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EnginePart report

2002 Acura MDX Engine Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
2%of 205 total for the year
Median mileage
180,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine of the 2002 Acura MDX, 2% of the 205 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 180,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I took my car and on february 25th to check to see what was wrong with the vehicle I was told and nothing was wrong with the vehicle the vehicle shakes and vibrates really bad around 30 to 40 miles an hour. I have read on different forum that it's a transmission, and alot of people have to replace the torque converter. But this is a common issue and Acura doesn't want to repair the problem that's occurring with alot of these models.”

NHTSA complaint #10881880, filed 2016-06

“The contact owns a 2002 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle failed to shift from second gear. Additionally, the engine revved. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 180,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11339966, filed 2020-07, 180,000 miles

“Priority Acura gave 2002 MDX back monday 4/3/17 had problems again with it slippin into neutral and wont move in d5...this time check engine light came on and d5 started blinking and gear shift was not move pass n until james the mechanic shut off vehicle and started it back up.”

NHTSA complaint #10970885, filed 2017-04

“Recall on april 1st my mother drove her recently purchased 2002 accura MDX to work about a 5 min drive ten min after she parked and arrived to work her car was inflams and fire fighter investigators stated it was a electrical fire that caused her car to blow up”

NHTSA complaint #10855037, filed 2016-04

“The contact owns a 2002 Acura MDX. For over two years, the vehicle randomly stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 02v226000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was unknown.”

NHTSA complaint #10887764, filed 2016-07

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026222%
20256962%
2024615%
202312%
202296%
20208638%
20194825%
20183521%
20177930%
201616343%
2015710%
20142615%
2013930%
20122330%
20112840%
20101124%
2009815%
200836%
20071111%
2006910%
200574%
2004138%
2003105%
200252%
200131%

Other parts of the 2002 Acura MDX

Transmission and drivetrain
125 complaints
Air bags
23 complaints
Engine cooling
14 complaints
Electrical system
12 complaints
Vehicle speed control
12 complaints
Body and structure
7 complaints
Brakes
6 complaints
Other or unknown
5 complaints
Steering
5 complaints
Suspension
5 complaints
Equipment
3 complaints
Fuel system
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 Acura MDX

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology