Illustration2001 ACURA MDX WITH RECALLS AND SERVICE BULLETINS FOR TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTERS. CONSUMERS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BUT HAS THE DEFECT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER REFUSE TO HELP WITH HER PROBLEM. *KB
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Mdx years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
60–25K
1425–50K
2650–75K
3775–100K
52100–150K
35150K+
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
What owners actually said
224 reportsACURA MDX D5 LIGHT WAS FLASHING THEN SUDDDENLY ALL ELEC WENT OUT. CAR WENT ANOTHER MILE BEFORE STOPPING IN THE ROAD. LUCKILY MY FAMILY WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF CAR AND MOVE TO SAFETY. THIS MODEL AS EVIDENCED BY BLOGS ON THE INTERNET, HAS MANY SIGNIFICANT DESIGN FLAWS. I AM TOLD THAT THIS NEW ISSUE WILL TAKE ANOTHER $1000 TO FI…
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ACURA MDX D5 LIGHT WAS FLASHING THEN SUDDDENLY ALL ELEC WENT OUT. CAR WENT ANOTHER MILE BEFORE STOPPING IN THE ROAD. LUCKILY MY FAMILY WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF CAR AND MOVE TO SAFETY. THIS MODEL AS EVIDENCED BY BLOGS ON THE INTERNET, HAS MANY SIGNIFICANT DESIGN FLAWS. I AM TOLD THAT THIS NEW ISSUE WILL TAKE ANOTHER $1000 TO FIX (MODULE AND SENSOR). THIS CAR HAS A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE WITH ITS MOTOR MOUNTS AS WELL.*CN
I HAVE A 2001 ACURA MDX I PURCHASED NEW IN 2001. SINCE MY PURCHASE I HAVE JUST REPLACED THE 5TH TRANSMISSION. MY MDX USE HAS BEEN 90% HIGHWAY DRIVING WITH NO TRAILER TOWING. PER BLOGS ON THE INTERNET MANY OTHER 2001 MDXS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS, BUT ACURA (HONDA) SEEMS TO IGNORE THIS ISSUE. ALSO MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED AT ABOU…
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I HAVE A 2001 ACURA MDX I PURCHASED NEW IN 2001. SINCE MY PURCHASE I HAVE JUST REPLACED THE 5TH TRANSMISSION. MY MDX USE HAS BEEN 90% HIGHWAY DRIVING WITH NO TRAILER TOWING. PER BLOGS ON THE INTERNET MANY OTHER 2001 MDXS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS, BUT ACURA (HONDA) SEEMS TO IGNORE THIS ISSUE. ALSO MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED AT ABOUT 60K MILES. ANOTHER ISSUE ACURA SEEMS TO IGNORE. OBVIOUSLY THESE ARE VEHICLE (ENGINEERING) DESIGN ISSUES. ACURA SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON ALL THE VEHICLES OF THE 2001-2002 VEHICLES TO CORRECT THESE PROBLEMS. I HAVE ALL THE SERVICES DONE PER THE MANUAL ON THIS VEHICLE AT DAVID MCDAVID ACURA. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN ABUSED. *JB
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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SUFFERED INTERNAL FAILURE. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED HIS VEHICLE'S MAKE AND MODEL AND FOUND RECALL NUMBER 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE MANUFACTU…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SUFFERED INTERNAL FAILURE. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED HIS VEHICLE'S MAKE AND MODEL AND FOUND RECALL NUMBER 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE VEHICLE HAD THE RECALL REPAIRED AT 108,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 114,000.
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
THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE CAR HAS 77K MILES AND HAD ONE TRANSMISSION REPLACED APPROX. 30K MILES AGO. FIRST THE DEALER SAID IT WAS A LOOSE WIRE AND NOW SAYS THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER IS BROKEN. *TR
REAR SEAT AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING. *JB
MOTOR MOUNTS NEED REPLACEMENT AFTER ONLY 40,000 MILES. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE AT NORMAL SPEEDS WHEN THE RPMS WERE ABOVE 3000. HE IS ALSO UNABLE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. THE ACURA REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE PER RECALL NUMBER 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) AND REP…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE AT NORMAL SPEEDS WHEN THE RPMS WERE ABOVE 3000. HE IS ALSO UNABLE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. THE ACURA REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE PER RECALL NUMBER 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) AND REPAIRS WERE MADE WITH THE PREVIOUS OWNER. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THEY INSTALLED AN OIL COOLER TO AVOID BUILD UP WHILE IN SECOND GEAR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE OWNER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 105,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
Official recalls
420V026000 · 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
1PE05040 · 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.