The Lemon Index2001 Acura MDX.
The 2001 Acura MDX is better than average by owner complaints: 45 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 84, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 17 mpg combined. The best Acura MDX year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 224 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Acura MDX year. 2001 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 70K to 138K miles on the car (169 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 80K–136K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 61K–90K miles
Recalls 4
- airbags 2020
These vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair.
- airbags 2020
These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant.
- suspension 2005
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW H…
Show all 4 recalls
- transmission & drivetrain 2004
ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADIN…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Acura told dealers about
Acura sent dealers 184 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Subject regarding 2001 mdx introduction information, trailer hitch & coolers, oil leaks, vtm-4…
- V6 engine oil leaks
- Subject regarding differential installation tips to prevent noise and vibration
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedFront coil spring breakage2005
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $4700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Vehicle was having trouble with the transmission making the vehicle difficult to change from one gear to another. Transmission was replaced with another brand new transmission, and it once again failed completely.
2001 Acura MDX owner · NHTSA complaint 10099732
More owner reports
The vehicle would shake and rattle between 1500-2000 rpm's.
NHTSA complaint 10101102
No replacement part available to correct problem. When srs light comes on for whatever reason, airbags probably will not deploy in a collision.
NHTSA complaint 765195
Quick answers
Is the 2001 Acura MDX reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 84; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Acura MDX year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2001 Acura MDX problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (36%), airbags (11%) and engine (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2001 Acura MDX have?
4 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Acura MDX get?
17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2001 Acura MDX problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 70,400 and 138,000 miles. The middle report was at 100,000 miles, from 169 complaints.
Does the 2001 Acura MDX have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 36% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2001 Acura MDX cost in fuel a year?
About $4700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2001 Acura MDX have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Acura MDX year is better than the 2001?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2012 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works