2001 Acura MDX
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 224 |
| 2002 | 204 |
| 2003 | 206 |
| 2004 | 171 |
| 2005 | 180 |
| 2006 | 87 |
| 2007 | 99 |
| 2008 | 49 |
| 2009 | 52 |
| 2010 | 45 |
| 2011 | 70 |
| 2012 | 76 |
| 2013 | 29 |
| 2014 | 169 |
| 2015 | 70 |
| 2016 | 367 |
| 2017 | 252 |
| 2018 | 163 |
| 2019 | 183 |
| 2020 | 215 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 144 |
| 2023 | 38 |
| 2024 | 38 |
| 2025 | 92 |
| 2026 | 6 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
58% of complaints: power train — 131 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and torque converter.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND ROLLED DOWN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY. THE REAR BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130717
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SHIFT LEVER DOES NOT LOCK INTO PLACE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK.
NHTSA ODI report, 20021010
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65MPH, I ATTEMPTED TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE TO MY RIGHT TRANSMISSION FIRST APPEARED TO DOWNSHIFT FROM 5TH TO 4TH AND THE CAR ACCELLERATED NORMALLY, BUT SUDDENLY THE ENGINE RPM INCREASED DRAMTICALLY, THE CAR SUDDENLY...
NHTSA ODI report, 20020916
Also filed under VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 20 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.
8% of complaints: suspension — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing coil springs and front.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140520
8% of complaints: air bags — 18 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing sensor/control module and srs malfunction warning lamp/light.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
car accident
NHTSA ODI report, 20230314
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, CONSUMER HIT A CENTER DIVIDER ON HIGHWAY, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER INJURED WITH FRONTAL IMPACT. *AK *JG
NHTSA ODI report, 20020306
5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 12 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cruise control and accelerator pedal.
CRASHSAFETY TIMELINE
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 TRANSMISSIO
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 T
Campaign 04V176000 — check if this car was fixed
FRONT COIL SPRING BREAKAGE
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, MINNES
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.
Campaign 05V385000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 20V027000 — check if this car was fixed
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...
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.
Campaign 20V026000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2001 Acura MDX — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for power train issues (131 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (20 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (19 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 04V176000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 05V385000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V027000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V026000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2001 Acura MDX reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 Acura MDX is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Acura MDX?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 58% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2001 Acura MDX have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.