Problems · NHTSA complaints
2001 Acura MDX problems
Owners filed 224 complaints about the 2001 Acura MDX with NHTSA between May 2001 and Apr 2024. The most-cited component is power train (131).
Complaints
224
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
10
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Power train131
- Suspension19
- Engine and engine cooling19
- Air bags18
- Vehicle speed control12
- Structure10
- Steering6
- Electrical system6
- Equipment6
- Seat belts5
- Electronic stability control (esc)5
- Wheels4
- Fuel/propulsion system4
- Visibility4
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
4
10
8
23
15
16
16
15
16
28
7
8
7
10
11
7
0
1
8
4
7
0
2
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 10 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2004 | 23 |
| 2005 | 15 |
| 2006 | 16 |
| 2007 | 16 |
| 2008 | 15 |
| 2009 | 16 |
| 2010 | 28 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 11 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Power train
131 reports4 crashes1 related recall
“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.”
Suspension
19 reports1 fire1 related recall
“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.”
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”
Air bags
18 reports4 crashes2 related recalls
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SRS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO UNDERRINER HONDA (3643 PIERCE PKWY, BILLINGS, MT 59106, (406)255-2350) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT BELT SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.”
Vehicle speed control
12 reports1 crash
“ITS SHOWING ALL THE SYMPTOMS OF THE RECALL THAT INDICATES THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACED AND RADIATOR AS WELL AND HAS OBVIOUS SIGNS OF OVER HEATING AND GEAR DAMEGES. ENGINE LIGHT AND FLASHING D5 WITH ALL CODES FROM POWERTRAIN.*DT*JB”
Structure
10 reports1 crash
“I HAVE A 2001 MDX WITH REAR SUBFRAME BUSHING BOLTS THAT ARE RUSTED OUT AND DISCONNECTED FROM THE BODY. THE BACK END HAS BEEN CLUNKING. THE REAR SUBFRAME BOLTS THAT GOES THROUGH THE BUSHING HAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE BODY FROM WHAT LOOKS LIKE RUSTED OUT CONNECTORS OR MAYBE THE BODY ITSELF.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.