Is the 2004 Acura MDX a bad year?
171 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 77, 7.7× a quiet MDX year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 78k–120k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 MDX owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 92,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 77 (45%) | 78k–120k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Air bags | 26 (15%) | 84k–168k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 22 (13%) | 76k–149k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel system | 19 (11%) | 86k–130k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 11 (6%) | 43k–146k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Electrical system | 21 (12%) | 93k–150k miles · ahead | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Body structure | 8 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 92,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 171 complaints: 13 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 9 report an injury · 4 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jun 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
When driving at speeds about 30-45 mph. The car spudders, rumbles when I accelerate. I need to take my foot off the accelerater to make to stop.
My complaint is about my 2004 Acura MDX the torque converter makes the grinding noise that most owners are dealing with I feel that Acura has not accept responsibility for this defect.
There is a grind/ roaring sound when I am going about 40 mph. It definitely sounds like the transmission.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 92,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2004 Acura MDX: 10
The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind. 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.
The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode. 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.
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture. 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.
Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture. 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.
Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture. 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.
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. 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.
A pinch bolt exists between the bike arm bracket and the upright assembly of the "Hitch" Style bicycle rack. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Acura: 27
Repair instructions Acura sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Acura MDX. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
For any TPMS-related warranty repairs, all recorded DTCs must now be entered into the warranty claim
There are guidelines for various situations and procedures including: tire pressure valve stem installation, trailer stability malfunction light…
Starter does not work
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Ignition Interlock Failure - Rollaway
Neighbouring years
2003 MDX: 205 complaints, consider selling · 2005 MDX: 180 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Acura MDX year
2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All MDX years side by side
Other Acura models: Acura CL · Acura ILX · Acura Integra · Acura RDX · Acura RL · Acura RSX · Acura TL · Acura TLX · Acura TSX. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2004 Acura MDX a bad year?
171 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 77, 7.7× a quiet MDX year. At 92,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 78k–120k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Acura MDX?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (77), air bags (26), engine (22), fuel system (19), brakes (11). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 78k–120k miles.
How many recalls does the 2004 Acura MDX have?
10 recall campaigns list this model year: Speed control (NHTSA 19E068000), Air bags (NHTSA 19V-501), Air bags (NHTSA 19V-499), Air bags (NHTSA 19V-182) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.