NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2001 Acura MDX; the most frequently affected component is air bags — inflator module. Owners filed 224 complaints, most often about power train.
Air bags — Inflator moduleCampaign 20V027000 · 17 Jan 2020
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Air bags — Inflator moduleCampaign 20V026000 · 17 Jan 2020
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Power train — Automatic transmissionCampaign 04V176000 · 15 Apr 2004
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
What owners complain about
Share of the 40 most recent complaints stored for this model year, by component. Owners can list more than one component.
Power train20 · 50%
Air bags10 · 25%
Suspension8 · 20%
Vehicle speed control4 · 10%
Steering3 · 8%
Unknown or other3 · 8%
Wheels2 · 5%
Fuel/propulsion system2 · 5%
When complaints were filed
201510
20167
20181
20198
20204
20217
20232
20241
From owner complaints
Travelling on city street tire came off with my 2 year old son and 14 year old brother in-law with me in the car. Purchased vehicle from travis @ kts auto sales on 09/23/19 on 09/24/19 the car was considered unsafe and basically not driveable.. Prior to my purchase of the vehicle travis told me he had the vehicle 3…
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 acura mdx. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle began to hesitate. Also, while driving over 60 mph, the vehicle seized. The contact was able to park on the side of the road and restart the ignition, but the failure continued. Also, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle…
The contact owns a 2001 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while he was at a stop light, the vehicle inadvertently switched gears to neutral independently. The contact stated that he switched gears to drive and was able to drive the vehicle; however, the vehicle switched gears to neutral when he made another stop. The…
Two issues with drive-train: first is a grind/rumble (like driving over a highway rumble strip) felt at low speeds (20-30 mph) with light acceleration. Shakes vehicle slightly. Can be reproduced. Vehicle can accelerate through the grinding/rumbling by further depressing accelerator and sometimes accelerates through…
Recall and complaint records from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A recall listed here may not apply to every vehicle of this model year — always check your VIN with NHTSA or a dealer.