2005 Acura MDX

◆ Worse than typical
2005 Acura MDX
RENDERED 2026-08-02T11:50:52.371Z

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Acura MDX Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2005 highlighted. 2001: 224 complaints 2001 2002: 204 complaints 2003: 206 complaints 2004: 171 complaints 2005: 180 complaints 2005 2006: 87 complaints 2007: 99 complaints 2008: 49 complaints 2009: 50 complaints 2009 2010: 45 complaints 2011: 70 complaints 2012: 75 complaints 2013: 29 complaints 2013 2014: 168 complaints 2015: 69 complaints 2016: 357 complaints 2017: 244 complaints 2017 2018: 158 complaints 2019: 182 complaints 2020: 209 complaints 2021: 0 complaints 2021 2022: 128 complaints 2023: 34 complaints 2024: 35 complaints 2025: 66 complaints 2025 2026: 5 complaints 2026
2005: 180 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
2001224
2002204
2003206
2004171
2005180
200687
200799
200849
200950
201045
201170
201275
201329
2014168
201569
2016357
2017244
2018158
2019182
2020209
20210
2022128
202334
202435
202566
20265

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 24%

24% of complaints: power train — 43 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
POWER TRAIN 24%

24% of complaints: power train — 43 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
AIR BAGS 21%

21% of complaints: air bags — 38 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20210123

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20200203

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231016

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 14 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
SERVICE BRAKES 6%

6% of complaints: service brakes — 11 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20041110 — fuel system, gasoline

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, SOME FUEL TANKS WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED.

Remedy: DEALERS REPLACED THE FUEL TANK. ALL OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE ON NOVEMBER 10, 2004.

Campaign 04V541000 — check if this car was fixed

2005 — complaint volume: 180
I 20121002 — PE (closed 20130114)

Ignition Interlock Failure - Rollaway

I 20130221 — EA (closed 20130329)

Vehicle Stability Assist Malfunction

R 20130222 — electrical system

Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Pilot and Odyssey and 2003 through 2006 Acura MDX passenger vehicles manufactured from November 26, 2001, through August 30, 2006. The interlock le

Remedy: Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated shift interlock lever and, if necessary, replace any necessary part of

Campaign 12V573000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130422 — service brakes, hydraulic, traction control system

Honda is recalling certain model year 2005 Pilot vehicles manufactured July 29, 2004, through August 29, 2005; model year 2005-2006 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 16, 2004, through Septembe

Remedy: Owners will be notified and instructed to take their vehicles to a dealer of their respective brand. The dealer will install a partial wiring harness containing a capacitor for the VSA modulator, fre

Campaign 13V092000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20140611 — PE (closed 20150302)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20140912 — air bags

American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

Campaign 14V353000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150126 — air bags

American Honda Motor Co.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

Campaign 14V700000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20150224 — EA (open)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20150701 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 15V320000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160629 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold,...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 16V344000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170227 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2011 Honda Element vehicles, 2005-2012 Acura RL vehicles, 2006-2012 Honda Ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2005-2008 Honda...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall bagan March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KD9 and KE0.

Campaign 17V029000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190410 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 19V182000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190812 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey,...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.

Campaign 19V499000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190812 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey,...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 19V501000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20191209 — vehicle speed control

Dorman Products, Inc.

Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, using option 5.

Campaign 19E068000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R Date not on file — equipment

HONDA IS RECALLING 2,032 HITCH STYLE BIKE RACKS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE ON MY 2003-2007 AND SOME MY 2008 HONDA PILOT, RIDGELINE, AND ACURA MDX VEHICLES.

Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THULE AT 800-THULE91 (800-848-5391) TO OBTAIN A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS OR OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

Campaign 08E013000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2005 Acura MDX — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (43 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (43 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (38 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 08E013000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V541000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12V573000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V092000 (service brakes, hydraulic, traction control system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V353000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V700000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V320000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V344000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V029000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V182000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V499000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V501000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19E068000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2023 ▲ 2024 ▲ 2010

WORST YEARS

■ 2016 ■ 2017 ◆ 2001

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2005 Acura MDX reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Acura MDX is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Acura MDX?

The most-reported component is power train:automatic transmission, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2005 Acura MDX have?

13 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.