NHTSA vehicle safety data

2005 Acura MDX Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2005 Acura MDX has 13 NHTSA recall campaigns and 180 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Acura dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2005 Acura MDX, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2005 Acura MDX owner complaints

Owners have filed 180 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Acura MDX, describing incidents dated February 1, 2005 to July 17, 2025.

Most-cited components

Power Train 87 complaints
Air Bags 39 complaints
Electrical System 18 complaints
Engine 16 complaints
Service Brakes 14 complaints
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 11 complaints

Of the 180 complaints on file, 15 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 180 complaints, owners report 15 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11677517 · Filed July 31, 2025
The contact owns a 2005 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of…
ODI #11591800 · Filed May 31, 2024
VSA light came on and my braking system halts and make a weird vibration when I press brake to stop at stop light it like it make a grabbing noise. Not sure if it happen prior to light engaging. It has happen a handful of time since initial notice could have been onset from around 2019-2020 can’t…
ODI #11580893 · Filed April 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2005 Acura MDX. The contact stated that after the battery had been replaced, both the front driver and front passenger seat belts failed to extend far enough to buckle an occupant into the seat. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where the failure was acknowledged, and the…

Read all 180 complaints

Owner-reported

2005 Acura MDX mileage at failure

137 of the 180 complaints on file for the 2005 Acura MDX give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Power Train	Median 80,000 miles	Middle half 60,000–105,000 miles	Based on 78 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2005 Acura MDX in 5 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA21-002: Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Open since September 17, 2021
Engineering Analysis EA15-001: Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Open since February 24, 2015
- Recall 14V-668
- Recall 15V-284
- Recall 15V-285
- Recall 15V-286
- Recall 15V-287
- Recall 15V-312
- and 188 more on the investigation page
Preliminary Evaluation PE14-016: Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Closed March 2, 2015
- Recall 13V-172
- Recall 14V-428
- Recall 14V-700
- Recall 14V-763
- Recall 14V-770
- Recall 14V-787
- and 3 more on the investigation page
Engineering Analysis EA13-002: Vehicle Stability Assist Malfunction
Closed March 29, 2013
- Recall 13V-092
Preliminary Evaluation PE12-026: Ignition Interlock Failure - Rollaway
Closed January 14, 2013
- Recall 12V-573

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Accelerator Pedal May Bind/FMVSS 124

NHTSA #19E068000 · Vehicle Speed Control — Accelerator Pedal · NHTSA notice

Reported October 10, 2019 · Dorman Products, Inc.

Potentially affected: 3,744 vehicles

Repair completion: 65.51% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified December 9, 2019

Defect description

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2007-2011 Honda Element, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot and 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."

Safety consequence

If the accelerator pedal binds, the engine may not quickly return to idle after the pedal is no longer pressed, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, using option 5. Dorman's number for this recall is AS1019XXXX.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #19V499000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported June 27, 2019 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Potentially affected: 3,947 vehicles

Repair completion: 29.53% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign Q5A, Y58 · Owners notified August 12, 2019 · Vehicles built October 6, 2004 – September 13, 2005 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Safety consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #19V501000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported June 27, 2019 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Potentially affected: 1,657,752 vehicles

Repair completion: 47.72% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign E5D, X5C · Owners notified August 12, 2019 · Vehicles built September 27, 2004 – September 16, 2005 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Safety consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #19V182000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported March 6, 2019 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Potentially affected: 1,101,534 vehicles

Repair completion: 54.23% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign U40,M45,O41,G44 · Owners notified April 10, 2019 · Vehicles built September 16, 2004 – September 16, 2005 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.

