2003 Acura MDX Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 3%of 206 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,663miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2003 Acura MDX, 3% of the 206 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,663 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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 think it is about time that we all push NHTSA to make Acura/honda recall all these MDX from 2001 to 2012 to have these torque converters and transmissions replaced and fixed once and for all!!! This is very dangerous as there is no sign when these cars are going to lock up and go from 75 MPH down to 40 MPH and then stays at 40mph till you can get off the highway to an exit. I swear maybe somebody needs to get seriously hurt when they get rear ended by someone that has no clue why you have come to a sudden change of speed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10785759, filed 2015-10, 120,000 miles“As I was backing-up in parking lot, the car suddenly accelerated. After traveling ~ 20' at an accelerated pace, the rear of the car hit a concrete ballard. Upon impact the car jumped into a forward gear, accelerated forward and hit a parked car. If not for the parked car, our Acura MDX would have plowed into a store front.”
NHTSA complaint #10118256, filed 2005-04, 22,500 miles“The first time it happened was a few weeks ago was when the car is in motion and in drive. I was on the ramp of a merging freeway and then suddenly when I pressed the accelerator to go, it makes a loud ramping noise but the car won't move. I pressed the gas pedal really hard to move it barely to the side of the freeway. Once I turned it off and turn it on again, the car drives fine and no light indictor came up. This morning, I was in motion and in drive at a low speed in a parking lot after driving it normally, I pressed the gas to go, it happened again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10839311, filed 2016-03, 7 miles“While driving my 03 MDX at 20 MPH around a corner, it just stopped accelerating. There were no warning signs that my car would stop, it just stopped accelerating. I would not move in d5, d4 or d3, so I had to drive it in d1to the dealership and left it overnight. The next day they tell me I need a new transmission. Two months before that, my car was leaking oil and I took it in to get the leak fixed. They told me there was a leak in the rear main and it would cost $1000 to fix. It was such a high cost due to they had to remove the transmission and the engine to get to it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10572749, filed 2014-03, 167,000 miles“Transmission automatically shifts from drive to neutral while going down the highway. It's dangerous to be in traffic and lose the ability to accelerate. I have replaced the shifter and had it adjusted numerous times. Acura refuses to accept responsibility for this problem, even though there are innumerous complaints on this very issue. This is a safety concern.”
NHTSA complaint #11091336, filed 2018-05, 100,000 milesVehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 11% |
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 4 | 10% |
| 2023 | 3 | 7% |
| 2022 | 7 | 4% |
| 2020 | 14 | 6% |
| 2019 | 10 | 5% |
| 2018 | 14 | 8% |
| 2017 | 21 | 8% |
| 2016 | 19 | 5% |
| 2015 | 2 | 3% |
| 2014 | 19 | 11% |
| 2013 | 3 | 10% |
| 2012 | 2 | 3% |
| 2011 | 4 | 6% |
| 2009 | 5 | 10% |
| 2008 | 3 | 6% |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 5 | 6% |
| 2005 | 9 | 5% |
| 2004 | 4 | 2% |
| 2003 | 7 | 3% |
| 2002 | 12 | 6% |
| 2001 | 12 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2003 Acura MDX
104 complaintsAir bags
42 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsSeat belts
12 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Acura MDX
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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