2004 Acura MDX Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2004 Acura MDX, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Powertrain (other)4821.0%
- Transmission3013.1%
- Engine2611.4%
- Airbags2611.4%
- Electrical2310.0%
- Fuel system198.3%
- Driver assistance125.2%
- Brakes114.8%
- Body & structure83.5%
- Seat belts73.1%
- Visibility31.3%
- Interior & seats31.3%
- Other / unspecified31.3%
- Steering31.3%
- Tires & wheels31.3%
- Suspension20.9%
- Heating & air conditioning10.4%
- Exterior lighting10.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
SIMILAR TO A COMPLAINT FROM VIRGINIA IN 2012 I HAD AN ISSUE WITH STUTTERING AND A LACK OF ACCELERATION AND ONE DAY I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND MY CAR SHUT OFF AND WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON WOULD NOT MOVE FROM PARK AND HAS NOT MOVED SINCE I HAD IT TOWED TO MY HOUSE
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.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION/TORQUE CONVERTER VIBRATION AT 35-45MPH. STARTED AT 70,000 MILES. FORCED TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION, ACURA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS FAILURE. *TR
TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED DUE TO FAULTY EQUIPMENT. THIS CAUSED A TOTAL TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT PER ACURA. *TT
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Was driving to the store and the vehicle lost all power it will crank and idle but. When u push the gas pedal it will not accelerate all the dash lights are flashing or staying on as of right now the vehicle is on the side of the road I had to walk 15 miles cause I left my phone at home so I couldn't call no one and. My 11 year old daughter was with me so she had to walk as well
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.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
Airbag light has been lit for a while now for my 2004 Acura MDX. I originally took the car to Courtesy Acura for them to check what causing it. They told me that the sensor should be replaced and I paid $260+. After replacing sensor, the Airbag light still lit. They told me that they need to replace the front seatbelt buckles. One buckle (PART NO: 04813-S3V-A62ZC) arrived but the other one has been backordered for a while now (almost a year) and there's no ETA from American Honda on when the part (PART NO: 04816-S3V-A61ZC) will be available. This is a safety issue since the Airbag will not deploy in case of accident. Hope you guys can help me expedite the process and escalate the issue with American Honda. Thank you soo much!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, TURNING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE DRIVER IN FRONT SUDDENLY STOPPED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO REAR END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THEM. THE VEHICLE'S PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED OUT OF IT'S COMPARTMENT, HOWEVER, THE DRIVER'S SEAT AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER RECEIVED INJURIES TO THEIR ARMS, KNEES, AND FACE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT STATED THEY RECEIVED INJURIES TO THEIR ARM AND KNEES, HOWEVER, NO MEDICAL ASSISTANCE WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE REMAINING INSIDE ITS' COMPARTMENT AND THE SEAT BELTS HAVE LOCKED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Multiple lights appear turn on and off indicated on dashboard, VGA, check engine light, and tire pressure system. I run a diagnostics and it says my Evap System had a code telling me to replace gas cap. I went to the auto parts store and purchased a new gas cap that is specifically for my vehicle. I turn the vehicle back on and code is still on. So I get the code erased with my diagnostic reader and the sensor turns off. But give it a few weeks and that light turns back with same code telling me to replace gas cap. I went back to return my gas cap at AutoZone. Then ordered an OEM gas cap for my vehicle and erased code and then code came back less than a month later. It can’t be two brand new parts, one was a universal part but specific to my vehicle. And second part was OEM specifically for my vehicle and from Acura/Honda parts department. So I don’t know what to do because repair said its a dumb code and just reset if I already replaced once. And don’t worry about the code indicator because the Evap system appears to be working. So it’s either an electrical issue or a glitch. I’m not comfortable with those options
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NAVIGATION AND BACK UP CAMERA SCREEN WERE FAULTY. THE BACK UP CAMERA SCREEN REMAINED BLANK AND SHOWED NO FOOTAGE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ON THEIR OWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,0000.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE TANK WAS HALF EMPTY. AS SOON AS I BEGAN TO FUEL THE CAR, THE FUEL OVERFLOWED SPILLING ON THE VEHICLE. I SUSPECT THAT THE FUEL VAPOR RECOVERY SYSTEM MIGHT BE DEFECTIVE.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was in a parking mode and was leaving the parking lot. I reversed my car lo leave, and the car went out of control and was not until it crashed on two other parked cars that came to a stop. Then, After reversing my car, when trying to put it into drive, it would not move. When I tried to turn it off, the engine (re) started again and it worked so I could clear the path for other cars and wait until the police came. I had major maintenance at Acura Hopkins 2 and 3 years ago, I had a new steering pump and hoses changed 5 months ago and new front and rear brakes 3 months ago. Many people who are familiar with cars tell me that it was probably the rings. I don't know it may be the transmission? There was a police report as there were two other cars involved and both with severe damages. State Farm considered my car totaled despite the large amount of money spent to bring this car to almost new condition.
