← New search

2001 Acura Mdx

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Mdx years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Acura Mdx are substantially higher than the model-year median of 101.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

170 reports with mileage · 54 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 131 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports1 fire reports8 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

18 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2009
Air Bags

I HAVE AN ACURA MDX 2001. SINCE I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE THE YELLOW WARNING LIGHT (SIDE AIRBAG) IS ALWAYS LIGHTING UP EVEN DRIVING THE CAR, WHEN I'M STOP, MOST OF THE TIME ITS LIGHTING UP. I'M WORRIED MAYBE ONE DAY IT WILL BLOW UP. ALSO UNDER THE CHASIS WHEN BACKING UP THEN FORWARD THERE WAS A NOISE THAT THE CRANK MIGHT BRAKE.…

Read full complaint

I HAVE AN ACURA MDX 2001. SINCE I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE THE YELLOW WARNING LIGHT (SIDE AIRBAG) IS ALWAYS LIGHTING UP EVEN DRIVING THE CAR, WHEN I'M STOP, MOST OF THE TIME ITS LIGHTING UP. I'M WORRIED MAYBE ONE DAY IT WILL BLOW UP. ALSO UNDER THE CHASIS WHEN BACKING UP THEN FORWARD THERE WAS A NOISE THAT THE CRANK MIGHT BRAKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10260757

150,000 miles · Jan 19, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury

A VEHICLE CROSSED THE MEDIAN ON MY LOCAL FREEWAY AND COLLIDED HEAD ON WITH MY 2001 ACURA MDX. EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS TOTALED, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF. POLICE ON THE SCENE AND EMERGENCY PERSONNEL THOUGHT THIS WAS VERY UNUSUAL AND SHOULD BE REPORTED TO NHTSA.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10148125

55,000 miles · Sep 23, 2005
Air Bags

SRS SYSTEM FAILURE (3 * TIMES ) AIR BAGS SYSTEM SHUT DOWN DEALER REPAIRED PROBLEMS ( 50-50 CO PAY ). *NM

NHTSA ODI #10137381

19,090 miles · Jun 30, 2003
Air Bags

CONSUMER STATES THAT AIRBAG LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON. CONSUMER SAYS THAT AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND THERE IS NO PASSENGER SITTING IN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10026268

27,000 miles · Apr 28, 2003
Air BagsCrash

ACURA MDX-LOW IMPACT LEFT FRONT COLLISION WITH STATIONARY OBJECT, WITNESSED BY OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE AND DRIVER PERSONS, NOTED DEPLOYMENT OF BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS APPROXIMATELY 2 SECONDS AFTER COLLISION. AUTO BODY SHOP 20 YEAR EXPERIENCED OWNER, WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE OF ABOVE VOLUNTEERED THAT HE WAS SURPRISED THAT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. WEST…

Read full complaint

ACURA MDX-LOW IMPACT LEFT FRONT COLLISION WITH STATIONARY OBJECT, WITNESSED BY OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE AND DRIVER PERSONS, NOTED DEPLOYMENT OF BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS APPROXIMATELY 2 SECONDS AFTER COLLISION. AUTO BODY SHOP 20 YEAR EXPERIENCED OWNER, WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE OF ABOVE VOLUNTEERED THAT HE WAS SURPRISED THAT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. WESTERN STATES REGIONAL MANAGER FOR ACURA CALLED IN TO ASCERTAIN WHY SRS LIGHT WOULD NOT EXTINGUISH AFTER REPAIR AND NEW AIRBAG AND "BRAIN" PLACED IN VEHICLE-1 MONTH DELAY. AFTER 2ND "BRAIN" REPLACED, SRS LIGHT OFF UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 5 WEEKS LATER-THIS TIME PASSENGER SENSOR REPLACED. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10016603

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2002
Air Bags

NO REPLACEMENT PART AVAILABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. WHEN SRS LIGHT COMES ON FOR WHATEVER REASON, AIRBAGS PROBABLY WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A COLLISION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #765195

Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2002
Air Bags

THE WARNING SENSOR ON THE SRS SYSTEMS KEEPS FAILING. THE DEALER IS FIXING, BUT I'M TOLD THAT WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT IS ON THE SRS SYSTEM WILL NOT DEPLOY. THUS, THE REPEATED FAULTS IN THE SRS SENSING SYSTEM IS CREATING POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE AS THE WARNING SYSTEM IS (IN EFFECT) SHUTTING DOWN THE SRS SYSTEM. WHILE THE DEALER HAS B…

Read full complaint

THE WARNING SENSOR ON THE SRS SYSTEMS KEEPS FAILING. THE DEALER IS FIXING, BUT I'M TOLD THAT WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT IS ON THE SRS SYSTEM WILL NOT DEPLOY. THUS, THE REPEATED FAULTS IN THE SRS SENSING SYSTEM IS CREATING POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE AS THE WARNING SYSTEM IS (IN EFFECT) SHUTTING DOWN THE SRS SYSTEM. WHILE THE DEALER HAS BEEN FIXING, THERE APPEARS TO BE NO URGENCY TO WARN CUSTOMERS THAT THIS KIND OF WARNING SENSOR ACTUALLY KEEPS THE AIR BAG FROM DEPLOYING (MANUAL IS QUITE VAGUE ON THIS POINT). I AM PURSUING STATE LEMON LAW REMEDIES TO GET NEW CAR AS I AM NOW AT THE 4TH FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT. THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS SYSTEMATIC ISSUE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #765159

Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2002
Air BagsCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, CONSUMER HIT A CENTER DIVIDER ON HIGHWAY, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER INJURED WITH FRONTAL IMPACT. *AK *JG

NHTSA ODI #8005084

Official recalls

4

20V026000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 17, 2020

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.

