How many problems does the 2003 ACURA MDX have?

The 2003 ACURA MDX currently has 212 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2003 ACURA MDX?

The most common problems reported for the 2003 ACURA MDX are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2003 ACURA MDX problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2003 ACURA MDX comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.

2003 ACURA MDX Problems

POWER TRAIN

85 complaints

Driving up a hill in this 2003 Acura MDX and the TRANSMISSION failed. Came to a stop in the middle of the street. Several cars almost hit me. Checked online and this vehicle has a known problem of the transmission going out around 70,000 miles. A mechanic started changing it out in my driveway .then winter came. It's been sitting in my driveway ever since.

Apr 30, 2025

TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE CAUSED SHARDS OF METAL TO BE TRANSMITTED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING TOTAL FAILURE OF EVERY GEAR IN THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS DRIVING ON A DIVIDED HIGHWAY AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WHEN I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER IN HIGH VOLUME TRAFFIC. ALL LIGHTS LIT UP ON THE DASH SUCH AS VTM-4, MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP AND GEAR WAS FLASHING. I WAS ALMOST HIT WHILE TRYING TO GET TO A SAFE LOCATION TO PULL OVER. PRIOR TO THE CAR DYING I NEVER HAD ANY INDICATION OF MALFUNCTION NOR ANY DRIVING ISSUES OR PROBLEMS ACCELERATING.

May 15, 2018

FAILING TORQUE CONVERTER. VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT HONDA REFUSES TO RECALL AND STAND BEHIND THIS SAFETY DEFECT.

Jun 26, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WENT IN REVERSE WITH THE SHIFTER STILL IN THE DRIVE POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

Mar 15, 2016

WHEN APPROACHING SPEEDS OF 35MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD BEGIN TO MAKE A RUMBLING NOISE FROM THE FRONT AND WOULD THEN START TO SHAKE HEAVILY. THE SHAKING OF THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE UNTIL YOU WOULD GO FASTER THAN 40MPH OR SLOWER THAN 25MPH. THE VEHICLE IS VERY DISTRACTING WHEN RUMBLING AND CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD AS ATTENTION IS TAKEN AWAY FROM THE ROAD AND PUT ONTO THE VEHICLE. FURTHERMORE, YOU ARE FORCED TO EITHER SPEED , UP TO 40MPH OR SLOW DOWN TO 25MPH TO STOP THE RUMBLING, INTERFERING WITH DRIVING AND POSSIBLY BREAKING LAWS.

Sep 15, 2015

+ 80 more complaints for this component

AIR BAGS

31 complaints

I WRECKED ON 8/24/2020. THE CAR SAYS THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND MY SEATBELTS LOCKED UP. BUT MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY! I REAR ENDED SOMEBODY GOING ABOUT 20 MPH ON A CITY STREET.

Sep 18, 2020

Crash: 1

AIRBAG LIGHTS ARE ON. PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG LIGHT BLINKS EVEN IF NO BODY IS IN THE CAR. AND ON THE DASHBOARD THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON

Feb 01, 2020

AFTER HAVING TAKEN THE ACURA TO DEALER 3 TIMES FOR THE TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL INITIALLY ALL WAS WELL. THEN EVERY 3RD TIME I STARTED THE ENGINE THE RED WARNING LIGHT FOR AIRBAG FAILURE WOULD COME ON. NOW OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS EVERY TIME THE ENGINE IS STARTED THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. WOULD EXPENSE TO REPAIR/REPLACEMENT BE COVERED?

Aug 31, 2018

2003 ACURA MDX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 15V-045. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE CLOSEST ACURA WAS A DAYS DRIVE AWAY AND REQUESTED THAT A REPRESENTATIVE BE ABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL AT A HONDA DEALER. *JS

Apr 06, 2018

NEEDED TO CHANGE THE AIRBAGS FOR RECAL

Jan 26, 2018

+ 26 more complaints for this component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

12 complaints

I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 ACURA MDX AT 30-35MPH ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A FLICKING NOISE LIKE A BELT HITTING AGAINST THE CAR. I PULLED OVER RIGHT AWAY AND NOTICE THAT MY SERPENTINE BELT WAS NOT ON THE PULLEYS. I TURN OFF MY ENGINE RIGHT AWAY AND START INSPECTING MY PULLEY AND NOTICE THE CRANK PULLEY WAS STILL THERE BUT THE THREADED PART OF THE PULLEY HAS UNWELDED ITSELF OFF THE PULLEY AND IT WAS LAYING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. BECAUSE THIS IS A FAMILY CAR THIS INCIDENT IS DANGEROUS IF TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. I FEEL THE NEED TO REPORT IT. THANK YOU *TR

May 18, 2013

MOTOR MOUNTS CRACKED ON 2003 ACURA MDX, OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW, SINCE THIS HAPPENS TO EVERY VEHICLE. *TR

Feb 03, 2011

THE VEHICLE STARTS SHAKING, FEELING LIKE I AM RUNNING OVER METAL BUMPS IN THE ROAD. I BELIEVE THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS THE PROBLEM AND THAT ALL OF THE LARGER HONDA/ACURA VEHICLES HAVE A DEFECTIVE TORQUE CONVERTER. IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BEFORE ENGINE FAILURE OCCURS AND INJURIES/DEATH ARE IMMINENT.

Dec 20, 2010

ON APRIL 7, 2009 TOOK MY 2003 ACURA MDX INTO LOCAL DEALER FOR IT'S 60,000 MILE SERVICE (ODOMETER READ 63,438). NO PROBLEMS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION. JUNE 16, 2009 (ODOMETER 67,608) A/C STOPS WORKING. PAY OVER $1300 TO HAVE A/C COMPRESSOR, CLUTCH, STATOR & HI PRESSURE HOSE REPLACED. GET CAR BACK ON JUNE 18, 2009. JULY 1, 2009 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON (ODOMETER 68,219). AM TOLD THAT CAR NEEDS A "VALVE REALIGNMENT" - ALL GASKETS AND SPARK PLUG SEALS REPLACED ($600). GET CAR BACK ON JULY 2, 2009. JULY 3, 2009 BURNING SMELL COMING THROUGH A/C VENTS. AM TOLD THAT IT'S RESIDUE FROM V/C GASKETS FROM THE VALVE REALIGNMENT JOB- SUPPOSEDLY RESIDUE REMOVED. GET CAR BACK JULY 6, 2009. JULY 17, 2009 NOTICE OIL IN FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL. POP HOOD, NOTICE RADIATOR OVERFLOW CONTAINER IS OVERFLOWING, RADIATOR IS VERY MOBILE AND OVERFLOW CONTAINER IS BLACK AT THE BOTTOM. HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. AM TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR CRACKED INTERNALLY AND THAT THE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID WERE MIXING TOGETHER - THEREFORE HAVE TO FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE RADIATOR FOR ANOTHER $900. THIS JUST DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT TO ME. STARTED RESEARCHING AND AM BEING TOLD THAT THESE ARE NOT "NORMAL" REPAIRS ON THIS MODEL FOR SO FEW MILES ON IT AND THAT THE BURNING SMELL WAS MOST LIKELY THE MIXING OF THE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION OIL NOT RESIDUE FROM THE VALVE REALIGNMENT. DEALERSHIP ISN'T ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY. ACURA CUSTOMER SERVICES IS SAYING THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO EITHER BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP HAS FOLLOWED ALL PROCEDURES. I REALLY FEEL LIKE THEY ARE TRYING TO COVERING UP A DEFECT OR MECHANIC ERROR . *TR

Jul 21, 2009

DURING REGULAR SERVICE DEALER INSPECTION REPORTS FRONT MOTOR MOUNT IS LEAKING AND THE SIDE MOTOR MOUNT IS CRACKED. NEVER HEARD OF A 5-YEAR OLD CAR NEEDING MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED. ESPECIALLY WHEN CAR IS DRIVEN 100% ON PAVED ROADS BY A CONSERVATIVE 40+ YEAR-OLD DRIVER. *TR

Dec 08, 2008

+ 7 more complaints for this component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

8 complaints

THE VEHICLE JUST CAUGHT ON FIRE ONE NIGHT RIGHT OF THE BM THE PASSENGERS THAT ARE IN THERE

Feb 27, 2018

Fire: 1

THE HEATED SEAT FUNCTION IN OUR ACURA MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE SEAT TO MELT AND BURN THROUGH THE ENTIRE UPHOLSTERY DOWN TO THE SEAT SUPPORTS. THE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION ALSO TRAVELED TO THE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM AND TOTALLY MELTED THE DVD SCREEN. THE FABRIC ON THE CEILING OF THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGED AND HAS BECOME UNDONE AND FRAYED AND BURNED. THE CAR IS ALSO COVERED IN A DARK FILM/SOOT THAT HAS A BURNED SMELL. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS OCCURRED, AS IT HAPPENED OVERNIGHT. IT WAS PARKED IN OUR UNCOVERED DRIVEWAY WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES NEARBY.