Sunday 2/42004 the car just shut off on me brakes stop working could turn could stop
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
SUDDEN INADVERTENT BRAKING, ESPECIALLY WITHOUT ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS. AFTER THE SUDDEN BRAKING, THE VSA LIGHT WILL BE ON. THIS IS THE EXACTLY SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALL ACURA HAS MADE TO ACURA MDX 2005/2006 (THE NAME OF THIS RECALL IS: VSA ECU MALFUNCTION. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED BOTH IN HIGHWAYS AND CITY STREETS FOR ME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VSA WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THE BRAKES APPLIED INDEPENDENTLY, AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STABILITY ASSIST SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS, DISCS, CALIPERS, AND FLUID; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V092000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM) AND TO CONTACT THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,179.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE HEADLIGHTS FOG OVER TO THE POINT OF SIGNIFICANTLY DIMINISHING EFFECTIVENESS. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE ACURA DEALER WHO ONLY OFFERS TO CHARGE EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS FOR A NON-GUARANTEED SOLUTION AND CLAIMS THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THEY SEE IN THIS CAR. HOWEVER, IT IS CLEAR FROM REGULAR DAILY DRIVING THAT SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS OF THESE CARS SUFFER FROM THIS PROBLEM. THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN CLEANED AS RECOMMENDED IN THE INSTRUCTIONS WITHOUT SUCCESS. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM FROM 2013 TO CURRENT 2019.
ELECTRICAL SHORT
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
I got in the drivers seat this morning and began to put my seatbelt on. I inserted the seat belt into the latch and it automatically came undone. I am able to insert in into the latch but once there is slight body movement or pressure, the seat belt unlatches and releases itself, leaving me unrestrained.
Airbag light has been lit for a while now for my 2004 Acura MDX. I originally took the car to Courtesy Acura for them to check what causing it. They told me that the sensor should be replaced and I paid $260+. After replacing sensor, the Airbag light still lit. They told me that they need to replace the front seatbelt buckles. One buckle (PART NO: 04813-S3V-A62ZC) arrived but the other one has been backordered for a while now (almost a year) and there's no ETA from American Honda on when the part (PART NO: 04816-S3V-A61ZC) will be available. This is a safety issue since the Airbag will not deploy in case of accident. Hope you guys can help me expedite the process and escalate the issue with American Honda. Thank you soo much!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE HEADLIGHTS FOG OVER TO THE POINT OF SIGNIFICANTLY DIMINISHING EFFECTIVENESS. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE ACURA DEALER WHO ONLY OFFERS TO CHARGE EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS FOR A NON-GUARANTEED SOLUTION AND CLAIMS THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THEY SEE IN THIS CAR. HOWEVER, IT IS CLEAR FROM REGULAR DAILY DRIVING THAT SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS OF THESE CARS SUFFER FROM THIS PROBLEM. THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN CLEANED AS RECOMMENDED IN THE INSTRUCTIONS WITHOUT SUCCESS. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM FROM 2013 TO CURRENT 2019.
OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, BEGINNING ABOUT THE DATE AND VEHICLE MILEAGE STATED ABOVE, I EXPERIENCED A SHUDDER AND CORRESPONDING NOISE AS THE TRANSMISSION TRIED TO SHIFT GEARS. SIMILAR TO THE SENSATION OF DRIVING ACROSS CLOSELY-SPACED RUMBLE STRIPS, THE SHUDDER AND NOISE SEEMED TO VARY IN LENGTH OF TIME DEPENDING ON SPEED. THIS OCCURRED MANY TIMES BEFORE I BECAME CONCERNED AND STARTED RESEARCHING DURING WHICH I FOUND DOZENS OF SIMILAR ACCOUNTS IN VARIOUS ON-LINE FORUMS. EVENTUALLY I TOOK MY MDX TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSIS. DISAPPOINTINGLY SIMILAR TO MANY ACCOUNTS I READ ON THE INTERNET, AND DESPITE MY DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM, THE ACURA DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM, FURTHER NOTING ALL 19 ITEMS ON THEIR MULTI-POINT INSPECTION REPORT AS "CHECKED AND OK", INCLUDING THE TRANSMISSION. SOON THEREAFTER, THE DRIVE TRAIN COMPLETELY FROZE UP AS I DISCOVERED AFTER STARTING THE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY (THANKFULLY, NOT WHILE DRIVING THE CAR). DESPITE USING THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LOCK RELEASE BUTTON (COINCIDENTALLY -?- THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL FOR WHICH I HAVE RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM ACURA), THE CAR REMAINS IMMOBILE BECAUSE I AM UNABLE TO GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK AND PUT IT INTO GEAR TO RETURN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSIS. MY LOCAL ACURA DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UNRESPONSIVE TO MY NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND CALLS ATTEMPTING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER STATED THE WATER PUMP, TIMING BELT, AIR CONDITIONER, MOTOR MOUNT, FRONT AXLE SEAL, REAR HVAC BLOWER TRANSISTOR ALL FAILED. UPADTED 03/11/15
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED. RECENTLY NOTICED BACKREST PORTION OF DRIVER SEAT OVERHEATS WHEN SEAT HEATER TURNED ON HIGH SETTING AND SMELLS LIKE BURNT POPCORN. THE HEATER HAS CAUSED A HOT ENOUGH TEMPERATURE TO BURN THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT CREATING AN APPROXIMATELY 2MM SIZE BURN IN THE DRIVER'S BACKREST. I ALSO NOTICED BROWN DISCOLORATION IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BASE AND WHAT APPEARS TO BE A SIMILAR PROBLEMATIC AREA ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BASE WITH A HARDENED LEATHER AREA ABOUT THE SIZE OF A 3X3 POST-IT NOTE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VSA WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THE BRAKES APPLIED INDEPENDENTLY, AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STABILITY ASSIST SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS, DISCS, CALIPERS, AND FLUID; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V092000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM) AND TO CONTACT THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,179.