20V027000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 17, 2020

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL, 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL, 2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey, 2001-2002 Acura MDX and 2000 Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bags in the vehicles, replacing the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138.

05V385000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

Sep 1, 2005

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN AREAS WHERE LARGE QUANTITIES OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS HAVE INSUFFICIENT CORROSION PROTECTION, AND MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: EXCESSIVE CORROSION CAN CAUSE SPRING FAILURE AND A BROKEN SPRING COULD PUNCTURE A FRONT TIRE, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS WITH IMPROVED SPRINGS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 11, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ACURA AT 800-382-2238.

04V176000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Apr 15, 2004

ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE05040 · Front Coil Spring Breakage

Opened Jul 14, 2005 · Closed Sep 14, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs; Tires

IN AN AUGUST 29, 2005 LETTER, HONDA NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD IDENTIFIED A DEFECT IN THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS OF CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001 AND EARLY-2002 ACURA MDX SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES.ACCORDING TO HONDA, SOME FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS HAVE INSUFFICIENT CORROSION PROTECTION AND, IN AREAS WHERE ROAD SALTS ARE USED, MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION.RUBBER SLEEVES APPLIED NEAR THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF SOME SPRINGS TO ELIMINATE NOISE CAN TRAP SALT WATER, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR EXCESSIVE CORROSION.OVER TIME, EXCESSIVE CORROSION CAN CAUSE SPRING FAILURE.IN SOME CASES, A BROKEN SPRING COULD PUNCTURE A FRONT TIRE, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.EVIDENCE OF TIRE DAMAGE WAS IDENTIFIED IN AT LEAST 4 (29%) OF THE SPRING FRACTURE REPORTS AND 13 (21%) OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS.ONE REPORT ALSO INDICATED THAT A FRACTURED SPRING DAMAGED A BRAKE LINE FAILURE, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. TO CORRECT THE CONDITION, HONDA IS RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 22,861 MDX VEHICLES SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WHERE LARGE QUANTITIES OF ROAD SALT ARE USED (HONDA RECALL P92, NHTSA RECALL 05V-385).THERE WERE NO COMPLAINTS OR WARRANTY CLAIMS INVOLVING VEHICLES FROM OUTSIDE THE RECALL REGION.DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS WITH IMPROVED SPRINGS.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

IN AN AUGUST 29, 2005 LETTER, HONDA NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD IDENTIFIED A DEFECT IN THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS OF CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001 AND EARLY-2002 ACURA MDX SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES.ACCORDING TO HONDA, SOME FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS HAVE INSUFFICIENT CORROSION PROTECTION AND, IN AREAS WHERE ROAD SALTS ARE USED, MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION.RUBBER SLEEVES APPLIED NEAR THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF SOME SPRINGS TO ELIMINATE NOISE CAN TRAP SALT WATER, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR EXCESSIVE CORROSION.OVER TIME, EXCESSIVE CORROSION CAN CAUSE SPRING FAILURE.IN SOME CASES, A BROKEN SPRING COULD PUNCTURE A FRONT TIRE, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.EVIDENCE OF TIRE DAMAGE WAS IDENTIFIED IN AT LEAST 4 (29%) OF THE SPRING FRACTURE REPORTS AND 13 (21%) OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS.ONE REPORT ALSO INDICATED THAT A FRACTURED SPRING DAMAGED A BRAKE LINE FAILURE, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. TO CORRECT THE CONDITION, HONDA IS RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 22,861 MDX VEHICLES SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WHERE LARGE QUANTITIES OF ROAD SALT ARE USED (HONDA RECALL P92, NHTSA RECALL 05V-385).THERE WERE NO COMPLAINTS OR WARRANTY CLAIMS INVOLVING VEHICLES FROM OUTSIDE THE RECALL REGION.DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS WITH IMPROVED SPRINGS.

Tires

IN AN AUGUST 29, 2005 LETTER, HONDA NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD IDENTIFIED A DEFECT IN THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS OF CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001 AND EARLY-2002 ACURA MDX SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES.ACCORDING TO HONDA, SOME FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS HAVE INSUFFICIENT CORROSION PROTECTION AND, IN AREAS WHERE ROAD SALTS ARE USED, MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION.RUBBER SLEEVES APPLIED NEAR THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF SOME SPRINGS TO ELIMINATE NOISE CAN TRAP SALT WATER, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR EXCESSIVE CORROSION.OVER TIME, EXCESSIVE CORROSION CAN CAUSE SPRING FAILURE.IN SOME CASES, A BROKEN SPRING COULD PUNCTURE A FRONT TIRE, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.EVIDENCE OF TIRE DAMAGE WAS IDENTIFIED IN AT LEAST 4 (29%) OF THE SPRING FRACTURE REPORTS AND 13 (21%) OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS.ONE REPORT ALSO INDICATED THAT A FRACTURED SPRING DAMAGED A BRAKE LINE FAILURE, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. TO CORRECT THE CONDITION, HONDA IS RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 22,861 MDX VEHICLES SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WHERE LARGE QUANTITIES OF ROAD SALT ARE USED (HONDA RECALL P92, NHTSA RECALL 05V-385).THERE WERE NO COMPLAINTS OR WARRANTY CLAIMS INVOLVING VEHICLES FROM OUTSIDE THE RECALL REGION.DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS WITH IMPROVED SPRINGS.