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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.

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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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

19 reports
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166,000 miles · Nov 11, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE CUT OFF. I LOST ENGINE POWER AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. AFTER PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, I WAS NOT ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK NOR REMOVE THE KEY. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND REMOVE THE KEY. THE CAR S…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE CUT OFF. I LOST ENGINE POWER AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. AFTER PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, I WAS NOT ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK NOR REMOVE THE KEY. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND REMOVE THE KEY. THE CAR STARTED AGAIN AFTER 10 MINUTES AND DROVE IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE SHOP COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND SAID MY CAR IS FINE. I KNOW THE CAR IS NOT FINE BECAUSE IT CUT OFF ON ME WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS CAR IS AN ACCIDENT TRAP WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10435240

Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE 2001 ACURA MDX WITH 80,000 MILES. WHILE THE DEALER WAS DOING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE I WAS TOLD THE FRONT AND RIGHT SIDE MOTOR MOUNT NEED TO BE REPLACED AND COST ABOUT $700.00. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT! THEN I WENT ONLINE TO RESEARCH THE ISSUE, I FOUND MANY PEOPLE PURCHASED THIS MODEL CAR HAVE THE SAME ISSUE (SEE THIS LINK: …

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I HAVE 2001 ACURA MDX WITH 80,000 MILES. WHILE THE DEALER WAS DOING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE I WAS TOLD THE FRONT AND RIGHT SIDE MOTOR MOUNT NEED TO BE REPLACED AND COST ABOUT $700.00. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT! THEN I WENT ONLINE TO RESEARCH THE ISSUE, I FOUND MANY PEOPLE PURCHASED THIS MODEL CAR HAVE THE SAME ISSUE (SEE THIS LINK: HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/ACURA-MDX/T54QBSPDKRMCCNV0A/P8). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310349

80,000 miles · Mar 5, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

2001 ACURA MDX WITH ABOUT 80,000 MILES HAS CRACKED FRONT ENGINE BLOCK AND BAD SIDE ENGINE BLOCK. DEALER WANTS ABOUT $800.00 TO FIX. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET OF THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT ACURA SHOULD FIX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10260882

61,532 miles · Sep 30, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

2001 ACURA MDX WAS DRIVEN UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. AT 61,532 MILES, I WAS TOLD THAT TWO OF THE ENGINE MOUNTS WERE BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT IF I CONTINUED TO DRIVE, THE ENGINE COULD POSSIBLY IMPACT AND DAMAGE THE RADIATOR. I HAD THE PARTS REPLACED. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND NUMEROUS SIMIL…

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2001 ACURA MDX WAS DRIVEN UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. AT 61,532 MILES, I WAS TOLD THAT TWO OF THE ENGINE MOUNTS WERE BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT IF I CONTINUED TO DRIVE, THE ENGINE COULD POSSIBLY IMPACT AND DAMAGE THE RADIATOR. I HAD THE PARTS REPLACED. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10244025

100,000 miles · Sep 24, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure

01 MDX MOTOR MOUNTS FAILURE, THESE MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE ON THE CAR ALREADY AND IT CURRENTLY HAS 105,000 MILES AND NEEDS MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACING AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10243381

83,825 miles · Sep 15, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT LOWER AND UPPER ENGINE MOUNTS WERE TORN. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,825 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000. UPDAT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT LOWER AND UPPER ENGINE MOUNTS WERE TORN. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,825 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000. UPDATED 10/16/08. *LJ THE EGR VALVE WAS FAULTY, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 10/17/08. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10242224

79,799 miles · Jun 20, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingSeat Belts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER ENGINE MOUNTS WERE TORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT A RECALL, BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT WERE NONE. THEREFORE, THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY $582.63 FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER ENGINE MOUNTS WERE TORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT A RECALL, BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT WERE NONE. THEREFORE, THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY $582.63 FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,799 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,200. UPDATED 09/10/08. *LJ THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED A MISSING TONGUE STOPPER ON THE SEAT BELT. UPDATED 09/12/08. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10231832

78,000 miles · Sep 7, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

MOTOR MOUNTS GOING BAD AND BREAKING IN MDX ACURA 01-CURRENT. REPLACING BETWEEN 40K-80K. INTAKE SYSTEM CLOGGED (AIRPORT) GIVES BAD GAS MILEAGE AND TO UNCLOGG RUNS $200 AT DEALERSHIP. MAKES VIBRATION AND NOISE AS IF YOU ARE GOING OVER A SPEED BUMP HEADING TOWARDS A TOLL BOOTH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10202137

65,000 miles · Aug 10, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE MOUNTS FAILED. CAR HAS 71,000 MILES, AND THE ENGINE MOUNTS FAILED. THIS HAS BEEN A SERIOUS PROBLEM WELL DOCUMENTED ACROSS THE INTERNET BY HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF 01 MDX OWNERS. I BELIEVE IT TO BE A DESIGN FLAW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10199082

40,000 miles · Jul 27, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

MOTOR MOUNTS NEED REPLACEMENT AFTER ONLY 40,000 MILES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10197678

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.