WAS DRIVING CAR AN THE BRAKES LOCKED UP LIGHTS CAME ON, VSA ABS ECT. HAD TO PARK CAR AS IF BRAKES WERE STUCK. DID NOT WANT BRAKES HEATING UP CAUSING ACCIDENT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
Sunday 2/42004 the car just shut off on me brakes stop working could turn could stop
I WAS PULLING INTO DRIVE WAY WHEN I SHUT OFF TRUCK TOOK KEYS OUT, SHUT DOOR, AS GARAGE DOOR WAS OPENING. CAR STARTED ROLLING BACK... I OPENED DOOR TRIED TO PRESS ON EMERG. BRAKE WITH HAND AS IM RUNNING WITH VEHICLE AS IT IS ROLLING BACK, WOULDN'T STOP. I REALIZED THE GEAR WASN'T IN PARK, IT WAS IN REVERSE, BUT WITH NO KEYS I TRIED TO PUT GEAR INTO PARK, WOULDN'T MOVE WITHOUT KEYS, I HOPPED IN, PUT KEYS IN IGNITION AND TURNED CAR ON, AS I WAS PUTTING THE GEAR IN PARK, THE VEHICLE REARED FORWARD AND I PRESSED ON BREAKS BUT IT WOULDN'T STOP. THE CAR WAS MOVING FORWARD AS I WAS PRESSING ON THE BREAKS, NEEDLESS TO SAY, IT DID NOT STOP UNTIL I RAN INTO THE GARAGE DOOR AS IT WAS COMING BACK DOWN, AND BOTH MYSELF WERE HALF WAY INTO MY SON'S GARAGE DOOR, WALL, AND SHELVING, ITEMS, ALL DAMAGED BY MY ROLLING BACKWARD ACURA......BECAUSE THE CAR WAS IN A FAST SPEED, I TRIED TO AVOID GOING STRAIGHT INTO THE GARAGE, TO AVOID GOING INTO THE BEDROOM, SO I SWERVED INWARD TOWARD THE WALL... THE GARAGE DOOR WOULD NOT LIFT UP OFF THE TRUCK, SO I ASKED MY GRANDSON TO PUSH ON THE SWITCH ON WALL WHILE I LIFT ON THE GARAGE DOOR, AS WE WORKED TOGETHER WITH NO KEYS IN IGNITION, MOTOR OFF, ON THE COUNT OF 5,4,3,2,1.....I LIFT, HE PUSHES, AND GUESS WHAT......THERE GOES M CAR.....STARTS ROLLING BACK...RIGHT INTO MY SON'S [PARKED...VEHICLE....DAMAGE...3 CLAIMS IN ONE DAY.....3 DEDUCTIBLES IN ONE DAY......WHEN I CALLED INSUR...I WAS ASKED IF VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE?... WHEN I STARTED IT. IT MADE A LOUD ROARING SOUND AND WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE.......THEN I FOUND OUT A RECALL WAS OUT ON MY VEHICLE.... AND I HATE TO THINK THAT ALL THE TIMES I DROVE IN THE VEHICLE WITH MY GRANDSON.....I JUST HAD 2 BACK SURGERIES AND 2 KNEE REPLACEMENTS,... AS I WAS RUNNING WITH MY VEHICLE , I INJURED MY BACK AND KNEE AND I CANNOT WORK FOR A WHILE.. ALL THANKS TO ACURA... *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE CAPITAL BELTWAY WHEN MY LOW TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR CAME ON AND WITHIN MINUTES, MY TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT. WHEN ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE REMOVED MY TIRE, IT HAD COMPLETELY SPLIT ON THE INSIDE SIDEWALL. THE SHOP NOTICED THE SAME SPLIT HAPPENING ON THE OTHER REAR TIRE SO BOTH WERE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. I SAVED THE TIRES AND HAD TO TAKE THEM TO A GOODYEAR DEALER WHERE I WAS OFFERED A PRORATED REFUND. I WAS 7 MONTHS PREGNANT AT THE TIME AND EXTRAORDINARILY LUCKY THAT THIS DIDN'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
TIRE SPLIT IN SEVERAL SPOTS NEAR THE RIM OF THE VEHICLE. THE TIRE DEALER WHERE THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED SAID IT WAS MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY LOW INFLATED TIRE, BUT MY VEHICLE HAS AN AUTOMATIC TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO ISSUE WITH TIRE PRESSURE UNTIL THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT WHEN THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR CAME ON TO INDICATE A PRESSURE CHANGE. MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO GET OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT ON THE INTERSTATE AND TRIED TO ADD AIR ONLY TO FIND THAT THE TIRE CONTINUED TO LEAK AIR. SHE WAS ABLE TO GET TO A TIRE DEALER WHO TOLD HER IT WAS ABOUT TO COMPLETE BLOW OUT IF SHE HAD CONTINUED TO DRIVE. THAT DEALER FELT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE TIRE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AT A SPEED 30-40 MILES ,IT CAUSES A WHOOSHE SOUND THAT YOU FEEL THE ENGINE VIBRATES AND RATTLES ( AFTER MANY MONTHS I FOUND OUT IT'S A TORQUE CONVERTER ISSUE WITH MANUFACTURING OF THE AUTOMOBILE. *TR
