Carlexica

2001 Acura MDX: problems, recalls and reliability

4 recalls and 224 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (53% of complaints).

Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2020

4
recalls
224
owner complaints
1
fire reports
100,000
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

Problems tend to appear late (median 100,000 mi)Weak spot: power train (53%)1 fire report

Common problems

Computed from 224 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)53% · 119 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)8% · 17 complaints
Suspension (shocks, springs, ride quality)7% · 15 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)6% · 13 complaints
Structure (body, frame, doors, rust)4% · 9 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control (unintended acceleration, cruise control)4% · 8 complaints
I was Driving down the HighWay at 70 MPH and the Vehicle is "Jerking" like I am Breaking then proceeded to fail to Accelerate and keep up with my RPMS.Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2023
Horrible rust on subframe. Subframe disconnected from vehicle WHILE DRIVING!!! Very lucky I was not going at a high speed. This is very unsafe, and there are many similar complaints for these MDXs/Pilots online.Owner report · Structure · Jul 2021
Its showing all the symptoms of the recall that indicates the transmission needs replaced and radiator as well and has obvious signs of over heating and gear dameges. Engine light and flashing d5 with all codes from powertrain.*dt*jbOwner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
The contact owns a 2001 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started stalling while attempting to accelerate. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2021
I have a 2001 mdx with rear subframe bushing bolts that are rusted out and disconnected from the body. The back end has been clunking. The rear subframe bolts that goes through the bushing has disconnected from the body from what looks like rusted out connectors or maybe the body itself.Owner report · Wheels · Dec 2020
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2001 acura mdx. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v027000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated the air bag warning light was illuminated. Neither the manufacturer nor the dealer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect. *bf consumer stated light is still on.*jbOwner report · Air Bags · Feb 2020
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2001 acura mdx. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v02700 (air bag) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. No dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced a failure with the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not seen. The failure mileage was not available. VIN tool confirms parts not available.Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2020
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V027000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED THE POHANKA ACURA DEALER LOCATED AT 13911 LEE JACKSON MEMORIAL HWY, CHANTILLY, VA 20151, AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. Consumer stated car would not be repaired until Oct, 2020.Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2020
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 acura mdx. The contact stated that the vehicle would not move in either forward or backwards. The gears were stuck in neutral and the contact heard a grinding sound when he tried to move the vehicle. The dealer and manufacturer had not been contacted. The contact suspected the issue was with the transmission. The vehicle was not drivable and at the contacts residence for a year. The failure mileage was 200,000.Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2019
I purchased my 2001 acura mdx in march 2019. Since purchase the car consistently makes a loud clunk when shifting the gear shifter into reverse. It also clunks consistently going from park to drive. There is hesitation in the cars shifting. At times I either have to speed up or let speed off for a transmission shift to occur. The car shudders horribly when braking at low or medium speeds. It feels unsafe and scary and only a matter of time before a complete wipe out occurs. Seeing this as a ongoing problem with this vehicle and yet california is not in the vehicle recalls seems ridiculous. These happen on city streets and highways daily while driving said vehicle.Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2019

When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 10 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 4 campaigns

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS05V385000 · Sep 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.

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.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE20V026000 · Jan 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.

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.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE20V027000 · Jan 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.

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.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION04V176000 · Apr 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.

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.

Trouble codes owners mention

OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.

Specifications

Factory options offered for the 2001 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.

Cylinders6
FuelGasoline
TransmissionAutomatic
Body stylesSport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]

How other years compare

Check your exact MDX by VIN

Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.

Open VIN decoder

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2001 Acura MDX reliable?

NHTSA has 224 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Acura MDX. The most complained-about area is power train (53% of complaints).

At what mileage do 2001 Acura MDX problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 100,000 miles or less.

Does the 2001 Acura MDX have open recalls?

4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning suspension:front:springs:coil springs. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.