2004 Acura MDX: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
171 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
94,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 133 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 47 of 171 complaints (27.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 64 | 37.4% |
| Braking behavior | 20 | 11.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 5.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 4.1% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 1.8% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 1.8% |
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 | 47 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 29 |
| Air Bags | 25 |
| Electrical System | 19 |
| Engine | 13 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 11 |
| Unknown Or Other | 11 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 9 |
Power Train: 47; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 29; Air Bags: 25; Electrical System: 19; Engine: 13; Fuel/Propulsion System: 11; Unknown Or Other: 11; Engine And Engine Cooling: 9
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 13 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 15 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 42 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 42 |
| 150,000 and above | 19 |
Under 25,000: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 42; 100,000 to 149,999: 42; 150,000 and above: 19
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (42). 38 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 |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 28 |
| 2011 | 19 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 18 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 15 |
| 2016 | 18 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2004: 9; 2005: 4; 2007: 2; 2008: 3; 2009: 4; 2010: 28; 2011: 19; 2012: 9; 2013: 18; 2014: 8; 2015: 15; 2016: 18; 2017: 10; 2018: 7; 2019: 8; 2020: 3; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 2; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 64 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10055685 · 2004-02-26 (February 26, 2004)
A LOUD RUMBLING NOISE WAS HEARD AT 2000 RPMS. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIME, HOWEVER THEY PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10055685 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10058612 · 2004-02-20 (February 20, 2004)
A LOUD "DRONING" SOUND COMES OUT AT 2,000-2,200 MPH, ESPECIALLY LOUD AT APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH. DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER SAY THAT THIS IS A "NATURAL SOUND" OF THE 2004 MDX. I DO NOT BUY THIS EXPLANATION IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT AN EXPENSIVE SUV SUCH AS THIS WOULD HAVE A "NATURAL SOUND" LIKE THIS LOUD DRONING SOUND. IT IS VERY LOUD ESPECIALLY DURING COLD WEATHER. THEY INSIST THAT THIS IS RELATED TO THE NEW DUAL EXHAUST SYSTEM OF THE 2004 MDX. WHAT IF IT IS ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION RELATED? *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10058612 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10060247 · 2004-03-03 (March 3, 2004)
THE ACURAMDX THAT I BOUGHT IS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004, THERE IS KIND OF A LOUD DRONING NOISE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, THAT WAS IDENTIFIED BY THE READING HONDA DEALER AND FURTHUR CONFIRMED BY THE MFG'S REP, BUT THE PROBLEM DID NOT GET FIXED SINCE THE MFG. HAS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM AND THE MFG. IS NOT WILLING TO ADRESS THE PROBLEM OR SOLVE IT OR REFUND THE MONEY.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10060247 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10075033 · 2004-06-08 (June 8, 2004)
I BOUGHT A NEW ACURA MDX 2004 AND IN TWO DAYS THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED, LIGHT APPEARED. I WENT TO THE DEALER, WHO SAID THAT I NEED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO FIX THE PROBLEM, EVENTHOUGH AS A NEW CUSTOMER I WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE CAR, INDICATING A PROBLEM WITHIN TWO DAYS OF DRIVING LESS THAN 100 MILES. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT THE ISSUE I AM FACING IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITHIN THE RANGE OF MY VIN NUMBER. BUT ACURA DEALER AND THE CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP OFFICE IN LA DENIED THAT THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I ALSO FOUND A …
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10075033 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10086479 · 2004-08-09 (August 9, 2004)
WAS DRIVING TOWARDS RAPID CITY ON I -90 W FROM ST PAUL MINNESOTTA. AT AROUND 10.30 AM THE VEHICLE ACURA MDX 04 MODEL WHILE GETTING PAST A RV THE RV STARTED SWAYING AND THE LEFT REAR WHEEL OF THE MDX WAS ON THE LEFT SHOULDER. WHILE GETTING BACK TO THE ROAD THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL AND WNET ACROSS THE ROAD AND HIT A FENCE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CAME TO A STOP. THIS HAPPENED AT MILE MARKER 159 IN SOUTH DAKOTA. AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. ONCE WE GOT OFF THE VEHICLE WE OBSERVED THAT THE LEFT REAR TIRE HAD SLIPPED OFF THE RIM. THE VEH…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10086479 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10092677 · 2004-09-17 (September 17, 2004)
DURING A COLLISION THE PASSENGER FELL TO THE SIDE WINDOW AND AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, RESULTING IN HEAD INJURIES. PASSENGER WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10092677 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10097280 · 2004-10-20 (October 20, 2004)
AFTER SHIFTING OUT OF REVERSE INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED IN REVERSE UNTIL THE CONSUMER TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10097280 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10098061 · 2004-10-31 (October 31, 2004)
THERE IS A CONSISTENT METALLIC CLANGING/RUMBLING AT 2,000 RPM IN ANY GEAR, PARTICULARLY UNDER PART THROTTLE/LIGHT LOAD OPERATION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10098061 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
8 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
12V573000 · Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
Reported: 2012-12-11 (December 11, 2012)
Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Pilot and Odyssey and 2003 through 2006 Acura MDX passenger vehicles manufactured from November 26, 2001, through August 30, 2006. The interlock lever of the ignition switch may deform, which can allow the interlock function of a vehicle with an automatic transmission to be defeated.
Consequence: Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated shift interlock lever and, if necessary, replace any necessary part of the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on February 22, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V353000 · Air Bags
Reported: 2014-06-20 (June 20, 2014)
American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in California, and equipped with Takata-brand air bag inflators. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V700000 · Air Bags
Reported: 2014-11-04 (November 4, 2014)
American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V320000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2015-05-28 (May 28, 2015)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles that have had their driver frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy prior to September 12, 2014 need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Vehicles that, on or after September 12, 2014, received a remedy for a prior driver frontal air bag inflator recall already received an inflator of a different design, and therefore are not included in this recall and do not require additional servicing. Note: This recall fully supersedes recalls 08V-593, 09V-259, 10V-041, 11V-260, 14V-351 and 15V-153. Honda's numbers for this recall are JQ9, JR0, JR1, JR2, JR3, JR4, JR5, JR6, JR7, and JR8.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V344000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2016-05-23 (May 23, 2016)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2008 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2008 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2008 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling model year 2002-2004 Odyssey and model year 2003-2004 Acura MDX, Honda Element, and Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA0, KA1, KA2, and KA3.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V182000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-03-06 (March 6, 2019)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V499000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-06-27 (June 27, 2019)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V501000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-06-27 (June 27, 2019)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.
NHTSA campaign record ↗