2005 Acura MDX
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 180 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 24 MDX model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 15 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 15 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 moduleJan 10, 2017
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2011 Honda Element vehicles, 2005-2012 Acura RL vehicles, 2006-2012 Honda Ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever 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, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2009 Acura RL and Honda Element vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles and 2006-2009 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever 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." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2008 Acura RL, Honda Element and Honda Pilot vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2006-2008 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever 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 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 front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall bagan March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KD9 and KE0.
Campaign 17V029000 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
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/moduleMar 14, 2013
Honda is recalling certain model year 2005 Pilot vehicles manufactured July 29, 2004, through August 29, 2005; model year 2005-2006 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 16, 2004, through September 22, 2005; and model year 2005 Acura RL vehicles manufactured March 1, 2004, through June 29, 2005. An electrical capacitor may have been damaged during the manufacturing of the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) control module causing intermittent, automatic, minor brake application. However, if the driver applies the brakes while the VSA is malfunctioning, the vehicle may come to an abrupt stop. Additionally, due to a loose ground connection, certain model year 2005 Pilots have a VSA system that may apply partial brake force, without the illumination of the brake lights, whether or not the driver is using the brakes.
Sudden inadvertent braking, especially without illumination of the brake lights, may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Owners will be notified and instructed to take their vehicles to a dealer of their respective brand. The dealer will install a partial wiring harness containing a capacitor for the VSA modulator, free of charge. The affected model year 2005 Pilots will have their ground connection tightened. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Honda owners may contact Honda Automobile Customer Service at 1-800-999-1009, and select option 4 or go to www.recalls.honda.com; Acura owners may contact 1-800-382-2238, and select option 4, or go to www.recalls.acura.com.
Campaign 13V092000 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
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assemblyNov 18, 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, SOME FUEL TANKS WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED.
IN A CRASH, THE FUEL TANK COULD BE DAMAGED AND LEAK FUEL. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
DEALERS REPLACED THE FUEL TANK. ALL OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE ON NOVEMBER 10, 2004.
Campaign 04V541000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
180 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Aug 19, 2014
DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW CONTROL UNIT CONNECTOR FAILS AFTER YEARS IN SERVICE. THE CONTROL UNIT IS MOUNTED ON DOOR WITH BRACKET AND TWO SCREW WHICH PUTS UNDUE PRESSURE ON THE CONNECTOR BY PUSHING IT AGAINST THE BODY. OVER THE TIME PLASTIC CONNECTOR (DUE TO CREEP EFFECT) WILL GIVE AWAY AND BECOME LOOSE PREVENTING PROPER CONTACT WHICH WILL DISABLE THE OPERATION OF DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW. I LEARNED IT HARD WAY BY SPENDING LOTS OF MONEY CHANGING ALL PARTS (CONTROL MODULE, WINDOW MOTOR AND DRIVER MULTIPLEX SWITCH) FOR NO REASON. *TR
Power train, Aug 19, 2014
GEAR SHIFT LEVER BECAME HARDER AND HARDER TO SHIFT OVER THE TIME AND THEN SEIZED. NOTICED HEAVILY CORRODED SHIFT LEVER LINKAGE AT THE TRANSMISSION END. THE LINKAGE DESIGN SEEMS TO BE A POOR. EXPOSURE TO ELEMENTS MAKES IT TO CORRODE AND SEIZE. I HAD TO APPLY WD40 TO LOOSEN THE LINKAGE AND THEN COAT IT HEAVILY WITH ANTI-SEIZE COMPOUND. *TR
Other or unspecified, Jul 8, 2014
WHEN I'M DRIVING BETWEEN 30 AND 45 MPH I HEAR AND FEEL A VIBRATION UNDERNEATH THE CAR. I'VE LOOKED UP THE ISSUE ONLINE AND I'VE READ DOZENS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE, THE TORQUE CONVERTER. *JS
Electrical system, Jun 28, 2014
AFTER PLACING VEHICLE IN PARK, I WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO ALIGN WITH SLOT SO KEY COULD BE REMOVED. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE CAR, IT FAILED TO START. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS SOMEHOW LINKED BETWEEN THE IGNITION AND THE TRANSMISSION/GEAR SHIFT. RECENTLY, WHEN SHIFTING INTO PARK AND DRIVE THE GEAR SHIFT MET WITH RESISTANCE. I'M OUT OF TOWN (APPROX 100 MILES) AND AFRAID TO STOP ANYWHERE UNTIL I REACH MY DEALER. HAD NEW TRANSMISSION INSTALLED WITHIN THE LAST TWO YEARS. POSTING THIS NOTICE FROM HOTEL'S COMPUTER, HEADING TO DEALER (MCGRAPH ACURA, WESTMOUNT,IL.) TO DIAGNOSE AND HOPEFULLY CORRECT PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Engine, Jun 17, 2014
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN MY CAR JERKED AND THEN WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED IN AND WAS TOLD THAT MY TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Power train, Oct 1, 2013
TRANSMISSION HAS INTERMITTENT VIBRATION BETWEEN 30-40 MPH. LASTS APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS. ACURA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT FIX THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
Power train, Sep 29, 2013
AS DRIVING TO WORK THE VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN STOP SHIFTING GEARS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO STOP TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER LANE WITHOUT GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT. PRIOR TO THE CAR NOT SHIFTING GEARS I HEARD A GRINDING METAL NOISE COMING FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE ENGINE, A NOISE THAT I'VE BEEN HEARING FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. COME TO FIND OUT IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER APPARENTLY IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN FORWARDED TO ACURA BUT THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING IN REFERENCE TO IT. *TR
Air bags, Sep 20, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING SENOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Service brakes, Jun 21, 2013
WELL WHEN I DID A SUDDEN EMERGENCY STOP BECAUSE A CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED THEIR BRAKES I NOTICED THAT MY BRAKES DIDN'T LOCK UP TO CAUSE THE ABS SYSTEM TO TRIGGER IN CASE I HAD TO DO SOME MANEUVERING. HONDA EVIDENTLY RECALLED BRAKE BOOSTERS IN SOME OF THEIR OTHER MODEL CARS BUT NOT THIS ONE. THIS MAYBE THE PROBLEM NOT SURE. BUT IT'S AWFULLY DANGEROUS. I AM ON A ACURA MDX FORUM AND THERE ARE OTHERS WHO'VE COMPLAINED ABOUT IT. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Jun 13, 2013
I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR RECALL FOR THE SHIFT INTERLOCK 7250A2. A REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT WAS DONE BY POHANKA ACURA SERVICE. AFTER THE RECALL FIX, I COULD STILL PULL THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE CARE IS IN DRIVE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE TRYING TO FIX IT AGAIN TODAY. I AM COMPLAINING THAT THE INITIAL FIX PERFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP WAS INSUFFICIENT. I CAN FORWARD A YOUTUBE LINK OF THE VIDEO IF NEEDED. *TR
Power train, May 30, 2013
THERE'S A SHUTTER WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 35-45MPH. I HAVE READ A FEW FORUMS ON THIS ISSUE AND IT SEEMS THERE IS AN UPDATE FROM ACURA BUT, I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING ON THIS MATTER. ACCORDING TO OTHER OWNERS THIS HAS NOT FIXED THE ISSUE. OTHER OWNERS HAVE TO REPLACE TORQUE CONVERTERS AND EVEN TRANSMISSIONS DUE TO A MANUFACTURE DEFECT WHICH IS NOT FAIR AT ALL TO US THE CONSUMER. PLEASE HELP US. *TR
Power train, May 17, 2013
WELL I DRIVE AROUND 35 MPH I HEAR THIS RUMBLING NOISE WHICH AS I LATER FOUND OUT THAT IT'S THE TORQUE CONVERTER. SO ACURA PUSHED OUT PRODUCT UPDATE (OTHERS ARE CALLING IT A RECALL) TO STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING BECAUSE ULTIMATELY IT COULD CAUSE THE TORQUE CONVERTER TO LOCK UP AND YOUR CAR MAY NOT SHIFT OR HAVE THE ABILITY TO MOVE BECAUSE THE TOTAL TRANSMISSION WILL GO. UNFORTUNATELY THIS PRODUCT UPDATE DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM AND I'M CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY CAUSE MY CAR TO STOP ON THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND I WON'T BE ABLE TO MANEUVER CORRECTLY. *TR
Structure, Wheels, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 29, 2013, crash
I AM WRITING BECAUSE I JUST RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FROM ACURA RELATING TO: NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : EA13002. MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT (SHE'S OK!) WHERE SHE HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID AN ONCOMING CAR THAT HAD DRIFTED INTO HER LANE ROUNDING A LEFT HAND BEND. OUR 2005 ACURA MDX WENT OUT OF CONTROL DESPITE HER ATTEMPTS TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, WHICH SHE DID AFTER IT HAD BLOWN OUT TWO TIRES. COULD HER BRAKING AND SWERVING RESULT IN THE SUBSEQUENT OVER CORRECTION OF OUR MDX AND BE THE RESULT OF THE VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST CONTROL MODULE MALFUNCTIONING AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL NOTICE FROM ACURA. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Traction control system, Service brakes, Apr 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, HE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AND DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED THE FOLLOWING DAY WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. AFTER A THIRD FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V092000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM) WAS PREVIOUSLY DONE ON THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED, THE TPMS , VSA, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED THEN THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER WHO REVEALED A YAW SENSOR CODE VIA THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
Suspension, Service brakes, Apr 1, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD VEER TO THE RIGHT AND THEN THE BRAKE WOULD ENGAGE INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST (VSA) WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V092000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM). THE SAME DAY THE RECALL REMEDY WAS PERFORMED, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THE MOST RECENT DEFECT. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE YAW SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Electrical system, Feb 23, 2013
