2001 Acura MDX Problems

What owners report

Owner complaints for this model year center on the automatic transmission, which accounts for the large majority of the sampled reports: shuddering or rumbling at low speed, harsh or delayed shifts, slipping, and in some cases the transmission locking up or dropping into neutral while driving. Many owners describe repeat transmission work, including torque converter replacement, and some say prior recall service did not end the symptoms. Other reports cover broken front coil springs, engine mounts and stalling, airbag concerns, and an ignition interlock that allowed the key to be removed when not in park.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shudder, slip or lockup

   • 132 complaints (59%)
   • median 105,000 mi at 8.9 yrs old (109 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,000 (median of 22 quotes)
   • filed 2002–2024

   Owners describe a shudder or rumble felt around 30-40 mph with light throttle, often compared to driving over a rumble strip, along with harsh or delayed shifts, slipping between gears, hesitation, and occasional stalling. Some complaints report the transmission dropping into neutral or locking up while driving, in a few cases bringing the vehicle to a sudden stop. Dealers commonly diagnosed a faulty torque converter or internal transmission failure and quoted replacement, and several owners say the transmission work had to be done more than once. Mostly reported between roughly 50,000 and 200,000 miles, with shudder symptoms frequently noted around 30-40 mph or 1,500-2,000 rpm.

   Recall 04V1760009 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether recall 04V176000 was performed and whether the transmission or torque converter has been replaced since. During a test drive, hold a steady light throttle between 30 and 40 mph and listen and feel for a shudder or rumble, and check that shifts are smooth.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am having transmission problem with my 2001 Acura MDX. They issued a safety recall. But, I have never been notified even I sent my car for service at Acura dealership. The way Acura handled this safety recall was not acceptable. I was notified by aamco that I should have been told. Can you help me this issue? How can I claim the damage from Acura?”

   NHTSA complaint #10368381, filed 2010-11, 130,000 miles

   “My 2001 Acura MDX transmission and computer board needs to be replaced at 65,000 miles as well as two engine mounts. The vehicle has a recall report on the transmission and I thought they fixed it. The dealer will not explain to me what work was done for the repair. I wanted to know if they followed honda's procedure to see if it was damaged.”

   NHTSA complaint #10231031, filed 2008-06, 65,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Engine mounts torn and vibration

   • 19 complaints (8%)
   • median 78,000 mi at 7.3 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $850 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2007–2010

   Several owners report upper and lower engine mounts found torn or broken during routine service, sometimes paired with a vibration or noise described like going over a speed bump. Some complaints mention mounts replaced repeatedly over a fairly short mileage range, and one notes the dealer did the repair at the owner's cost. Reported from around 40,000 to 80,000 miles in the sample.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Have a mechanic inspect the engine mounts for cracks or separation, and note whether the cabin vibrates at idle or during acceleration.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased my 2001 Acura MDX new. I have been the only driver. Around 115,000 miles I began to hear this grinding/gurgling noise coming from under the engine compartment. I took it to the Acura dealer and during the first visit they ignored the problem and instead suggested replacing engine mounts. After that expansive repair I was still able to hear the grinding noise between 25-30 mile speeds. I took the car back to the dealer and today I found out that is the torque converter. I was told that it will cost me over $2000 . . . …”

   NHTSA complaint #10345947, filed 2010-07, 115,000 miles

   “Motor mounts going bad and breaking in MDX Acura 01-current. Replacing between 40k-80k. Intake system clogged (airport) gives bad gas mileage and to unclogg runs $200 at dealership. Makes vibration and noise as if you are going over a speed bump heading towards a toll booth.”

   NHTSA complaint #10202137, filed 2007-09, 78,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalling and rough running

   • 9 complaints (4%)
   • median 78,000 mi at 6.2 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2004–2013

   Owners describe the engine cutting off while driving or after coming to a stop, sometimes with difficulty turning the key or shifting out of gear afterward, and some report the car restarting after a wait. Complaints mention hesitation, rough idle, and check engine light codes, with dealers sometimes unable to reproduce the problem; one owner had an EGR valve replaced. Reported from under 10,000 miles up to high mileage, with some owners noting it happened in cold weather or at low speed.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the EGR valve warranty extension or related service bulletins were applied, and have a mechanic check for stored engine codes and idle quality.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving on the highway at 65 MPH and all of a sudden the engine cut off. I lost engine power and the car began to slow down. After pulling to the side of the highway, I was not able to put the car in park nor remove the key. After several minutes, I was able to put the transmission in park and remove the key. The car started again after 10 minutes and drove it to the repair shop. The shop could not replicate the problem and said my car is fine. I know the car is not fine because it cut off on me while driving on the highway. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10435240, filed 2011-11, 166,000 miles

   “The vehicle would shake and rattle between 1500-2000 RPM's. The dealer was unable and unwilling to correct the problem. The hesitation in the gears prevents the vehicle from performing maneuvers which could prevent or even cause accidents.”

   NHTSA complaint #10101102, filed 2004-11, 30,325 miles

Buying note. For this model year, the transmission record is the main thing to weigh: ask for documentation of recall 04V176000 and any later transmission or torque converter work, and test drive at the speeds where owners report shudder. Also confirm the driver airbag inflator recalls were completed and have the front springs and engine mounts checked before purchase.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.