2002 Acura MDX problems
The 2002 Acura MDX has 243 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (37%) concerns transmission. After that come drivetrain & axles (16%) and air bags (9%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 243 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Transmission 37% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 16 and 5
- Injuries and deaths
- 7 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 98,000 miles 194 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 13 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 13 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 12 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 25 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 38 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 24 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 20 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 18 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 14 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 4 |
| 200k+ miles | 13 |
What the data shows
Among the 194 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 98,000 miles. For transmission specifically, the median reported mileage is about 86,000 miles (82 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 16 complaints mention a crash; 5 complaints mention a fire; 7 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2002 ranks 12th most-complained-about out of 24 model years of the Acura MDX with enough data (76 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 4 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
While driving and upon hitting the brakes vehicle continuously accelerated. Consumer's vehicle then hit the back of another vehicle. However, the vehicle could not stop. Hitting the back of a third vehicle. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 acura mdx. While driving 40 MPH, the driver attempted to decelerate but lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle maintained speed despite the brake pedal being depressed and caused the driver to crash into a cement wall. The air bags failed to deploy upon impact but instead, deployed several minutes later. The driver sustained lacerations, a fractured tooth, injuries to the head, wrist, ribs and bruises.
SRS device failed, leaving air bags inoperable. Dealer asked factory rep to authorize service. Denied by acura. This is a safety hazard. Research indicates identical problems in other vehicles, a prior class action settlement and other complaints. SRS warning light stays on. Both dealer and independent garage tested and confirmed unit is defective.
Driving at 70 MPH vehicles vtm4 light started to fkash 3 seconds later all wheels locjmked up and uder feet was so hot had to lift my feet skidded about 290 feet.