Jan 07, 2016

Fire: 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE LOCATION OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Aug 03, 2015

IGNITION CAN BE TURNED OFF IN ANY GEAR AND KEY REMOVED. THIS SHOULD ONLY BE POSSIBLE WHILE IN PARK FOR SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS. VEHICLE WILL COAST IF ON A GRADE. *TR

Feb 28, 2012

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY GOES OFF INDICATING LOOSE GAS VALVE. MANUFACTURER'S ERROR CODE: P0457 DEALER TELLS OWNER GAS CAP IS LOOSE AND REPLACES. AFTER 100 MILES AND CAREFUL ATTENTION TO MAKING SURE CAP IS TIGHT AFTER EACH REFILL, SAME ERROR CODE OCCURS. AFTER SMOKE CHECKS VERIFY NO OTHER LEAKS, GAS CAP IS REPLACED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS OFF (OSTENSIBLY BECAUSE THE DEALER SOMEHOW CLEARS THE CODE OR DISCONNECTS BATTERY). AFTER 100 MILES THE LIGHT GOES BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED CONTINUOUSLY OVER THE COURSE OF 3 YEARS. CANNOT KNOW IF SOMETHING ELSE IS WRONG WITH CAR WITHOUT PAYING FOR A DIAGNOSTIC BECAUSE LIGHT IS CONTINUOUSLY ON. CANNOT PASS CA SMOG CHECK WITH A MALFUNCTIONING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (AS THIS SEEMS PRETTY CLEAR TO ME THAT IS WHAT IT IS). ACURA REFUSES TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM. (ALTHOUGH THE DEALER I GO TO HAS BEEN GREAT.) HAVE WASTED MUCH MONEY TO EACH TIME BE TOLD "LOOSE GAS CAP" WHEN I KNOW THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

Jan 23, 2011

+ 3 more complaints for this component

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS

6 complaints

THE SRS (AIR BAG) MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT IF THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT IS UNBUCKLED AT ANY POINT DURING THE DRIVE, EVEN IF IT IS SUBSEQUENTLY BUCKLED PRIOR TO AND DURING THE ACCIDENT. WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, IF I UNBUCKLE THE SEAT BELT, THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE, HOWEVER, THE SRS (AIR BAG) WARNING LIGHT DOES ILLUMINATE. WHEN I START THE VEHICLE THE SRS AND SEAT BELT LIGHT ARE USUALLY BOTH ILLUMINATED FOR THE IGNITION TEST PERIOD OF 3-5 SECONDS. IF I DON'T BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT, THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT WILL REMAIN ILLUMINATED AND THE SRS LIGHT WILL GO OUT AFTER THE 3-5 SECOND TEST PERIOD AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURNED ON. ONCE I BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT, THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT GOES OUT. IF I THEN UNBUCKLE THE SEAT BELT WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING (IGNITION REMAINS ON) THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON, BUT THE SRS WARNING LIGHT DOES COME ON. IF I THEN BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT AGAIN, THE SRS WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON UNTIL I TURN OFF THE IGNITION. ONCE I RESTART THE ENGINE AND BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT, THE SRS WARNING LIGHT WILL GO OUT. IN ADDITION, I HAVE WITNESSED NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHEN THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITHOUT ANY ACTION TOWARDS THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE CASES WHERE THE SWITCH FAILS EVEN WHEN THE SEAT BELT REMAINS BUCKLED. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING, THAT WHILE THE SRS WARNING LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, THE SRS (AIR BAG) WILL NOT DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, EVEN THOUGH THE SEAT BELT IS BUCKLED, THE SRS WOULD FAIL TO DEPLOY. MY RESEARCH INDICATES THAT A FAILURE OF THE SWITCH IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAUSES THIS CONDITION AND THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY IS REQUIRED TO REMEDY THIS.

Aug 15, 2016

MY DAUGHTERS MDX WAS DRIVEN BY HER SON AND HE HAD TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP UNDER RAINY CONDITIONS. THERE WAS NO CRASH, AND THE SLIGHTEST CONTACT WITH THE STOPPED CAR IN FRONT. THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO EITHER CAR, THE TOUCH WAS SO SLIGHT THERE WAS NOT EVEN A SCRATCH NOR A BENT LICENSE PLATE. TO OUR SHOCK THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED AND SAFETY BELTS LOCKED UP. THERE IS NO WAY THAT AIRBAG SHOULD OF DEPLOYED. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THE DEALER DID PART OF SEVERAL PARTS OF THE RECALL, BUT REFUSED TO REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG AND REPAIR THE FROZEN FRONT SEAT BELTS.

Oct 03, 2014

MY SON WAS DRIVING IN TOWN NORMAL SPEED IT WAS RAINING, HE HAD TO MAKE A QUICK STOP TO AVOID A CAR IN FRONT OF HIM THAT MADE A QUICK STOP ALSO. THE BUMPERS BARELY TOUCHED, LEFT NO MARKS AT ALL, NOT EVEN TO THE FRONT LICENSE PLATE. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND BLACK AND BLUED HIS ARM. WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS 2003 MDX. TOOK IT IN TO LIBERTYVILLE ACURA AND THEY FIXED ONE PART OF THE RECALL BUT REFUSED TO FIX THE DEPLOYED AIRBAG AND SEATBELTS. THAT'S NOT RIGHT! THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED WITHOUT A CRASH! WHAT GIVES. A RECALL WITHOUT REPAIRS IS NOTHING BUT LIP SERVICE. HOW MANY OF US ARE OUT THERE? HOW MANY OTHERS ARE OR ,WERE DENIED ALSO? THE CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALER. THEY HAVE NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. *TR

Sep 09, 2014

Injuries: 1

WHEN THE VEHICLE RAN OVER A BUMP IN ROAD THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR RECEDED AND LOCKED UP. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE THE SEAT BELT FROM THE RETRACTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE MECHANIC CHECK OUT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. *AK THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE SEAT BELT REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE DESIGNED TO LOCK UP IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS. *TS *NLM

Nov 05, 2003

I PURCHASED A 2003 ACURA MDX IN DECEMBER, 2002 FROM GILLMAN ACURA, HOUSTON TEXAS. ON THE DATE OF MY COMPLAINT, THE VEHICLE HAD JUST OVER 11,400 MILES. ON SEPT. 05, 2003, I HIT A ROCK ON THE HIGHWAY WHICH PUNCTURED MY LEFT FRONT TIRE AND DENTED MY WHEEL. ADDITIIONALLY, THE FRONT SEAT BELTS LOCKED UP AND ARE NOW NOT FUNCTIONING. ADDITIONALLY, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON MY DASH BOARD IS BLINKING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO GILLMAN ACURA ON 09/08, KNOWING I WOULD PAY FOR THE WHEEL AND TIRE. THEY (GILLMAN ACURA AND ACURA CORPORATE, TORRENCE, CA) INFORMED ME THAT THE SEAT BELTS MUST BE REPLACED AT MY COST (>$1,00O). THEY ALSO CLAIM THE SEATBELTS FUNCTIONED PROPERLY VIA THE 'TENSIONES' LOCKING UP THE SEAT BELTS. ADDITIONALLY, THEY CLAIM THE BLINKING LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY NEED TO BE COMPUTER CONTROLLED WHICH ALSO WOULD BE AT MY COST. THIS IS TOTALLY CONTRARY TO GILLMAN AND ACURAS' WRITTEN AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES I RECEIVED WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THEY TWIST THE WARRANTY AND AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE FROM ACURA HAS NOT EVEN INSPECTED MY VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD BY ACURA THAT THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT BUT THE CONCLUSION IS FINAL. THEY ARE NOT PAYING TO GET ME SEAT BELTS INTO PROPER WORKING ORDER. THUS, I HAVE A 2003 VEHICLE WHICH IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND NEGLECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIER WARRANTY. OTHER DEALERS I HAVE SPOKEN WITH CONCUR THAT GILLMAN ACURA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THEY HAVE ALL INFORMED ME THAT SEAT BELTS ARE DESIGNED TO LOCK AND SUBSEQUENTLY RETRACT. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO HAVE ANY SEAT BELT WHICH LOCKS UP AND DOES NOT RELEASE. I AM REQUESTING NHTSA ASSSIST ME IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE FROM ACURA SINCE MY PURCHASE AND THEY HAVE BLATANTLY LIED TO ME ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. ADDITONALLY, THE TENSIONERS

Sep 25, 2003

+ 1 more complaint for this component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

5 complaints

I HAVE A 2003 ACURA MDX WHICH FROM TIME TO TIME EXPERIENCES A STICKING ACCELERATOR. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IN 2003. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO STOMP ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR STOPS BUT IT IS SCARY AND WAS WONDERING IF OTHERS HAVE BEEN HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS? *TR

Feb 22, 2010

WE HAVE AN '03 MDX WITH JUST ABOUT 6K MILES ON IT. AROUND 4.2K WE STARTED NOTICING THE THUD. MOSTLY JUST WHEN WE'RE BREAKING. SO TODAY MY WIFE GOES IN AND THEY ARE NICE ABOUT IT, BUT SAY IT'S "JUST THE WAY THE MDX IS..." THEY GIVE HER SOME "SERVICE NEWS" BULLETIN THAT SAYS: "SOME BRAKE CLICK IS NORMAL - ON ANY ACURA VEHICLE, CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE CALIPER BRACKETS AND THE ENDS OF THE BRAKE PAD BACKING PLATES CAN CAUSE THE PADS TO HIT THE CALIPER BRACKETS WHEN YOU FIRST APPLY THE BRAKES IN A NEW DIRECTION OF TRAVEL (FOR EXAMPLE: BACKING UP, APPLYING THE BRAKES, THEN DRIVING FORWARD AND APPLYING THE BRAKES). THE CLICKING YOU HEAR IS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM; THE CLEARANCE IS THERE TO ALLOW FOR HEAT EXPANSION AN / OR CORROSION OF THE PADS." THIS HAS GOT TO BE BS IN THE CASE OF THE CLUNK / THUD NOISE. I'VE GOT TWO FRIENDS WITH MDX'S AND NO [XXX] NOISE... ANYONE CARE TO COMMENT? I'M CONSIDERING TAKING OURS IN MYSELF AND SEE IF I GET THE SAME RUN AROUND. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Feb 01, 2005

THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD MOVE APPROXIMATELY 1 INCH FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THIS ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH WHEN CONSUMER'S FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT WAS THE NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THAT VEHICLE, AND IT MET NHTSA SPECIFICATIONS. *AK

Jan 06, 2005

EXCESSIVE BRAKE CLUNK / THUD NOISES UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS. SEVERE BRAKE NOISE AND CONTROL ISSUES UNDER EMERGENCY BRAKING CONDITIONS. TOLD BY ACURA ALL IS "NORMAL". WITH SUCH TRAVEL IN CALIPERS (CAUSE OF NOISE) POTENTIAL FOR BRAKE FAILURE MUST EXIST. WORRIED... *JB

Oct 03, 2003

ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASION THE ABS MADE A CLUNKING NOISE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *NLM THE BRAKE PROBLEMS HAD COME BACK AGAIN. THE DEALER FOUND A BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE CODE. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM BUT IT REMAINED THE SAME. *SCC

Aug 22, 2003

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE SHIFT LEVER FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V573000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,793.

Oct 12, 2016

THE LOCKING MECHANISM THAT SECURES THE KEY IN THE IGNITION UNTIL PARK IS ENGAGED DID NOT WORK. THEREFORE I UNKNOWINGLY REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WITHOUT HAVING PARK ENGAGED. THE CAR ROLLED BACK FROM THE PARKING SPOT INTO A TREE. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO ACURA. IT SEEMS SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEM CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED FOR HONDA ODYSSEY'S AND PILOTS FROM 2003 AND 2004 BY NHTSA. NOTE THAT I DO NOT REMEMBER THE DATES/MILEAGE WHEN THIS FIRST OCCURRED BUT IT IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL KEYS IN THE IGNITION AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. *TR

Oct 10, 2012

THE IGNITION PARK-SHIFT INTERLOCK HAS FAILED, ALLOWING THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WITHOUT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEING SHIFTED TO PARK. *TR

Jun 12, 2012

THIS IS RELATED TO THE RECENT HONDA RECALL FOR IGNITION KEY ISSUE. THE SAME PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTICED ON MY ACURA 2003 MDX. THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY INCIDENT ARISING OUT OF IT BECAUSE OF MY CHECKS AFTER SWITCHING OFF MY CAR BUT SOME OTHER PEOPLE MIGHT NOT BE LUCKY. THE KEY SOMETIMES COMES OUT AFTER SWITCHING THE CAR OFF WITHOUT MOVING THE GEAR TO PARK. THIS HAPPENS IF DONE QUICKLY. THE DATE BELOW IS A APPROXIMATE DATE SINCE I KNOW IT HAPPENED 2-3 WEEKS BACK. *TR

Aug 09, 2010

SEAT BELTS

3 complaints

Unknown, but since I bought the car I encountered a problem with the rear seatbelts, they do not work and I am about to be a grandmother and it is important and is a safety issue,

Aug 11, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX, WHILE STOPPED THE CONTACT WAS REAR ENDED BY A VEHICLE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT TIGHTEN TO HOLD HER FIRMLY IN PLACE UPON IMPACT AND SHE WAS THROWN FORWARD INTO HER WINDSHIELD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES AND THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE LOT WHERE IT HAD NOT BEEN EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE.THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 117,000.

Sep 09, 2010

Crash: 1

Injuries: 2

THE SEAT BELT WAS MOUNTED IN THE CEILING OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED THE BELT TO COME ACROSS THE PASSENGER'S NECK. *JB

May 08, 2003

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

3 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED AS IF IT WAS SLIPPING WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 265,000.

Dec 02, 2020

TORQUE CONVERTER SHUDDER OR VIBRATION BETWEEN 35 AND 40 MPH. ****ALSO TRANSMISSION SLIPPED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE SUV ACTED AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL AND WOULDN'T MOVE EVEN THOUGH I WAS PUSHING THE GAS AND THE RPMS WENT UP. I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED BY THE DRIVER BEHIND ME BUT HE WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY SWITCH INTO ANOTHER LANE, THEN MIRACULOUSLY MY SUV STARTED TO GO AGAIN. IT ALSO HAPPENED AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WHILE I WAS DRIVING. LUCKILY THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS FAR ENOUGH AWAY AND THE TRANSMISSION PICKED BACK UP IN TIME AND I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY. I HAD MY CHILDREN IN THE SUV, A 6 MONTH OLD BABY GIRL AND A 6 YR OLD BOY. ITS A SEVEN PASSENGER VEHICLE SO IT SHOULD BE EXPECTED THAT CHILDREN MAY BE IN THE SUV. I DON'T THINK HONDA/ACURA SHOULD WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE IS KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED TO ISSUE A RECALL. ITS NOT EVEN JUST ABOUT THE COST OF REPAIRS, WHAT ABOUT THE VALUE OF PEOPLE'S LIVES? DOES IT NEED TO BE ON THE NEWS FIRST FOR A CHANGE TO OCCUR? OWNERS OF THE 2003 ACURA MDX NEED TO KNOW THAT THERE IS A POTENTIALLY DEADLY SAFETY DEFECT WITH THIS VEHICLE AND REPAIRS NEED TO BE MADE ASAP! *TR

Mar 15, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED FLUID LEAKING CONTINUOUSLY ONTO THE ROAD. ONCE THE CONTACT REACHED THEIR DESTINATION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A LARGE QUANTITY OF TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A FAULTY PART WITHIN THE RADIATOR CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000.

