2004 Acura MDX
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 171 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 24 MDX model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 13 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 12 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, 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 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
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: fuel/propulsion system
11 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 13, 2016
TRANSMISSION FAILED TODAY 123K. CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE WHAT A JOKE. EMISSIONS LIGHT ON AND AIR BAGS ARE FAULTY. WHAT A LEMON. NEVET BUY ACURA. ON A CITY STREET CAR JUST DOWN SHIFTED AND STOPPED. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT WAS 20 DEGREE'S OUTSIDE. ACURA DOESNT SEE THUS AS A SAFETY HAZARD? CONFUSED AND MAD REALLY MAD. I CANT BELIEVE THEY ARE STILL GETTING AWAY WITH THIS. I'VE HAD MY FILL WITH FOREIGN JUNK. I FROZE WALKING HOME THINK I HAVE FROST BITE ON MY FINGERS.
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 2, 2016
THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE TANK WAS HALF EMPTY. AS SOON AS I BEGAN TO FUEL THE CAR, THE FUEL OVERFLOWED SPILLING ON THE VEHICLE. I SUSPECT THAT THE FUEL VAPOR RECOVERY SYSTEM MIGHT BE DEFECTIVE.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 6, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA MDX. WHILE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE'S RPM GAUGE IDLED HIGH WHEN STARTED. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE RPM GAUGE DISPLAYED HIGH RPMS EVEN WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. THE FUEL GAUGE WAS ALSO NOT DISPLAYING THE CORRECT READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 15, 2014
I AM THE SOLE OWNER OF MY 2004 ACURA MDX TOURING PACKAGE. IT JUST TURNED 200,000 MILES BUT THIS GAS PUMPING PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR SEVERAL YEARS. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PUMP GAS, FUEL REPEATEDLY BACKS UP IN THE NECK AND TRIPS OFF THE GAS PUMP, MAKING A ROUTINE STOP AT THE GAS STATION A NIGHTMARE. YOU CAN ONLY PUMP AT THE LOWEST SPEED AND EVEN THEN THE GAS PUMP STILL TRIPS OFF BECAUSE FUEL BACKS UP TO THE TOP OF THE NECK. FROM ON LINE RESEARCH, I SUSPECT THE ISSUE TO BE A FAULTY ANTI SIPHONING DEVICE (ASD) WHICH CLOSES OFF IN THE NECK AND PREVENTS FUEL FROM PASSING, THEREBY BACKING UP AND TRIPPING OFF THE GAS PUMP. IT CAN TAKE 30 MINUTES OR MORE TO FILL THE TANK WITH GAS...THAT IS IF YOU HAVE ENOUGH PATIENCE TO STAND THERE THAT LONG. THIS IS SIMPLY NOT REASONABLE AND HONDA SHOULD RECALL THIS MODEL AND MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. WITH THE OTHER MULTIPLE COMPLAINT ENTRIES FOR THE SAME ISSUE THERE IS CLEARLY A PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE ONLY SOLUTION TO REPAIR THE ASD IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE GAS TANK, WHICH IS ROUGHLY $1000. I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THIS ISSUE BE ADDRESSED FOR EVERYONE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 22, 2014
WHILE TRYING TO FILL THE GASOLINE TANK RECENTLY, I COULD ONLY ADD .2 TO .3 GALLON AT TIME. THE GASOLINE CUTS OFF INTERMITTENTLY. I TOOK THE SUV TO MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, WHERE I WAS TOLD IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. THEY RECOMMENDED I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP RECOMMENDATION WAS AS FOLLOWS: 1) REPLACE THE FILLER NECK, 2) REPLACE THE ORVR VAPER VALVE AND 3) POSSIBLY REPLACE THE GASOLINE TANK. THIS SUV HAS BEEN MAINTAINED, LOOKS AND DRIVES GREAT. IT IS ONE OWNER, HAS 187,000 MILES AND I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP UNTIL 250,000 MILES. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 30, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE COULD SMELL FUEL AND EXHAUST FUMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE EVAP SYSTEM PURGE CONTROL VALVE HAD A CIRCUIT SHORTAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,500.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 19, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GASOLINE SPILLED TO THE GROUND WHILE REFUELING. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V541000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 88,050.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 23, 2013
AS I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PUT GASOLINE INTO MY VEHICLE (IT STILL HAD 1/4 OF A TANK), WITH THE NOZZLE ON AUTOMATIC (AS OPPOSED TO MANUAL), AFTER ABOUT FIVE SECONDS, THE PUMP SHUT OFF AND GASOLINE SPEWED OUT OF THE CAR AT THE INTAKE LOCATION. I WAS SPLASHED WITH GASOLINE. THINKING THAT I HAD PLACED THE NOZZLE INCORRECTLY, I TRIED IT AGAIN WITH THE SAME RESULT. I WAS AGAIN SPLASHED WITH GASOLINE. I THEN WONDERED IF THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE GAS PUMP AND I MOVED TO A DIFFERENT PUMP AT THE SAME STATION. AGAIN, I HAD THE SAME RESULT, BUT I WAS SPLASHED LESS AS I HAD ANTICIPATED WHAT ULTIMATELY HAPPENED. I TOLD MY HUSBAND WHAT HAD HAPPENED, AND THE NEXT DAY, HE WENT TO THE STATION WITH ME. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIBBLE SOME GASOLINE INTO THE TANK WITH THE NOZZLE ON MANUAL. I LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THE SAME ISSUE WITH SEVERAL VEHICLES OF THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. ON 12/21/13, I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND INFORMED THEM OF THE ISSUE, AND I CALLED ACURA CUSTOMER CARE TO REPORT IT. IT WAS SEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP ON 12/22/13. TWO PARTS WERE REPLACED -- "CANISTER ASSY" AND "MOD. CANISTER D" (NOT THE GAS TANK) ON 12/23/13, AS THE PARTS HAD FAILED FUNCTIONAL TESTING. I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 2:45 PM ON 12/23/13, DROVE TO A GAS STATION, PUT THE NOZZLE IN THE INTAKE LOCATION AND HAD THE EXACT SAME RESULT AS BEFORE. GASOLINE SPEWED OUT AND SPRAYED ME AGAIN. I HAVE SAFETY CONCERNS ON A COUPLE OF LEVELS: THE SPILLED/SPEWED GASOLINE POSES A FIRE HAZARD FOR ME, THE VEHICLE, THE GAS STATION, AND THOSE PEOPLE AROUND ME WHO ARE ALSO FILLING UP, AND HAVING GASOLINE SPILLED ON ME IS AN OBVIOUS HEALTH HAZARD. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 29, 2012
THROUGH OUT THIS YEAR I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO FILL MY GAS TANK SEVERAL TIMES AND THE HOSE KEEPS TRIPPING OFF AFTER A COUPLE SECONDS. I CAN'T PUT MORE THAN TWO OR THREE GALLONS IN MY CAR AND IT TAKES FOREVER TO DO THAT. GAS RUNS OUT OF THE TANK ON TO THE SIDE OF THE CAR AND THE TIRES. THIS PAST SUMMER I HAD THE ACURA DEALER REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE A SOLUTION. I PAID ABOUT $150.00. *TR
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 25, 2012
MY CAR MAKES A GRINDING NOISE AND VIBRATES WHEN I AM ACCELERATING AND HIT 30-35 MPH. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 25, 2012
WHEN EVER WE TRY TO FILL OUR CAR WE GET ABOUT 1/2 OF A GALLON OF GAS AND THE GAS PUMP STOPS AND GAS GOES DOWN THE SIDE OF THE CAR. *TR