2005 Acura MDX Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2005 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was able to restart after several attempts; however, the failure recurred after driving a short distance. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the OG sensor and the PMP sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had progressively worsened, and the 4WD warning light was constantly illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and approaching a traffic light recently, the vehicle unintendedly downshifted and nearly stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be repaired for the most recent failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11677517

Incident

Jul 17, 2025

VSA light came on and my braking system halts and make a weird vibration when I press brake to stop at stop light it like it make a grabbing noise. Not sure if it happen prior to light engaging. It has happen a handful of time since initial notice could have been onset from around 2019-2020 can’t remember as I looked up any recall but there were recall for this instance but no on my car which makes no sense for my VSA light to engage. I do not drive off road and I live in an island with no major freeways.

NHTSA ID

11591800

Incident

Mar 1, 2020

The contact owns a 2005 Acura MDX. The contact stated that after the battery had been replaced, both the front driver and front passenger seat belts failed to extend far enough to buckle an occupant into the seat. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where the failure was acknowledged, and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11580893

Incident

Dec 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2005 Acura MDX. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light was flashing with an occupant seated in the seat. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and she was informed that the front driver’s and passenger’s side air bags and seat belt pretensioners were defective and needed to be replaced. The dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 209,638.

NHTSA ID

11550244

Incident

Apr 1, 2023

Mileage

209,638 mi

We have been the original owners of our 2005 MDX. on December 12/18/21 at 630. We were wearing our seat belts. We were driving in clear weather on a new street at 35 miles an hour. The passenger side seat airbag and the right side curtain deployed. My wife was sitting in the front passenger seat. There was no collision or hazard. The Airbag just exploded. We were not hit by any metal objects. The Mdx is in perfect working order and we are now told no one will cover the damage. Insurance and the Dealership. We are writing to find out how we can get a fair outcome from our car becoming unusable due to manufactures defect. We have not touched the airbag or the car since this happened. Would we be able to have it inspected?

NHTSA ID

11444863

Incident

Dec 19, 2021

When making a sharp turn on hot days the car makes a grinding noise like something is grabbing the tire. It slows the car, hands the steering wheel and then the VSA hazard light comes on. It is a recurring issue and mechanics have not been able to diagnose.

NHTSA ID

11427469

Incident

May 20, 2021

I have a 2005 MDX. It allows me to take out my key without putting it in park. Being unaware, I turned it off while it was still in drive and it rolled back into another parked vehicle November of 2019. There is a report with the police department and my insurance covered the other vehicle's repair costs. It has rolled several times in the last couple years but luckily not into other cars. I don't remember having this problem prior to the last couple years. It is a safety issue and dangerous to others and if I can't get it repaired I would need to get rid of it. The problem is it is still in very good shape otherwise and has many more miles to give. There is no warning to help me remember to put it in park. This started happening sometime in mid 2018. Do I have any recourse?

NHTSA ID

11425142

Incident

Nov 27, 2019

Vehicle suddenly brakes at freeway speeds and sways to one side. VSA light and warning light comes on. After couple of seconds, vehicle resumes freeway speed. This has happened few times in last 2 weeks. It causes the SUV to sway and can easily lose control or drift into adjacent lane causing accident. After stopping and restarting the warning lights go away.

NHTSA ID

11424860

Incident

Jul 7, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED BY SAFELITE GLASS AFTER A TREE LIMB HAD FALLEN ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIEW FROM THE REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD WAS DISTORTED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ACURA OF OCEAN (909 NJ-35, OCEAN TOWNSHIP, NJ 07712, (732) 776-5200) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11395146

Incident

Jan 1, 2016

Mileage

75,000 mi

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE AUCTION IN HESPERIA, CA AROUND AUGUST OF 2020 AND I AM CURRENTLY THE REGISTERED OWNER AS OF TODAY. ABOUT A MONTH INTO THE PURCHASE I NOTICE THE CAR JERK AND BRAKE UNUSUALLY WHILE IN MOTION. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED AT THE TIME SO I IGNORED IT FOR THE MOMENT. THEN ABOUT ANOTHER MONTH AFTER THAT INCIDENT MY WIFE, KIDS AND I WERE TRAVELING ABOUT 70 MPH ON THE 15FWY HEADED SOUTH AND THIS TIME IT HAPPENED ONCE AGAIN AND MORE AGGRESSIVELY DUE TO IS TRAVELING AT A MUCH GREATER SPEED AND DID JERK A LOT HARDER ALMOST MAKING MY WIFE LOSE CONTROL. LUCKILY SHE WAS ALERT AND PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER RIGHT AWAY AND THAT'S WHEN WE NOTICED A NEW LIGHT ON THE I DASH HAD ILLUMINATED. WE SEE THE ACRONYM (VSA) ILLUMINATE AND I HAD NEVER SEEN THIS PARTICULAR LIGHT BEFORE SO I THEN START TO RESEARCH IT. I FIND OUT IT'S PART OF AN ANTI LOCK FEATURE AND IT'S SUFFICE WHEN DEALING WITH CURVY ROADS AND HELPS WITH TRACTION WHICH GIVES SMOOTHER TURNS WHILE DRIVING AND GIVES BETTER CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I ALSO READ IT'S BEST TO KEEP THIS FEATURE OFF WHILE COMMUTING IN YOUR REGULAR EVERYDAY TRANSIT. SO AS MONTHS GO BY IT HAPPENED TO ME A GOOD HANDFUL OF TIMES AFTERWARDS BUT AT SLOWER SPEEDS AND THIS TIME THE LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF WHEN I TRIED TURNING OFF THE VSA CONTROL BUTTON ON THE DRIVER SIDE DASH. I DIDN'T HAVE MEANS TO REPAIR THIS PART SO I PUT IT OFF ONCE AGAIN. WELL COMING TO A MORE RECENT EVENT WHICH RESULTED IN MYSELF LOSING CONTROL WHILE ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AT 11:30PM AT NIGHT AND TOTALING THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS FLIPPING THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT CAME TO A REST ON ITS SIDE. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THE VSA FEATURE MALFUNCTIONED MADE ME LOSE CONTROL AT 62-65 MPH ALMOST CLAIMING MY LIFE. I STRONGLY BELIEVE IT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MY RECENT ACCIDENT WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN LIFE THREATENING AND HAS CAUSED FINANCIAL STRESS UPON MY FAMILY.

NHTSA ID

11389579

Incident

Jan 19, 2021

Mileage

197,000 mi

AS I AM DRIVING MY 5 YEAR OLD TO KARATE ON A LOCAL ROAD WITH 40 MILES PER HOUR, MY WHOLE LEFT SIDE AIR BAG CURTAIN DEPLOYED FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON. ( I DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING AND NO ONE HIT ME EITHER). I GOT A BRUISED HAND, SMALL CONCUSSION AND A MASSIVE RASH ( FROM CHEMICALS IN THE AIR BACK). I CALLED ACURA AND WAS TOLD TO GO FOR DIAGNOSTIC AT LOCAL ACURA DEALERSHIP. I WAS CHARGED $99 AND WAS TOLD TO CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I ASKED WHY SINCE THERE WASN'T AN ACCIDENT INVOLVED AND THE ANSWER WAS ' I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY PEOPLE COME HERE AND CLAIMS THAT THIS HAPPENS TO THEM BUT HAVE NO PROOF'. I GUESS THE AIR BACK IN MY TRUNK AND NO DAMAGE TO THE REST OF MY CAR IS NOT PROOF ENOUGH!!! I WILL BE TALKING TO A LAWYER AT THIS POINT!

NHTSA ID

11387602

Incident

Jan 6, 2021

Mileage

170,000 mi

WHEN CAR IS TURNED ON THE ICON FOR THE AIRBAGS TURN ON ON THE DASHBOARD. ICON ON IS DISPLAYED WHILE CAR IS ON AND IN MOTION.