Safety consequence

An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #17V029000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 10, 2017 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Potentially affected: 308,884 vehicles

Repair completion: 71.85% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign KD9, KE0 · Owners notified February 27, 2017 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2011 Honda Element vehicles, 2005-2012 Acura RL vehicles, 2006-2012 Honda Ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2009 Acura RL and Honda Element vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles and 2006-2009 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2008 Acura RL, Honda Element and Honda Pilot vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2006-2008 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Safety consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall bagan March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KD9 and KE0.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #16V344000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported May 23, 2016 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Potentially affected: 1,790,894 vehicles

Repair completion: 57.83% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign KA0, KA1, KA2, KA3 · Owners notified June 29, 2016 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2008 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2008 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2008 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling model year 2002-2004 Odyssey and model year 2003-2004 Acura MDX, Honda Element, and Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Safety consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA0, KA1, KA2, and KA3.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Driver's Frontal Air Bag May Rupture

NHTSA #15V320000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported May 28, 2015 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Potentially affected: 6,281,043 vehicles

Repair completion: 79.01% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign JQ9 & JR0-JR8 · Owners notified July 1, 2015 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles that have had their driver frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy prior to September 12, 2014 need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Vehicles that, on or after September 12, 2014, received a remedy for a prior driver frontal air bag inflator recall already received an inflator of a different design, and therefore are not included in this recall and do not require additional servicing. Note: This recall fully supersedes recalls 08V-593, 09V-259, 10V-041, 11V-260, 14V-351 and 15V-153. Honda's numbers for this recall are JQ9, JR0, JR1, JR2, JR3, JR4, JR5, JR6, JR7, and JR8.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #14V700000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice

Reported November 4, 2014 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Owners notified January 26, 2015 · Vehicles built September 19, 2002 – May 20, 2005 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.Note: This recall supersedes safety recall 14V-353, with the exception of vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in California.Those vehicles will continue to be addressed, and a free remedy provided, under that safety recall campaign.This recall also includes vehicles in the specific geographic areas listed above that were included within safety recalls 13V-132 and 14V-349.

Passenger Side Air Bag Inflator may Rupture

NHTSA #14V353000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice

Reported June 20, 2014 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Potentially affected: 133,207 vehicles

Repair completion: 70% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign JH6,JH7,JH8,JH9,JJ0 · Owners notified September 12, 2014 · Vehicles built October 12, 2004 – May 20, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in California, and equipped with Takata-brand air bag inflators. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Safety consequence

Manufacturer remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Inadvertent Application of Brakes

NHTSA #13V092000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — Control Unit/Module · NHTSA notice

Reported March 14, 2013 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Potentially affected: 183,576 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign S87, S88, S89 · Owners notified April 22, 2013 · Vehicles built September 16, 2004 – September 16, 2005 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

Honda is recalling certain model year 2005 Pilot vehicles manufactured July 29, 2004, through August 29, 2005; model year 2005-2006 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 16, 2004, through September 22, 2005; and model year 2005 Acura RL vehicles manufactured March 1, 2004, through June 29, 2005. An electrical capacitor may have been damaged during the manufacturing of the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) control module causing intermittent, automatic, minor brake application. However, if the driver applies the brakes while the VSA is malfunctioning, the vehicle may come to an abrupt stop. Additionally, due to a loose ground connection, certain model year 2005 Pilots have a VSA system that may apply partial brake force, without the illumination of the brake lights, whether or not the driver is using the brakes.

Safety consequence

Sudden inadvertent braking, especially without illumination of the brake lights, may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Owners will be notified and instructed to take their vehicles to a dealer of their respective brand. The dealer will install a partial wiring harness containing a capacitor for the VSA modulator, free of charge. The affected model year 2005 Pilots will have their ground connection tightened. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Honda owners may contact Honda Automobile Customer Service at 1-800-999-1009, and select option 4 or go to www.recalls.honda.com; Acura owners may contact 1-800-382-2238, and select option 4, or go to www.recalls.acura.com.

Notes

Honda's recall campaign numbers are S87, S88, and S89.Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Ignition Interlock may Deform Allowing Rollaway

NHTSA #12V573000 · Electrical System — Ignition — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported December 11, 2012 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Potentially affected: 807,161 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign S73/S74 · Owners notified February 22, 2013 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Pilot and Odyssey and 2003 through 2006 Acura MDX passenger vehicles manufactured from November 26, 2001, through August 30, 2006. The interlock lever of the ignition switch may deform, which can allow the interlock function of a vehicle with an automatic transmission to be defeated.

