2003 Acura MDX
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 212 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 24 MDX model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 13 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 13 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Vehicle speed control, accelerator pedalOct 10, 2019
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2007-2011 Honda Element, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot and 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."
If the accelerator pedal binds, the engine may not quickly return to idle after the pedal is no longer pressed, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, using option 5. Dorman's number for this recall is AS1019XXXX.
Campaign 19E068000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJun 27, 2019
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.
Campaign 19V501000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleJun 27, 2019
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.
Campaign 19V499000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleMar 6, 2019
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
Campaign 19V182000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleMay 23, 2016
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2008 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2008 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2008 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling model year 2002-2004 Odyssey and model year 2003-2004 Acura MDX, Honda Element, and Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA0, KA1, KA2, and KA3.
Campaign 16V344000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJun 15, 2015
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX vehicles manufactured June 14, 2000, to August 19, 2004, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid vehicles manufactured February 24, 2002, to January 18, 2005, 2003-2007 Honda Accord vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to August 28, 2007, 2002-2004 Honda CR-V vehicles, 2002-2003 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured June 19, 2001, to July 12, 2003, 2003 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 19, 2002, to June 19, 2003, 2003 Honda Element vehicles manufactured June 25, 2002, to July 31, 2003, and 2003 Honda Pilot vehicles manufactured November 26, 2001, to August 21, 2003. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly causing serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JU4, JU5, JU6, and JU7. Note: Vehicles that have already received a replacement passenger air bag inflator as part of the recall remedy for an earlier campaign such as 14V353 or 14V700 (Honda recall numbers S95, JH6, JH7, JH8, JH9, JJ0, JJ1, JJ2, JJ6, JM5 and JM6) are not included in this recall. However, this recall does supersede 13V132 and 14V349. Note: On December 18, 2015 Honda informed NHTSA of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2004 Honda CR-V vehicles in addition to additional model year 2003 CR-V vehicles.
Campaign 15V370000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleMay 28, 2015
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles that have had their driver frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy prior to September 12, 2014 need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Vehicles that, on or after September 12, 2014, received a remedy for a prior driver frontal air bag inflator recall already received an inflator of a different design, and therefore are not included in this recall and do not require additional servicing. Note: This recall fully supersedes recalls 08V-593, 09V-259, 10V-041, 11V-260, 14V-351 and 15V-153. Honda's numbers for this recall are JQ9, JR0, JR1, JR2, JR3, JR4, JR5, JR6, JR7, and JR8.
Campaign 15V320000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalJan 28, 2015
Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured February 13, 2002, to August 13, 2004, and 2003 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to September 23, 2003. Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module may fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Honda dealers will replace the supplemental restraint system electronic control unit (SRS ECU). The recall began on February 22, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's number for this recall is JN6 (Odyssey), and JN7 (MDX). Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-412. Vehicles that had a noise filter installed as the remedy for that campaign need to have the SRS ECU replaced under this campaign.
Campaign 15V045000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsNov 4, 2014
American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Campaign 14V700000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsJun 20, 2014
American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in California, and equipped with Takata-brand air bag inflators. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Campaign 14V353000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsSep 19, 2013
Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Odyssey and model year 2003 Acura MDX vehicles. Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module may fail causing the front air bags, side curtain air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a noise suppressor unit, free of charge. The recall began on November 1, 2013. A renotification letter went out on July 11, 2014 for the 2003 Acura and the 2003-2004 Odyssey. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's recall numbers are JC2 (Honda Odyssey) and JC3 (Acura MDX).
Campaign 13V412000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, ignition, switchDec 11, 2012
Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Pilot and Odyssey and 2003 through 2006 Acura MDX passenger vehicles manufactured from November 26, 2001, through August 30, 2006. The interlock lever of the ignition switch may deform, which can allow the interlock function of a vehicle with an automatic transmission to be defeated.
Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated shift interlock lever and, if necessary, replace any necessary part of the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on February 22, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Campaign 12V573000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, mechanical, carrier/rackFeb 5, 2008
HONDA IS RECALLING 2,032 HITCH STYLE BIKE RACKS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE ON MY 2003-2007 AND SOME MY 2008 HONDA PILOT, RIDGELINE, AND ACURA MDX VEHICLES. A PINCH BOLT EXISTS BETWEEN THE BIKE ARM BRACKET AND THE UPRIGHT ASSEMBLY OF THE "HITCH" STYLE BICYCLE RACK.