Sep 27, 2012

STEERING

3 complaints

PROLONGED HIGH UNDER-HOOD TEMPERATURES CAUSING THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO DETERIORATE PREMATURELY CAUSING THE HOSE TO CRACK AND LEAK POWER STEERING FLUID. MECHANIC IS SAYING THIS IS COMMON ON ACURA.

Sep 05, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND IT RESUMED NORMALLY UPON RESTARTING. THE FAILURE RECURRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Feb 04, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OVER A PUDDLE OF WATER, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER STATED THE STEERING WHEEL OCCURRENCE WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER EXPLAINED THAT WHEN WATER ENTERED THE DRIVE LINE, IT WOULD CAUSE THE STEERING TO LOCK AND ONCE THE WATER WAS DRY, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD CORRECT ITSELF. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Aug 21, 2013

TIRES

3 complaints

TIRE BRAND/TYPE: COOPER CS4 P235/65R17 DOT U981 CLH 2814 PURCHASE DATE: JAN 24, 2015 W/EXTENDED ROAD HAZARD COVERAGE COMPONENT: OUTER WALL SPLITTING AND FRAYING WITH SIGNS OF BUBBLING VEHICLE: 2003 ACURA MDX AWD LOCATION: FRONT PASSENGER SIDE- DURING ROUTINE PSI CHECK I NOTED THE OUTER WALL WAS SPITTING AND HAD RUBBER FRAYING IN CONJUNCTION WHICH HAD NOT BEEN THERE PREVIOUSLY. THE SPLITTING IS EXACTLY 2 1/2 INCHES LONG AND 0.2 INCHES WIDE GOING VERTICAL STARTING WHERE THE TIRE AND RIM MEET. THERE IS ALSO SIGNS OF BUBBLING UNDER THE SPLIT REVEALING SIGNS OF EMINENT RUPTURE. PSI WAS TAKEN AND MEASURED 30. REQUIREMENTS FOR VEHICLE IS 32. I DID NOT PROCEED WITH CORRECTING PSI FROM 30-32 DUE TO THIS ISSUE.

Nov 07, 2016

THE VEHICLE SKIDDED, WHEN THE CONSUMER CHANGED LANES. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK THE VEHICLE SKIDDED AND TURNED 180 DEGREES. *SCC *JB

Jun 26, 2003

WHILE PARKING THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HIT A SECTION OF CURBING THAT WAS EXTENDED FROM THE NEXT SECTION OF CURBING, THERE WAS A HISSING SOUND AND CONSUMER THEN DISCOVERED THE TIRE WAS FLAT, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE SIDEWALL WAS BROKEN.*YH

Jul 18, 2002

ENGINE

3 complaints

TAKATA RECALL. VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ALLOW IT TO MOVE.

Aug 18, 2016

FOUR TRANSMISSIONS ON 2003 MDX,1) ORIGINAL, 2) 28K MILES REMANUFACURED FROM DEALER; 3) 85KMILES REBUILD DUE TO SLIPPING ON HIGHWAY AND BURNT ODOR FROM TRANSMISSION; 4) 96K MILES IN REVERSE WOULD GO ONLY A FEW FEET THEN LOCKED UP. AT 85K CONTACTED ACURA WHO GAVE NO ASSISTANCE DUE TO BEING MY FIRST ACURA/HONDA AND NOT SERVICING AT THEIR DEALERS.NO RECALL. WOULD LIKE SOME COMPENSATION, SERVICE, WARRANTY... *JS

Apr 29, 2014

I WARMED VEHICLE UP AND WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE OUT OF THE DRIVE IT WOULDN'T GO FORWARD OR BACKWARDS,BUT SLOWLY IT KICKED IN. I STARTED DOWN THE ROAD AND IT WOULD GO AWAY THEN JUST STOP RIGHT WHERE I WAS.I WOULD SHUT IT OFF,THEN RESTART AND IT WOULD GO THEN STOP DEAD IN THE ROAD. THEN IT WOULDN'T GO AT ALL.I WAS ON A SHARP CURVE ON A SMALL HILL AND WAS ALMOST HIT TWICE BY AN 18 WHEELER.I HAD TO BACK DOWN THIS HILL ON THIS CURVE AND ALMOST WENT OVER THE EMBANKMENT.I CALLED MY MECHANIC WHO CAME,AND HE TRIED TO DRIVE IT DOING THE SAME AS IT DID TO ME.UNFORTUNATELY HE HAD TO BACK ,IT DOWN A BIGGER HILL INTO SOMEONE'S DRIVEWAY,AND THEN IT HAD TO BE TOWED.PRIOR TO THIS I HAD NOT HAD ONE PROBLEM,BUT NOT A GOOD DAY FOR THIS TO HAPPEN IT -9 DEGREES.I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT FROM HONDA IF OTHERS HAVE HAD ANY PROBLEMS LIKE THIS.I WAS OUT IN FRIGID TEMPS FOR OVER 2 HOURS,AND NOT ONLY AM I 65,BUT I AM A SEVERE DIABETIC.I LIVE WAY OUT IN THE COUNTRY AND NOW HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION FOR EMERGENCIES,AND I CERTAINLY CAN'T HAVE THE CAR FIXED,THEY ARE SAYING $3000-3500.CAN YOU PLEASE GIVE ME ANY INFO,THIS CAN'T BE A FIRST. *TR

Jan 04, 2014

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2 complaints

My vehicle has a check engine light. The code indicates the issue is the fuel neck filler (part number 17660-S3VA02) which has been confirmed by my mechanic. This is a safety item due to some type of fuel leak in the filler neck area for gasoline which causes the check engine light. The part is on backorder and from my conversations with multiple dealerships, there is no estimated date of delivery. Apparently, there is a high number of vehicles having this issue. As a result, I am unable to smog my vehicle due to some type of fuel leak. It appears there is a safety item that needs to be addressed immediately.

Mar 20, 2023

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER PIPE 3 TIMES BECAUSE IT LEAKED FUEL VAPORS AND CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. ALL 3 PART REPLACEMENTS WERE GENUINE ACURA PARTS. THE REPLACEMENTS TOOK PLACE IN 2010(METRO ACURA), 2013(DAN'S MOBILE AND SMOG STATION) AND 2016(DAN'S MOBILE AND SMOG STATION). THE LAST FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE CRIMPING OF THE METAL GAS CAP FITTING TO THE PLASTIC FUEL FILLER PIPE DURING THE PART MANUFACTURING PROCESS. THE CRIMPING WENT THROUGH THE PLASTIC AND CAUSED THE FUMES TO LEAK. THESE FUMES ARE VERY NOTICEABLE IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR AND CREATE THE POSSIBILITY OF EXPLOSION. ALL 3 REPLACEMENTS HAVE COST ME ABOUT $500. I REPORTED THIS MATTER TO ACURA CLIENT SERVICES BUT THEY WERE UNCONCERNED.

Nov 09, 2016

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 complaints

TRANSMISSION AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTS FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. IT'S DANGEROUS TO BE IN TRAFFIC AND LOSE THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. I HAVE REPLACED THE SHIFTER AND HAD IT ADJUSTED NUMEROUS TIMES. ACURA REFUSES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE INNUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS VERY ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN.