AFTER YOU STOP THE CAR AND KEEP IN DRIVE GEAR AND PULL THE KEY OUT OF IGNITION, THE CAR ROLLS AWAY. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 13, 2013, crash
VEHICLE IGNITION LOCK FAILED. VEHICLE ROLLED AND CAUSED CATASTROPHIC INJURY TO THE LEG OF AN ELDERLY WOMAN. *TR
Power train, Jan 9, 2013
THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE WHEN TRAVELING 35-45 MPH. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Power train, Jan 5, 2013
THE ACURA MDX THAT WE (MYSELF AND MY WIFE) OWN BEGAN TO SHOW PRONOUNCED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS DURING OCTOBER, 2012. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ONLY ONE MONTH PRIOR. INITIALLY, AFTER INSPECTION BY THE DEALER, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE ISSUES WE WERE HAVING WITH ACCELERATION AND DOWNSHIFTING RELATED TO CLOGGED FUEL INJECTORS, BUT THE PROBLEM DID NOT DIMINISH ONCE THEY WERE CLEANED. THE VEHICLE WOULD "REV" AT HIGH RPM'S DURING ACCELERATION AND WOULD "BANG" AND JOLT WHEN THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED. WE HAD A THOROUGH TRANSMISSION INSPECTION AND LEARNED THAT THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING. IT HAD A LIMITED WARRANTY WHICH ALLOWED FOR A USED REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION, WHICH WAS INSTALLED BY AAMCO IN WARWICK, RI. OUR OUT OF POCKET COST WAS STILL APPROXIMATELY $600.00. *TR
Power train, Oct 17, 2012
WHEN TRAVELING BETWEEN 30-45 MPH CAR HAS VIBRATION AND GRUMBLING SOUND AS IF DIFFICULTY IN CHANGING GEARS. TOOK CAR TO ACURA DEALER AND WAS TOLD TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED AND HOPING TO HAVE THE CAR RECALLED SINCE THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH OTHER MDX'S. WAS QUOTED $3111 PLUS TAX TO REPLACE TORQUE CONVERTER AND THINK THIS SHOULD FALL UNDER A RECALL DUE TO FAULTY EQUIPMENT. THIS IS A ONE OWNER VEHICLE MAINTAINED BY ACURA SERVICE CENTER AND THIS SEEMS UNUSUAL TO HAVE A TORQUE CONVERTER FAIL AT JUST OVER 100,000 MILES. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Oct 12, 2012
THE BRAKE WILL APPLY ON ITS OWN AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON BECAUSE YOU DON'T PRESS THE PEDAL WHICH WOULD TRIGGER THE BRAKE SWITCH TO TURN THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AS IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME NUMEROUS TIMES AT HIGH SPEED. NOTE I SENT TO ACURA DURING THE UNCOMMANDED BRAKE ISSUE, IT DESCRIBES THE ISSUE ETC.. THIS IS <MY NAME>, I HAD BROUGHT MY 2005 MDX WHICH I BOUGHT NEW FROM YOU BACK IN 2005 IN FOR THE UNCOMMANDED BRAKE APPLICATION ISSUE ON FEB 10TH 2010. AS YOU KNOW WHEN THIS ISSUE HAPPENS THE BRAKE APPLIES ITSELF WHEN MY FOOT IS ON THE GAS PEDAL AND SOMETIMES THE VSA AND ! LIGHT COME ON AND SOMETIMES THEY DO NOT. ON THE 10TH I DROVE THE CAR WITH YOU MECHANIC AND WE HAD A BRIEF EXPERIENCE OF THE ISSUE BUT BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC I HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKE AND WHEN MY FOOT WAS OFF OF THE BRAKE IT STILL APPLIED ITSELF AND THEN RELEASED AND THEN APPLIED AGAIN WITHOUT ME TOUCHING THE PEDAL. THE MOST SERIOUS OF THE ISSUES IS WHEN MY FOOT IS ON THE GAS AND THE BRAKE APPLIES ITSELF. ON THAT DAY YOUR MECHANIC DID A BUNCH OF TESTS FROM THE SERVICE MANUAL FOR DTC 66 & 68 INCLUDING: -- "THE JIGGLE" TEST TO SEE IF SOMETHING WAS LOOSE AND WOULD TRIGGER A CODE -- BATTERY TEST FOR VOLTAGE -- GROUND CONNECTION TO BODY CLEAN AND RESET -- VSA CONNECTOR WAS TAKEN OFF AND PUT BACK ON -- CODES WERE RESET THERE IS MORE BUT THE LENGTH IS GREATER THAN ALLOWABLE MAXIMUM OF '1,901'. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Oct 2, 2012