Safety consequence

Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated shift interlock lever and, if necessary, replace any necessary part of the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on February 22, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

Notes

Honda's recall campaign numbers are S73 and S74.Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

AFTERMARKET HITCH STYLE BIKE RACK

NHTSA #08E013000 · Equipment — Mechanical — Carrier/Rack · NHTSA notice

Reported February 5, 2008 · HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)

Potentially affected: 2,032 vehicles

Defect description

HONDA IS RECALLING 2,032 HITCH STYLE BIKE RACKS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE ON MY 2003-2007 AND SOME MY 2008 HONDA PILOT, RIDGELINE, AND ACURA MDX VEHICLES. A PINCH BOLT EXISTS BETWEEN THE BIKE ARM BRACKET AND THE UPRIGHT ASSEMBLY OF THE "HITCH" STYLE BICYCLE RACK.

Safety consequence

WHEN MOVING THE BIKE ARM BRACKET TO ITS DOWN POSITION, THIS PINCH BOLT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF CAUSING SEVERE LACERATION OR AMPUTATION TO THE USER'S FINGERTIPS OR HAND.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THULE AT 800-THULE91 (800-848-5391) TO OBTAIN A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS OR OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

HONDA/FUEL TANK

NHTSA #04V541000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported November 18, 2004 · HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)

Potentially affected: 61 vehicles

Owners notified November 10, 2004 · Vehicles built October 27, 2004 – November 1, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, SOME FUEL TANKS WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED.

Safety consequence

IN A CRASH, THE FUEL TANK COULD BE DAMAGED AND LEAK FUEL. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS REPLACED THE FUEL TANK. ALL OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE ON NOVEMBER 10, 2004.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

2005 Acura MDX 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

15% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

5 investigations

180 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Acura MDX.

Electrical System; Power Train

ODI #11677517

Incident: July 17, 2025 · Filed: July 31, 2025

The contact owns a 2005 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was able to restart after several attempts; however, the failure recurred after driving a short distance. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the OG sensor and the PMP sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had progressively worsened, and the 4WD warning light was constantly illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and approaching a traffic light recently, the vehicle unintendedly downshifted and nearly stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be repaired for the most recent failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11591800

Incident: March 1, 2020 · Filed: May 31, 2024

VSA light came on and my braking system halts and make a weird vibration when I press brake to stop at stop light it like it make a grabbing noise. Not sure if it happen prior to light engaging. It has happen a handful of time since initial notice could have been onset from around 2019-2020 can’t remember as I looked up any recall but there were recall for this instance but no on my car which makes no sense for my VSA light to engage. I do not drive off road and I live in an island with no major freeways.

Seat Belts

ODI #11580893

Incident: December 1, 2023 · Filed: April 3, 2024

The contact owns a 2005 Acura MDX. The contact stated that after the battery had been replaced, both the front driver and front passenger seat belts failed to extend far enough to buckle an occupant into the seat. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where the failure was acknowledged, and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Air Bags; Seat Belts

ODI #11550244

Incident: April 1, 2023 · Filed: October 16, 2023

The contact owns a 2005 Acura MDX. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light was flashing with an occupant seated in the seat. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and she was informed that the front driver’s and passenger’s side air bags and seat belt pretensioners were defective and needed to be replaced. The dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 209,638.

Air Bags

ODI #11444863

Incident: December 19, 2021 · Filed: December 23, 2021

We have been the original owners of our 2005 MDX. on December 12/18/21 at 630. We were wearing our seat belts. We were driving in clear weather on a new street at 35 miles an hour. The passenger side seat airbag and the right side curtain deployed. My wife was sitting in the front passenger seat. There was no collision or hazard. The Airbag just exploded. We were not hit by any metal objects. The Mdx is in perfect working order and we are now told no one will cover the damage. Insurance and the Dealership. We are writing to find out how we can get a fair outcome from our car becoming unusable due to manufactures defect. We have not touched the airbag or the car since this happened. Would we be able to have it inspected?

Steering; Wheels; Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

ODI #11427469

Incident: May 20, 2021 · Filed: August 2, 2021

When making a sharp turn on hot days the car makes a grinding noise like something is grabbing the tire. It slows the car, hands the steering wheel and then the VSA hazard light comes on. It is a recurring issue and mechanics have not been able to diagnose.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11425142

Crash

Incident: November 27, 2019 · Filed: July 16, 2021

I have a 2005 MDX. It allows me to take out my key without putting it in park. Being unaware, I turned it off while it was still in drive and it rolled back into another parked vehicle November of 2019. There is a report with the police department and my insurance covered the other vehicle's repair costs. It has rolled several times in the last couple years but luckily not into other cars. I don't remember having this problem prior to the last couple years. It is a safety issue and dangerous to others and if I can't get it repaired I would need to get rid of it. The problem is it is still in very good shape otherwise and has many more miles to give. There is no warning to help me remember to put it in park. This started happening sometime in mid 2018. Do I have any recourse?

