Problems · by component

2005 Acura MDX power train problems

87 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2005 Acura MDX cite power train, 48% of all 180 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
87
48% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 31, 2025Electrical system, Power trainODI 11677517
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 14, 2021Power trainODI 11424860
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 8, 2021Power train, VisibilityODI 11395146
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 12, 2019Power train, Electrical systemODI 11195786
“I HAVE ACURA MDX 2005 MODEL THE VSA LIGHTS AND AIRBAGSLIGHTS KEEP COMING UP INTERMITTENTLY AND THERE IS A TRANSMISSION SLIPS TOO. I WONDERED WHY IT WAS NOT RECALLED WHEN OTHERS WERE RECALLED .THE VEHICLE STILL MOVES BUT NOTICING A SLIP IN THE TRANSMISSION POWER”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2018Power train, Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11130209
“THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFTS NOT SMOOTHLY, D4/D5 LIGHT BLINKING, WON'T EXCEL WHEN GAS IS APPLIED, HAD TO CUT THE CAR OFF, WAIT 5MIN, TO DRIVE FOR TWO BLOCKS BEFORE HAVING TO REPEAT THIS PROCESS TO GET IT HOME 12 BLOCKS AWAY, ONLY WOULD EXCEL 20MPH (BOUGHT IT ON WEDNESDAY, ON TUESDAY OF THE NEXT WEEK, THE PROBLEM BEGAN). THE CAR HAS 127,000 MILES AND HISTORY OF OIL CHANGE/TRANSMISSION SERVICES. AFTER SEEKING ANSWERS, PER REPAIR PAL, THERE'S AN ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSIONS WITH ALL YEARS OF THIS MODEL, SOME PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO GET THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED/REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. PLEASE RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR WORSE DIES. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 30, 2018Power trainODI 11098851

Showing 6 of 87 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

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

Other 2005 MDX problem areas