2005 ACURA MDX: LEAVING MY NEIGHBORHOOD I TOOK A RIGHT TURN ONTO THE MAIN THOROUGHFARE. AFTER SOME ACCELERATION (1ST GEAR), I HEARD A LOUD SQUEAL/BLOW. IMMEDIATELY HAD NO POWER TO MANEUVER FORWARD AND OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD IN BUSY TRAFFIC. IRONICALLY, MDX WAS TAKEN FOR MAINTENANCE AT DEALERSHIP. MDX SEEMINGLY TESTED WITH FLYING COLORS 43 DAYS EARLIER. NO CAUTIONARY COMMENTS FROM MECHANICS AT DEALERSHIP. *TR
Power train, Engine, Sep 6, 2012
HELLO, I AM A VERY UNHAPPY FRUSTRATED 2005 ACURA MDX OWNER. MY CAR 2005ACURA MDX AT 82K MILES, I NOTICED CAR SHIFTING GEAR WAS NOT SHIFTING SMOOTHLY. HAVING DIFFICULTY WHILE SHIFTING GEAR & WHICH WENT WORSE & VERY STIFF. ALSO, A GRINDING NOISE COMING, WHILE ACCELERATING AT LOW SPEEDS ( 25-40MPH). IT STARTED TO HAPPEN ALMOST EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE THE CAR OR HOLDING THIS SPEED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE LEVEL. I HAVE HAD MY MECHANIC TO LOOK AT IT & WAS TOLD THIS NOISE IS A TRANSMISSION/TORQUE CONVERTER PROBLEM. IT'S COMMON TO ACURA MDXS. & ALSO, ADVISED TO TAKE IT TO ACURA DEALER. ON OCT-2009 CAR WAS PLACED FOR SERVICE @ AUTHORIZED ACURA DEALER. WHERE DEALER STATE THAT IT'S OUT OF COMPANY WARRANTY. THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE AS WELL AS TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH 3-YEAR WARRANTY ACURA DEALER AT MY (OWNER) EXPENSE 5K. AGAIN, IN JUNE-2012 @ 89K MILEAGES, SAME PROBLEM STARTED. MY CAR SHIFT GEAR WAS NOT SHIFTING SMOOTHLY. MY CAR NEEDED EXCESSIVE FORCE IN ORDER TO SHIFT GEARS. AGAIN, CAR WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED ACURA DEALER AND THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE WAS REPLACED. DEALER STATE THAT THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE WAS COVERED WITH RUST. WHICH I BELIEVE THE FAILURE WAS A ACURA DESIGN FLAW. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SECOND TIME AT MY EXPENSE($400.00) FOR THE SAME PROBLEM OR CAUSE. RECENTLY, AGAIN (SEPT-2012) SAME STRANGE VIBRATION/GRINDING NOISE STARTED. IT SOUNDS IDENTICAL TO THE ISSUE I WAS HAVING PREVIOUSLY. HOWEVER, THIS TYPES OF FAILURE RECURRING EVERY FEW MONTHS LATER. UNFORTUNATELY, I FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND FEEL VERY NERVOUS WHILE DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY. I EVEN GET SCARED TO DRIVE THIS ACURA SUV IN CASE IT WILL STOP ON THE MIDDLE OF THE WAY, WHILE DRIVING. I'M REQUESTING YOU( NHTSA) TO TAKE THIS SERIOUS AND POSSIBLE LIFE THREATENING MATTER WITH ACURA AND MAKE THEM ACCOUNTABLE AND RESPONSIBLE FOR IT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Aug 22, 2012
WHILE DRIVING THE SUV IN A BUSY STREET 30-45MPH FELT THE VIBRATION, GRINDING, THE TRIANGLE DISTRESS SIGN CAME ON AND FELT THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO STALL. MANAGED TO GET THE SUV TO THE PARKING LOT ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THE SUV COMPLETELY STALLED THERE AND WE GOT IT TOWED TO THE ACURA DEALER. THEY LOOKED AT IT AND THE TECHNICIAN GAVE US THE INITIAL DIAGNOSIS AS "RADIATOR HAS BLOWN COOLANT LINE , FLUIDS HAVE CROSS CONTAMINATED AND WILL TAKE A LOT OF TIME TO BLEED OUT, ALSO POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THE PROCESS WOULD NEED TO RETEST DRIVE AFTER RADIATOR REPLACEMENT TO SEE IF TRANSMISSION WORKS". *TR
Power train, Aug 13, 2012
TRANSMISSION / TORQUE CONVERTER JUDDER AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN APPLYING LIGHT PRESSURE TO ACCELERATOR. ACURA DEALER APPLIED 1255A9 SOFTWARE UPDATE, WHICH SEEMED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM FOR AWHILE. THE PROBLEM BEGAN REOCCURRING APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR LATER. *TR