NHTSA ID

11341704

Incident

Jun 7, 2020

Mileage

144,347 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE OCCUPIED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED OR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 187,000.

NHTSA ID

11339055

Incident

Jun 20, 2020

Mileage

187,000 mi

RECALL NOT FIXED IN TIMELY MANNER AT ALL NOW CAR ISN'T WORKING BRAKES STICKING JUST NOT SAFE AT ALL CAN'T DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ID

11326220

Incident

Feb 4, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR BRAKES ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY WITH THE VSA (VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST) WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V092000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM) AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.

NHTSA ID

11312083

Incident

Jan 15, 2020

Mileage

153,000 mi

DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED 60MPH RIGHT SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG,RIGHT FRONT SEAT AIRBAG AND RIGHT SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT PRE TENSIONER DEPLOYED. WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED A PIECE OF THE RIGHT SIDE GRAB BAR HIT THE DRIVER IN THE FACE. THE FRONT PASSENGER HAD ABRASION ON HER FACE FROM THE AIRBAG HITTING HER. ON STAR CALLED RIGHT AWAY AND WE GAVE THEM INFO AND AFTER THEY WERE SURE WE WERE OK HUNG UP.WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SMITHTOWN ACURA SCANNED FOR CODES AND FOUND CODE F4-11. ACURA INFORMED ME THAT A REP FROM ACURA WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE REP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE THEY SAID THAT THEY FOUND NO MANUFACTURER DEFECTS BUT THEY COULD NOT SAY WHY THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. AFTER A FEW WEEKS GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH CLIENT REALIONS FOR ACURA THEY SAID THERE LEGAL TEAM SAID THEY FIND NO MANUFACTURER DEFECTS AND TO CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY.THANKS FOR TAKING A LOOK AT THIS.

NHTSA ID

11306833

Incident

Dec 15, 2019

Mileage

104,845 mi

GOING 65 MILES AN HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE BRAKES SUDDENLY VSA LIGHT COMES ON ALMOST THREW ME IN THE DITCH UNDER SNOWY CONDITIONS AIRBAG LIGHT ALSO CAME ON

NHTSA ID

11277675

Incident

Nov 1, 2019

MY 2005 ACURA MDX HAS BEEN DRIVING GREAT SINCE WE PURCHASED IT OVER A YEAR AGO. RECENTLY THE VSA LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED VERY ABRUPTLY WHEN LIGHTLY APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE LIGHT GOES AWAY AND APPEARS TO RESET WHEN YOU TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. NOW EVERY TIME THAT THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN I HAVE TO DRIVE EXTRA CAREFUL BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW WHEN THE VSA LIGHT WILL COME ON AGAIN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR ON THE FREEWAY BECAUSE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS OF THE LIGHT WERE TO COME ON AND THE WHEELS WERE TO LOCK UP LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN WOULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE SKIDDING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS.

NHTSA ID

11231193

Incident

Jul 6, 2019

Mileage

120,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED REDUCED ENGINE POWER WITH THE POTENTIAL OF AN INTERNAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE STALLED MORE THAN ONCE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS WERE NOT DISCLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN SAFELY. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11222930

Incident

Feb 1, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE CONTACT COULD NOT MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, ON OTHER OCCASIONS IT WAS HARD FOR THE CONTACT TO MAKE TURNS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IT WAS VERY SELDOM WHEN THE STEERING FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BARBER FORD (640 E 8TH ST, HOLLAND, MI 49423 (616) 396-2361) WHERE THE MECHANICS STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FINE AND HAD NO FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000. THE VIN WAS NOT VALID.