Power Train

ODI #11424860

Incident: July 7, 2021 · Filed: July 14, 2021

Vehicle suddenly brakes at freeway speeds and sways to one side. VSA light and warning light comes on. After couple of seconds, vehicle resumes freeway speed. This has happened few times in last 2 weeks. It causes the SUV to sway and can easily lose control or drift into adjacent lane causing accident. After stopping and restarting the warning lights go away.

Power Train; Visibility

ODI #11395146

Incident: January 1, 2016 · Filed: February 8, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED BY SAFELITE GLASS AFTER A TREE LIMB HAD FALLEN ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIEW FROM THE REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD WAS DISTORTED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ACURA OF OCEAN (909 NJ-35, OCEAN TOWNSHIP, NJ 07712, (732) 776-5200) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Electrical System; Air Bags; Unknown or Other

ODI #11389579

Crash 1 injury

Incident: January 19, 2021 · Filed: January 23, 2021

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE AUCTION IN HESPERIA, CA AROUND AUGUST OF 2020 AND I AM CURRENTLY THE REGISTERED OWNER AS OF TODAY. ABOUT A MONTH INTO THE PURCHASE I NOTICE THE CAR JERK AND BRAKE UNUSUALLY WHILE IN MOTION. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED AT THE TIME SO I IGNORED IT FOR THE MOMENT. THEN ABOUT ANOTHER MONTH AFTER THAT INCIDENT MY WIFE, KIDS AND I WERE TRAVELING ABOUT 70 MPH ON THE 15FWY HEADED SOUTH AND THIS TIME IT HAPPENED ONCE AGAIN AND MORE AGGRESSIVELY DUE TO IS TRAVELING AT A MUCH GREATER SPEED AND DID JERK A LOT HARDER ALMOST MAKING MY WIFE LOSE CONTROL. LUCKILY SHE WAS ALERT AND PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER RIGHT AWAY AND THAT'S WHEN WE NOTICED A NEW LIGHT ON THE I DASH HAD ILLUMINATED. WE SEE THE ACRONYM (VSA) ILLUMINATE AND I HAD NEVER SEEN THIS PARTICULAR LIGHT BEFORE SO I THEN START TO RESEARCH IT. I FIND OUT IT'S PART OF AN ANTI LOCK FEATURE AND IT'S SUFFICE WHEN DEALING WITH CURVY ROADS AND HELPS WITH TRACTION WHICH GIVES SMOOTHER TURNS WHILE DRIVING AND GIVES BETTER CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I ALSO READ IT'S BEST TO KEEP THIS FEATURE OFF WHILE COMMUTING IN YOUR REGULAR EVERYDAY TRANSIT. SO AS MONTHS GO BY IT HAPPENED TO ME A GOOD HANDFUL OF TIMES AFTERWARDS BUT AT SLOWER SPEEDS AND THIS TIME THE LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF WHEN I TRIED TURNING OFF THE VSA CONTROL BUTTON ON THE DRIVER SIDE DASH. I DIDN'T HAVE MEANS TO REPAIR THIS PART SO I PUT IT OFF ONCE AGAIN. WELL COMING TO A MORE RECENT EVENT WHICH RESULTED IN MYSELF LOSING CONTROL WHILE ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AT 11:30PM AT NIGHT AND TOTALING THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS FLIPPING THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT CAME TO A REST ON ITS SIDE. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THE VSA FEATURE MALFUNCTIONED MADE ME LOSE CONTROL AT 62-65 MPH ALMOST CLAIMING MY LIFE. I STRONGLY BELIEVE IT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MY RECENT ACCIDENT WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN LIFE THREATENING AND HAS CAUSED FINANCIAL STRESS UPON MY FAMILY.

Other Acura MDX model years

Check your 2005 Acura MDX VIN

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