2004 Acura Mdx
The Verdict
The 2004 Acura Mdx has 171 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are transmission (63 complaints) and engine (45 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 60/100, it earns a "Solid Pick" rating. If you're shopping for a Acura Mdx, consider the 2013 model year which has 83% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2013 has 83% fewer complaints
View the 2013 Acura Mdx dashboard →
Klunk Score: Solid Pick
Fewer complaints than most vehicles. Generally dependable, but check the top problems below.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
| Year | Body | Brakes | Electrical | Engine | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 50 | 2 | 20 | 28 | 124 |
| 2002 | 31 | 5 | 28 | 27 | 129 |
| 2003 | 21 | 9 | 54 | 30 | 97 |
| 2004 | 22 | 10 | 31 | 45 | 63 |
| 2005 | 27 | 14 | 43 | 17 | 79 |
| 2006 | 16 | 7 | 18 | 11 | 35 |
| 2007 | 30 | 0 | 46 | 16 | 7 |
| 2008 | 26 | 6 | 10 | 5 | 2 |
| 2009 | 15 | 0 | 18 | 11 | 6 |
| 2010 | 16 | 2 | 11 | 11 | 5 |
| 2011 | 19 | 2 | 12 | 32 | 5 |
| 2012 | 19 | 2 | 18 | 24 | 12 |
| 2013 | 8 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 1 |
| 2014 | 62 | 18 | 32 | 32 | 23 |
| 2015 | 25 | 6 | 19 | 7 | 12 |
| 2016 | 64 | 11 | 25 | 176 | 81 |
| 2017 | 50 | 16 | 24 | 104 | 50 |
| 2018 | 46 | 7 | 17 | 73 | 13 |
| 2019 | 48 | 8 | 19 | 91 | 15 |
| 2020 | 59 | 11 | 26 | 100 | 13 |
| 2022 | 47 | 17 | 11 | 13 | 44 |
| 2023 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 7 |
| 2024 | 14 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 2 |
| 2025 | 14 | 3 | 4 | 45 | 0 |
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Worst Problems
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Complaints
I got in the drivers seat this morning and began to put my seatbelt on. I inserted the seat belt into the latch and it automatically came undone. I am able to insert in into the latch but once there is slight body movement or pressure, the seat belt unlatches and releases itself, leaving me unrestrained.
Airbag light has been lit for a while now for my 2004 Acura MDX. I originally took the car to Courtesy Acura for them to check what causing it. They told me that the sensor should be replaced and I paid $260+. After replacing sensor, the Airbag light still lit. They told me that they need to replace the front seatbelt buckles. One buckle (PART NO: 04813-S3V-A62ZC) arrived but the other one has been backordered for a while now (almost a year) and there's no ETA from American Honda on when the part (PART NO: 04816-S3V-A61ZC) will be available. This is a safety issue since the Airbag will not deploy in case of accident. Hope you guys can help me expedite the process and escalate the issue with American Honda. Thank you soo much!
I was in a parking mode and was leaving the parking lot. I reversed my car lo leave, and the car went out of control and was not until it crashed on two other parked cars that came to a stop. Then, After reversing my car, when trying to put it into drive, it would not move. When I tried to turn it off, the engine (re) started again and it worked so I could clear the path for other cars and wait until the police came. I had major maintenance at Acura Hopkins 2 and 3 years ago, I had a new steering pump and hoses changed 5 months ago and new front and rear brakes 3 months ago. Many people who are familiar with cars tell me that it was probably the rings. I don't know it may be the transmission? There was a police report as there were two other cars involved and both with severe damages. State Farm considered my car totaled despite the large amount of money spent to bring this car to almost new condition.
Sunday 2/42004 the car just shut off on me brakes stop working could turn could stop
Multiple lights appear turn on and off indicated on dashboard, VGA, check engine light, and tire pressure system. I run a diagnostics and it says my Evap System had a code telling me to replace gas cap. I went to the auto parts store and purchased a new gas cap that is specifically for my vehicle. I turn the vehicle back on and code is still on. So I get the code erased with my diagnostic reader and the sensor turns off. But give it a few weeks and that light turns back with same code telling me to replace gas cap. I went back to return my gas cap at AutoZone. Then ordered an OEM gas cap for my vehicle and erased code and then code came back less than a month later. It can’t be two brand new parts, one was a universal part but specific to my vehicle. And second part was OEM specifically for my vehicle and from Acura/Honda parts department. So I don’t know what to do because repair said its a dumb code and just reset if I already replaced once. And don’t worry about the code indicator because the Evap system appears to be working. So it’s either an electrical issue or a glitch. I’m not comfortable with those options
Was driving to the store and the vehicle lost all power it will crank and idle but. When u push the gas pedal it will not accelerate all the dash lights are flashing or staying on as of right now the vehicle is on the side of the road I had to walk 15 miles cause I left my phone at home so I couldn't call no one and. My 11 year old daughter was with me so she had to walk as well
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, TURNING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE DRIVER IN FRONT SUDDENLY STOPPED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO REAR END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THEM. THE VEHICLE'S PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED OUT OF IT'S COMPARTMENT, HOWEVER, THE DRIVER'S SEAT AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER RECEIVED INJURIES TO THEIR ARMS, KNEES, AND FACE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT STATED THEY RECEIVED INJURIES TO THEIR ARM AND KNEES, HOWEVER, NO MEDICAL ASSISTANCE WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE REMAINING INSIDE ITS' COMPARTMENT AND THE SEAT BELTS HAVE LOCKED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE WOULD APPLY BRAKES SECONDS BEFORE THE VSA LIGHT AND TRIANGLE LIGHT SHOWS UP. BOTH LIGHTS WILL STAY ON UNTIL THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. THIS HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES AND GETTING LOUDER AND THE BRAKING MUCH MORE PRONOUNCED. IF ROADS ARE SLIPPERY THE VEHICLE WOULD SKID. DEALER FIRST BLAMED IT ON SOME SENSOR FLUID. AFTER SPENDING OVER $400 THEY NOW THINK ITS THE YAW SENSOR. I STRONGLY DO NOT THINK THEY KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS PROBLEM STARTED MORE THAN A YEAR AGO.
