2005 Acura MDX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
180 owner complaints analyzed
11 distinct recall campaigns
82,197 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 139 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 43 of 180 complaints (23.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 77 | 42.8% |
| Braking behavior | 27 | 15.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 5.6% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 4.4% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 3.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 43 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 43 |
| Air Bags | 38 |
| Electrical System | 14 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 11 |
| Service Brakes | 11 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 9 |
| Steering | 8 |
Power Train: 43; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 43; Air Bags: 38; Electrical System: 14; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 11; Service Brakes: 11; Vehicle Speed Control: 9; Steering: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 13 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 36 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 21 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 40 |
| 150,000 and above | 19 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 13; 50,000 to 74,999: 36; 75,000 to 99,999: 21; 100,000 to 149,999: 40; 150,000 and above: 19
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (40). 41 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2010 | 39 |
| 2011 | 16 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 14 |
| 2014 | 14 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2005: 4; 2006: 4; 2007: 3; 2008: 3; 2009: 8; 2010: 39; 2011: 16; 2012: 9; 2013: 14; 2014: 14; 2015: 9; 2016: 15; 2017: 8; 2018: 10; 2019: 8; 2020: 5; 2021: 7; 2023: 1; 2024: 2; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 77 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 27 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 10 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10167104 · 2006-08-30 (August 30, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT DOWN 5 TIMES AND IT HAS HAD 5 DIFFERENT REPAIRS RELATING TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INCLUDING THE BATTERY, GEARS BEING SHIFTED WITHOUT CHANGING GEARS, THE TRANSMISSION AND STALLING.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10167104 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10204286 · 2007-09-27 (September 27, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE JERKED BACKWARDS AND STRUCK A CONCRETE POLE APPROXIMATELY 2 FEET AWAY. THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, SURGED FORWARD, AND STRUCK ANOTHER CONCRETE POLE. BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS TRAPPED AND UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE POLICE, AMBULANCE, AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS ARRIVED AT THE SCENE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAD BURNS AND C…
Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10204286 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10145841 · 2005-12-21 (December 21, 2005)
I FIRST NOTICED THE ISSUE WHEN DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. EVERYTIME I STARTED FROM A STOP OR HIT THE BRAKES TO STOP THERE WAS A THUDDING NOISE OR BANG SOUND. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO CHECK IT OUT AND THEY SAY IT IS A KNOW ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE WAY THEY HAD TO SITUATE THE GAS TANK TO ACCOMMODATE THE THIRD ROW SEATS. IT HAPPENS WHEN THE GAS TANK IS NOT COMPLETELY FULL AND THE FUEL MOVES IN THE TANK AND MAKE S THE TANK EXPAND AND CAUSES THE NOISE. THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY S…
Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10145841 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10219095 · 2008-02-25 (February 25, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH AND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND VIBRATES. THE DEALER HAS HAD THE VEHICLE FIVE OUT OF THE EIGHT WEEKS THAT THE CONTACT HAS OWNED THE VEHICLE. AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES, SHE WAS FINALLY INFORMED THAT THE BRAND NEW TIRES WERE CUPPING AND CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,395.
Owner-reported narrative. 25,395 miles reported. Look up ODI 10219095 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10155816 · 2006-04-21 (April 21, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20MPH THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART AND THE BATTERY WAS DISCHARGED. AFTERWARDS, THE AIRBAG AND TIRE MOUNTING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY THE DEALER AND THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE NAVIGATION UNIT WAS DRAINING THE BATTERY. THE ENGINE STALLING PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED BUT CONTINUED TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS A S…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,085 miles reported. Look up ODI 10155816 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10349959 · 2010-08-17 (August 17, 2010)
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 75-80 MPH, CAR STARTS VIBRATING, AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTS SHAKING. TOOK IT TO THE DEAL TO CHECK SINCE I HAVE A WARRANTY (ONLY 51K MILES) AND THEY CLAIM THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10349959 at NHTSA ↗