2002 Acura Mdx problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train:automatic Transmission (79) · Power Train (30) · Air Bags (15)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Acura Mdx model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
161 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2020-01-17 · campaign 20V027000 · 875,966 vehicles
Defect: 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 u
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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (165)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Parking Brake 2023-02-07 · BTI&02072023901 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
dealer message- american honda motor co., inc. (ahm) is searching for any & all 2022 mdx type ss & 2021-2022 tlxs that match the criteria listed below. ahm is interested only if the vehicle meets the following requirements: 1. manufactured date on the driverâs door jamb must be between 1/2
Power Train 2021-05-28 · B21-022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin - case v. american honda motor co., inc., case no. bc 424169 (third clutch transmission settlement - $25 credit vouchers).
Equipment:electrical:navigational System(Global Positioning System) 2018-01-10 · B18010I · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
servicenews article - is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? we?re aware of this issue and have it under investigation.
Equipment:electrical:navigational System(Global Positioning System) 2018-01-10 · B18010I · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
servicenews article - is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? we?re aware of this issue and have it under investigation.
Equipment:electrical:navigational System(Global Positioning System) 2017-09-26 · BTS170801 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tech line summary article - is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? we?re aware of this issue and have it under investigation.
Electrical System 2017-08-31 · BTS170801 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tech line summary article - is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? we?re aware of this issue and are looking for a solution.
Showing the 6 most recent of 165 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-13 · Power Train“the vehicle's transmission is faulty. i took it to a second-hand repair shop because, while i was driving on the freeway, the speed had been dropping rapidly. i later found out they recalled the transmission for this acura in 2005. it is 2026. i took it to a dealership and asked about the transmission recall; they said they could close federal safe…”
2025-08-04 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 213,722 mi“the contact owns a 2002 acura mdx. the contact stated that while driving 10 mph up an incline, the vehicle stalled. the service engine and check engine warning lights were illuminated. the vehicle was able to restart, but made an abnormal grinding sound while shifting into gear. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact wa…”
2024-01-23 · Fuel/Propulsion System“what component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - immobiliser system. yes, available. may be repaired by local mechanic unless i learn from you to defer such repair. how was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - the inappropriate activation of the immobilizer system (at least i think …”
2023-10-24 · Structure:body“1. rear subframe body mount rust-through, newly discovered. 2. available for inspection. 3. risk of frame failure and resulting instability at speed 4. there is a tsb for the virtually identical honda pilot regarding this issue; tsb 21-019 "2003-2008 pilot rear subframe body mount rust repair (customer-pay repair)". 5. not inspected. a local body s…”
2023-01-24 · Power Train · 170,000 mi“the contact owns a 2002 acura mdx. the contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle started losing motive power. the contact stated that she depressed the accelerator pedal and the rpm’s revved; however, the vehicle failed to respond. the contact pulled over, turned off and restarted the vehicle and started driving; however, after…”
2022-08-09 · Air Bags · 230,000 mi“the contact owns a 2002 acura mdx. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v027000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the local dealer was contacted several times and informed the contact that they did not have the equipment needed for the recall repair. the contact stated that the manu…”
2022-07-14 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2002 acura mdx. the contact stated that the air bag warning light would illuminate while leaning on the passenger’s side front door. the contact stated that the warning light would turn off once the passenger moved away from the door. the vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. the m…”
2022-05-20 · Suspension · 200,000 mi“the contact owns a 2002 acura mdx. the contact stated that while driving at speeds exceeding 50 mph, the front end of the vehicle would shake and vibrate with an abnormal chain-like sound coming from underneath the vehicle. the cause of the failure was not determined. there was no further information available. the local dealer and manufacturer wer…”
2021-03-03 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2002 acura mdx. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v027000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the contact contacted crown acura (18911 us hwy 19 …”
2020-09-04 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2002 acura mdx. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v027000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. an unknown dealer was contacted and confirmed…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.