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.
Electrical system, Sep 4, 2003
CONSUMER STATED WHEN EVER AN ELECTRIC DEVICE LIKE A CELL PHONE OR LAPTOP COMPUTER WAS USED, THE AIRBAGS DEACTIVATED UNTIL THE DEVICE WAS TURNED OFF.*AK THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT RELIABLE UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR MAINTENANCE. CONSUMER FELT AS THOUGH HE DIDN'T HAVE ANY CONTROL OVER THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. *PH. THE DEALER STATED A CELL PHONE OR LAPTOP COULD NOT BE ON OR NEAR THE SEATS. *JB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 28, 2003
WHEN FILLING THE FUEL TANK TO ITS MAXIMUM CAPACITY FUEL WOULD SPILL OUT ONTO THE CONSUMER AFTER REMOVING THE NOZZLE. *AK
Steering, Jun 12, 2003
STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 70-75 MPH. TRIED SEVERAL SOLUTIONS WITH NO SUCCESS: A) TRIED RE-BALANCING TIRES B) TRIED NEW TIRES C) DEALER VISUAL INSPECTION NEGATIVE. *NLM
Power train, May 30, 2003
2002 ACURA MDX WITH APPROX. 17K MILES REPEATEDLY FORCIBLY DOWNSHIFTED FOR NO APPARENT REASON ON THE EVENING OF 5/28/03. DEALER REPRODUCED THE BEHAVIOR ON A TEST DRIVE ON THE MORNING OF 5/29/03 AND IS REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION WITHOUT ANY FURTHER DIAGNOSTICS.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, May 15, 2003
ON 5/9/2003 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. ABOUT 45 MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHILE IN A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHICH STATED THE PROBLEM WAS THE WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT WHICH WAS ON RECALL. THE CONSUMER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL #02V226000. *NLM
Power train, Apr 29, 2003
WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 28,000 MILES WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE. *NLM
Visibility, Feb 2, 2003
INTERIOR OF WINDOWS STREAK WITH WATER AFTER RAIN/CAR WASH WHEN ROLLED DOWN ANY DISTANCE. THE STREAKING HAPPENS WITHIN THE FIRST 8 TO 10 INCHES OF THE WINDOW. DEALER HAS NO FIX AND STATES MANUFACTURER DOES NOT HAVE A FIX. *JB
Power train, Jan 31, 2003
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JUMP FROM 5TH TO 2ND GEAR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
Electrical system, Dec 4, 2002
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE PANEL STARTED LIGHTING THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK AND THE ENGINE STARTED ACTING CRAZY. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE BUT THEY STILL CAN'T EXPLAIN THE REASON WHY THE VEHICLE ACTED THAT WAY. TS
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 21, 2002
ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE ENGINE RACES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM . MR *NLM
Tires, Aug 5, 2002
AT PURCHASE, CAR SEEMED TO PULL TO THE LEFT WHEN ACCELERATING. AFTER ABOUT 3500 MILES, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE TRAVELLING ABOUT 65 MPH. THERE WAS VIRTUALLY NO TREAD WEAR. THERE WAS NO SIGN OF PUNCTURE IN THE TREAD. THE MICHELIN DEALER SAID THAT THE ONLY WAY THE TIRE COULD HAVE FAIL THIS WAY IS TO DRIVE ON IT EXTREMELY UNDER-INFLATED. THE REASON WHY I BELIEVE THAT THE TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE IS BECAUSE AFTER THE TIRE WAS REPLACED, THE CAR NO LONGER PULLS TO THE LEFT DURING ACCELERATION.*AK
Seat belts, May 24, 2002
ALL PASSENGERS SEATBELTS WILL LOCK UP UPON BEING BUCKLED AND WILL NOT LOOSEN. PASSENGERS ARE BEING STRANGLED BY SHOULDER BELTS. DEALER STATED THAT WAS HOW THE SEATBELTS WERE DESIGNED.*AK THE PASSENGERS CANNOT MOVE FORWARD OR REACH AS THE BELTS LOCK AS IF IN A CRASH. IT WILL NOT RELEASE UNLESS THE SEAT BELT IS UNFASTENED. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY FEATURE TO HOLD THE CARSEAT IN PLACE. ALL WARNING SIGNS IN VEHICLE SAY NOT TO PLACE THE CHILD SEAT IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE SEAT BELT HARNESS TIGHTENS AGAINST THE CARTOID ARTERY IN THE NECK AND LOCKS TIGHTLY. THE WALL ADJUSTER DOES NOT HELP THE PROBLEM. AS OF JUNE 28TH THE COMPANY HAS MADE ATTEMPS TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT IT STILL LOCKS FREQUENTLY AND TIGHTLY. *JG
