IllustrationREAR SEAT AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING. *JB
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
Equipment complaints
5 reportsI PURCHASED AN ACURA MDX IN NOVEMBER OF 01 AND FROM FEBRUARY OF 02 UNTIL AUGUST OF 03' MY TRANSMISSION KEPT DOWN SHIFTING AND I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS APPROX 6 TIMES WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WRITTING THAT MY TRANS WAS ASSEMPLED INCORRECTLY. THEY TRIED TO FIX IT AGAIN BECAUSE THE SAME ISSUE OCCURED UNTIL …
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I PURCHASED AN ACURA MDX IN NOVEMBER OF 01 AND FROM FEBRUARY OF 02 UNTIL AUGUST OF 03' MY TRANSMISSION KEPT DOWN SHIFTING AND I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS APPROX 6 TIMES WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WRITTING THAT MY TRANS WAS ASSEMPLED INCORRECTLY. THEY TRIED TO FIX IT AGAIN BECAUSE THE SAME ISSUE OCCURED UNTIL I FINALLY GAVE UP AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE FINANCE COMPANY. I TRIED AAFTER THE 3RD TIME TO GET IT FILED UNDER THE LEMON LAW AND THE DEALER NOR AMERICAN HONDA WOULD ASSIST ME CAUSING ME TO FILE BANKRUPTCY.
SUMMARY: THE JACK SUPPLIED WITH MY 2001 ACURA MDX SLIPPED WHILE I WAS CHANGING A TIRE IN MY DRIVEWAY, CAUSING THE CAR TO FALL ON MY RIGHT ARM AS I WAS MOUNTING THE SPARE TIRE. I RECEIVED A CRUSH INJURY ACROSS MY RIGHT ELBOW, WHICH IS USEABLE NOW BUT STILL SORE 2 MONTHS LATER. WHYS: I ALMOST DID NOT REPORT THIS BECAUSE I W…
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SUMMARY: THE JACK SUPPLIED WITH MY 2001 ACURA MDX SLIPPED WHILE I WAS CHANGING A TIRE IN MY DRIVEWAY, CAUSING THE CAR TO FALL ON MY RIGHT ARM AS I WAS MOUNTING THE SPARE TIRE. I RECEIVED A CRUSH INJURY ACROSS MY RIGHT ELBOW, WHICH IS USEABLE NOW BUT STILL SORE 2 MONTHS LATER. WHYS: I ALMOST DID NOT REPORT THIS BECAUSE I WAS STUPID AND FORGOT TO SET THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE MY BROTHER-IN-LAW IN DALLAS, WHO OWNS A 2001 ACCURA MDX, HAD A SIMILAR THING HAPPEN TO HIM (WITHOUT INJURY) A FEW MONTHS EARLIER WHEN HIS EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS SET; HE HAD NOT MENTIONED IT TO ME UNTIL HE HEARD ABOUT MY ACCIDENT. I WOULD LOVE TO BE THE LAST PERSON THAT AN MDX FALLS ON. BOTH MY BROTHER-IN-LAW AND I HAD DECIDED TO CHANGE OUR OWN TIRES AS WE HAD FLATS IN OUR DRIVEWAYS (BOTH OF US HAVE CHANGED MANY FLATS IN THE PAST, ALTHOUGH IT HAD BEEN SEVERAL YEARS SINCE I HAD DONE SO), WERE IN A SAFE, LEVEL, AND DRY PLACE, AND HAD NO NEED TO WAIT AN HOUR FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. I THINK MANY PEOPLE WOULD MAKE THE SAME CHOICE IN THAT SITUATION, OR, MORE HAZARDOUSLY, ALONG A ROADSIDE (WHERE THE ROAD'S CROWN MAKES THE GROUND UNEVEN, AND WHERE PASSING TRAFFIC WILL SHAKE A CAR). MY BROTHER-IN-LAW'S 2001 MDX SHIFTED (EVEN WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON) AND BENT THE JACK, BUT DID NOT FALL ALL THE WAY OFF OF IT. HE CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. WHEN THE R.A. MAN ARRIVED TO HELP, HE LOOKED AT THE JACK AND SAID THAT IT WAS WAY TOO SMALL FOR A CAR AS HEAVY AS AN MDX. MY JACK ALSO BENT. ALTHOUGH MY EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS OFF, THE CAR DID NOT ROLL OR SHIFT WHEN MY NEIGHBOR CAME OVER WITH A LARGER JACK TO RE-RAISE MY CAR AND INSTALL THE PASSENGER TIRE FOR ME. (AT THAT POINT WE DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS NOT SET). I WAS NEGLIGENT, BUT MY BROTHER-IN-LAW WAS NOT; THIS JACK MAY BE DANGEROUS WHEN SUPPORTING THIS CAR. WILL YOU PLEASE FOLLOW UP ON THIS? *AK
VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT A LOCAL DEALER, WHO WITHOUT OWNER'S CONSENT SERVICED AIR CONDITIONER WITH A PRODUCT THAT WAS STANDARD PRACTICE, USED TO KILL BACTARIA. CONSUMER LATER HAD AN ALLERGIC REACTION, CAUSING TONGUE TO SWELL/ DIZZINESS/ HEADACHES, AND WEAKNESS. NAME OF PRODUCT WAS FRIGI FRESH, DISTRIBUTED BY B.G. PRODUSTS CORPO…
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VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT A LOCAL DEALER, WHO WITHOUT OWNER'S CONSENT SERVICED AIR CONDITIONER WITH A PRODUCT THAT WAS STANDARD PRACTICE, USED TO KILL BACTARIA. CONSUMER LATER HAD AN ALLERGIC REACTION, CAUSING TONGUE TO SWELL/ DIZZINESS/ HEADACHES, AND WEAKNESS. NAME OF PRODUCT WAS FRIGI FRESH, DISTRIBUTED BY B.G. PRODUSTS CORPORATION.*AK
AIR CONDITIONER OPERATED POORLY. *AK
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.