May 02, 2018

WHILE TRAVELING AT AROUND THE SPEED LIMIT ON A BUSY FREEWAY THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED COASTING WITHOUT ANY WARNING. STEPPING ON THE GAS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO REV BUT NO ACCELERATION, WHICH MADE IT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO TRY TO PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER WITH THE RIGHT LANE HEAVILY OCCUPIED BY 18 WHEELER TRUCKS THAT ARE LONG AND RESPOND SLOWLY. ANY SPEED YOU LOOSE, PARTICULARLY AFTER APPLYING SOME BRAKE TO MOVE FROM ONE LANE TO ANOTHER, CANNOT BE REGAINED TO SAFELY MANEUVER WITH FLOW OF THE TRAFFIC AND MAKE THE SUBSEQUENT LANE CHANGE EVEN MORE DANGEROUS. AFTER TOWING TO AN ACURA DEALER IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAILED TRANSMISSION AND COSTS $6,100 TO REPLACE WITH A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE IS BEYOND ITS WARRANTY PERIOD, IT IS NONETHELESS DISAPPOINTING TO HAVE AN ACURA FAIL IN THIS FASHION CONSIDERING THAT THERE ARE MANY LOWER COST VEHICLES THAT EASILY LAST BEYOND 100,000 MILES WITHOUT TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THE VEHICLE CERTAINLY MET ITS WARRANTY REQUIREMENTS, BUT IT IS REALLY THE SUDDEN NATURE AND CRASH RISK OF THIS FAILURE THAT IS A BIGGER CONCERN. I LATER LEARNED FROM 3 CO-WORKERS THAT HAD SIMILAR TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCES WITH THEIR MDX. TWO WERE 2001/2002 MDX WITH APPROX 100,000 AND 80,000 MILES. THE 3RD WAS A 2006 MDX WITH ONLY APPROX 55,000 MILES. *TR

Apr 24, 2014

AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

TAKATA RECALL THERE ARE FOUR RECALLS ON MY CAR AND THE NEAREST ACURA DEALERSHIP IS 200 MILES AWAY. THERE IS A LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP THAT COULD DO THE AIRBAG RECALL, BUT ACURA CLAIMS THAT SINCE THERE ARE SEVERAL RECALLS THAT IT NEEDS TO BE DONE AT THE ACURA DEALERSHIP. I DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO TAKE AN ENTIRE DAY TO GET THIS FIXED. ACURA KEEPS REFERRING ME BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALERSHIP KEEPS REFERRING ME BACK TO ACURA.

Oct 12, 2016

I HAD ALL RECALLS REPAIRED A LOU SOBH HONDA IN CUMMING GA. ACURA WAS CLEAR THAT SOME OF THE RECALLS I HAD DONE WOULD HAVE TO BE PAID BY ME BUT WOULD BE PROMPTLY REFUNDED. I SUPPLIED ALL RECEIPTS AND NOW (OVER 10 WEEKS LATER) HAVE STILL NEVER BEEN REIMBURSED. PATHETIC CUSTOMER SERVICE.

Jun 28, 2016

POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

TORQE CONVERTER GOING OUT SHATTERING NOISE THIRD GEAR 30 TO 40 MPH ABOUT 1500 RPMS THERE HAS BEEN OVER 100 COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE

Aug 15, 2016

MY CAR ALONG WITH MANY OTHER ACURAS BETWEEN 2001-2005 HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A VERY SIGNIFICANT SHUDDER VIBRATION THAT LASTS A FEW SECS, USUALLY AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 35-40. IF YOU READ THE BLOGS YOU WILL SEE HUNDREDS OF OTHER CONSUMERS SAY THE SAME THING: ACURA SAYS THEY CAN'T REPLICATE THE NOISE. WHEN THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEN SUDDENLY THEY CAN REPLICATE IT AND THEY SAY THEY HAVE TO REPLACE EITHER THE TORQUE CONVERTER OR THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION, CHARGING $2000 +. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL, PLEASE HELP US HOLD ACURA ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS KNOWN PROBLEM! THESE CARS ARE TOO EXPENSIVE FOR SUCH A BIG PROBLEM SO EARLY ON.

Jul 21, 2011

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 complaints

THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS A FEW WEEKS AGO WAS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND IN DRIVE. I WAS ON THE RAMP OF A MERGING FREEWAY AND THEN SUDDENLY WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR TO GO, IT MAKES A LOUD RAMPING NOISE BUT THE CAR WON'T MOVE. I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL REALLY HARD TO MOVE IT BARELY TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. ONCE I TURNED IT OFF AND TURN IT ON AGAIN, THE CAR DRIVES FINE AND NO LIGHT INDICTOR CAME UP. THIS MORNING, I WAS IN MOTION AND IN DRIVE AT A LOW SPEED IN A PARKING LOT AFTER DRIVING IT NORMALLY, I PRESSED THE GAS TO GO, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. IT MAKE LOUD NOISE WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS TO GO BUT WON'T MOVE. WHEN I TURNED IT OFF AND TURN IT ON AGAIN, IT WENT BACK WORKING AND DRIVING NORMALLY.

Mar 01, 2016

AS I WAS BACKING-UP IN PARKING LOT, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. AFTER TRAVELING ~ 20' AT AN ACCELERATED PACE, THE REAR OF THE CAR HIT A CONCRETE BALLARD. UPON IMPACT THE CAR JUMPED INTO A FORWARD GEAR, ACCELERATED FORWARD AND HIT A PARKED CAR. IF NOT FOR THE PARKED CAR, OUR ACURA MDX WOULD HAVE PLOWED INTO A STORE FRONT. *JB

Apr 22, 2005

Crash: 1

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AT 2ND-3RD GEAR WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT IN THE HIGHWAY

Oct 18, 2015

THE MDX NAVIGATION SYSTEM GIVES VERBAL AND VISUAL DIRECTIONS. I TEND TO RELY ON THE VERBAL DIRECTIONS IN THE CITY. SOMETIMES THE SYSTEM CANNOT DETERMINE ITS POSITION BECAUSE IT CANNOT GET SUFFICIENT SATELLITE SIGNALS. IT GIVES NO VERBAL CLUE THIS IS HAPPENING, IT JUSTS GIVES DIRECTIONS AS IF IT KNEW WHERE IT WAS (PRESUMABLY VIA DEAD RECKONING). THERE IS A VISUAL CUE, BUT IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE DURING THE DAY. THE SMALL LETTERS "GPS" TURN WHITE WHEN THE SIGNAL IS WEAK. THIS HAPPENED TO ME FIRST WHILE IN BOSTON ON 22JAN2003. IT STARTED GIVING ME DIRECTIONS AS IF I WERE SEVERAL BLOCKS AWAY. FORTUNATELY I KNEW THE AREA WELL ENOUGH TO KNOW IT WAS LOST BEFORE MAKING LOTS OF WRONG TURNS, BUT A DRIVER RELYING ON THE GPS MIGHT HAVE FOUND HIMSELF DRIVING THE WRONG WAY DOWN A ONE WAY STREET. I KNOW THAT INCORRECT MAP DATA CAN CAUSE THE SAME PROBLEM AND I HAVE ACCEPTED THAT RISK, BUT IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO COMPOUND THAT RISK THROUGH POOR SOFTWARE IMPLEMENTATION, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE PROBLEM COSTS ALMOST NOTHING TO CORRECT.