Engine and engine cooling, May 7, 2002
ROTTEN EGG SMELL COMING FROM EXHAUST OF VEHICLE
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 4, 2002
10/21/00 EXPERIENCED FIRST ENGINE FAILURE (NO COMPRESSION #1 & 3 CYLINDERS) AT 3,487 MILE MARK. CAR TOWED TO DEALER. DEALERSHIP CONTENDS OPERATOR ERROR, ONE TIME REPAIR AS GOODWILL GESTURE OF ACURA. SERVICE DEPT STATES "ENGINE REPLACED" HOWEVER, NOT INDICATED ON WORK ORDER. WORK COMPLETED 11/08/01 (17 DAYS). 11/12/01 (3717 MI.) EXPERIENCED ENGINE KNOCK, GRINDING SOUND, DIFFICULTY STARTING, & STALLING. CAR DRIVEN IN. DEALER DOESN'T AGREE WITH SYMPTOMS, RECHECKS VALVE ADJUSTMENTS. WORK COMPLETE 11/13/01 (1 DAY). 11/25/01 (4,039 MI.) CHECK ENGINE LIGHT/LOUD KNOCKING. SERVICE DEPT. DIAGNOSIS: #1 & 4 CYLINDER MISFIRE/VERY LOW COMPRESSION. REPLACED ENGINE FOR 2ND TIME < 5 WEEKS (THIS TIME DOCUMENTED ON WORK ORDER). TOLD RESIDUAL DEBRIS FROM FIRST ENGINE SWAP WAS THE CAUSITIVE FACTOR. WORK COMPLETED 12/07/01 (11 DAYS). 01/30/02 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. EXPLAINED AS FUEL/EMISSIONS PROBLEM AND TO BRING IN FOR SERVICE; 01/02/01 LIGHT GOES OFF. 02/01/02 ENGINE WILL NOT START/GRINDING NOISE. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CALLED. TOW DRIVER ARRIVES AND CAR STARTS, TOLD TO DRIVE VEHICLE HOME INSTEAD OF DEALERSHIP. 02/02/02 (5543 MI.) ENGINE WILL NOT START, TURNS WITH GRINDING SOUND. 02/04/02 CAR TOWED BACK TO DEALER.*AK
Seats, Jan 31, 2002
THE HIGH SEAT BACKS SEVERELY RESTRICT VISIBILITY. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT THE SIDE BACK WINDOWS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT BE MOVED TO ENHANCE VISIBILITY. WE ARE BOTH AVERAGE HEIGHT, AND NEITHER OF US CAN SEE WHEN THE SEATS ARE IN THEIR NORMAL POSITION. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHEN BACKING UP OR TURNING RIGHT. ADDITIONALLY, VISION IS TOTALLY RESTRICTED ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE.
Power train, Dec 24, 2001
MY TRAMISSION FAILED OR BROKE DOWN.*AK
Power train, Nov 15, 2001
ACURA RSX TYPE S WITH A 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION SHIFTS POORLY INTO 2ND GEAR. IT IS EXCESSIVELY NOTCHY AND GRINDS IF FORCED INTO GEAR. ONLY 2ND GEAR IS AFFECTED. THE PROBLEM IS THE WORST WHEN COLD, BUT NEVER SUBSIDES EVEN WHEN WARM. THE NOTCHY GRIND SEEMS TO WORSEN AS THE CAR BECOMES MORE BROKEN IN. IT IS BRAND NEW WITH 250 MILES ON IT. *AK
Power train, Nov 9, 2001
THIS FAULT ONLY OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED IN THE MORNING AND ON COLD DAYS. AFTER 30 MIN., IT DOES NOT HAPPEN. *AK
Power train, Nov 6, 2001
WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR, THEIR IS A NOTCHY GRINDING OF THE GEAR. USUALLY GOES AWAY AFTER CAR WARMS UP, BUT HAPPENS WHEN ITS COLD. SO WHEN UPSHIFTING FROM FIRST, THE SECOND GEAR GRINDS.
Power train, Oct 31, 2001
NO REAL TRANSMISSION FAILURES AT THIS TIME, WANTED NHTSA BE AWARE OF A POTENTIAL DEFECT IN THIS MODEL: GRINDING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. *AK
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Oct 19, 2001
WHEN DRIVING AND SHIFTING FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR TRANSMISSION ENGAGED 2ND GEAR. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE REV BEYOND NORMAL LIMITS. THE ENGINE DIED, AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO LOCAL ACURA DEALER. EXTENSIVE ENGINE DAMAGE WAS REVEALED.ACURA IS DENYING WARRANTY CLAIM. MANY OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. ONE CASE AT BALL ACURA IN NATIONAL CITY, CA IN SEPTEMBER WAS WARRANTIED UNDER THE EXACT SAME CIRCUMSTANCES. ANOTHER CASE AT ACURA WOODBINE IN ONTARIO CANADA WAS WARRANTIED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER. ACURA HAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, YET THEY WILL NOT WARRANTY MY VEHICLE. THIS IS UNFAIR. PLEASE INVESTIGATE.