NHTSA ID

11207517

Incident

Apr 10, 2019

Mileage

178,000 mi

STARTING GRINDING AFTER I HAD ALL RECALLS DONE I NOTICED THE VSA LIGHT IS NOW ON AN. DIDNT HAVE ANY ISSUE BEFORE THE VECHICAL AT 25 TO 40 MPH STARTS TO SHUTTER AN MAKES ME FEEL VERY UNSAFE ... I BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH THE SPECIFIC ABILITY TO KEEP ME SAFE AN HAVE EVERYTHING I NEED.

NHTSA ID

11195786

Incident

Mar 30, 2019

Mileage

200,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO REMAIN INSERTED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN PARK. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DRIFTED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED APPLE ACURA (1202 LOUCKS RD, YORK, PA 17404, (717) 854-1800). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V573000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. *TR

NHTSA ID

11193029

Incident

Apr 1, 2017

Mileage

200,000 mi

I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME HAD NO LIGHT APPEARING. THE VSA LIGHT HAS COME ON AND I SEE IT HAD A RECALL FOR THIS PREVIOUSLY. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF ALL RECALLS HAD BEEN SERVICED AND THEY INDICATED THEY HAD. I HAVE A HUGE CONCERN KNOWING THIS IS STILL A PROBLEM AND WHEN I ASKED IF THEY COULD REPAIR IT UNDER THE PREVIOUS RECALL THAT APPEARS TO NOT HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I SOLD MY HONDA ACCORD COUPE FOR A 4 DOOR THINKING HONDA/ACURA PRODUCTS WERE SAFE AND RELIABLE. I HAVE READ FURTHER ABOUT RECALL PROCESSES AND THEY DON'T ALWAYS FIX THE PROBLEM BUT THE DEALERSHIP CAN STATE THE RECALL WAS REMEDIED. I HAVE AN INFANT AND THAT IS WHY I BOUGHT A 4 DOOR. I REALLY AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE AND I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND OTHERS WITH THE SAME SCENERIO IN WHICH THEY HAVE SERVICED THE RECALL AND THE VSA LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN ONLY TO BE TOLD IT IS A 2K FIX THAT MAY NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I REALLY NEED SOME HELP AT THIS POINT, I AM DRIVING MY INFANT AND WOULD HATE FOR THE CAR TO MALFUNCTION CAUSING ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. RECALL S87, S88, AND S89. THIS LIGHT APPEARS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION.

NHTSA ID

11186680

Incident

Mar 8, 2019

Mileage

127,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PAULY ACURA (847-433-8200, LOCATED AT 2699 SKOKIE VALLEY RD, HIGHLAND PARK, IL 60035) WHERE THE RESERVOIR HOSE WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,636.

NHTSA ID

11174511

Incident

Nov 8, 2018

Mileage

124,636 mi

TWO DAYS AGO, MY VEHICLE WAS RUNNING ABOUT 45MPH ON A SIDESTREET. AN UNEXPECTED BRAKING WAS EXPERIENCED WITHOUT ME APPLYING THE BRAKE, VSA LIGHT WENT ON. I HAD EXPERENCED 3 TIMES OF UNEXPECTED BRAKING, VSA LIGHT COMING - FOR THE SAME DAY. SO I DECIDED TO CHANGE INSPECT THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES AND ROTORS ARE STILL GOOD BUT I DECIDED TO CHANGE THEM ANYWAY. (FRONT: BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS, REAR: BRAKE PADS ONLY TODAY, I WAS DRIVING ON A FREEWAY JUST BEFORE 7AM, WITH A SPEED OF ABOUT 65MPH, SUDDENLY MY VEHICLE MADE AN EXPECTED BRAKING WITHOUT ME PUSHING THE BRAKE. MY VEHICLE ALMOST WENT OUT OF CONTROL FOR A SECOND BUT I WAS ABLE TO HANDLE IT. I NOTICED THAT VSA LIGHT WENT ON - BUT THE ROAD WAS CLEAR, NO BUMPS, NO DEBRIS, JUST PLAIN ROAD.

NHTSA ID

11142287

Incident

Oct 23, 2018

Mileage

225,045 mi