2007 Acura MDX
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 99 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 14th highest complaint count among 24 MDX model years with reports.
Of the 2007 reports, 2 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 2 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
99 reports, newest first.
Tires, Jun 5, 2012
THE SIDEWALLS ARE CRACKING AND PEELING OFF OF THESE TIRES. MY CAR WAS PURCHASED IN JULY 2007 AND THESE ARE THE ORIGINAL TIRES. I ONLY HAVE 23,000 MILES ON THE CAR. *TR
Wheels, Equipment, Jun 5, 2012
RECENTLY I HAD TO CHANGE MY WIFE'S CAR TIRE DUE TO A FLAT. I USED THE FACTORY ACURA SCISSOR JACK TO DO IT. WHILE I HAD STEPPED AWAY FROM THE JACK STAND TO GET THE SPARE TIRE, THE JACK COLLAPSED AND ESSENTIALLY THE METAL STRUCTURE OF THE JACK HAD FOLDED A BIT. THE CAR SLAMMED TO THE GROUND WITH MY WIFE AND 1 YEAR OLD INSIDE THE CAR (IT WAS RAINING OUT). I CONTACTED ACURA SUPPORT ABOUT HAVING THEM SIMPLY REPLACE THE UNUSABLE JACK STAND WITH A NEW ONE. THEY POLITELY TOLD ME TO POUND SAND. I HAVE SOME PICS OF THE BENT JACK THAT I CAN SHARE. I HAD CONTACTED THE US CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION AND THEY RECOMMENDED I FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA. *TR UPDATED 01/09/13*LJ
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Mar 8, 2012, crash
MY FATHER WAS JUST IN AN ACCIDENT TODAY. MDX WAS STREET PARKED AND WHEN HE TRIED TO REVERSE OUT THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED IN TO THE CAR BEHIND HIM AND PUSHED IT BACK ABOUT 20 FEET. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Feb 2, 2012
MY WIFE WENT OUTSIDE OF OUR HOME TO GET INTO HER ACURA 2007 MDX TO GO TO WORK. WHEN SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE UP, IT STARTED SHAKING AND BLOWING OUT WHITE SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST PIPES WITH AN UNUSUAL NOISE. SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND CALLED OUR INSURANCE COMPANY WHICH SENT A TOW TRUCK OUT TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. AFTER THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ACCEPTED THE VEHICLE AND HAD HIS MECHANIC INSPECT IT TO SEE WHAT CAUSED THE SMOKING. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT THE AIR COMPRESSOR MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGES. THIS WAS THE REASON FOR THE AIR COMPRESSOR WHY THE AIR COMPRESSOR WERE BLOWING FREON INTO THE ENGINE AND CAUSED IT TO SMOKE WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED. WE HAVE NEVER MISS A SERVICE AND FOLLOWED THE RECOMMENDED REQUIRED MAINTENANCE. I ASK THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WHAT WOULD IT COST TO HAVE MY WIFE'S SUV REPAIRED? THE PRICE THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE GAVE WAS AN ESTIMATION OF $1,900.00 PLUS LABOR. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THIS ISSUE. JUST BECAUSE THERE ARE NO SAFETY RECORD ON FILE DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE DEALER SHOULD NOT LOOK INTO THE HAZARD. WHAT IF THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED WHILE MY WIFE WAS ON HER WAY TO WORK, AND ALL THIS FREON AND SMOKE WERE RELEASED INSIDE HER VEHICLE AND CAUSED HER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT? MY WIFE AND I HAVE PURCHASED 4 VEHICLES FROM ACURA BRAND NEW OFF THE SHOWROOM FLOOR. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT EVERY TIME THE WARRANTY RUN OUT OUR CARS, WE BEGIN TO HAVE MECHANICAL ISSUES WHICH LEAD ME TO BELIEVE ONE OR TWO THINGS; EITHER THE MECHANICS ARE TAKING SHORT CUTS IN PERFORMING THE MAINTENANCE OR THE CAR WORKMANSHIP IS NOT WHAT ACURA SAY IT IS. THE WAY THAT I FEEL ABOUT MY TL AND MY WIFE'S MDX THAT WE WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER ACURA VEHICLE. *KB
Steering, Jan 26, 2012