Mar 25, 2003

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 complaints

WHILE DRIVING MY 03 MDX AT 20 MPH AROUND A CORNER, IT JUST STOPPED ACCELERATING. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS THAT MY CAR WOULD STOP, IT JUST STOPPED ACCELERATING. I WOULD NOT MOVE IN D5, D4 OR D3, SO I HAD TO DRIVE IT IN D1TO THE DEALERSHIP AND LEFT IT OVERNIGHT. THE NEXT DAY THEY TELL ME I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. TWO MONTHS BEFORE THAT, MY CAR WAS LEAKING OIL AND I TOOK IT IN TO GET THE LEAK FIXED. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE REAR MAIN AND IT WOULD COST $1000 TO FIX. IT WAS SUCH A HIGH COST DUE TO THEY HAD TO REMOVE THE TRANSMISSION AND THE ENGINE TO GET TO IT. TWO WEEKS AFTER IT WAS FIXED, I HEAR A KNOCKING NOISE UNDER MY HOOD AND FIND OUT I NEED NEW MOTOR MOUNTS (HMMM.. ACURA HAD TO MOVE THE MOUNTS TO GET THE ENGINE OUT).. $400 LATER, AFTER I REPLACED THE MOUNTS., I WAS GOOD TO GO. A MONTH LATER, NOW THE TRANSMISSION THAT ACURA HAD TO REMOVE IS NOW COMPLETELY SHOT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ($5200) ARE YOU KIDDING ME ACURA. I HAVE NO FAITH IN THEIR SERVICE DEPT OR MY 03 MDX WHICH IS ALWAYS SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP. EVERYTHING THAT HAS EVER BEEN DONE TO THAT CAR HAS BEEN DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP FROM OIL CHANGE TO TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT, AND IT FEELS LIKE I'M GETTING SCREWED. *TR

Mar 17, 2014

WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHILE DRIVER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. *AK FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED BY A STOP SIGN AT AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. THE PROBLEM WAS AN AIR INTAKE LEAK, WHICH BEGAN APPROX. THREE WEEKS AFTER CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND STILL EXIST TODAY. THE ENGINE DIED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE HER MONIES REIMBURSED OR A BRAND NEW MDX WITH THE SAME OPTIONS AND COLOR OF HER CHOICE. *PH *NLM

Nov 19, 2003

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

2 complaints

2003 ACURA MDX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY WENT INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONSUMER STATED HE/SHE TRIED EVERY GEAR, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE HE/SHE WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION HAD INDEED FAILED. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED TWO YEARS LATER, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE NEXT DAY WHILE ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO NEUTRAL AGAIN AND THE CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, TORQUE CONVERTER, TIMING BELT, WATER PUMP AND ENGINE VALVES.

Mar 20, 2013

I JUST BOUGHT AN USED 2003 ACURA MDX ON JAN 30TH WITH 87,000 MILE ON IT. JUST AFTER 11 DAYS ON FEB 11, 2010, I NOTICED THAT SOME BROWN COLORED FLUID IS LEAKING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. IT'S NOT JUST DIPPING, THERE WERE LOT OF FLUIDS COMING OUT. I OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICE THAT THE FLUID WAS OVERFLOWING FROM THE RADIATOR RESERVOIR. NEXT MORNING WHEN I START THE CAR AND TRIED TO RUN IT JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD TO TOW THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID SOMEHOW INTERNALLY TRANSMISSION COOLER WAS BUSTED AND THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT WAS MIXED WITH THE ENGINE COOLANT. THEREFORE I HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE RADIATOR, NEED TO FLUSH TRANSMISSION FLUID, AND FLUSH THE RADIATOR. IT COST ME $1000. NOW, MY CAR IS NOT SMOOTH AS IT WAS BEFORE. TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. I AM REALLY WORRIED DRIVING THIS CAR. I SAW THAT MDX HAS A LOT OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I THINK THEY SHOULD CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION FOR FREE AND THEY SHOULD ALSO TAKE CARE OF THIS FLUID MIXING PROBLEM. I'D APPRECIATE IF YOU GUYS INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Feb 18, 2010

EQUIPMENT

2 complaints

HI, I DON'T KNOW WHETHER MY ISSUE IS RELATED WITH SAFETY. MY ACURA MDX 2003 (35K MILE) HAS A BAD SMELL FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER. I BROUGHT IT TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP (ACURA OF BELLEVUE) IN BELLEVUE, WA AND THEY SPENT 1 HOUR OR SO AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHY IT HAS A SMELL. THEY ASKED FOR $600.00. SO I CONTACTED ACURA OF USA BUT THEY DIDN'T GIVE ANY CLEAR ANSWER FOR MY PROBLEM. SO I COMPLAINED ABOUT IT. MY QUESTION IS THAT THIS BAD SMELL FROM THE AIR CONDITION, IS IT UNDER WARRANTY? JUST ASKING FOR GET HELP IF YOU COULD PROVIDE ME. THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING. *JB

Jul 05, 2006

CLIMATE CONTROL NOT WORKING; AC NOT WORKING AT ALL AFTER 2 REPAIR OVER A PERIOD OF TIME OF 1 MONTH.

Sep 14, 2004

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2 complaints

WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS RIGHT TURN SIGNAL SWITCH STUCK INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL DOES NOT RETRACT UNLESS HE MAKES A 90 DEGREE TURN. *TC

Nov 12, 2004

THERE SHOULD BE A BAN ON THE HID FRONT BRIGHT BEAMS ON CARS FOR TRAFFIC SAFETY. I HAVE MANY FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO HAVE ALL STATED THEIR DISGUST WITH THE LIGHTS AS BEING A ROAD HAZARD. MANY TIMES ON TWO-LANE HIGHWAYS YOU CAN'T EVEN SEE THE CAR IN FRONT OF YOU BECAUSE THE CAR APPROACHING HAS THOSE LIGHTS. THE MANUFACTURERS SHOULD BE BANNED FROM SELLING THE CARS WITH THE LIGHTS AND REPLACE, AT THEIR COST, FOR ANY VEHICLES THAT HAVE THEM ON CURRENTLY. *AK

Jan 20, 2004

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

ON APRIL 7 2021 ARRIVED ABOUT 10:45 A.M. I DROVE TO MCGRATH ACURA DEALER AT 9105 WAUKEGAN ROAD, IN WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS FOR A POWER STEERING FLUSH, THAT EMPLOYEE INSTRUCTED ME WALK WITH HIM TO OBSERVE A UNDERNEATH INSPECTION REAR AND FRONT I NOTICE THAT REAR FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED INCLUDED SHOCKS SURROUNDING THE FRAME, THROUGH OUT THE VEHICLE IT WAS ONA HYDRALIC JACK. SEE IMAGES ME AND EMPLOYEE LOOKING UNDERNEATH.

Apr 11, 2021

POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

THE VEHICLE KEEPS SHUDDERING AND LOSING POWER AND GEARS NOT CHARGING IN RIGHT

Dec 21, 2020

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

THE MDX SRS MALFUNCTION-ELECTRICAL NOISE SURGES. THE CAR IS MAKING ELECTRICAL NOISE SURGES, I CANNOT START THE CAR. THE SHIFT INTERLOCK, WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN PARK IT CONTINUES TO ROLL.

Nov 09, 2020

POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

MULTIPLE SAFETY AND RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE INCLUDING AIR BAG SYSTEM,ABS,TRANSMISSION SHIFT SENSOR, EMISSION BUILD UP CAUSING CLOGGING IN EXHAUST SYSTEM, MAP SENSOR TORQUE CONVERTERS, DIFFERENTIAL ISSUES,ROUGH IDLE AND SHIFT INTERLOCK SOLENOID ISSUES. FLUID LEAKS AND BRAKE STICKS ALSO AIR BAG LIGHT WONT GO OFF.

Mar 06, 2020

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,ENGINE

1 complaint

2003 ACURA MDX HAS SO MANY ISSUES AND IT'S AFFECTING A LOT OF OTHER OWNERS. SRS AIRBAG LIGHT ISSUE 61-10 THAT NEEDS THE SEAT BELT REPLACEMENT AND THE ENGINE MOUNTS NEED REPLACEMENT . SEEMS LIKE THE FRONT AND SIDE ENGINE FAILURE IS COMMON

Nov 14, 2018

AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE

1 complaint

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE EMITTING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *CN

May 30, 2017

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

I THINK IT IS ABOUT TIME THAT WE ALL PUSH NHTSA TO MAKE ACURA/HONDA RECALL ALL THESE MDX FROM 2001 TO 2012 TO HAVE THESE TORQUE CONVERTERS AND TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED AND FIXED ONCE AND FOR ALL!!! THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS THERE IS NO SIGN WHEN THESE CARS ARE GOING TO LOCK UP AND GO FROM 75 MPH DOWN TO 40 MPH AND THEN STAYS AT 40MPH TILL YOU CAN GET OFF THE HIGHWAY TO AN EXIT. I SWEAR MAYBE SOMEBODY NEEDS TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT WHEN THEY GET REAR ENDED BY SOMEONE THAT HAS NO CLUE WHY YOU HAVE COME TO A SUDDEN CHANGE OF SPEED. THIS WEEK IT'S DIFFERENT THEN BEFORE, NOW IT ALMOST THREW ME THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD HAD I NOT HAD MY SEAT BELT ON. THOUGH WHEN YOUR NOT EXPECTING A CARS TRANSMISSION TO HALT SO FAST IT STILL SCARES THE LIFE OUT OF YOU AND THEN TRY AND GET OVER TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE. THIS IS MY 2ND REPAIR OR REBUILD OF ALL THESE ITEMS AND FOR THE COST OF THESE CARS WHEN NEW ACURA SHOULD BE SUED AND MADE TO PAY TO FIX THESE DRIVE TRAIN DEFAULTS!!! COME ON NHTSA YOU KNOW THEY ARE IN THE WRONG AND LETS GET THESE CARS FIXED TOO ONCE IN FOR ALL BEFORE MORE PEOPLE ARE KILLED OR SERIOUSLY HURT.