I DISCOVERED SEVERE FRAME RUST UNDER MY REAR BUMPER COVER. LARGE CHUNKS OF RUSTED METAL ARE EASILY PULLED OFF BY HAND. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE ABILITY OF THE BUMPER/FRAME TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY TO MY FAMILY IN THE EVENT OF A REAR COLLISION. THE PICTURES I'VE SUBMITTED ARE AT LEAST THREE YEARS OLD. I SUSPECT THE SITUATION HAS DETERIORATED SINCE THEN. THESE WERE THE PICS I SUBMITTED TO ACURA AT THAT TIME, WHEN THEY INFORMED ME THEY COULD DO NOTHING AS MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I'VE SINCE FOUND REPORTS OF OTHERS WITH SIMILAR RUST PROBLEMS ON THEIR ACURA MDX AS WELL AS HONDA PILOTS, WHICH I BELIEVE SHARE THE SAME FRAME ASSEMBLY'
THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SCRAPED AND IS NO LONGER IN SERVICE. PLEASE STOP SENDING ME NOTICES. THE TITLE WAS SURRENDERED TO THE SALVAGE COMPANY.
I SAW MY CAR LISTED ON THE AIRBAG RECALL ON TV, I CALLED AND GAVE THE LADY MY VIN# SHE SAID IT'S NOT ON THE LIST ! SHE TOLD ME TO CK THIS DUE AND PUT MY VIN IN SO SOME ONE CAN LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR ANYTHING OR ANY PART.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NAVIGATION AND BACK UP CAMERA SCREEN WERE FAULTY. THE BACK UP CAMERA SCREEN REMAINED BLANK AND SHOWED NO FOOTAGE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ON THEIR OWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,0000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A THREE VEHICLE CRASH, WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FIRST VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY CAUSING A SECOND VEHICLE TO ALSO STOP AFTER CRASHING INTO THE FIRST VEHICLE WHICH THEN CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE SECOND VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST, BACK AND NECK INJURIES BUT DID NOT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE OTHER DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SEATS BELTS AFTER THE CRASH REMAINED LOOSE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO PROVIDE AN ESTIMATE OF THE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND IT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V501000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TAKATA RECALL MY AIRBAGS WERE REPLACED TWICE ALREADY THROUGH RECALL REPAIR AND THE AIRBAG SENSOR CAME BACK ON LAST WEEK, MOMENT IT CAME ON I WAS IN MOTION AND THE STEERING WHEEL I WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING. THIS RESULTED IN ME SIDE-SWIPING AND OBJECT, HITTING THE CURB AND FLATTENING MY TIRE. THERE IS ALSO ANOTHER RECALL ON MY VEHICLE
THE AIRBAG LIGHT WARNING CONTINUES TO COME ON AND STAY ON. SOMETIMES IS GOES OFF, BUT COMES BACK ON LATER. THIS WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER IN CHARGE OF AIRBAG RECALL AND THE ONLY SOLUTION OFFERED WAS PAYING A HEFTY FEE TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE WITHOUT GUARANTEE. THIS WAS REPORTED IN 2014 AND HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM BEFORE THIS AND CURRENTLY, 2019.
THE HEADLIGHTS FOG OVER TO THE POINT OF SIGNIFICANTLY DIMINISHING EFFECTIVENESS. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE ACURA DEALER WHO ONLY OFFERS TO CHARGE EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS FOR A NON-GUARANTEED SOLUTION AND CLAIMS THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THEY SEE IN THIS CAR. HOWEVER, IT IS CLEAR FROM REGULAR DAILY DRIVING THAT SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS OF THESE CARS SUFFER FROM THIS PROBLEM. THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN CLEANED AS RECOMMENDED IN THE INSTRUCTIONS WITHOUT SUCCESS. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM FROM 2013 TO CURRENT 2019.
SIMILAR TO A COMPLAINT FROM VIRGINIA IN 2012 I HAD AN ISSUE WITH STUTTERING AND A LACK OF ACCELERATION AND ONE DAY I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND MY CAR SHUT OFF AND WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON WOULD NOT MOVE FROM PARK AND HAS NOT MOVED SINCE I HAD IT TOWED TO MY HOUSE
HOSE CONNECTION FAILURE BETWEEN RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION COOLER CAUSING RADIATOR FLUID TO MIX WITH TRANNY FLUID WITH NO DASH INDICATOR OF PROBLEM.. IN MOTION LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT MOVE FROM 1ST GEAR. BROKE DOWN COMPLETELY IN NEED OF TRANSMISSION WORK AND NEW COOLANT SYSTEM DUE TO HOSE CONNECT FAILURE.
ELECTRICAL SHORT
SRS AIR BAG LIGHT ERROR CODE 61-10 FOR DRIVER SIDE SEAT BUCKLE SWITCH FAILURE.
171 total