A WHINING SOUND IS BEING DISCOVERED FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP/RACK AREA AFTER 30 MINUTES OF DRIVE ON HIGHWAY THEN SLOWDOWNS TO THE STREETS. THE WHINING NOISE GETS LOUDER WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT (NOT NECESSARILY ALL THE WAY). THE NOISE GO AWAY AFTER STOPPING THE ENGINE FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS. DIAGNOSED AT THE DEALER, FOUND TO BE A DEFECTIVE PART - POWER STEERING RACK (53601-STX-A01). *TR
Steering, Dec 30, 2011
VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED LEAK IN RACK AND PINION AND POWER STEERING PUMP IS FAILING AT 70,000 MILES WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO BE DIFFICULT TO STEER AND COULD LEAD TO POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. *KB
Electrical system, Air bags, Oct 7, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ADJUSTING THE POWER SEAT ON THE DRIVER SIDE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED A WIRING HARNESS REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 11/04/11 *BF
Electrical system, Structure, Sep 19, 2011
OPEN TAILGATE CREATES ELECTRICAL DRAIN THAT KILLS THE BATTERY IN A FEW HOURS WITH NO LIGHTS TURNED ON OR ANY OTHER OBVIOUS SIGNS OF BATTERY DRAINAGE INDICATION. THE ISSUE SEEMS TO APPLY ONLY TO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER TAILGATE. MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FOUND ON THE INTERNET REPORTED BY OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE SINCE PEOPLE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO START ENGINE ON THEIR VEHICLE JUST AFTER HAVING TAILGATE OPEN FOR A RELATIVELY SHORT TIME. ACURA CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED OVER THE PHONE BUT REFUSED TO ADMIT THE FACT OF ELECTRICAL DESIGN OR A COMPONENT ISSUE AND SUGGESTED ME TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC DONE AT MY OWN EXPENSE IN THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. *KB
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 11, 2011
WHILE WAS DRIVING THE CAR, IT SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY - .NO LIGHTS, NO MOTOR, ..COMPLETELY DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. I WAS SIMPLY DRIVING AND HAD NOT TOUCHED ANY BUTTONS OR DIALS. I WAS (LUCKILY) ABLE TO DRIFT TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE. APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES LATER, THE INSIDE LIGHTS TURNED ON AND I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THIS MORNING, WHEN I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE, I WAS TOLD THAT ANOTHER CUSTOMER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, RECURRING EVERY THREE WEEKS OR SO. AT OTHER TIMES, WHEN THE CAR WAS STATIONARY, THE CAR WOULD ALSO FREEZE ON ME, AND AGAIN, AFTER WAITING APPROX. 45 MINUTES, IT STARTED UP. THIS WAS, FOR ME, THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. MILEAGE ENTERED ABOVE IS APPROXIMATE.
Exterior lighting, Mar 8, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT RELAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,800.
Power train, Dec 27, 2010
TORQUE CONVERTER ON 2007 ACURA MDX FAILED AT 42K MILES. ACURA DEALER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 6, 2010
ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING APPROX. 35 MPH, RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS.. PULLED OVER AND BROUGHT CAR TO A STOP. WAS IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING OUT TO CHECK ENGINE WHEN INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME ON, RESTARTED ENGINE AND COMMENCED TO DRIVE APPROX. A MILE WHEN IT ALL REPEATED. GOT CAR HOME AND CALLED FOR TOW TRUCK TO TAKE CAR TO ACURA DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD PURCHASED 1 MONTH PREVIOUSLY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 27, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT SMELLED OIL BURNING IN THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL FROM THE PC VALVE ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE REPAIRED AT HIS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE DEALERS STATEMENT AND TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE WARRANTY WAS VOID SINCE HE TAMPERED WITH THE VEHICLE AND REMOVED PARTS FROM IT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
