2005 ACURA MDX — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

244

Owner Complaints

25 Crashes 1 Fire

13

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

9

Service Bulletins

1

Investigation

Overview of the 2005 ACURA MDX

The 2005 ACURA MDX has received a total of 244 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 14 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 9 technical service bulletins have been issued by Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Train (43 complaints), Power Trainautomatic Transmission (43 complaints), and Air Bags (38 complaints).

Recalls for the 2005 ACURA MDX

NHTSA has recorded 14 recalls for the 2005 ACURA MDX, potentially affecting up to 12,457,411 vehicles.

Recall 19E068000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

| 3,744 vehicles affected

Defect: Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2007-2011 Honda Element, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot and 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind. As such, these vehicles fail...

Consequence: If the accelerator pedal binds, the engine may not quickly return to idle after the pedal is no longer pressed, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, using option 5. Dorman's number for this recall...

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Recall 19V499000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

| 3,947 vehicles affected

Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that...

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.

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Recall 19V501000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

| 1,657,752 vehicles affected

Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that...

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.

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Recall 19V182000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

| 1,101,534 vehicles affected

Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The...

Consequence: 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 occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is...

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Recall 17V029000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

| 308,884 vehicles affected

Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2011 Honda Element vehicles, 2005-2012 Acura RL vehicles, 2006-2012 Honda Ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana...

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall bagan March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KD9 and KE0.

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Recall 16V344000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

| 1,790,894 vehicles affected

Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan),...

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA0, KA1, KA2,...

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Recall 15V320000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

| 6,281,043 vehicles affected

Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to...

Consequence: 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 occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238,...

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Recall 14V700000 — AIR BAGS

Defect: American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida,...

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

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Recall 14V353000 — AIR BAGS

| 133,207 vehicles affected

Defect: 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 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in California, and equipped with Takata-brand air bag inflators. Upon deployment of the passenger...

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

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Recall 13V092000 — TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

| 183,576 vehicles affected

Defect: Honda is recalling certain model year 2005 Pilot vehicles manufactured July 29, 2004, through August 29, 2005; model year 2005-2006 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 16, 2004, through September 22, 2005; and model year 2005 Acura RL vehicles manufactured March 1, 2004, through June 29, 2005. An electrical capacitor may have been damaged during the manufacturing of the Vehicle Stability...

Consequence: Sudden inadvertent braking, especially without illumination of the brake lights, may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Owners will be notified and instructed to take their vehicles to a dealer of their respective brand. The dealer will install a partial wiring harness containing a capacitor for the VSA modulator, free of charge. The affected model year 2005...

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Recall 13V092000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

| 183,576 vehicles affected

Defect: Honda is recalling certain model year 2005 Pilot vehicles manufactured July 29, 2004, through August 29, 2005; model year 2005-2006 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 16, 2004, through September 22, 2005; and model year 2005 Acura RL vehicles manufactured March 1, 2004, through June 29, 2005. An electrical capacitor may have been damaged during the manufacturing of the Vehicle Stability...

Consequence: Sudden inadvertent braking, especially without illumination of the brake lights, may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Owners will be notified and instructed to take their vehicles to a dealer of their respective brand. The dealer will install a partial wiring harness containing a capacitor for the VSA modulator, free of charge. The affected model year 2005...

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Recall 12V573000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

| 807,161 vehicles affected

Defect: Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Pilot and Odyssey and 2003 through 2006 Acura MDX passenger vehicles manufactured from November 26, 2001, through August 30, 2006. 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.

Consequence: 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 to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated shift interlock lever and, if necessary, replace any necessary part of the ignition switch, free of charge....

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Recall 04V541000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

| 61 vehicles affected

Defect: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, SOME FUEL TANKS WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED.

Consequence: IN A CRASH, THE FUEL TANK COULD BE DAMAGED AND LEAK FUEL. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS REPLACED THE FUEL TANK. ALL OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE ON NOVEMBER 10, 2004.

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Recall 08E013000 — EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK

| 2,032 vehicles affected

Defect: 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. A PINCH BOLT EXISTS BETWEEN THE BIKE ARM BRACKET AND THE UPRIGHT ASSEMBLY OF THE "HITCH" STYLE BICYCLE RACK.

Consequence: WHEN MOVING THE BIKE ARM BRACKET TO ITS DOWN POSITION, THIS PINCH BOLT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF CAUSING SEVERE LACERATION OR AMPUTATION TO THE USER'S FINGERTIPS OR HAND.

Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THULE AT 800-THULE91 (800-848-5391) TO OBTAIN A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS OR OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

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Owner Complaints for the 2005 ACURA MDX

244 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 ACURA MDX. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Power Train
Complaints: 43 1 Crash 1 Injury
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 43 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Air Bags
Complaints: 38 5 Crashes 6 Injuries
Electrical System
Complaints: 14 1 Crash 1 Injury
Electronic Stability Control Esc
Complaints: 11 1 Crash
Service Brakes
Complaints: 11 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 9 3 Crashes 6 Injuries
Steering
Complaints: 8 1 Crash 1 Injury
Engine
Complaints: 7 1 Crash 1 Injury
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 6
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 6 3 Crashes 2 Injuries
Equipment
Complaints: 4
Seat Belts
Complaints: 4 1 Injury
Traction Control System
Complaints: 4
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 3
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 3 1 Crash
Wheels
Complaints: 3 1 Crash
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
Complaints: 2
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 1 Injury
Structure
Complaints: 2
Structurebody
Complaints: 2 1 Crash
Suspension
Complaints: 2
Visibility
Complaints: 2
Air Bagsfrontalsensorcontrol Module
Complaints: 1
Air Bagssensoroccupant Classification
Complaints: 1
Equipmentelectrical
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assembly
Complaints: 1
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmissiontorque Converter
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfrontretractor
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfrontwarning Lightdevices
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Seat Beltsrearother
Complaints: 1 1 Injury
Seatsfront Assemblyseat Heatercooler
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Service Brakes Electric
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Steeringlinkagestie Rod Assembly
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Tires
Complaints: 1
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11677517 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | N/A miles
The contact owns a 2005 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was able to restart after several attempts; however, the failure recurred after driving a short distance. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the OG sensor and the PMP sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had progressively worsened, and the 4WD warning light was constantly illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and approaching a traffic light recently, the vehicle unintendedly downshifted and nearly stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be repaired for the most recent failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
#11677517 | POWER TRAIN | | N/A miles
The contact owns a 2005 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was able to restart after several attempts; however, the failure recurred after driving a short distance. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the OG sensor and the PMP sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had progressively worsened, and the 4WD warning light was constantly illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and approaching a traffic light recently, the vehicle unintendedly downshifted and nearly stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be repaired for the most recent failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
#11591800 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | N/A miles
VSA light came on and my braking system halts and make a weird vibration when I press brake to stop at stop light it like it make a grabbing noise. Not sure if it happen prior to light engaging. It has happen a handful of time since initial notice could have been onset from around 2019-2020 can’t remember as I looked up any recall but there were recall for this instance but no on my car which makes no sense for my VSA light to engage. I do not drive off road and I live in an island with no major freeways.
#11580893 | SEAT BELTS | | N/A miles
The contact owns a 2005 Acura MDX. The contact stated that after the battery had been replaced, both the front driver and front passenger seat belts failed to extend far enough to buckle an occupant into the seat. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where the failure was acknowledged, and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
#11550244 | AIR BAGS | | 209,638 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Acura MDX. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light was flashing with an occupant seated in the seat. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and she was informed that the front driver’s and passenger’s side air bags and seat belt pretensioners were defective and needed to be replaced. The dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 209,638.

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Safety Rating for the 2005 ACURA MDX

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2005 ACURA MDX in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2005 ACURA MDX

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) has issued 9 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2005 ACURA MDX. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

BJA46167 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Sending vehicle data to tech line.

TAKATA_HAWAII FL — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

FLYER CIRCULATED TO THE RESIDENTS OF HAWAII TO REMIND OWNERS OF THE TAKATA RECALL AND TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AT THEIR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE.

BPAS-05122016902 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

DEALER MESSAGE - AHM IS INVESTIGATING CLIENT COMPLAINT OF HANDSFREELINK NOT WORKING OR BATTERY BEING TOO LOW TO START THE ENGINE. PRIOR TO PERFORMING ANY REPAIR, PLEASE SEND SUSPECT PARTS BACK TO AHM.

B14-044 — AIR BAGS

SERVICE BULLETIN - CERTAIN ACURA VEHICLES OPERATED IN AREAS KNOWN FOR HIGH ABSOLUTE HUMIDITY MAY CONTAIN A FRONT PASSENGER’S AIRBAG THAT, OVER TIME, MAY BE AFFECTED BY EXPOSURE TO THE HUMIDITY, WHICH COULD PRODUCE EXCESSIVE INTERNAL PRESSURE UPON DEPLOYMENT. IF AN AFFECTED AIRBAG DEPLOYS, THE INCREASED INTERNAL PRESSURE MAY CAUSE...

SB-09-037 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

HONDA SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. 2005-2006 MDX. A JUDDER FROM THE TORQUE CONVERTER LOCK-UP CLUTCH MAY BE FELT WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20-45 MPH. THERE IS A SOFTWARE UPDATE. *RM

05023 — TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) INDICATOR IS ON INTERMITTENTLY WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE 45 STORED. *TT

090105 — AIR BAGS

SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT LIGHT AND DTC 81-64. *JB

05004 — EQUIPMENT

PRODUCT UPDATE: CLIMATE CONTROL UNIT. THE CLIMATE CONTROL UNIT IS IMPROPERLY PROGRAMMED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE HEATER TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *TT

01162005 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

REPLACEMENT OR UPDATED NAVIGATION DVD DISKS. *EH

NHTSA Investigations for the 2005 ACURA MDX

NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 2005 ACURA MDX.

Investigation EA13002 — ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL Closed

Opened:

Vehicle Stability Assist Malfunction

Other Model Years of the ACURA MDX

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Other ACURA Models

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