WHEN MOVING THE BIKE ARM BRACKET TO ITS DOWN POSITION, THIS PINCH BOLT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF CAUSING SEVERE LACERATION OR AMPUTATION TO THE USER'S FINGERTIPS OR HAND.
OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THULE AT 800-THULE91 (800-848-5391) TO OBTAIN A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS OR OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
Campaign 08E013000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
212 reports, newest first.
Steering, Feb 4, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND IT RESUMED NORMALLY UPON RESTARTING. THE FAILURE RECURRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Power train, Jan 23, 2014
WHEN DRIVING MY 2003 ACURA MDX (SUV), LAST FALL, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP OUT OF GEAR AT LOW SPEEDS. IT WOULD BE IN 3RD GEAR AS I WOULD SLOW TO MAKE A TURN OR ENTER A PARKING AREA. WHEN I FINISHED A TURN AND BEGAN TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR WAS NO LONGER IN GEAR AND THE ENGINE JUST REVS AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. IN TRAFFIC, I WOULD HAVE TO BRING THE MDX TO A COMPLETE STOP (RPM TO ZERO) AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD RE-ENGAGE AND MOVE FORWARD AGAIN. SOON, I WAS HAVING TO PUT THE CAR IN A LOWER GEAR TO GET IT TO MOVE FORWARD AND EACH TIME THE CAR DECELERATES, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS. IN MOVING TRAFFIC, HAVING TO MAKE A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A STREET OR WHEN ENTERING THE HIGHWAY, ETC., IS DANGEROUS. I HAVE STOPPED DRIVING THE CAR BECAUSE I CANNOT TRUST IT TO KEEP MOVING IN REGULAR TRAFFIC. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER BULLETIN / RECALL ON THE CAR (I AM SECOND OWNER), EVEN THOUGH I HAVE KEPT UP WITH SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. I CONTACTED ACURA (HOY FOX ACURA, EL PASO, TX) FOR ASSISTANCE, BUT THEY WERE DISMISSIVE WHEN THEY DISCOVERED I DID NOT PURCHASE MY ACURA FROM THEM. ACURA NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER RELATIONS HAS ALSO BEEN CONTACTED, AND ARE TELLING ME THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY (IT CURRENTLY HAS 200,000 MILES, BUT IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE). I HAVE REVIEWED AND RESEARCHED A HUGE AMOUNT OF 2003 MDX TRANSMISSION FAILURES FROM 45K MILES TO 200,000 MILES (MY ISSUE BEGAN AT ABOUT 150,000 MILES). DOCUMENTATION ONLINE REFLECTS THAT ACURA MDX HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THERE IS ALSO LITERATURE AND DOCUMENTATION LINKING TRANSMISSION FAILURE TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER ISSUES IN THIS MODEL. THIS IS MY FIRST ACURA, AND I DO LIKE IT ENOUGH TO PURCHASE ANOTHER ONE. NOT SURE I WILL BE THAT "LOYAL", THOUGH, AFTER THIS SITUATION. MANY OWNERS SUGGEST FILING A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. *TR
Engine, Jan 4, 2014
I WARMED VEHICLE UP AND WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE OUT OF THE DRIVE IT WOULDN'T GO FORWARD OR BACKWARDS,BUT SLOWLY IT KICKED IN. I STARTED DOWN THE ROAD AND IT WOULD GO AWAY THEN JUST STOP RIGHT WHERE I WAS.I WOULD SHUT IT OFF,THEN RESTART AND IT WOULD GO THEN STOP DEAD IN THE ROAD. THEN IT WOULDN'T GO AT ALL.I WAS ON A SHARP CURVE ON A SMALL HILL AND WAS ALMOST HIT TWICE BY AN 18 WHEELER.I HAD TO BACK DOWN THIS HILL ON THIS CURVE AND ALMOST WENT OVER THE EMBANKMENT.I CALLED MY MECHANIC WHO CAME,AND HE TRIED TO DRIVE IT DOING THE SAME AS IT DID TO ME.UNFORTUNATELY HE HAD TO BACK ,IT DOWN A BIGGER HILL INTO SOMEONE'S DRIVEWAY,AND THEN IT HAD TO BE TOWED.PRIOR TO THIS I HAD NOT HAD ONE PROBLEM,BUT NOT A GOOD DAY FOR THIS TO HAPPEN IT -9 DEGREES.I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT FROM HONDA IF OTHERS HAVE HAD ANY PROBLEMS LIKE THIS.I WAS OUT IN FRIGID TEMPS FOR OVER 2 HOURS,AND NOT ONLY AM I 65,BUT I AM A SEVERE DIABETIC.I LIVE WAY OUT IN THE COUNTRY AND NOW HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION FOR EMERGENCIES,AND I CERTAINLY CAN'T HAVE THE CAR FIXED,THEY ARE SAYING $3000-3500.CAN YOU PLEASE GIVE ME ANY INFO,THIS CAN'T BE A FIRST. *TR
Power train, Dec 31, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETECT A PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Power train, Dec 3, 2013
I WAS PUTTING MY CAR INTO DRIVE ON A HILL AND IT ROLLED BACKWARDS. CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND I WAS LUCKY I DIDN'T HURT ANYONE. THERE ARE A LOT OF KIDS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.$3900 LATER. I HAVE READ ALL SORTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS YR/MAKE WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS. WHY ISN'T THEIR A RECALL? *TR
Electrical system, Seat belts, Nov 26, 2013, fire
I WAS DRIVING ON THE CARPOOL LANE OF 170N WITH MY TWO KIDS (HEADING TO 5N) WHEN THERE WAS SUDDENLY A DOG,YELLOW LABRADOR CROSSING THE FREEWAY AND GETTING RIGHT ON MY LANE. I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN AND BRAKE BUT IT WAS TOO LATE,I HIT THE DOG RIGHT ON THE FRONT OF MY CAR. I FELT MY SEAT BELT TIGHTENED UNCOMFORTABLY THEREAFTER AND I RELEASED IT SO I CAN RESET AND PUT IT AGAIN,BUT IT WON'T PULL TO REACH THE PORT ON MY RIGHT SIDE,IT SEEMED STUCK. IT WAS RIGHT AROUND THAT TIME WE STARTED SMELLING SMOKE THEREAFTER WE HIT THE DOG. MY KIDS AND I WERE LOOKING AROUND WHERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING UNTIL MY DAUGHTER WHO WAS SITTING RIGHT ON MY BACK (DRIVER'S) SAID "MOM THERE'S SMOKE ON THE BACK"..(I WAS ON THE BOTTOM OF THE 170N FREEWAY JOINING 5N) SO I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ON THE SHOULDER AND PULL OVER AND TOLD THE KIDS TO "GET OUT OF THE CAR, NOW!" I DIDN'T SEE WHERE THE SMOKE REALLY WAS BECAUSE MY CONCERN WAS TO GET OURSELVES TO STOP THE CAR SAFELY AND GET OUT. WE RAN AWAY FROM THE CAR ABOUT 30-50 FEET AWAY. THERE WAS A GENTLEMAN WHO PULLED ON THE SHOULDER AND ASKED WHAT'S GOING ON AND LEND ME HIS PHONE (I LEFT EVERYTHING IN THE CAR). HE CHECKED ON THE CAR AND THOUGHT "IT WAS OKAY".. I TOLD MYSELF I CAN GET MY PHONE AND PURSE STILL SO I RAN BACK AND GET IT (THERE WAS SOME SMOKE INSIDE I CAN'T TELL WHERE IT WAS FROM) . BY THE TIME I RAN BACK TO MY KIDS AND THE GENTLEMAN IT WAS ALREADY SMELLING SMOKE FROM WHERE WE ARE AND IN MAYBE A SECOND THERE WAS SOME FIRE VISIBLE FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE,ON THE DOOR SIDE INSIDE..AND THEN MY DAUGHTER TOLD ME "MOM THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE HOLE OF THE SEAT BELT ON THE WALL,IT WAS GOING TO ME SO I MOVED ON THE OTHER SIDE". SEEING THE FIRE I CALLED 911 AT 2:57PM TO ALARM AND AWARE THEM. I ASKED THE GENTLEMAN TO TAKE US ON A SAFE PLACE AWAY FROM THE CAR COZ I WAS AFRAID THE CAR WOULD CONSEQUENTLY EXPLODE. *TR
Power train, Sep 10, 2013
WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED MY MDX (USED 32K MILES) I HAD AN ISSUE WITH SHUDDERING BETWEEN 35-45 AND IT WOULD FEEL LIKE IT WOULDN'T GO. IT TOOK UNTIL MY CAR WAS AT 55K MILES FOR A SERVICE TECH TO FINALLY HERE THE PROBLEM AND DIAGNOSE IT CORRECTLY. I HAD TO REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND TRANSMISSION. THEN AGAIN AT 124K MILES I HEARD THE EXACT SAME NOISE!! I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO ACURA AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE NOISE ...OF COURSE THEY COULDN'T. I SAID I HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE, YOU REPLACED MY TRANSMISSION, YOU KNOW THIS IS A DEFECT OF ACURA/HONDA. THEY INSISTED IT WASN'T THE PROBLEM BUT IN FACT I NEEDED A CATALYTIC CONVERTER. SO, I REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AT $1,100.00 AND DROVE OFF THE LOT WITH SAME SHUDDER ( IT REPRESENTED ITSELF WITHIN THE MONTH)!! THEY SAID I HAVE TO BRING BACK AND DRIVE WITH A TECH. I HAVE YET TO GET IT BACK THERE BECAUSE OF MY WORK SCHEDULE THEIR LACK OF ACCOMMODATIONS FOR SATURDAYS. NOW I AM AT 160K AND AM TRYING TO GET THE CAR BACK IN AND THEY ARE ACTING LIKE THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE WRONG. THIS IS EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING! OUT OF WARRANTY. WORKING ON POSSIBLY A 3RD TRANSMISSION...IT IS CRAZY AND UNSAFE! I BOUGHT AN ACURA BECAUSE OF THE QUALITY REPUTATION THEY HAVE. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. I HAVE EVEN CALLED HONDA AND THEY ARE USELESS. IF YOU ARE NOT CONSTANTLY BUYING A NEW HONDA PRODUCT AND SERVICING THEM AT THE RIDICULOUS PRICES THEY DO NOT FIND YOU A LOYAL CUSTOMER THEREFORE DO NOT WANT TO HELP YOU!!! PLEASE MAKE THEM OWN THEIR DEFAULTS!! *TR
Steering, Aug 21, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OVER A PUDDLE OF WATER, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER STATED THE STEERING WHEEL OCCURRENCE WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER EXPLAINED THAT WHEN WATER ENTERED THE DRIVE LINE, IT WOULD CAUSE THE STEERING TO LOCK AND ONCE THE WATER WAS DRY, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD CORRECT ITSELF. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Power train, Aug 19, 2013, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED, IT ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED INTO A POND, BECOMING COMPLETELY SUBMERGED UNDERWATER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
Power train, Aug 9, 2013, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED AND OCCUPIED, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND ROLLED INTO A POND. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Power train, Jun 9, 2013, crash
HUSBAND DROVE CAR, CAME HOME, PARKED THE CAR IN DRIVEWAY. WE FOUND CAR AT THE BOTTOM OF OUR DRIVEWAY ATTACHED TO THE FRONT BUMPER OF OUR NEIGHBOR'S CAR. OUR NEIGHBOR'S CAR WAS DAMAGED. I DEFINITELY BELIEVE AND QUITE FRANKLY EXPECT HONDA TO REFUND US OUR DEDUCTIBLE FOR OUR INSURANCE COMPANY. THE EXACT WORDING OF YOUR RECALL NOTICE IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED -- "REMOVAL OF THE IGNITION KEY WHEN GEAR SELECTOR WITH TRANSMISSION HAS NOT BEEN SHIFTED TO THE PARK POSITION CAN ALLOW VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY." AND ROLL IT DID...IT ROLLED US INTO PAYING MONEY WE DIDN'T EXPECT TO HAVE TO PAY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 18, 2013
I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 ACURA MDX AT 30-35MPH ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A FLICKING NOISE LIKE A BELT HITTING AGAINST THE CAR. I PULLED OVER RIGHT AWAY AND NOTICE THAT MY SERPENTINE BELT WAS NOT ON THE PULLEYS. I TURN OFF MY ENGINE RIGHT AWAY AND START INSPECTING MY PULLEY AND NOTICE THE CRANK PULLEY WAS STILL THERE BUT THE THREADED PART OF THE PULLEY HAS UNWELDED ITSELF OFF THE PULLEY AND IT WAS LAYING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. BECAUSE THIS IS A FAMILY CAR THIS INCIDENT IS DANGEROUS IF TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. I FEEL THE NEED TO REPORT IT. THANK YOU *TR
Power train, Apr 26, 2013
FOR THE LAST TWO DAYS AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR 5 MINUTES WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND REVS AT HIGH RPMS INSTEAD OF GOING INTO GEAR. TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WHEN TRYING TO GO UP HILL AT LOW SPEED THE ENGINE WILL JUST REV AND NOT MOVE FORWARD. APPEARS THIS IS AN ONGOING KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION OF 2003 MDX VEHICLES. HAVE CONTACTED ACURA FOR ASSISTANCE. *TR
Power train, Apr 16, 2013
TOOK MY 2003 MDX TO ORLAND PARK, IL ACURA DEALERSHIP FOR OIL CHANGE AND NOISE UNDER VEHICLE. THE SERVICE TECH CHECKED THE NOISE AND SUGGESTED THE TRANSMISSION NEED TO BE AT $120,000. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PROPERLY CARED FOR. AS I READ THRU MANY BLOGS I SEE THAT ACURA/HONDA IS TOTALLY AWARE OF THIS ISSUE HOWEVER WHEN I CALLED HONDA THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE OTHER THAN $500 OFF FOR AN ISSUE THAT IS KNOWN BY ACURA THAT IS AFFECTING EVERY 2003 MDX OUT THERE. JUSTICE NEED TO SERVICE AND ITS TIME FOR HONDA TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS PRODUCT THEY HAVE OUT ON THE STREETS. THIS IS UNSAFE AND CAN CAUSE DEATH NOT ONLY TO ACURA CUSTOMERS BUT CUSTOMERS FROM OTHER VEHICLES. *TR
