2001 Acura MDX: common problems and reliability

The 2001 Acura MDX has 224 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and suspension. Owners most often flag transmission failure (high mileage), slipping gears, delayed engagement, complete failure typically 180,000-250,000 miles (290,000-402,000 km) if maintenance neglected, fluid changes every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) critical prevention, rebuild cost $3,000-$4,500, recurrent (high mileage, poor maintenance).

Safety record for the 2001 model year

224
Owner complaints
4
Recalls
9
Crash reports
1
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2001 Acura MDX vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

power train
131
suspension
19
engine and engine cooling
19
air bags
18
vehicle speed control
12

Recalls affecting the 2001 MDX

air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Campaign 20V027000

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 Coup…

air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Campaign 20V026000

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 A…

suspension:front:springs:coil springs

Campaign 05V385000

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 H…

power train:automatic transmission

Campaign 04V176000

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 LEADIN…

What owners say across generations

Overwhelmingly positive sentiment for first-generation model, widely regarded as groundbreaking luxury three-row SUV establishing segment template and Honda reliability reputation. Praised extensively for exceptional longevity with examples routinely exceeding

  • Transmission failure (high mileage), slipping gears, delayed engagement, complete failure typically 180,000-250,000 miles (290,000-402,000 km) if maintenance neglected, fluid changes every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) critical prevention, rebuild cost $3,000-$4,500, recurrent (high mileage, poor maintenance)
  • Timing belt replacement requirement, interference engine causes catastrophic damage if belt fails, service required every 105,000 miles (169,000 km), includes water pump replacement, cost $800-$1,400, neglect common causing expensive failures, recurrent
  • Third-row power seat motor failure, motors burn out preventing seat folding/raising, affects cargo access, common beyond 150,000 miles (241,000 km), replacement cost $400-$700 per motor, recurrent
  • Fuel consumption, 16-19 MPG combined typical, premium fuel (91+ octane) recommended though accepts regular 87, annual fuel costs $2,500-$3,500 at current pricing, very frequent
  • VTM-4 (AWD) system issues, transfer case fluid leaks, rear differential wear, shuddering during turns, service interval 30,000 miles often neglected, fluid change cost $200-$400, rebuild $1,500-$2,500, isolated (high mileage, poor maintenance)

Owner insights cover all generations of the MDX.

Typical used price

Used MDX listings typically run $19,332–$48,370 across 2008 to 2026 model years.

Other MDX model years

2024 MDX2022 MDX2017 MDX2016 MDX2013 MDX2007 MDX2003 MDX
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