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2002 Acura Mdx

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Mdx years

Owner complaints for the 2002 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

161 reports with mileage · 43 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 124 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports

Suspension complaints

5 reports
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200,000 miles · May 20, 2022
Suspension

The contact owns a 2002 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at speeds exceeding 50 MPH, the front end of the vehicle would shake and vibrate with an abnormal chain-like sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not determined. There was no further information available. The local dealer …

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The contact owns a 2002 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at speeds exceeding 50 MPH, the front end of the vehicle would shake and vibrate with an abnormal chain-like sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not determined. There was no further information available. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.

NHTSA ODI #11465395

180,000 miles · Feb 13, 2014
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, A DRAGGING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, A DRAGGING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10564267

34,264 miles · Jan 3, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSuspension

I PURCHASED THE 2002 MDX ON 12, JANUARY 2004. AT THAT TIME I QUESTIONED THE HARD SHIFTING FROM FIRST INTO SECOND. IT WOULD LURCH, SHUDDER, AND JUMP FROM STANDING STILL TO FIRST GEAR, ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE GEARS. I WAS WORRIED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD BE DAMAGED AS WELL AS OTHER PARTS. ON 27 JULY, 2004 THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN…

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I PURCHASED THE 2002 MDX ON 12, JANUARY 2004. AT THAT TIME I QUESTIONED THE HARD SHIFTING FROM FIRST INTO SECOND. IT WOULD LURCH, SHUDDER, AND JUMP FROM STANDING STILL TO FIRST GEAR, ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE GEARS. I WAS WORRIED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD BE DAMAGED AS WELL AS OTHER PARTS. ON 27 JULY, 2004 THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO ROCK FRONT AND BACK, WITH LOUD GRINDING AND METAL TO METAL SOUND. THE DEALER EXPLAINED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE AT AND AN OIL JET COOLER WAS NEEDED. OVER THE NEXT 7 YEARS I HAD MY MDX SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP. EACH TIME I WOULD COMPLAIN ABOUT THE NOISE AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 20-30 AND 35-45. AGAIN I WAS TOLD NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE ENGINE BROKE THE SIDE MOTOR MOUNT, AGAIN I WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. FINALLY ON 6 JULY 2011 WHILE DRIVING 75 ON INTERSTATE 71, MY TRANSMISSION REVVED INTO THE RED AREA ON THE GAUGE, ATF WAS BLOWING OUT THE BACK AND COVERED THE BACK WINDOW. I PULLED OVER AND THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED ON THE SPOT. THE MDX WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WERE I WAS TOLD THE OIL JET COOLER HAD A DRAIN NUT, THAT CAME OUT, THUS RELEASING THE ATF. THE DRAIN PLUG AND ATF WAS REPLACED, BUT AGAIN I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING COULD BE DONE AS THE DEFECT WAS A PART AND NOT COVERED. THE SHOP MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THE SHOCK AND SPRING WAS RUSTED AND LEAKING FLUID. I WAS TOLD THAT BOTH MOTOR, THE TIMING BELT, THE SHIFTER CABLE AND CONNECTION, OUTER TIRE ROD, BOOTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR 5 MINUTES AND DISCOVERED THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION. I CONFIRMED THE RECALLS ON THE SHOCKS COILS TRANSMISSION, AND MULTITUDE OF OTHER COMPONENTS. I HAD THE TIMING BELT, EVERY BELT, WATER PUMP, AND MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACE AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP IN TOWN. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM. AS LONG AS THERE ARE 2002 MDX'S ON THE ROAD AND HONDA ACURA IGNORE OR DENY THE PROBLEM. THE RISK OF DEATH IS GREAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10442144

26,811 miles · Dec 27, 2005
Suspension

DT: THE CONTACT HAD RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED FOR NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID 05V385000 CONCERNING THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. AFTERWARDS, HE NOTICED VIBRATION IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THAT PERFORMED THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF…

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DT: THE CONTACT HAD RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED FOR NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID 05V385000 CONCERNING THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. AFTERWARDS, HE NOTICED VIBRATION IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THAT PERFORMED THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THE DEALER PERFORMED A FRONT ALIGNMENT AND THIS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. *AK UPDATED 1/23/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ODI #10146150

46,000 miles · Jul 8, 2005
Air BagsPower TrainSuspension

2002 MDX TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE SWAY BARS CRACKED SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND IT TOOK 4 MONTHS TO GET IT FIXED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10129112

Official recalls

4

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.

02V226000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Aug 28, 2002

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SEDANS, COUPES, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES, A TIMING BELT TENSIONER PULLEY ON THE WATER PUMP IS MISALIGNED AND COULD CAUSE THE TIMING BELT TO CONTACT A BOLT ON THE CYLINDER HEAD. EVENTUALLY THE BELT COULD BE DAMAGED AND FAIL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE TIMING BELT BREAKS, THE ENGINE WILL STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WATER PUMP AND IF IT IS ONE OF THE DEFECTIVE PUMPS, THE WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 30, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME 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.