10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
109,978 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #18

May 152019

MDX

  • 230,000 miles
Takata recall my airbags were replaced twice already through recall repair and the airbag sensor came back on last week, moment it came on I was in motion and the steering wheel I was not able to control the steering. This resulted in me side-swiping and object, hitting the curb and flattening my tire. There is also another recall on my vehicle

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #17

Apr 152015

MDX

  • 90,000 miles
The airbag light warning continues to come on and stay on. Sometimes is goes off, but comes back on later. This was reported to the dealer in charge of airbag recall and the only solution offered was paying a hefty fee to diagnose the issue without guarantee. This was reported in 2014 and has been an ongoing problem before this and currently, 2019.

- Private, CA, USA

problem #16

Sep 222018

MDX

  • 167,000 miles
Hose connection failure between radiator and transmission cooler causing radiator fluid to mix with tranny fluid with no dash indicator of problem.. in motion lost power and would not move from 1st gear. Broke down completely in need of transmission work and new coolant system due to hose connect failure.

- Caledonia, OH, USA

problem #15

Apr 012016

MDX

  • 150,000 miles
Electrical short

- Santa Maria, CA, USA

problem #14

May 272018

MDX

  • 66,000 miles
The seat warmer was on, and became O hot that it burned a hole through the padding and the leather, about 2 1/2 inches by 1 inch. Fuse is removed, but now have no seat warmer on the driver side, and I am intimidated to have a passenger use the seat warmer on the passenger side. Photo attached.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #13

Nov 112016

MDX

  • 123,034 miles
Transmission failed today 123K. Called customer service what a joke. Emissions light on and air bags are faulty. What a lemon. Nevet buy Acura. On a city street car just down shifted and stopped. Needless to say it was 20 degree's outside. Acura doesnt see thus as a safety hazard? confused and mad really mad. I cant believe they are still getting away with this. I've had my fill with foreign junk. I froze walking home think I have frost bite on my fingers.

- Decatur, IN, USA

problem #12

May 112016

MDX

  • 188,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Acura MDX. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The battery was jumped and the vehicle was able to start. The failure recurred multiple times. The dealer stated that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also stated that there was oil leaking from the engine and the smell of fumes emitted into the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 188,000.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #11

Apr 012016

MDX 6-cyl

  • 5 miles
Hi I'm seeking guidance my mom purchased a used 2004 MDX and she only drives it to and from work about a five min drive and one morning after she arrived to work ten mins later her car caught in flames fire fighter investigators stated it was an electrical issue what can I do. About this VIN # [xxx] 2004 Acura MDX incident date of April 1,2016 around 630 am in the parking lot of lompoc hospital ca 93435 we received recall notice three weeks later Saturday April 23,2016 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Santa Maria, CA, USA

problem #10

Apr 012016

MDX

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owned a 2004 Acura MDX. After parking the vehicle for approximately ten minutes, the contact was notified that the vehicle was on fire. The air bags deployed due to the fire. The passenger side air bag attempted to inflate after the fire. The fire department extinguished the fire and filed a report. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and later deemed destroyed. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V320000 (air bags) after the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Lompoc, CA, USA

problem #9

Jan 062016

MDX

  • 122,000 miles
I was driving on Wednesday Jan 5 2016 and my car stalled while driving on old grassy road at about 20 miles per hour as I just had stopped at stop sign. I noticed the lights were all starting to come on and the car completely stopped. I had it towed to Acura of milford, ct. After 2 days and after installing a new battery and alternator they found 1 of 6 coils melted - the ignition coil - which then ruined a spark plug which then ruined my engine. The value of the car is not much and I was already over $1000. Why would this happen and why after all my regularly scheduled maintenance was this not found until it was too late. I had told repeatedly that vtm 4 and ignition lamp indicators come on. I could have been seriously injured and in fact the air bag was scheduled to be repaired the same day due to a recall. I am lucky I was not in an accident. I am hoping for further investigation because these repairs I should not have to pay for since my car is now inoperable. Thank you I still do not have the car in my possession. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Milford, CT, USA

problem #8

Jul 252015

MDX

  • 94,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Acura MDX. While in park, the vehicle's RPM gauge idled high when started. While driving 10 mph, the RPM gauge displayed high rpms even when the accelerator pedal was not depressed. The fuel gauge was also not displaying the correct readings. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,000.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #7

Jul 272013

MDX

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Acura MDX. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 15V320000 (air bags), NHTSA campaign number: 14V700000 (air bags), and NHTSA campaign number: 12V573000 (electrical system) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The dealer stated that parts were not available on several occasions. The manufacturer was not made aware of the delay. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle would intermittently stall while idling. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair facility were unknown repairs were made. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- Lawrenceville , GA, USA

problem #6

Feb 012010

MDX

  • 75,000 miles
Since about February 2010 the vehicle stability assist system will randomly activate during periods of prolonged highway driving. This condition usually happens on dry pavement and without warning. It feels like only the drivers side front brake is applied and the vehicle swerves to the right uncontrollably. The condition has nearly caused me to crash multiple times and is very frightening. I have had the Acura dealer troubleshoot the problem many times with no results. The most recent time this happened was early December 2013. I immediately dropped the vehicle off at an Acura dealer and the vehicle was diagnosed with a faulty lateral acceleration sensor. Unfortunately this part is not available at this time and is on indefinite backorder. This is a serious safety issue that has nearly caused harm to myself and other vehicles due to my out of control vehicle. I am now without transportation until Acura is able to get the part back in stock. Acura of America has refused to even log and file my complaint let alone assist me with this safety issue and hardship.

- Encinitas, CA, USA

problem #5

Oct 262012

MDX

  • 142,562 miles
I pulled up my driveway which has uphill grade then a flat area and was in my garage when I noticed that I had the keys in my hand. I turned around and noticed my car was drifting back down the driveway. I tried to jump back in the car to hit the brakes but thought better of it as it was gaining more speed. I let go F the front door and watched as it veered off the driveway and hit a tree and landscaping rock and end of driveway. What it. So I was able to take the key out of the ignition while the car while still in the drive position. I did not receive a recall notice until February. Acura has not been judicious in their effort to fix the damage that occurred to my vehicle due to a defective part.

- Reading, PA, USA

problem #4

Nov 112011

MDX 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
On 11.11.11, our Acura lost power coinciding with the dashboard warning lights not functioning properly to warn of the sudden loss of control, heavy smoke emission, transmission failure, engine damage & inability to drive our vehicle, creating the possibility of a crash, injury or fatality. Despite Acura's knowledge of transmission failures based on an Acura service bulletin alert, we incurred $5500 in expenses/damage to our vehicle.we had not been notified of the faulty torque converter/transmission parts previously&Acura has avoided taking full responsibility for a known problem in which many consumers have been fully reimbursed for this damage. We are issuing this complaint&requesting reimbursement for our expenses due to Acura's full knowledge of this recurring situation, their negligence in alerting consumers&their neglect in resolving the repair in accordance with their responsibilities.we would request that Acura be held responsible in notifying all Acura owners of the service bulletin/recall pertaining to this faulty transmission. We also feel strongly about the electronic/computer dashboard warnings that gave no indication of damaged or faulty parts creating the dangerous&unsafe situation we had experienced while driving our vehicle in traffic when this incident occurred&are filing a complaint according to the seriousness of this portion of the incident as well. We have much documentation&would be more than willing to provide whatever would be necessary to ensure that this complaint is productive in enforcing Acura's responsibility of these two incidents, to further make aware&avoid such incidents&in hopes of being reimbursed for our unexpected expenses as well. In purchasing an Acura, we had done so with the peace of mind that we had purchased a well made, safe vehicle from a company that stands behind it's product.we are saddened that this has not been the case.

- Blandon, PA, USA

problem #3

Mar 082011

MDX

  • 77,000 miles
I have a 2004 Acura MDX. There are about 77,000 miles on it. Vsa, vtm-4, ABS, and airbag lights keep flashing. So I took it to my Acura dealership and they told me that after diagnostic that the rear differential failed. I believe there is something wrong with the wiring of all MDX in or around 2004. There has been numerous reporting of rear differential failures in 2003 and 2004 Mdxs. Acura should take a look into this and maybe do a recall. This is very dangerous because the transmission makes a loud noise and slows down when you are driving almost as if the transmission was about to go out.

- Wa, WA, USA

problem #2

May 182008

MDX

  • miles
All Acura MDX have the following problems- and all are very expensive to fix. Acura dealers and corporate does not care to listen- because we fools keep buying there cars. - all transmissions will fail very early. Cost (4,800) - all motor mounts will fail (1000) - horn, cruise, audio controls will fail. ( 400). Plus lots of other issues.

- Chantilly, VA, USA

problem #1

Sep 142009

MDX

  • 85,000 miles
2004 Acura MDX with following issues: Horn, cruise, audio not working. Transmission bad motor mount bad.

- Chantilly , VA, USA