Structure, Engine, Mar 21, 2013
WENT TO DEALER AND THEY SAID VEHICLE HAS BAD ENGINE MOUNTS, AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. NOTE THAT WE ALSO HAVE A 2004 HONDA PILOT, AND THE DEALER ALSO TOLD US THAT SOME ENGINE MOUNTS NEEDS REPLACEMENT. WE CHECKED SOME BLOGS FOR ACURA MDX AND HONDA PILOT OWNERS, AND FOUND A LOT OF OWNERS WITH SAME ISSUES. SOME ARE BEING REPLACED EVERY TWO YEARS. WE ONWED A V6 TOYOTA FOR 15 YEARS, NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE. WE HOPE NHTSA WILL CHECK THIS, BECAUSE IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE TO OWNERS AND ACURA/HONDA WILL NEVER ADMIT. I'M SURE IF NHTSA WILL GET REPAIR RECORDS FOR THIS "ENGINE MOUNT" ISSUES, IT WILL BE A LOT. FROM WHAT I READ, THIS AFFECTS DRIVE SHAFTS DUE TO EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT OF THE ENGINE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Mar 20, 2013
2003 ACURA MDX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY WENT INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONSUMER STATED HE/SHE TRIED EVERY GEAR, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE HE/SHE WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION HAD INDEED FAILED. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED TWO YEARS LATER, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE NEXT DAY WHILE ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO NEUTRAL AGAIN AND THE CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, TORQUE CONVERTER, TIMING BELT, WATER PUMP AND ENGINE VALVES.
Power train, Mar 18, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY INTO A NEARBY LAWN AND CAME TO A STOP. THERE WAS NO PROPERTY DAMAGE OR INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE HIMSELF, WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Power train, Engine, Mar 15, 2013
TORQUE CONVERTER SHUDDER OR VIBRATION BETWEEN 35 AND 40 MPH. ****ALSO TRANSMISSION SLIPPED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE SUV ACTED AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL AND WOULDN'T MOVE EVEN THOUGH I WAS PUSHING THE GAS AND THE RPMS WENT UP. I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED BY THE DRIVER BEHIND ME BUT HE WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY SWITCH INTO ANOTHER LANE, THEN MIRACULOUSLY MY SUV STARTED TO GO AGAIN. IT ALSO HAPPENED AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WHILE I WAS DRIVING. LUCKILY THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS FAR ENOUGH AWAY AND THE TRANSMISSION PICKED BACK UP IN TIME AND I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY. I HAD MY CHILDREN IN THE SUV, A 6 MONTH OLD BABY GIRL AND A 6 YR OLD BOY. ITS A SEVEN PASSENGER VEHICLE SO IT SHOULD BE EXPECTED THAT CHILDREN MAY BE IN THE SUV. I DON'T THINK HONDA/ACURA SHOULD WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE IS KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED TO ISSUE A RECALL. ITS NOT EVEN JUST ABOUT THE COST OF REPAIRS, WHAT ABOUT THE VALUE OF PEOPLE'S LIVES? DOES IT NEED TO BE ON THE NEWS FIRST FOR A CHANGE TO OCCUR? OWNERS OF THE 2003 ACURA MDX NEED TO KNOW THAT THERE IS A POTENTIALLY DEADLY SAFETY DEFECT WITH THIS VEHICLE AND REPAIRS NEED TO BE MADE ASAP! *TR
Power train, Jan 22, 2013
TRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDENLY ON HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT 65 MPH. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE SEEMS TO BE A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, WHY AREN'T YOU HELPING US? *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Equipment, Dec 30, 2012, crash
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY. DRIVER REMOVED KEY, EXITED VEHICLE AND REMOTELY APPLIED THE DOOR LOCKS. VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN COASTING DOWN AND ULTIMATELY OFF THE DRIVEWAY, DOWN A STEEP GRADE INTO THE YARD UNTIL IT STRUCK A TREE APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET AWAY. RESULTING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO FRONT OF VEHICLE WAS APPRAISED AT $5900. CAR COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM ITS RESTING PLACE AGAINST TREE EXCEPT BY TOW TRUCK. TOW DRIVER INDICATED THAT VEHICLE WAS STILL IN DRIVE, NOT PARK WHEN HE EXTRACTED IT FROM CRASH POSITION. TOW DRIVER AND REPAIR FACILITY INDICATED THAT IT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION WITHOUT VEHICLE BEING IN PARK, YET THAT WAS THE SPECIFIC CAUSE OF THE CRASH. *TR
Power train, Dec 19, 2012
ON THIS DATE I COULD NOT HEAR AN APPROACHING EMERGENCY VEHICLE DUE TO A SHUDDER VIBRATION NOISE FROM MY POWER TRAIN AUTO TRANSMISSION. THE EMERGENCY VEHICLE ALMOST CRASHED INTO MY VEHICLE AND IN SO DOING CAUSING A POTENTIALLY VERY SERIOUS TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. THE SHUTTER NOISE WAS THE RESULT OF A LONG STANDING MDX MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION ( PERHAPS TORQUE CONVERTER). I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO SURVIVE THE CAUSE OF A RECURRING MECHANICAL PROBLEM BY VERY FREQUENT TRAN FLUID CHANGES OVER THE YEARS BUT THE PROBLEM HAS KEPT OCCURRING SINCE 40000 MILES IN YEAR 2007. I REMAIN VERY AFRAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL OR HINDER ME AGAIN CAUSING A MORE CRITICAL PROBLEM THE NEXT TIME. LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS CONSIDERED THE NOISE AND SHUTTER AS A ACURA PRODUCT DEFECT. I RESPECTFULLY SEEK GOODWILL CONSIDERATION AND REPAIR OF MY TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION. *TR
Power train, Dec 17, 2012
CAR BEGAN TO SHUDDER AT 40 MPH, THEN GOES AWAY. RECURRING MORE FREQUENTLY NOW. TOOK TO DEALER. CAR WOULD NOT SHUDDER WHEN HE DID TEST DRIVE. SAID NOTHING SEEMS TO BE WRONG. BEGAN RESEARCHING ON MY OWN AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. TORQUE CONVERTER. *TR
Power train, Oct 24, 2012
ENTERING FREEWAY FROM ON RAMP VEHICLE ACTED LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL EVEN THOUGH IT WAS IN DRIVE. AS I ACCELERATED FROM 40 MPH THE RPM'S RACED BUT THE CAR SLOWED AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED THANKFULLY I LET OFF THE GAS AND THE TRANNY THEN GRABBED AND I WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE TO FREEWAY SPEED. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY DEALER THAT BOTH TRANNY AND TORQ CONVERTER ARE NO GOOD. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED PER ACURA RECOMMENDED SERVICE AT SAME DEALER SINCE BOUGHT NEW. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Oct 10, 2012
THE LOCKING MECHANISM THAT SECURES THE KEY IN THE IGNITION UNTIL PARK IS ENGAGED DID NOT WORK. THEREFORE I UNKNOWINGLY REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WITHOUT HAVING PARK ENGAGED. THE CAR ROLLED BACK FROM THE PARKING SPOT INTO A TREE. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO ACURA. IT SEEMS SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEM CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED FOR HONDA ODYSSEY'S AND PILOTS FROM 2003 AND 2004 BY NHTSA. NOTE THAT I DO NOT REMEMBER THE DATES/MILEAGE WHEN THIS FIRST OCCURRED BUT IT IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL KEYS IN THE IGNITION AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. *TR
Power train, Oct 3, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED OUT OF DRIVE. THE CONTACT HAD TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IT FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 30MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.