2006 Acura MDX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
87 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
76,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 63 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 87 complaints (21.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 33 | 37.9% |
| Braking behavior | 14 | 16.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 11.5% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 3.4% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 3.4% |
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 | 19 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 17 |
| Air Bags | 15 |
| Engine | 9 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Service Brakes | 8 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 7 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
Power Train: 19; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 17; Air Bags: 15; Engine: 9; Electrical System: 8; Service Brakes: 8; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 7; Unknown Or Other: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 16 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 15 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 12 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 16; 75,000 to 99,999: 15; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 6
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 24 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 |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 17 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2024 | 2 |
2006: 5; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 5; 2010: 17; 2011: 6; 2012: 2; 2013: 6; 2014: 6; 2015: 6; 2016: 7; 2017: 8; 2018: 3; 2019: 7; 2020: 2; 2022: 3; 2024: 2
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 33 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 14 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 10262871 · 2009-03-24 (March 24, 2009)
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2006 CERTIFIED USED ACURA MDX BASE MODEL. I WAS EXITING THE VEHICLE AND ACCIDENTALLY LEFT THE GEAR IN PARK (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). I REMOVED THE KEY WITHOUT NOTICING IT WAS IN DRIVE AND WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE IT STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS. I NOTICED AND JUMPED IN AND HIT THE BRAKE, BUT WAS SURPRISED TO REALIZE IT WAS IN GEAR AND ALLOWED ME TO REMOVE THE KEY. SO I TRIED AGAIN AND SAME THING HAPPENED WHETHER I WAS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE, I AM ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY AND THE CAR WILL ROLL LIKE IT IS IN NEUTRAL. I CANNOT …
Owner-reported narrative. 27,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10262871 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10286675 · 2009-10-07 (October 7, 2009)
2006 ACURA MDX WITH 68,500 MILES HAS A SHUDDER FEELING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 35 AND 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALER TWICE AND THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN HAS STATED THAT IT IS A TORQUE CONVERTER PROBLEM, HOWEVER REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 68,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10286675 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10168342 · 2006-09-15 (September 15, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION. AS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE VEHICLE BRAKES FOR 5 MILES, RESULTING IN THE BRAKES AND ROTORS OF THE VEHICLE BURNING OUT. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM, AND CONSIDERED IT TO BE DRIVER ERROR.
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10168342 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10259906 · 2009-02-25 (February 25, 2009)
BOUGHT A NEW MDX. BATTERY FAILED THE FIRST DAY(8/28/2006). 100 MONTH BATTERY REPLACED. BATTERY FAILED 2/24/2009. ACURA HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR BATTERY PROBLEMS. WARRANTY BOOK SAID DO NOT DRIVE CAN CAUSE SOMEONE BEING KILLED. WE HAD CAR TOWED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 11,239 miles reported. Look up ODI 10259906 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10554246 · 2013-12-01 (December 1, 2013)
HFL ON MY 2006 MDX STOPPED WORKING A WHILE BACK. WHEN YOU PRESS THE TALK SWITCH, NOTHING HAPPENS. OCCASIONALLY, IT COMES ON, BUT NOT OPERATIONAL. WHAT I MEAN IS IT PROMPTS AND I CAN GO THROUGH THE MAIN MENU. BUT WHEN I TRY TO PAIR MY PHONE IT GOES INTO A NEVER ENDING SCANNING LOOP. IT DOESN'T APPEAR THAT ANY HANDSHAKING WITH THE PHONE IS ESTABLISHED. THIS SAME PHONE WORKS FINE WITH BLUETOOTH IN MY OTHER CAR AND OTHER DEVICES. SO, IT'S NOT THE PHONE. FOR ALMOST AN YEAR, THE BATTERY ON THE MDX KEEP DRAINING AND I WOULD REQUIRE A JUMP START IF …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10554246 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10459441 · 2012-05-19 (May 19, 2012)
FIVE DAYS AFTER PASSING THE STATE CAR INSPECTION AT A HONDA DEALERSHIP, MY WIFE AND TWO SONS WERE DRIVING OUR MDX ON 146N WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED TWICE, FIRST TO A LOCAL GARAGE (AS IT WAS AFTER 7 PM AND ON THE WEEKEND) AND THEN TO THE ACURA DEALERSHIP, ACURA TECHNICIANS CONFIRMED THE DIAGNOSIS OF THE GARAGE AND STATED THAT A SPARK PLUG HAD BEEN SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNUSABLE WITH SIGNIFICANT ENGINE DAMAGE. THE INITIAL COST ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR WAS $8,100 AS …
Owner-reported narrative. 84,553 miles reported. Look up ODI 10459441 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11461767 · 2022-04-22 (April 22, 2022)
On several occasions the vehicle will come to a stop and from that stop will begin to stall-at that point almost completely loosing power and an indicator light on dash indicates that an undefined problem *exclamation mark* Each time, the car almost completely slows to almost a stall out, and the car behind me comes dangerously close to hitting me from behind.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11461767 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10165757 · 2006-08-17 (August 17, 2006)
I BOUGHT A NEW 2006 ACURA MDX AND FROM THE FIRST TIME I DROVE IT HOME, I COULDN'T DRIVE OVER 55 MPH WITHOUT THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING SO BAD I COULD BARELY HOLD IT. SINCE THEN, WITHIN THE LAST MONTH AND HALF IT HAS BEEN IN LINDSEY ACURAS REPAIR SHOP 3 TIMES AND THEY STILL CANNOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. IS THERE A LEMON LAW FOR THIS PROBLEM WERE WE COULD REPLACE THE VEHICLE. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY. MAYBE YOU COULD HELP ME PLEASE. THANK YOU. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 5 miles reported. Look up ODI 10165757 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10278991 · 2009-07-31 (July 31, 2009)
ACURA MDX 2006 LOST STEERING POWER WHILE DRIVING AND HAD TO EMERGENT STOP AND THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN ANYMORE. TOW TRUCK DRIVER FOUND THE CRANK PULLEY LYING ON THE GROUND. OBVIOUSLY IT'S SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 26,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10278991 at NHTSA ↗