WAS DRIVING TOWARDS RAPID CITY ON I -90 W FROM ST PAUL MINNESOTTA. AT AROUND 10.30 AM THE VEHICLE ACURA MDX 04 MODEL WHILE GETTING PAST A RV THE RV STARTED SWAYING AND THE LEFT REAR WHEEL OF THE MDX WAS ON THE LEFT SHOULDER. WHILE GETTING BACK TO THE ROAD THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL AND WNET ACROSS THE ROAD AND HIT A FENCE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CAME TO A STOP. THIS HAPPENED AT MILE MARKER 159 IN SOUTH DAKOTA. AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. ONCE WE GOT OFF THE VEHICLE WE OBSERVED THAT THE LEFT REAR TIRE HAD SLIPPED OFF THE RIM. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH VSA BUT IT DID NOT SEEM TO HELP AS THE VEHICLE WAS UNCONTROLLABLE . THE SPEED AT THE TIME WAS BETWEEN 65 AND 70 MPH. ACURA WOULD NOT LODGE MY COMPLAINT AND WAS ASKED TO WORK WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY ON THIS.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, BEGINNING ABOUT THE DATE AND VEHICLE MILEAGE STATED ABOVE, I EXPERIENCED A SHUDDER AND CORRESPONDING NOISE AS THE TRANSMISSION TRIED TO SHIFT GEARS. SIMILAR TO THE SENSATION OF DRIVING ACROSS CLOSELY-SPACED RUMBLE STRIPS, THE SHUDDER AND NOISE SEEMED TO VARY IN LENGTH OF TIME DEPENDING ON SPEED. THIS OCCURRED MANY TIMES BEFORE I BECAME CONCERNED AND STARTED RESEARCHING DURING WHICH I FOUND DOZENS OF SIMILAR ACCOUNTS IN VARIOUS ON-LINE FORUMS. EVENTUALLY I TOOK MY MDX TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSIS. DISAPPOINTINGLY SIMILAR TO MANY ACCOUNTS I READ ON THE INTERNET, AND DESPITE MY DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM, THE ACURA DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM, FURTHER NOTING ALL 19 ITEMS ON THEIR MULTI-POINT INSPECTION REPORT AS "CHECKED AND OK", INCLUDING THE TRANSMISSION. SOON THEREAFTER, THE DRIVE TRAIN COMPLETELY FROZE UP AS I DISCOVERED AFTER STARTING THE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY (THANKFULLY, NOT WHILE DRIVING THE CAR). DESPITE USING THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LOCK RELEASE BUTTON (COINCIDENTALLY -?- THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL FOR WHICH I HAVE RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM ACURA), THE CAR REMAINS IMMOBILE BECAUSE I AM UNABLE TO GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK AND PUT IT INTO GEAR TO RETURN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSIS. MY LOCAL ACURA DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UNRESPONSIVE TO MY NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND CALLS ATTEMPTING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER STATED THE WATER PUMP, TIMING BELT, AIR CONDITIONER, MOTOR MOUNT, FRONT AXLE SEAL, REAR HVAC BLOWER TRANSISTOR ALL FAILED. UPADTED 03/11/15
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE HEADLIGHTS FOG OVER TO THE POINT OF SIGNIFICANTLY DIMINISHING EFFECTIVENESS. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE ACURA DEALER WHO ONLY OFFERS TO CHARGE EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS FOR A NON-GUARANTEED SOLUTION AND CLAIMS THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THEY SEE IN THIS CAR. HOWEVER, IT IS CLEAR FROM REGULAR DAILY DRIVING THAT SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS OF THESE CARS SUFFER FROM THIS PROBLEM. THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN CLEANED AS RECOMMENDED IN THE INSTRUCTIONS WITHOUT SUCCESS. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM FROM 2013 TO CURRENT 2019.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .