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2003 Acura MDX Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
10
Latest Apr 11, 2021
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 206 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Acura MDX submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 10 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structureBrakesElectrical
Filed Apr 11, 2021

ON APRIL 7 2021 ARRIVED ABOUT 10:45 A.M. I DROVE TO MCGRATH ACURA DEALER AT 9105 WAUKEGAN ROAD, IN WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS FOR A POWER STEERING FLUSH, THAT EMPLOYEE INSTRUCTED ME WALK WITH HIM TO OBSERVE A UNDERNEATH INSPECTION REAR AND FRONT I NOTICE THAT REAR FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED INCLUDED SHOCKS SURROUNDING THE FRAME, THROUGH OUT THE VEHICLE IT WAS ONA HYDRALIC JACK. SEE IMAGES ME AND EMPLOYEE LOOKING UNDERNEATH.

NHTSA ID
11407465
Incident
Apr 7, 2021
BrakesFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 6, 2020

MULTIPLE SAFETY AND RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE INCLUDING AIR BAG SYSTEM,ABS,TRANSMISSION SHIFT SENSOR, EMISSION BUILD UP CAUSING CLOGGING IN EXHAUST SYSTEM, MAP SENSOR TORQUE CONVERTERS, DIFFERENTIAL ISSUES,ROUGH IDLE AND SHIFT INTERLOCK SOLENOID ISSUES. FLUID LEAKS AND BRAKE STICKS ALSO AIR BAG LIGHT WONT GO OFF.

NHTSA ID
11316491
Incident
Jan 23, 2020
Mileage
90 mi
AirbagsBrakesSeat belts
Filed Feb 3, 2015

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR BOARD AS THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY AND FRACTURED. ADDITIONALLY, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH DRIVERS SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCLOSE IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED OR NOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

NHTSA ID
10680901
Incident
Nov 10, 2014
Mileage
165,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 28, 2010

03 ACURA MDX HAS LOW, SOFT, SPONGY BRAKE PEDALS FEELING HAPPENED GRADUALLY. CHECK ALL THE LINES AND THERE WAS NO LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID. NEED CONSTANTLY BLEED THE BRAKES. *CN

NHTSA ID
10322518
Incident
Dec 10, 2009
Brakes
Filed Feb 22, 2010

I HAVE A 2003 ACURA MDX WHICH FROM TIME TO TIME EXPERIENCES A STICKING ACCELERATOR. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IN 2003. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO STOMP ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR STOPS BUT IT IS SCARY AND WAS WONDERING IF OTHERS HAVE BEEN HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS? *TR

NHTSA ID
10312787
Incident
Feb 2, 2010
Brakes
Filed Jan 6, 2005

THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD MOVE APPROXIMATELY 1 INCH FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THIS ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH WHEN CONSUMER'S FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT WAS THE NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THAT VEHICLE, AND IT MET NHTSA SPECIFICATIONS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10106906
Incident
Dec 14, 2004
Mileage
25,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 10, 2004
Crash reported

THE VEHICLE JUST ROLLED BACKWARD OUT OF THE GARAGE AND HIT THE TREE. *BF *SC THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED PARTIALLY OFF TO ALLOW A VIDEO TO PLAY AND THE GEAR WAS STILL IN REVERSE, SO WHEN THE CONSUMER CLOSED THE DOOR THE VEHICLE ROLLED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10108835
Incident
Dec 1, 2004
BrakesTransmission
Filed Mar 23, 2004

THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES WHEN STARTING OUT GOING EITHER FORWARD OR REVERSE AND APPLYING THE BRAKES. ON OCCASION, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO GEAR, THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION, TORQUE CONVERTER, CLUTCH OR SOME PART(S) THAT IS BEING PRESSED TOGETHER WITH ANOTHER.*AK

NHTSA ID
10063706
Incident
Nov 15, 2003
Mileage
8 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 3, 2003

EXCESSIVE BRAKE CLUNK / THUD NOISES UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS. SEVERE BRAKE NOISE AND CONTROL ISSUES UNDER EMERGENCY BRAKING CONDITIONS. TOLD BY ACURA ALL IS "NORMAL". WITH SUCH TRAVEL IN CALIPERS (CAUSE OF NOISE) POTENTIAL FOR BRAKE FAILURE MUST EXIST. WORRIED... *JB

NHTSA ID
10041158
Incident
Sep 1, 2003
Mileage
4,867 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 22, 2003

ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASION THE ABS MADE A CLUNKING NOISE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *NLM THE BRAKE PROBLEMS HAD COME BACK AGAIN. THE DEALER FOUND A BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE CODE. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM BUT IT REMAINED THE SAME. *SCC

NHTSA ID
10017469
Incident
Apr 23, 2003
Mileage
21,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Transmission56Powertrain (other)50Airbags42Engine26Electrical19Seat belts13Driver assistance8

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .