED AT THE TIME I RETURNED MY MDX TO THE DEALER DURING THE RECALL, THIS MALFUNCTION WOULD HAVE NEVER OCCURRED.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Jan 26, 2005
WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH SUDEENLY THE VEHICLE TURNED LEFT ON ITS OWN, THEN TURNED RIGHT ON ITS OWN, AND ACCELERATED.*AK
Power train, Jan 25, 2005
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY HESITATED, IT THEN FIRMLY JERKED INTO ACCELERATION. *JB
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Jan 3, 2005, crash
WHILE DRIVING AND UPON HITTING THE BRAKES VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY ACCELERATED. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE THEN HIT THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT STOP. HITTING THE BACK OF A THIRD VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
Power train, Nov 10, 2004
THE VEHICLE HAD A TRANSMISSION DEFECTIVE. *NM CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V176000. HONDA WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE TRANSMISSION DEFECT. THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD. *TC
Power train, Nov 8, 2004
CONSUMER STATED TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. HOWEVER, CONSUMER HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BU TPROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Power train, Nov 4, 2004
NHTSA RECALL 04V176000 CONCERNING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AFTER HAVING THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINES REVISED VEHICLE VIBRATED/JERKED, AND THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Sep 13, 2004
THE SRS LIGHT WAS ON CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED THREE DIFFERENT TIMES BEFORE THE CHIP WAS REPLACED. *NM THE VEHICLE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. *NM
Steering, Sep 8, 2004
WHILE DRIVING POWER STEERING FAILED, MAKING IT HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Power train, Aug 20, 2004
THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS UPON ACCELERATION, WHEN SHIFTING, IT SNAPS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER STATED THE FAILURE MODE IS NOT CONSISTENT AND NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE RECALL DATE IS APRIL 13, 2004. *LA THE DEALER'S DIAGNOSIS SHOWED FAILURE OF THE 3RD, 4TH AND REVERSE GEARS. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE VEHICLE'S EXTENDED WARRANTY. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Aug 17, 2004
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SPEEDOMETER RAN WILD. SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE, AND TURNED IT OFF, BUT THE SPEEDOMETER KEPT MOVING AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING. CONSUMER THEN CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A ACURA DEALER, WHO TOLD HER THAT THE PROBLEM SOUNDED LIKE THE RECALL THAT WAS ON THIS KIND OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER LATER RECEIVED A RECALL. ON HER VEHICLE. CONSUMER DID NOT FEEL THAT THE PROBLEM WAS BEEN SOLVED, BECAUSE THE RPM GAUGE DID NOT GO BACK TO ZERO LIKE IT DID BEFORE THE ABOVE INCIDENT. WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER EVALUATION.*AK
Power train, Electrical system, Jun 17, 2004
1.) THE AT SHIFT GEAR SLIDES OUT OF PARK EVEN WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. VERY DANGEROUS FOR CHILDREN SHIFTING GEARS OUT OF PARK WHILE KEY IS OUT OF THE IGNITION! PER CONVERSATION WITH CONSUMER, THE DEALER HAS IDENTIFIED THAT THE SHIFT-INTERLOCK SOLENOID ASSEMBLY WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY TO CUSTOMER'S SATISFACTION. ALSO LEARNED THAT 4-YR OLD BOY INSIDE VEHICLE POTENTIALLY DAMAGED GEAR SHIFT RESULTING IN FREE MOVEMENT FROM PARK TO OTHER GEAR(S). *MJJ 2.) ATF TEMP SENSOR REMAINS ON IN DASHBOARD EVEN WHILE TRANS IS COOL. ELECTRICAL PROBLEM CODE (DTC) PO710. 3.) THE D5 GEAR INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINS ON AND FLASHING WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ACURA DEALER IN LATHAM,NY FOR ELECTRICAL REPAIRS. *JB
Equipment, Apr 27, 2004
THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS BLOWING HOT AIR. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE CONDENSER HAD A HOLE IN IT AND AS A RESULT IT HAD LEAKED OUT ALL OF THE REFRIGERANT. THEY THINK IT MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A ROCK. AS A RESULT OF THAT ASSESSMENT, THIS REPAIR IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THE CAR HAS 22,000 MILES/21 MONTHS AND IS WELL WITHIN THE 4 YR/50,000 MILE WARRANTY. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Apr 21, 2004
WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED THERE WAS A POPPING SOUND, ALSO, WHEN SWITCHING FROM FORWARD TO REVERSE THERE WAS A POPPING SOUND. *AK
Steering, Power train, Jan 15, 2004
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A NOISE WHICH ALSO OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT FAILED. ALSO, THE RACK AND PINION HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 12,000. *AK THE VEHICLE IS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE RACK AND PINION. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 14, 2003
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED INTERMITTENTLY WITH BRAKES ENGAGED VEHICLE ROLLED FOR AN EXCESSIVE DISTANCE BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE BRAKES WERE WORKING NORMALLY.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 2, 2003
REAR BRAKE MAKES NOISE. *LA
Visibility, Sep 10, 2003
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS STREAK AFTER EXPOSURE TO WATER OR SNOW REDUCING DRIVER VISIBILITY. THE STREAKING OCCURS WHEN THE MDX IS PARKED IN RAIN/SNOW OR DRIVEN IN RAIN/SNOW. WHEN WINDOWS ARE ROLLED DOWN THEN BACK UP BOTH THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE WINDOW ARE STREAKED WITH WATER AND DEBRIS. THIS WILL LAST FOR DAYS. BECAUSE OF THE SALT OR DIRT THAT SITS WITH THE WATER, VISIBILITY IS JEOPARDIZED AND DRIVING IS UNSAFE. THE STREAKS COVER 75% OF THE WINDOW MOVING FROM FRONT TO BACK LEAVING THE BACK 25% OF THE WINDOW WITH SOME VISIBILITY. *JB