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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2006 Acura MDXRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls and 87 owner complaints for the 2006 Acura MDX. Most complaints involve power train (38) and air bags (15). 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
11campaigns
Latest Oct 2019
Owner complaints
87
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$4,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Free remedy

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2007-2011 Honda Element, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot and 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."

Vehicle speed controlReported Oct 10, 2019NHTSA 19E068000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V499000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V501000
See all 11 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

87 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2006 – Jun 2024
  1. Power train38
  2. Air bags15
  3. Engine9
  4. Electrical system8
  5. Service brakes8
  6. Electronic stability control (esc)7
  7. Vehicle speed control5
  8. Structure3
  9. Equipment3

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
10
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
6
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

38 reports4 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE, REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. MOMENTS LATER, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ROLLED BACKWARDS APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP WHEN IT CRASHED INTO A BARRIER POLE. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 8, 2018Power trainCrash reportedODI 11092402

Air bags

15 reports3 crashes
“ON 3/9, I WAS PARKING MY 2006 MDX IN AN INDOOR PARKING GARAGE. ABOUT 15 FEET FROM A WALL, IT TOOK OFF REAL FAST. I PRESSED HARDER ON THE BRAKES, BUT IT SLAMMED INTO THE WALL SO HARD. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, SMOKE CAME OUT & THE ALARM WENT OFF UNTIL A PASSERBY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. I COULDN'T STAND UP FOR A FEW MINUTES. MY INSURANCE CO. DECIDED IT WAS TOTALLED & HAD IT TOWED TO OUR HOUSE INSTEAD OF A BODY SHOP, THEN ONLY GAVE ME ITS BOOK VALUE. I STILL HAVE MANY BRUISES ALL OVER MY BODY AND MY NOSE BLED FOR A WHILE AND WAS SWOLLEN FOR A WEEK. THE SEAT BELT CUT INTO MY NECK AND ITS IMPACT LEFT SEVERE BRUISES ON MY CHEST. THE IMPACT MADE BOTH MY REPLACED KNEES BRUISE AND HURT. I HAD LOWER BACK FOR MANY DAYS. POHANKA ACURA DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THIS IS AN ACURA COMPANY ISSUE. GOOGLE DIDN'T SHOW ANY RECALLS ON ACURA MDX ACCELERATORS. BUT, MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM I HAD WITH THEIR MDX. WHILE BRAKING, THE CAR GOES FASTER INSTEAD. ON 3/11, AND AFTER MANY LEFT MESSAGES TO ACURA, ACURA FINALLY CALLED. I REQUESTED THAT SOMEONE WILL CHECK THE ACCELERATOR, B4 IT WAS TOWED AWAY. HE SAID I NEEDED TO FIX THE CAR AND BRING IT BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL NEW STATE. AFTER…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 28, 2019Air bags, Structure, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11192247

Engine

9 reports1 crash
“Car battery constantly draining resulting in having to jumpstart the car now every time to turn it on. Had the hands free system disconnected by the dealership over a year ago due to them stating it was drawing on battery however it has not changed and went from occasional need to jumpstart to every time you need to turn on car. Have had two new batteries installed and car looked at by dealership and only issue they found was hands free link drawing on battery so disconnected it.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 16, 2024Electrical system, EngineODI 11572362
All 2006 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 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152117$4,700523
  • MDX 4WD
    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

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Acura MDX as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 1836
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

2006 MDX questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Acura MDX have?

11 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 2006 Acura MDX problems?

Owners filed 87 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (38), air bags (15), engine (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Acura MDX get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Acura MDX at 17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026