The Lemon Index2003 Acura MDX.
The 2003 Acura MDX is better than average by owner complaints: 26 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 56, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 13 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 206 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Acura MDX year. 2003 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 80K to 141K miles on the car (157 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 90K–136K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 26K–163K miles
Recalls 13
- speed control 2019
The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind.
- airbags 2019
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 a…
- airbags 2019
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 …
Show all 13 recalls
- airbags 2019
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 containi.
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2015
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly causing serious injury…
- airbags 2015
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 t…
- airbags 2015
Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module may fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
- airbags 2014
Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S.
- airbags 2014
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 200…
- airbags 2013
Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module may fail causing the front air bags, side curtain air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
- electrical 2012
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.
- equipment 2008
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.
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 189 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- V6 engine oil leaks
- Request for visit
- Engine coolant leaks
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- OpenAir bag inflator rupture2015
- ClosedAir bag inflator rupture2014–2015
- ClosedInadvertent air bag deployment2013–2014
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
While waiting at a stop light and without warning vehicle surged forward while driver's foot was on the brake pedal.
2003 Acura MDX owner · NHTSA complaint 10044621
More owner reports
The vehicle was involved in an accident in which it rolled over. Neither air bag deployed. There was no air bag light warning prior to the crash. A police report and pictures can be made available per consumer.
NHTSA complaint 10038423
Quick answers
Is the 2003 Acura MDX reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.8× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 56; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Acura MDX year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2003 Acura MDX problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (19%), airbags (19%) and seat belts (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Acura MDX have?
13 safety recalls (latest: speed control). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Acura MDX get?
17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Acura MDX problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 80,000 and 141,000 miles. The middle report was at 108,000 miles, from 157 complaints.
Does the 2003 Acura MDX have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 15% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Acura MDX cost in fuel a year?
About $4700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Acura MDX have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Acura MDX year is better than the 2003?
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