CarModelProblems.com

2001 Acura MDX Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission — runs 6.7× the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
224Complaints
4Recalls
9Crashes
1Fires
10Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission (38.4% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints here are 6.7× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Power Train:automatic Transmission86 · 38.4%RecalledRecall 04V176000
Power Train42 · 18.8%RecalledRecall 04V176000
Air Bags14 · 6.2%RecalledRecall 20V027000 · Recall 20V026000
Vehicle Speed Control10 · 4.5%not available
Engine And Engine Cooling8 · 3.6%not available
Suspension8 · 3.6%RecalledRecall 05V385000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN42 · 18.8%
AIR BAGS14 · 6.2%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL10 · 4.5%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING8 · 3.6%
SUSPENSION8 · 3.6%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE7 · 3.1%
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS6 · 2.7%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)5 · 2.2%
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS4 · 1.8%

Percentages are the share of the 224 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 4 campaigns

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 20V027000 · 2020 · reported 01/17/2020

In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 20V026000 · 2020 · reported 01/17/2020

In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

NHTSA campaign 05V385000 · 2005 · reported 09/01/2005

EXCESSIVE CORROSION CAN CAUSE SPRING FAILURE AND A BROKEN SPRING COULD PUNCTURE A FRONT TIRE, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:automatic Transmission

NHTSA campaign 04V176000 · 2004 · reported 04/15/2004

GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“I PURCHASED MY 2001 ACURA MDX NEW. I HAVE BEEN THE ONLY DRIVER. AROUND 115,000 MILES I BEGAN TO HEAR THIS GRINDING/GURGLING NOISE COMING FROM…”NHTSA complaint 10345947 — filed 07/28/2010 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“HAVE BEEN HEARING A NOISE IN THE DRIVE TRAIN FOR QUITE SOMETIME. ALSO HEAR A THUMPING NOISE WHEN 4 WHEEL DRIVE IS ENGAGED AND TURN…”NHTSA complaint 10345928 — filed 07/28/2010 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE; HOWEVER, THREE WEEKS AFTER THE…”NHTSA complaint 10341779 — filed 07/07/2010 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

19200816282010792012131320141412201611320194122021412024

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Acura MDX?

Power train:automatic transmission issues are the most-reported category, cited in 86 of 224 NHTSA complaints (38.4%), followed by power train (42), air bags (14), vehicle speed control (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2001 Acura MDX have?

224 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 9 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 10 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2001 Acura MDX have any recalls?

Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 20V027000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2001 Acura MDX's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.