Oct 24, 2015

Injuries: 1

AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

1 complaint

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE MY VEHICLE REPAIRED. UPON TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEM FIXING IT I DROVE HOME MY CAR IMMEDIATELY BEGAN RUNNING HOT. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP BACK AND HE TOLD ME TO BRING IT BACK IN. I WAS ISSUED A LOANER VEHICLE. I RECEIVED A CALL STATING THAT MY RADIATOR HAD SOMEHOW COME LOOSE AND THAT MY ENGINE WAS BLOWN. I WAS SO UPSET SO I CALLED BACK AND TOLD HIM MY MECHANIC WAS COMING WITH ME NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE IS NOT BLOWN BUT INSTEAD WARPED AND CAN BE MACHINED. I FEEL THEY DAMAGED MY VEHICLE BY DOING THE RECALL AND THEY DON'T WANT TO TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR IT. PLEASE HELP ME.

Sep 24, 2015

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR BOARD AS THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY AND FRACTURED. ADDITIONALLY, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH DRIVERS SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCLOSE IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED OR NOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

Feb 03, 2015

SUSPENSION,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

I CAN NOT GO PASS 25MPH THE TRUCK WILL REEVE UP, THEN TURN OFF AFTER DRIVING FOR ONE MILE. THE ENGINE MOUNT, SHAKES. I WAS TOLD IT IS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE. SOMETIMES THE GEARS DON'T SWITCH FROM ORIGINAL POSITION, EX. PARK TO DRIVE. *TR

Jan 16, 2015

WHEELS

1 complaint

RIGHT FRONT METAL WHEEL SEPARATED WITHIN SECONDS, PULLED THE CAR RIGHT INTO AN EMBANKMENT, CAR ROLLED LEFT MULTIPLE TIMES INVESTIGATING OFFICER FROM GOOCHLAND COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT. SAID HAD NEVER SEEN SIMILAR FAILURE. THERE WERE NO REPORTED OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO EYEWITNESSES. DRIVER LOST CONSCIOUSNESS DURING FIRST ROLLOVER. CHILD SAID THEY ROLLED 3 OR 4 TIMES AND APPARENTLY DID NOT LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS. WHEEL FAILED IN THE VERTICAL AXIS IN A JAGGED MANNER. PICTURES OF FAILED WHEEL ARE AVAILABLE SEATBELTS WERE ON 31 YEAR OLD DRIVER AND 8 YEAR OLD SON NO TICKET OR VIOLATION WAS ISSUED DRIVER WENT TO PATIENT FIRST FOLLOWING DAY WITH HEADACHE AND CHEST PAIN CHILD COMPLAINED FOLLOWING DAY OF MINOR NECK PAIN BUT NOT SINCE AUTO WAS TAKEN BY STATE FARM FOR INVESTIGATION CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED SINCE PURCHASED NEW IN 2003 AND MAINTENANCE RECORDS ARE AVAILABLE TIRES WERE PURCHASED IN SEPT AND DEC OF 2013 - SO LESS THAN 12 MONTHS OLD IF NOT FOR SEATBELTS THIS WOULD LIKELY HAVE CAUSED FATALITIES. *TR

Sep 02, 2014

Crash: 1

Injuries: 2

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

AUTO DIMMING REAR VIEW MIRROR DEVELOPED STRANGE CIRCLES. IT BECAME TRIPLE VISION. THEN OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS IT BEGAN LEAKING A BLACK OILY SUBSTANCE ON THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR AND THE VIEW FROM THE MIRROR IS SOO DISTORTED YOU CANNOT SEE ANYTHING. I CONTACTED ACURA AND THEY SAID OUT OF WARRANTY. TOUGH LUCK. I EXPLAINED THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY DEFECT AND I RECEIVED THE SAME RESPONSE. *TR

Jul 15, 2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEAT BELTS

1 complaint

I WAS DRIVING ON THE CARPOOL LANE OF 170N WITH MY TWO KIDS (HEADING TO 5N) WHEN THERE WAS SUDDENLY A DOG,YELLOW LABRADOR CROSSING THE FREEWAY AND GETTING RIGHT ON MY LANE. I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN AND BRAKE BUT IT WAS TOO LATE,I HIT THE DOG RIGHT ON THE FRONT OF MY CAR. I FELT MY SEAT BELT TIGHTENED UNCOMFORTABLY THEREAFTER AND I RELEASED IT SO I CAN RESET AND PUT IT AGAIN,BUT IT WON'T PULL TO REACH THE PORT ON MY RIGHT SIDE,IT SEEMED STUCK. IT WAS RIGHT AROUND THAT TIME WE STARTED SMELLING SMOKE THEREAFTER WE HIT THE DOG. MY KIDS AND I WERE LOOKING AROUND WHERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING UNTIL MY DAUGHTER WHO WAS SITTING RIGHT ON MY BACK (DRIVER'S) SAID "MOM THERE'S SMOKE ON THE BACK"..(I WAS ON THE BOTTOM OF THE 170N FREEWAY JOINING 5N) SO I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ON THE SHOULDER AND PULL OVER AND TOLD THE KIDS TO "GET OUT OF THE CAR, NOW!" I DIDN'T SEE WHERE THE SMOKE REALLY WAS BECAUSE MY CONCERN WAS TO GET OURSELVES TO STOP THE CAR SAFELY AND GET OUT. WE RAN AWAY FROM THE CAR ABOUT 30-50 FEET AWAY. THERE WAS A GENTLEMAN WHO PULLED ON THE SHOULDER AND ASKED WHAT'S GOING ON AND LEND ME HIS PHONE (I LEFT EVERYTHING IN THE CAR). HE CHECKED ON THE CAR AND THOUGHT "IT WAS OKAY".. I TOLD MYSELF I CAN GET MY PHONE AND PURSE STILL SO I RAN BACK AND GET IT (THERE WAS SOME SMOKE INSIDE I CAN'T TELL WHERE IT WAS FROM) . BY THE TIME I RAN BACK TO MY KIDS AND THE GENTLEMAN IT WAS ALREADY SMELLING SMOKE FROM WHERE WE ARE AND IN MAYBE A SECOND THERE WAS SOME FIRE VISIBLE FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE,ON THE DOOR SIDE INSIDE..AND THEN MY DAUGHTER TOLD ME "MOM THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE HOLE OF THE SEAT BELT ON THE WALL,IT WAS GOING TO ME SO I MOVED ON THE OTHER SIDE". SEEING THE FIRE I CALLED 911 AT 2:57PM TO ALARM AND AWARE THEM. I ASKED THE GENTLEMAN TO TAKE US ON A SAFE PLACE AWAY FROM THE CAR COZ I WAS AFRAID THE CAR WOULD CONSEQUENTLY EXPLODE. *TR

Nov 26, 2013

Fire: 1

STRUCTURE,ENGINE

1 complaint

WENT TO DEALER AND THEY SAID VEHICLE HAS BAD ENGINE MOUNTS, AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. NOTE THAT WE ALSO HAVE A 2004 HONDA PILOT, AND THE DEALER ALSO TOLD US THAT SOME ENGINE MOUNTS NEEDS REPLACEMENT. WE CHECKED SOME BLOGS FOR ACURA MDX AND HONDA PILOT OWNERS, AND FOUND A LOT OF OWNERS WITH SAME ISSUES. SOME ARE BEING REPLACED EVERY TWO YEARS. WE ONWED A V6 TOYOTA FOR 15 YEARS, NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE. WE HOPE NHTSA WILL CHECK THIS, BECAUSE IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE TO OWNERS AND ACURA/HONDA WILL NEVER ADMIT. I'M SURE IF NHTSA WILL GET REPAIR RECORDS FOR THIS "ENGINE MOUNT" ISSUES, IT WILL BE A LOT. FROM WHAT I READ, THIS AFFECTS DRIVE SHAFTS DUE TO EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT OF THE ENGINE. *TR

Mar 21, 2013

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY. DRIVER REMOVED KEY, EXITED VEHICLE AND REMOTELY APPLIED THE DOOR LOCKS. VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN COASTING DOWN AND ULTIMATELY OFF THE DRIVEWAY, DOWN A STEEP GRADE INTO THE YARD UNTIL IT STRUCK A TREE APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET AWAY. RESULTING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO FRONT OF VEHICLE WAS APPRAISED AT $5900. CAR COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM ITS RESTING PLACE AGAINST TREE EXCEPT BY TOW TRUCK. TOW DRIVER INDICATED THAT VEHICLE WAS STILL IN DRIVE, NOT PARK WHEN HE EXTRACTED IT FROM CRASH POSITION. TOW DRIVER AND REPAIR FACILITY INDICATED THAT IT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION WITHOUT VEHICLE BEING IN PARK, YET THAT WAS THE SPECIFIC CAUSE OF THE CRASH. *TR

Dec 30, 2012

Crash: 1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

1 complaint

I HAVE A 2003 ACURA MDX WHICH HAS A DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH INTERLOCK MECHANISM . WHEN IN DRIVE I CAN TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND REMOVE THE KEY. I HAVE HAD THE CAR ROLL AWAY MOMENTARILY. THE PROBLEM IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS DESCRIBED IN THE HONDA RECALL ISSUED 8/9/10 FOR 2003 ACCORD, CIVIC AND ELEMENT VEHICLES. *TR

Aug 10, 2010

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

1 complaint

03 ACURA MDX HAS LOW, SOFT, SPONGY BRAKE PEDALS FEELING HAPPENED GRADUALLY. CHECK ALL THE LINES AND THERE WAS NO LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID. NEED CONSTANTLY BLEED THE BRAKES. *CN

Mar 28, 2010

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1 complaint

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE VSA LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE WEIRD NOISE (BY THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDAL) AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP BY ITSELF. CALL THE DEALER AND THEY SAY IT WAS DUE TO THE TIRE BEING IN A PUDDLE OF WATER FOR A LONG PERIOD. IT RAINED TODAY AND MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE BUT THE PUDDLE OF WATER WAS NO DEEPER THAN 1 IN. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT THEY WERE NOT ANY VEHICLES FOLLOWING BEHIND ME WHEN THE CAR STOPPED ALL OF A SUDDEN. PLEASE ADVISE AND CHECK THE ISSUE WITH THE VSA SYSTEM SINCE THERE ARE A LOT OF THREADS ON GOOGLE AND YAHOO SEARCH ENGINE IN REGARDS TO PROBLEMS WITH ACURA'S VSA SYSTEM. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS INCIDENT HAD OCCURRED. *TR

Jun 26, 2009

SEATS

1 complaint

1. ON MARCH 21, 2009, I HAD BEEN DRIVING THE CAR FOR 10 MINUTES WITH THE SEAT HEATER ON. I HAVE USED THE SEAT HEATER FREQUENTLY ON COLD DAYS FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS. 2. I SMELLED BURNING FABRIC, PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO CHECK ORIGINS OF THE ODOR AND DISCOVERED A HOLE THE SIZE OF A DIME BURNT IN THE CENTER OF THE DRIVER'S SET BACKREST, WHICH IS WHERE THE SEAT HEATER IS LOCATED. I ALSO DISCOVERED A SIMILAR HOLE IN MY JACKET. I TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER. 3. ON MARCH 23 I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED AND TO ACURA CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE. THE DEALER TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO BECAUSE I WAS OFF WARRANTY, BUT HE WOULD REPLACE THE HEATER AND REPAIR LEATHER FOR $1050. I ASKED HIM IF HE HAD INVESTIGATED THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE: DID THE FUSE FAIL? WAS THE HEATING ELEMENT FAULTY? THE DEALER WAS NOT INTERESTED IN THE CAUSE. 4. I WROTE A DETAILED LETTER TO THE DEALER AND ACURA CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE, DESCRIBING WHAT HAPPENED AND MY CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHER UNAWARE ACURA DRIVERS. THE PHONE RESPONSE I RECEIVED FROM ACURA CORPORATE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO ME REGARDING THE SAFETY ISSUE. THEY SAID THEY HAD NO LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT HAPPENED BECAUSE MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. *TR

Apr 11, 2009

Fire: 1

VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM ALONG WITH THE DEFROSTER WAS INOPERATIVE. IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, ICE BUILDS UP ON THE WINDSHIELD, WHICH CAUSES REDUCED VISIBILITY. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $3,000 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE NAVIGATION UNIT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. HE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000. UPDATED 12-08-08 *BF UPDATED 12/10/08. *JB

Nov 19, 2008

POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE MADE A NOISE AND HESITATED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO ADDITIONAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 59000. *AK

Mar 28, 2007

STEERING,AIR BAGS

1 complaint

WE WERE TRAVELING WEST ON ROUTE 76 IN MY 2003 ACURA MDX JUST OUTSIDE DENVER COLORADO. DEBRIS CAME ACROSS THE ROAD. THE DRIVER SWERVED TO AVOID THE DEBRIS. WE THEN SWERVED BACK TO STRAIGHTEN OUT. THE BACK END OF THE CAR BROKE LOOSE ONTO THE MEDIAN. THE CAR THEN ROLLED ONCE, FLIPPED UP INTO THE AIR AND REVOLVED THREE TIMES AND LANDED UPRIGHT. THE BACK SEAT PASSENGER WAS EJECTED AND MIRACULOUSLY JUST BRUISED. THE DRIVER WAS ONLY BRUISED AS WELL. THE PASSENGER HOWEVER WAS TAKEN TO TWO LOCAL HOSPITALS AND HAS A BROKEN NECK AND MANY LACERATIONS ON HIS HEAD. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF AND THE CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET CONTROL OF AND TO STEER DURING THIS ACCIDENT. DID ALL THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT IN THIS CAR FUNCTION THE WAY IT WAS DESIGNED TO? *JB

Jan 08, 2006

Crash: 1

Injuries: 3

CHILD SEAT

1 complaint

THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET RECLINE ADJUSTER TO LOCK IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. *TS THE HARNESS ADJUSTER STRAP WAS FRAYED ON BOTH SIDES. (BRITAX MARATHON MODEL E9W0642) *JB (11/21/05) *SC

Nov 16, 2005

PARKING BRAKE

1 complaint

THE VEHICLE JUST ROLLED BACKWARD OUT OF THE GARAGE AND HIT THE TREE. *BF *SC THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED PARTIALLY OFF TO ALLOW A VIDEO TO PLAY AND THE GEAR WAS STILL IN REVERSE, SO WHEN THE CONSUMER CLOSED THE DOOR THE VEHICLE ROLLED. *JB

Dec 10, 2004

Crash: 1

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR,POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES WHEN STARTING OUT GOING EITHER FORWARD OR REVERSE AND APPLYING THE BRAKES. ON OCCASION, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO GEAR, THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION, TORQUE CONVERTER, CLUTCH OR SOME PART(S) THAT IS BEING PRESSED TOGETHER WITH ANOTHER.*AK

Mar 23, 2004

SUSPENSION

1 complaint

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL SEVERELY PULL TO THE RIGHT. THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE LEFT FRONT SPRING BREAKING AND THE STRUT CLASPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. PH

Feb 06, 2003

2003 ACURA MDX Problems & Complaints

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