KnownCarProblems2001 Acura Mdx Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 224 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Acura Mdx, most often about the transmission (59% of complaints, typically around 104,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Mdx model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2001 Acura Mdx problems
Transmission
131 complaints · 59%Half of these problems showed up before 104,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission.
Hard shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear in transmission. At a later time the transmission slipped in these two gears causing no acceleration up shifting and sudden severe (lock up) down shifts.
Transmission failure: apr 15, 2004: my 2001 Acura Mdx recall on the transmission campaign #04v176000. July 20, 2004: my Acura has 65,809 miles - lewis Acura in shelburne vt inspected transmission - and instead of replacing it they installed a "jet kit" to lube the gears and keep the transmission from heating up too…
Engine
22 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
2001 Acura Mdx with about 80,000 miles has cracked front engine block and bad side engine block. Dealer wants about $800.00 to fix. Numerous complaints on the internet of the same problem. This is a design flaw that Acura should fix.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Acura Mdx. While the vehicle was undergoing routine maintenance, the dealer stated that the upper and lower engine mounts were torn and needed to be replaced. The contact inquired about a recall, but the dealer stated that were none. Therefore, the contact had to pay $582.63 for the repairs. The…
Suspension
19 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 150,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Acura Mdx. While driving 25 MPH 8 inches of the front coil spring separated from the vehicle. The contact didn't mention if the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The current and failure mileages were 150000.
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 spring had completely…
Air bags
18 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 42,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, srs malfunction warning lamp/light.
11/21/2003 reported SRS light was off now it is on. Acura dealer service (ds) documented as maint. Light on. Was told it was a matter of service tech. Turing the airbag light on or off. Code 9002 reported. 8/29/2004 mil. 43469 reported SRS light is staying on although turned off last visit.code 9002 ds ordered module.…
The contact owns a 2001 Acura Mdx. The contact stated that the SRS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to underriner honda (3643 pierce pkwy, billings, mt 59106, ([phone]) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the seat belt switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
Speed control
12 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 146,000 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control, accelerator pedal.
Vehicle/transmission constantly jerks after reading numerous forums of individuals that have spent thousands on replacements for recurring issue...this needs to be recalled and transmission needs to be replaced/repaired.
Its showing all the symptoms of the recall that indicates the transmission needs replaced and radiator as well and has obvious signs of over heating and gear dameges. Engine light and flashing d5 with all codes from powertrain.
Body and structure
10 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 70,500 miles. Parts named most often: frame and members, body.
2001 Acura Mdx, multiple engine mount failures at low mileage and on a vehicle that is only driven on the street. Required replacement once under manufacturer's warranty, once under extended warranty under 100,000 miles, and now both need to be replaced again at 102,000 miles. Please recall, this is expensive and…
01 Mdx motor mounts failure, these motor mounts have been replaced twice on the car already and it currently has 105,000 miles and needs motor mounts replacing again.
Wheels and tires
7 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: hubcap/cover.
Front wheels locked while driving at 60 MPH. When this occurred vehicle skidded to a complete stop. Front tires burnt rubber. Vehicle was towed to a dealership.
I own a 2001 Mdx (first year release) and we love it! The reason for my complaint is that when having routine service today at my Acura dealer (leith Acura in cary, nc), they noticed that one of the alloy wheels has a crack that appears to run across the back of one 'pillar' of the wheel and toward the front facing on…
Steering
6 complaints · 3%Parts named most often: linkages, hydraulic power assist system.
Suspension clunk. All speeds. Traveling straight or turning if front wheels traverse a moderate change in road surface or over a small piece of debris there is a loud clunk heard from within the cabin. Sound is also produced when driving forward at low speeds (10-20 MPH) and turning the steering wheel side to side in…
A bolt fell out of my rack in pinion steering. It caused me to lose a lot of control of the steering while driving (just before getting on a highway). I still had some steering, but I had to drive slow and the direction of the steering wheel had no relation to my direction. (I.e. The steering wheel was at 90 degrees…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Acura Mdx recalls
Air bags: inflator module
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: coil springs
Risk: Excessive corrosion can cause spring failure and a broken spring could puncture a front tire, which increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace both front springs with improved springs. The recall began on october 11, 2005. Owners may contact acura at 800-382-2238.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: Gear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash.
Fix: 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 vehicle
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Front coil spring breakage
Summary
In an august 29, 2005 letter, honda notified NHTSA that it had identified a defect in the front coil springs of certain model year 2001 and early-2002 acura mdx sport utility vehicles.according to honda, some front suspension coil springs have insufficient corrosion protection and, in areas where road salts are used, may be susceptible to corrosion.rubber sleeves applied near the top and bottom of some springs to eliminate noise can trap salt water, increasing the potential for excessive corrosion.over time, excessive corrosion can cause spring failure.in some cases, a broken spring could puncture a front tire, which increases the risk of a crash.evidence of tire damage was identified in at
Questions about the 2001 Acura Mdx
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Acura Mdx?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (131 complaints, typically around 104,000 miles); engine (22 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); suspension (19 complaints, typically around 150,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Acura Mdx have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 17, 2020 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Acura Mdx?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Mdx model year since 2000, with 224 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.