Model year record

2002 Acura MDX

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 243 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V027000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Vehicles affected
875,966
Reported to NHTSA
2020-01-17
Owners notified
2020-10-01

Defect description

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 Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Safety risk

In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bags in the vehicles, replacing the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138.

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V385000

Suspension: front: springs: coil springs

Component
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs
Manufacturer
HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)
Vehicles affected
22,861
Reported to NHTSA
2005-09-01
Owners notified
2005-10-11

Defect description

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 HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN AREAS WHERE LARGE QUANTITIES OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS HAVE INSUFFICIENT CORROSION PROTECTION, AND MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION.

Safety risk

EXCESSIVE CORROSION CAN CAUSE SPRING FAILURE AND A BROKEN SPRING COULD PUNCTURE A FRONT TIRE, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS WITH IMPROVED SPRINGS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 11, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ACURA AT 800-382-2238.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V176000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)
Vehicles affected
1,099,796
Reported to NHTSA
2004-04-15
Owners notified
2004-04-27

Defect description

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 LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.

Safety risk

GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V226000

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Component
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Manufacturer
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
Vehicles affected
17,551
Reported to NHTSA
2002-08-28
Owners notified
2002-08-30

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SEDANS, COUPES, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES, A TIMING BELT TENSIONER PULLEY ON THE WATER PUMP IS MISALIGNED AND COULD CAUSE THE TIMING BELT TO CONTACT A BOLT ON THE CYLINDER HEAD. EVENTUALLY THE BELT COULD BE DAMAGED AND FAIL.

Safety risk

IF THE TIMING BELT BREAKS, THE ENGINE WILL STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WATER PUMP AND IF IT IS ONE OF THE DEFECTIVE PUMPS, THE WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 30, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission8486,600 mi
Power train37142,875 mi
Air bags21140,000 mi
Electrical system12140,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1161,000 mi
Vehicle speed control11100,000 mi
Engine5180,000 mi
Structure: frame and members539,000 mi
Unknown or other5129,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter476,000 mi
Suspension446,000 mi
Seats3102,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3400 mi
Steering330,672 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)2205,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys265,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner220,000 mi
Seat belts2150,300 mi
Tires2
Air bags: frontal151,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1
Engine and engine cooling: engine1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system182,000 mi
Equipment1115,000 mi
Exterior lighting140,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline1147,777 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1
Fuel/propulsion system1
Latches/locks/linkages1110,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)194,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Service brakes, hydraulic1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor18,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system178,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion113,770 mi
Structure1
Structure: body1
Suspension: front126,811 mi
Tires: tread/belt138,500 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal149,900 mi
Visibility1
Visibility: glass, side/rear1500 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls1162,000 mi

The 2001 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2003 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.