Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Acura MDX owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Multiple lights appear turn on and off indicated on dashboard, VGA, check engine light, and tire pressure system. I run a diagnostics and it says my Evap System had a code telling me to replace gas cap. I went to the auto parts store and purchased a new gas cap that is specifically for my vehicle. I turn the vehicle back on and code is still on. So I get the code erased with my diagnostic reader and the sensor turns off. But give it a few weeks and that light turns back with same code telling me to replace gas cap. I went back to return my gas cap at AutoZone. Then ordered an OEM gas cap for my vehicle and erased code and then code came back less than a month later. It can't be two brand new parts, one was a universal part but specific to my vehicle. And second part was OEM specifically for my vehicle and from Acura/Honda parts department. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Acura MDX. After parking the vehicle for approximately ten minutes, the contact was notified that the vehicle was on fire. The air bags deployed due to the fire. The passenger side air bag attempted to inflate after the fire. The fire department extinguished the fire and filed a report. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and later deemed destroyed. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V320000 (air bags) after the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Hi I'm seeking guidance my mom purchased a used 2004 MDX and she only drives it to and from work about a five min drive and one morning after she arrived to work ten mins later her car caught in flames fire fighter investigators stated it was an electrical issue what can I do. About this VIN # [redacted] 2004 Acura MDX incident date of April 1,2016 around 630 am in the parking lot of lompoc hospital ca 93435 we received recall notice three weeks later Saturday April 23,2016
Takata recall my airbags were replaced twice already through recall repair and the airbag sensor came back on last week, moment it came on I was in motion and the steering wheel I was not able to control the steering. This resulted in me side-swiping and object, hitting the curb and flattening my tire. There is also another recall on my vehicle
I was driving on Wednesday jan 5 2016 and my car stalled while driving on old grassy road at about 20 miles per hour as I just had stopped at stop sign. I noticed the lights were all starting to come on and the car completely stopped. I had it towed to Acura of milford, ct. After 2 days and after installing a new battery and alternator they found 1 of 6 coils melted - the ignition coil - which then ruined a spark plug which then ruined my engine. The value of the car is not much and I was already over $1000. Why would this happen and why after all my regularly scheduled maintenance was this not found until it was too late. I had told repeatedly that vtm 4 and ignition lamp indicators come on. I could have been seriously injured and in fact the air bag was scheduled to be repaired the same day due to a recall. I am lucky I was not in an accident. …
I pulled up my driveway which has uphill grade then a flat area and was in my garage when I noticed that I had the keys in my hand. I turned around and noticed my car was drifting back down the driveway. I tried to jump back in the car to hit the brakes but thought better of it as it was gaining more speed. I let go f the front door and watched as it veered off the driveway and hit a tree and landscaping rock and end of driveway. What it . So I was able to take the key out of the ignition while the car while still in the drive position. I did not receive a recall notice until February . Acura has not been judicious in their effort to fix the damage that occurred to my vehicle due to a defective part.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Acura MDX. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 15V320000 (air bags), NHTSA campaign number: 14V700000 (air bags), and NHTSA campaign number: 12V573000 (electrical system) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The dealer stated that parts were not available on several occasions. The manufacturer was not made aware of the delay. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle would intermittently stall while idling. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair facility were unknown repairs were made. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Acura MDX. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The battery was jumped and the vehicle was able to start. The failure recurred multiple times. The dealer stated that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also stated that there was oil leaking from the engine and the smell of fumes emitted into the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 188,000.
Transmission failed today 123K. Called customer service what a joke. Emissions light on and air bags are faulty. What a lemon. Nevet buy Acura. On a city street car just down shifted and stopped. Needless to say it was 20 degree's outside. Acura doesnt see thus as a safety hazard? Confused and mad really mad. I cant believe they are still getting away with this. I've had my fill with foreign junk. I froze walking home think I have frost bite on my fingers.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Acura MDX. While in park, the vehicle's RPM gauge idled high when started. While driving 10 MPH, the RPM gauge displayed high rpms even when the accelerator pedal was not depressed. The fuel gauge was also not displaying the correct readings. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,000.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
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…
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,…
NHTSA investigations
Ignition Interlock Failure - Rollaway
On December 10, 2012, Honda Motor Company submitted a defect information report to NHTSA regarding ignition interlocks in approximately 576,117 model year MY) 2003 through 2004 Honda Pilot and Odyssey vehicles that are the subject of this investigation and 231,044 MY 2003 through 2006 Acura MDX vehicles (Recall No.
Electrical complaints in other MDX years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2004 Acura MDX?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Acura MDX, 12% of the model year's 171 complaints. The component named most often is starter assembly (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Acura MDX electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-573 (switch, Dec 11, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Acura MDX electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 120,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.