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.
2006 Acura MDXProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 87 owner complaints about the 2006 Acura MDX, most often about the power train. It is covered by 9 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, 2024. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2006 Acura MDX has problems
87 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
38Power train4 crash/fire/injury
15Air bags3 crash/fire/injury
9Engine1 crash/fire/injury
8Service brakes3 crash/fire/injury
8Electrical system
7Electronic stability control (ESC)
5Vehicle speed control
3Structure
2Seats
1713 other systems2 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 38 | 4 |
| Air bags | 15 | 3 |
| Engine | 9 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 8 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 8 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 7 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 1 |
| Structure | 3 | 2 |
| Seats | 2 | 1 |
| 13 other systems | 17 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
9 recalls
2006 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 · 2018 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show 5 more recalls
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.
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…
no report yet
Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Risk. Sudden inadvertent braking, especially without illumination of the brake lights, may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
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…
no report yet
Other: owners/service/other manual
Risk. THE LANGUAGE IN THE OWNER'S MANUALS IS NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CURRENT MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS.
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?
70kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 36 power train complaints. 81% were reported before 100,000 miles.
4under 30k miles29under 100k miles7100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2006 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
2006 Acura MDX safety ratings
2006 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
- Rollover: 4 stars (15.1% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
5 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2006 Acura MDX, and the recalls they led to.
- Vehicle Stability Assist MalfunctionLed to recall 13V-092
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 14V-668
- 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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE, REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. MOMENTS LATER, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ROLLED BACKWARDS APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP WHEN IT CRASHED INTO A…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ACURA MDX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A SCHOOL PARKING LOT WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL AWAY INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING, A SCHOOL COACH JUMPED INTO THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO STOP IT FROM ROLLING. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE…
THE SUV WAS JUST BROUGHT IN FOR A JUDDER FROM THE FRONT END TO THE LOCAL ACURA/ HONDA IN TOWN WHERE WE RESIDE AND THEY CLAIM ITS THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS FAILING WELL AFTER SOME RESEARCH WE NOTICED THERE WAS RECALLS AND A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR THIS PROBLEM. I AM JUST MAKING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE…
Own a 2006 MDX?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.