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
171 reports, newest first.
Seats, Feb 24, 2012
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED. RECENTLY NOTICED BACKREST PORTION OF DRIVER SEAT OVERHEATS WHEN SEAT HEATER TURNED ON HIGH SETTING AND SMELLS LIKE BURNT POPCORN. THE HEATER HAS CAUSED A HOT ENOUGH TEMPERATURE TO BURN THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT CREATING AN APPROXIMATELY 2MM SIZE BURN IN THE DRIVER'S BACKREST. I ALSO NOTICED BROWN DISCOLORATION IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BASE AND WHAT APPEARS TO BE A SIMILAR PROBLEMATIC AREA ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BASE WITH A HARDENED LEATHER AREA ABOUT THE SIZE OF A 3X3 POST-IT NOTE. *TR
Seats, Feb 15, 2012, fire
BACKREST PORTION OF DRIVER SEAT HEATS TO AN EXTREMELY HIGH & UNBEARABLE TO TOUCH(EVEN WITH MULTIPLE LAYERS ON IN WINTER) TEMPERATURE WHEN SEAT HEATER TURNED ON HIGH SETTING. THE HEATER HAS CAUSED A HOT ENOUGH TEMPERATURE TO BURN THROUGH THE SEAT. THERE IS A GUMSTICK SIZE BURN IN THE PORTION OF THE SEAT WHERE IT GETS THE HOTTEST(COINCIDES ANATOMICALLY WITH DRIVER'S MIDDLE TO UPPER RIGHT SIGHT OF BACK). THE HEATER BURNED THROUGH THE EXTERNAL LEATHER COVERING WHICH IS NOW BLACK FROM THE BURN. ALSO THE LEATHER IS HARDENED AROUND THAT AREA FROM THE HIGH TEMPERATURE AND FEELS LIKE BURNED, HARD PLASTIC. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Dec 27, 2011
THERE IS A SHUDDERING NOISE / VIBRATION COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 25-45 MPH. *TR
Power train, Dec 23, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 50 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED A GRINDING SOUND AS THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED AND CAME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,000.
Power train, Oct 19, 2011
MAJOR ISSUES WITH MY TRANSMISSION SHUDDERING AND VIBRATING ON MY 2004 ACURA MDX. HAD HONDA REVIEW THE VEHICLE WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER AND THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE . CALLED ACURA AND NOW I'M HERE...... *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Sep 30, 2011
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. I CALLED ACURA AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE AND THAT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
Power train, Sep 28, 2011
ANOTHER 2004 MDX TRANSMISSION ISSUE.JUTTER OCCURING BETWEEN THE SPEEDS OF 25-45 MPH.DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY ANY LONGER(100,000 MILES ON CAR) AND THERE HAVE BEEN VERY FEW COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM.AFTER TAKING THE ISSUE OF NEEDING A NEW TRANSMISSION TO CORPORATE,I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD COVER ONLY A PORTION OF THE COST. MY PORTION WOULD BE 2500.00. THIS IS ABSURD. ACURA KNOWS FULL WELL THAT A PROBLEM EXISTS AND SHOULD STAND BY THEIR VEHICLES. THEY HAVE CERTAINLY LOST ME AS A THREE TIME BUYER OF THEIR VEHICLES. *TT
Power train, Sep 10, 2011
SHUDDERING IN TRANSMISSION BETWEEN 35MPH AND 45MPH AND LACK OF POWER. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID HONDA HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON IT. *TR
Power train, Aug 31, 2011
TRANSMISSION/TORQUE CONVERTER VIBRATION AT 35-45MPH. STARTED AT 70,000 MILES. FORCED TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION, ACURA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS FAILURE. *TR
Power train, Aug 26, 2011
TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED DUE TO FAULTY EQUIPMENT. THIS CAUSED A TOTAL TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT PER ACURA. *TT
Power train, Equipment, Aug 21, 2011
OUR 2004 ACURA APPEARS TO BE VERY SLUGGISH AND SLOW TO ACCELERATE IN 35-40 MILES RANGE AND WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. SO, WE TOOK IT TO ACURA DEALERSHIP IN LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA ON 1/27/2009 FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THAT'S WHEN THE DEALER RECOMMENDED A NEW TRANSMISSION WITHOUT ANY MENTION OF THE EXISTING RECALLS ON THE 2004 ACURA MDX TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *TR
Power train, Jul 28, 2011
DRIVING HOME AFTER PURCHASING USED 2004 ACURA MDX THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A NOTICEABLE SHUTTER/GRINDING NOISE BETWEEN 30-45 MPH UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER AND REPLACED AT NO COST. NO APPROXIMATELY 11,000 MILES LATER, THE PROBLEM HAS CAME BACK WITH BAD TORQUE CONVERTER. INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON WITH THESE VEHICLES. WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED IF KNOWN ISSUES BEFORE. THESE IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW IN THE POWER TRAIN. *TR
Power train, Jun 25, 2011
I HAVE AN ACURA 2004 MDX. 111,000 MILES. SERVICED AS DIRECTED. JUST REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT IS CLEARLY A PROBLEM. ACURA HAD RECALLS BUT CLAIMED TO HAVE "FIXED" THE ISSUE. THERE IS NO WAY A PROPERLY MAINTAINED CAR SHOULD HAVE TO HAVE A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL DONE. THE MAINSHAFT HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. THE MECHANICS THAT DID THE WORK ARE EX ACURA MECHANICS. THEY CONFIRMED THAT THIS WAS THE EXACT KINDS OF PROBLEM THEY REPLACED FOR YEARS ON MDX'S. I HAD TO HAVE AN ENTIRE NEW TRANSMISSION WITH MAIN SHAFT AND TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED. THIS COST ME $3,558.02. THIS IS WRONG. A CAR, ESPECIALLY A HIGH END CAR LIKE ACURA, SHOULD NOT HAVE TO HAVE AN ENTIRE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 111K MILES. IT WAS UNETHICAL OF ACURA TO NOT ADVISE ME OF THIS HISTORY BEFORE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. *TR
Power train, Jun 21, 2011
MY 2004 ACURA MDX HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A TORQUE CONVERTER PROBLEM AT 71,000 MILES. WHEN WE ARE AT LOW SPEEDS, 35 - 45 MPH THE TRANSMISSION STARTS TO VIBRATE AS IF WE ARE GOING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS. OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS THE GAS MILEAGE HAS DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE POINT THAT WE ARE HAVE TO FILL UP TWICE A WEEK TO DRIVE ROUGHLY 150 MILES. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER 2004-2006 MDX OWNERS WITH THIS SAME COMPLAINT. SOME 2004 MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED BUT NOT MINE. HOW CAN THEY ONLY RECALL SPECIFIC VIN'S AND NOT THE ENTIRE MODEL YEAR. THIS IS A FINANCIAL AND SAFETY CONCERN, ONE BECAUSE THE VEHICLES GAS MILEAGE HAS DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY AND THE TRANSMISSION COULD LOCK-UP OR OVERHEAT AT ANYTIME. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Equipment, May 26, 2011
I OWN A 2004 ACURA MDX AND 3 OUT OF THE 4 AIR VENTS (CLIPS) IN THE FRONT AREA OF THE CAR ARE BROKEN. THEY ARE VERY CHEAPLY MADE AND FALL INTO PIECES WHEN YOU TRY TO ADJUST THE FLOW OF AIR. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THERE IS A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ALSO OUT THERE WITH THIS PROBLEM. MANY FORUMS, SUCH AS EDMUNDS, HAS MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THING. THEY EITHER NEED TO BE RECALLED OR ACURA NEEDS TO START SELLING REPLACEMENT CLIPS INSTEAD OF THE ENTIRE AIR VENT. *TR
Power train, Apr 15, 2011
2004 ACURA MDX, STARTED TO SHUDDER/VIBRATE/GRINDING NOISE NOTICED JUST AFTER 50K MILES. THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 25 TO 45 MILES, TRYING TO COAST OR DECELERATE. ALSO OBSERVED THE SUDDEN HESITATION OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE SHUDDER OCCURS. IF I PUT IT IN D4 (INSTEAD OF D5) THEN IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE MAKING THE GRINDING NOISE/VIBRATION. I HAVE REPORTED THE ISSUE AROUND 50K+ MILEAGE TO THE DEALER BUT DEALER SAID THEY CAN'T REPRODUCE/IDENTIFY IT. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM IN 2 OTHER VISITS TO THE ACURA DEALERSHIP, EVERY TIME THEY DENIED THE PROBLEM. NOW, AT 90K MILES I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THIS TIME THEY WERE ABLE TO HEAR AND OBSERVE THE SOUND, EXACTLY THE SAME AS I HAVE BEEN REPORTING SINCE IT HAD 50K+ MILEAGE. ACURA DEALER IS SAYING THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION (TORQUE CONVERTER) HAS TO BE REPLACED. FOR A VEHICLE THAT COSTS $40K HAVING TRANSMISSION ISSUES AT 50K MILEAGE IS UNACCEPTABLE. I DON'T DRIVE IT ROUGH AND DON'T NEGLECT THE MAINTENANCE. THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS IN THE ONLINE FORUMS ON THIS EXACT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. ACURA/HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE IS VERY POOR OR NON-EXISTING, THEY SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF SUCH A PROBLEMATIC COMPONENT IN A LUXURY VEHICLE. *TR
Power train, Apr 1, 2011
A RATTLING/SHUDDERING/GRINDING IS OCCURING WHEN ACCELERATING, AND ONLY WHEN ACCELERATING, BETWEEN 30 AND 42 MPH. IT IS A RESULT OF A FAILING TORQUE CONVERTER. PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS WHILE IN D5. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Mar 8, 2011
I HAVE A 2004 ACURA MDX. THERE ARE ABOUT 77,000 MILES ON IT. VSA, VTM-4, ABS, AND AIRBAG LIGHTS KEEP FLASHING. SO I TOOK IT TO MY ACURA DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT AFTER DIAGNOSTIC THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILED. I BELIEVE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE WIRING OF ALL MDX IN OR AROUND 2004. THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTING OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURES IN 2003 AND 2004 MDXS. ACURA SHOULD TAKE A LOOK INTO THIS AND MAYBE DO A RECALL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A LOUD NOISE AND SLOWS DOWN WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING ALMOST AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS ABOUT TO GO OUT. *TR
Power train, Feb 15, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THE FAILURE WAS WITHIN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL TORQUE CONVERTER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN FAILURE THAT ACURA HAD BEEN HANDLING ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD NOT RECEIVE ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE CONTACT WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Power train, Feb 12, 2011
AFTER BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND SHIFTING THE CAR INTO D5 THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND WAS COMPLETELY SLIPPING. AFTER SHIFTING TO A LOWER GEAR I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO DRIVE AND THEN SHIFTED BACK INTO D5. UPON SLOWING AND THEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AGAIN THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN COMPLETELY FAILED TO ENGAGE AND HAT TO BE SHIFTED INTO THE LOWEST GEAR TO RE-ENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE TRYING TO PASS OTHER VEHICLES THE TRANSMISSION WOULD AGAIN COMPLETELY SLIP. ALSO AT POINTS WHERE I WOULD ENTER TRAFFIC FROM A SIDE STREET OR PARKING LOT AS I HAVE TRIED TO ENTER TRAFFIC AT AN OPENING THE TRANSMISSION WOULD FAIL TO ENGAGE WHICH HAS CREATED VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHERE WE HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN A VERY BAD ACCIDENT. *TR
Power train, Jan 7, 2011
THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE THE INCIDENT IS THAT OUR VEHICLE JUST STARTED TO LOSE POWER AS WE WERE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. THEN, IT JUST FROZE. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THEN, IT SEEMED TO BE ALRIGHT BUT IT WOULD FREEZE UP AGAIN. IT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING BECAUSE THERE WERE CARS ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 60-65 MPH. WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THEN TO ACURA GARAGE A DAY LATER. WE WERE GIVEN NO WARNING OF A PROBLEM. THERE WAS NO LIGHT TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED REPLACED. WE LEARNED THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE ACURA MDX. WE FILED A CLAIM WITH ACURA. WE HAD A SERVICE BULLETIN. APPARENTLY, HONDA/ACURA KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. WE BOUGHT OUR 2004 MDX NEW. WE HAD ALL NECESSARY MAINTENANCE DONE ON THE VEHICLE. ACURA WANTED OUR DOCUMENTATION WHICH WE PROVIDED. THEY OFFERED TO PAY HALF OF THE REPAIRS. OUR EXPENSE WAS $2000. I FEEL THAT A RECALL IS IN ORDER. AGAIN, HONDA/ACURA KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH NOT JUST THE ACURA BUT THE PILOT AND THE ODYSSEY, AS WELL. OUR CAR HAD 79,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 13, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO PUMP GAS, THE FUEL WILL SPILL OUT WHICH WAS SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V541000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE INFORMED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 11, 2010
MY MECHANIC DETERMINED MY FRONT AND SIDE MOTOR MOUNTS NEED REPLACING, AND MENTIONED IT BEING COMMON IN MY VEHICLE. I'VE SINCE FOUND OTHERS WITH ACURA MDXS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. NEVER NEEDED MOUNTS REPLACED IN ANY OTHER VEHICLES OWNED. I BELIEVE IT TO BE AN INHERENT DEFECT ACURA MUST ADDRESS.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Nov 18, 2010
I OWN A 2004 ACURA MDX WITH APPROX. 58,000 MI. THE PROBLEM I'M EXPERIENCING IS WHEN EVER I TRY TO FUEL THE VEHICLE IT EITHER STOPS AUTOMATICALLY AFTER ABOUT 0.2 GAL OR IT OVERFLOWS ONTO THE BODY AND TIRES ALSO AFTER ABOUT0.2 GAL. I NOTICED IT ABOUT 6-8 WEEKS AGO, SO I STARTED GOING TO A DIFFERENT GAS STATION WHERE IT WOULD FILL WITHOUT PROBLEMS, BUT JUST IN THE LAST WEEK, IT DOES IT ALL THE TIME NO MATTER WHAT GAS STATION I GO TO. I FEEL THIS TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO THE FACT ANY FUEL SPILL IS HAZARDOUS, LET ALONE IF IT SPILLS ONTO THE REAR TIRE WHEN THE BREAKS ARE HOT ON A HOT SUMMER DAY AND I JUST GOT OUT OF A TRAFFIC JAM WHERE I WAS CONSTANTLY HAVING TO BREAK. ALL THOUGH I'VE READ MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH OTHER MDX OWNERS ON VARIOUS ON-LINE FORUMS, ACURA HAS YET TO MAKE A RECALL FOR THIS AND FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Nov 1, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA MDX. WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE GASOLINE BEGAN TO SPILL OUT OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FILLER NECK WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR SO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE ORVR WALL WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS LATER THE FAILURE BEGAN TO RECUR AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ORVR WALL FAILED. THE ORVR WALL WAS AGAIN REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY 4 MONTHS LATER THE FAILURE BEGAN TO RECUR. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND HE WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.