VehicleVerdict

2001 Acura MDX problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 266 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.2 times the median MDX year — the 2001 model ranks #6 of 26 MDX years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: transmission issues account for 49% of all reports (131 of 266), far ahead of engine at 23.

266

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other MDX years?

MDX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted510 complaints2001: 266 complaints2002: 242 complaints2003: 259 complaints2004: 243 complaints2005: 244 complaints2006: 121 complaints2007: 126 complaints2008: 62 complaints2009: 74 complaints2010: 63 complaints2011: 87 complaints2012: 97 complaints2013: 46 complaints2014: 247 complaints2015: 97 complaints2016: 510 complaints2017: 370 complaints2018: 268 complaints2019: 304 complaints2020: 342 complaints2021: 0 complaints2022: 191 complaints2023: 52 complaints2024: 61 complaints2025: 112 complaints2026: 6 complaints
MDX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all MDX years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Acura MDX problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission13149%
Engine239%
Suspension197%
Airbags187%
Speed Control125%
Electrical System114%
Body & Structure104%
Tires & Wheels73%
Fuel System62%
Steering62%
Seat Belts52%
Other52%
Visibility & Wipers42%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)31%
Seats21%
Brakes21%
Latches & Locks10%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2001 Acura MDX have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V026000AirbagsJanuary 17, 2020 · 1,439,841 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.

20V027000AirbagsJanuary 17, 2020 · 875,966 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bags in the vehicles, replacing the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138.

05V385000SuspensionSeptember 1, 2005 · 22,861 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

EXCESSIVE CORROSION CAN CAUSE SPRING FAILURE AND A BROKEN SPRING COULD PUNCTURE A FRONT TIRE, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS WITH IMPROVED SPRINGS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 11, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ACURA AT 800-382-2238.

04V176000TransmissionApril 15, 2004 · 1,099,796 units

Defect

ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.

Consequence

GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SHIFT LEVER DOES NOT LOCK INTO PLACE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK. THERE WAS A CHILD WHO WAS IN THE VEHICLE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE CHILD WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE LEVER INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE RAN INTO A HOUSE BEFORE IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. MR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 4, 2002 · crash

“2001 ACURA MDX WAS DRIVEN UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. AT 61,532 MILES, I WAS TOLD THAT TWO OF THE ENGINE MOUNTS WERE BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT IF I CONTINUED TO DRIVE, THE ENGINE COULD POSSIBLY IMPACT AND DAMAGE THE RADIATOR. I HAD THE PARTS REPLACED. I HAVE SEARCHED THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 27, 2008

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT COIL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · March 20, 2014 · fire

“A VEHICLE CROSSED THE MEDIAN ON MY LOCAL FREEWAY AND COLLIDED HEAD ON WITH MY 2001 ACURA MDX. EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS TOTALED, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF. POLICE ON THE SCENE AND EMERGENCY PERSONNEL THOUGHT THIS WAS VERY UNUSUAL AND SHOULD BE REPORTED TO NHTSA.*JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 9, 2005 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65MPH, I ATTEMPTED TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE TO MY RIGHT TRANSMISSION FIRST APPEARED TO DOWNSHIFT FROM 5TH TO 4TH AND THE CAR ACCELLERATED NORMALLY, BUT SUDDENLY THE ENGINE RPM INCREASED DRAMTICALLY, THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED DEACCELERATING AND FISHTAILED WIDELY. IT SIDE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · September 2, 2002 · crash

2001 Acura MDX — common questions

Is the 2001 Acura MDX reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 266 complaints put the 2001 model at #6 of 26 MDX years. It is one of the MDX years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 MDX problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (131 complaints), engine (23 complaints), suspension (19 complaints).

Does the 2001 Acura MDX have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Acura MDX. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Acura MDX under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Acura MDX years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the MDX years to avoid are 2016, 2017, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2001, 2003, 2014, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2022, 2006, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2021. The cleanest record among MDX years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.