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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2001 Acura MDXRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 224 owner complaints for the 2001 Acura MDX. Most complaints involve power train (131) and suspension (19). The EPA rates it 17 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
17mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Jan 2020
Owner complaints
224
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$4,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Air bagsReported Jan 17, 2020NHTSA 20V027000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Air bagsReported Jan 17, 2020NHTSA 20V026000

Suspension: coil springs

Free remedy

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, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN AREAS WHERE LARGE QUANTITIES OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS HAVE INSUFFICIENT CORROSION PROTECTION, AND MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION.

SuspensionReported Sep 1, 2005NHTSA 05V385000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

224 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2001 – Apr 2024
  1. Power train131
  2. Suspension19
  3. Engine and engine cooling19
  4. Air bags18
  5. Vehicle speed control12
  6. Structure10
  7. Steering6
  8. Electrical system6
  9. Equipment6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each MDX model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2001224
2002222
2003212
2004171
2005180
200687
200799
200849
200952
201045
201170
201276
201330
2014172
201571
2016377
2017260
2018169
2019190
2020226
2022158
202343
202441
2025112
20269
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
10
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

131 reports4 crashes
“The contact owns a 2001 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started stalling while attempting to accelerate. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 11, 2024Power trainODI 11582444

Suspension

19 reports1 fire
“Horrible rust on subframe. Subframe disconnected from vehicle WHILE DRIVING!!! Very lucky I was not going at a high speed. This is very unsafe, and there are many similar complaints for these MDXs/Pilots online.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 24, 2021Suspension, StructureODI 11430399

Engine and engine cooling

19 reports
“I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE CUT OFF. I LOST ENGINE POWER AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. AFTER PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, I WAS NOT ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK NOR REMOVE THE KEY. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND REMOVE THE KEY. THE CAR STARTED AGAIN AFTER 10 MINUTES AND DROVE IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE SHOP COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND SAID MY CAR IS FINE. I KNOW THE CAR IS NOT FINE BECAUSE IT CUT OFF ON ME WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS CAR IS AN ACCIDENT TRAP WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 11, 2011Engine and engine coolingODI 10435240
All 2001 MDX problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
MDX
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152117$4,700523
  • MDX
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    15 city · 21 hwy · $4,700/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Acura MDX as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2001 MDX questions

How many recalls does the 2001 Acura MDX have?

4 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2001 Acura MDX problems?

Owners filed 224 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (131), suspension (19), engine and engine cooling (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2001 Acura MDX get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Acura MDX at 17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026