Steering, Apr 28, 2010
MY ACURA MDX 2007 LOSES POWER STEERING EVERY TIME IT GOES THROUGH A PUDDLE, PUDDLES AS SHALLOW AS CAN BE. A BEEP SOUNDS, AN ALERT STATING CHECK YOUR CHARGING SYSTEM, AND THE POWER STEERING STOPS FUNCTIONING. I ALMOST RAN INTO AN OBJECT AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD A FEW TIMES AS I WAS TURNING AND THIS HAPPENED. *TR
Steering, Feb 24, 2010
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) 2007 ACURA MDX 34,000 PREDOMINANTLY HIGHWAY MILES FRIDAY EVENING, AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF A CAR WASH, I HEARD A CLUNK, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIT UP WITH A "CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM ALARM" AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND FOUND A BELT PULLEY (LATER IDENTIFIED BY ACURA AS A "CRANK PULLEY) LAYING IN THE ROAD JUST BEHIND THE CAR. I OPENED THE HOOD AND THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS NOT TURNING, EXPLAINING THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED THAT THE OUTER RIM OF THE PULLEY IS COMPRESSION FIT ONTO THE HUB AND THAT THE PULLEY CAME APART AT THIS COMPRESSION FIT. THE HUB REMAINED CONNECTED TO THE CRANK, BUT WITHOUT THE HUB THERE IS NO TENSION PROVIDED TO THE SERPENTINE BELT AND, HENCE NO POWER STEERING (OR ALTERNATOR OR A/C FOR THAT MATTER). THE LOCAL ACURA DEALERSHIP PROVIDED A SIMPLE REPAIR REPLACING THE PULLEY, BUT COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY IT FAILED. I CONTACTED ACURA'S REGIONAL CASE MANAGER [XXX] AND ASKED FOR A CASE NUMBER [XXX] )TO RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM AN ANALYSIS OF THE FAILED PART. WHY DID IT FAIL (ROOT CAUSE) AND WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO PREVENT FUTURE OCCURRENCES? [XXX] REPLIED "THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN", "I'M CLOSING OUT THIS CASE". I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE ROOT CAUSE OF THIS FAILURE. HAD MY WIFE OR DAUGHTER OR OTHER WEAKER PERSON BEEN DRIVING IN A MORE CRITICAL SITUATION, LOSING THE POWER STEERING WHILE MOVING COULD HAVE BEEN A TRAGIC EVENT. THE CAR CARRIER DRIVER TOLD ME THAT HE PICKED UP AN MDX WITH A MISSING BELT PULLEY JUST LAST WEEK. I UNDERSTAND THAT HE IS NOT THE AUTHORITATIVE SOURCE, BUT ITS IS ENOUGH TO INCREASE MY LEVEL OF CONCERN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 13, 2010
NOXIOUS/STALE REFRIGERANT HEADACHE CAUSING ODOR EMITTING FROM MY VEHICLES AC VENTS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Nov 4, 2009
AT 62,000 MILES THE LEFT HEADLIGHT FAILED. DEALER INDICATED THAT THE XENON BULB, IGNITER AND CONTROL UNIT HAD ALL FAILED AND BLOWN A FUSE. REPAIR COST WAS APPROXIMATELY $1,000, OF WHICH ACURA PAID 75% AS A GOODWILL GESTURE. NOW, AT 72,000 MILES, THE RIGHT SIDE HEADLIGHT HAS FAILED REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITER AND CONTROL UNIT AT A COST OF OVER $600. HEADLIGHTS ARE SAFETY COMPONENTS AND IT APPEARS THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT CAUSING PREMATURE FAILURE OF THESE ITEMS. A BULB IS ONE THING. BUT THE COMPONENTS CONTROLLING THE FUNCTION OF THE XENON BULBS SHOULD OUTLAST THEM IN MY OPINION. WAITING TO SEE IF ACURA WILL ASSIST IN THE COST OF THIS REPAIR. *TR
Seat belts, Jul 20, 2009
WE WERE ON A ROAD TRIP DRIVING FROM BALTIMORE MARYLAND HOME TO EASTON PA. MY SIX YEAR OLD SON SAYS, MOMMY I NEED YOUR HELP! I TURN AROUND AND HE IS CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE SEATBELT WHICH IS TETHERED BETWEEN THE CEILING AND THE SEAT AROUND HIS NECK! I AM NOT SURE HOW HE GOT IN THIS PREDICAMENT AND I QUICKLY TRIED TO HELP HIM AS MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING ON A SECTION OF 95 WHERE WE COULD NOT PULL OVER. I CLIMBED INTO THE BACKSEAT AND FOUND THE SEATBELT WAS TIGHT AROUND HIS NECK. BY THIS TIME MY SON WAS CRYING AND PANICKING AS HE REALIZED THE SITUATION WAS WORSE THAN HE THOUGHT. THE SEATBELT HAD GOTTEN PULLED TIGHT AROUND HIS NECK AND WAS LOCKED IN THAT POSITION SO I COULD NOT LOOSEN IT. I HAD HIM GET OUT OF HIS SEATBELT ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT AND TRY TO GET ON HIS KNEES AND FINALLY HE WAS ABLE TO SPIN HIS NECK OUT OF IT. HOWEVER, I THINK THIS WAS A REAL STRANGULATION HAZARD. IT WAS A TENSE FEW MINUTES IN MY CAR AS I CONTEMPLATED HAVING TO CUT THIS SEATBELT AND WHAT I WOULD USE TO ACCOMPLISH THIS AND HOW MUCH TIME I HAD TO DO IT. THIS IS MY FIRST TIME WRITING A COMPLAINT AS I AM NOT ONE OF THOSE OVER CAUTIOUS MOM'S BUT I DID FEEL THIS WAS A PROBLEM WORTH MENTIONING. THE SEATBELT COMES FROM THE CEILING DOWN TO THE SEAT AND THEN GETS PULLED FROM THAT POINT ACROSS A PERSONS STOMACH AND FASTENED. AT THE POINT WHERE IT WAS CONNECTED FROM THE CEILING TO THE SEAT THERE IS NO BUTTON OR SAFETY RELEASE (WHICH I WAS FRANTICALLY LOOKING FOR). I WANTED TO REPORT THIS BEFORE IT HAPPENS TO SOMEONE ELSE WHICH DOESN'T END SO WELL. THANK YOU. MARLA WITTER I WOULD BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE MY VIN NUMBER ONCE I AM CONTACTED. I AM AT WORK AND DO NOT HAVE THAT INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT THE MOMENT. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 29, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT WENT ON A TRIP AND RETURNED TO FIND THAT THE GPS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, RADIO, AND OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FAILED. ONLY THE INTERIOR LIGHTING WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 13,000.
Visibility, Oct 1, 2008
PASSENGER REAR WINDOW SCROLLS DOWN WHEN IGNITION IS TURNED ON AND SOMETIMES WHEN YOU BRING DOWN THE WINDOW DURING CAR RUN TIME. IT DOES NOT COME BACK UP. ITS BEEN FIXED TWICE AND PROBLEM KEEPS REPEATING. *TR
Power train, Sep 12, 2008
MY 2007 ACURA MDX TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED ON 3 OCCASIONS. FIRST AT 4000 MILES, SECOND AT 6000 MILES AND THIRD AT 8000 MILES (CURRENT MILEAGE). AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS ON ITS OWN TO FIRST GEAR AND WILL NOT GO ABOVE 30 MPH. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY PROBLEM. *TR
Seat belts, Jan 4, 2008, crash
I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN A CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. I COULD NOT STOP IN TIME, AND HIT THE VEHICLE. MY SEATBELT [DRIVER'S], WHICH I HAD PROPERLY FASTENED, DID NOT RETRACT AND LOCK INTO PLACE. THE SHOULDER STRAP OF THE SEATBELT FULLY EXTENDED, AND I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SHOULDER STRAP OF THE SEAT BELT REMAINED FULLY PULLED OUT AND NO LONGER WILL RETRACT AT ALL - IT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. I THOUGHT SEATBELTS WERE SUPPOSED TO LOCK AND HOLD IN AN ACCIDENT?? *CN
Seats, Dec 18, 2007
NEWEST INFO FROM IIHS SHOWS THAT BOTH OF MY ACURA MDX'S ('04 AND EARLY '07) DID VERY POORLY ON THE REAR COLLISION/HEAD RESTRAINT TEST (WHIPLASH). ACURA APPARENTLY REALIZED THIS BLUNDER BECAUSE MDX'S MADE AFTER MAY '07 PASSED WITH FLYING COLORS. THIS HAS ME VERY CONCERNED TO SAY THE LEAST FOR ME AND MY FAMILIES SAFETY. ACURA CHANGED SOMETHING WITH REGARD TO THE SEATS AND I WISH THEY WOULD APPLY IT TO ALL OF THE MDX'S (AT LEAST MY '07). *TR
Electrical system, Jul 3, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN DOES NOT WORK. ACURA IS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 13,680 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.