repaired · 2020 Q4
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2004 Acura MDXProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 171 owner complaints about the 2004 Acura MDX, most often about the power train. It is covered by 8 safety recalls, and for recall 19V-499 the manufacturer reports only 22% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 10, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2004 Acura MDX has problems
171 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
77Power train4 crash/fire/injury
26Air bags10 crash/fire/injury
21Electrical system5 crash/fire/injury
13Engine and engine cooling
13Engine
11Fuel/propulsion system
8Fuel system, gasoline
8Structure
8Service brakes
4416 other systems9 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 77 | 4 |
| Air bags | 26 | 10 |
| Electrical system | 21 | 5 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 0 |
| Engine | 13 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 11 | 0 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 8 | 0 |
| Structure | 8 | 3 |
| Service brakes | 8 | 1 |
| 16 other systems | 44 | 9 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
8 recalls
2004 Acura MDX recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2020 Q4
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2020 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. 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…
repaired · 2017 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show 4 more recalls
repaired · 2017 Q4
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. 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…
repaired · 2016 Q1
Air bags
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle…
repaired · 2015 Q4
Air bags
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle…
no report yet
Ignition: switch
Risk. 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…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Acura.
Mileage at failure
When do power train problems start?
92kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 71 power train complaints. 61% were reported before 100,000 miles.
3under 30k miles43under 100k miles28100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2004 vs. every other MDX year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the MDX median. How we score
'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2004 Acura MDX safety ratings
2004 Acura MDX 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2004 Acura MDX, and the recalls they led to.
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 18V-030
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
- Ignition Interlock Failure - RollawayLed to recall 12V-573
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 14V-428
In owners' words
What MDX owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
SIMILAR TO A COMPLAINT FROM VIRGINIA IN 2012 I HAD AN ISSUE WITH STUTTERING AND A LACK OF ACCELERATION AND ONE DAY I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND MY CAR SHUT OFF AND WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON WOULD NOT MOVE FROM PARK AND HAS NOT MOVED SINCE I HAD IT TOWED TO MY HOUSE
HOSE CONNECTION FAILURE BETWEEN RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION COOLER CAUSING RADIATOR FLUID TO MIX WITH TRANNY FLUID WITH NO DASH INDICATOR OF PROBLEM.. IN MOTION LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT MOVE FROM 1ST GEAR. BROKE DOWN COMPLETELY IN NEED OF TRANSMISSION WORK AND NEW COOLANT SYSTEM DUE TO HOSE CONNECT…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE DRIVE WAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO REVERSE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE BY PUTTING ROCKS BEHIND THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED…
Own a 2004 MDX?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.