Model year report

2005 Acura MDX: what breaks, and at what mileage

What breaks on the 2005 Acura MDX

On the 2005 Acura MDX, the failure owners report most often is torque converter failure, and the reports cluster around 72,500 miles. Across every failure mode on this year, half the dated reports were filed before 82,000 miles. Overall it scores 67 out of 100, high risk for a 2005.

High risk for a 2005 — 192nd riskiest of the 320 2005 vehicles we can rate. 244 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.

The failures owners actually file about

Owners have reported 35 named failure modes on the 2005 Acura MDX, and the three most-reported carry 36% of everything filed.

Torque converter failure leads with 38 reports, about 0.3 per 1,000 vehicles and with the middle half of reports between 57k to 82,500 miles.

Other powertrain problem follows with 36 reports, usually reported between 57k to 115,000 miles.

Other electrical problem follows with 14 reports, usually reported between 64k to 120,000 miles.

By system, the reports fall mostly into transmission (79), electrical (24) and airbag (24).

The mileage the reports cluster at

184 of the reports on the 2005 Acura MDX came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 82,000 miles.

Cumulatively, 18% by 50,000 miles, 57% by 100,000 miles and 85% by 150,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed, with 7 filed above the top of the chart.

The busiest stretch is between 100,000 and 110,000 miles, which alone holds 11% of the dated reports.

12% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles.

In the order they tend to show up: torque converter failure around 72k, other powertrain problem around 90k and other electrical problem around 100k.

Median

Torque converter failure

72k
Other powertrain problem

90k
Other electrical problem

100k
Airbag inflator rupture

50k
Other engine problem

84k
Other brake problem

106k
Other driver assistance problem

129k
Other speed control problem

70k
Radiator or coolant leak

128k
Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure

70k
Other body or interior problem

64k
Other steering problem

125k

Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens

Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 35. The full list is in the table below.

How reports accumulate

Share of reports filed by each mileage

half by 82.2k

Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A further 7 reports came in above that, which is why the line stops short of the top. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.

Line share of reports filed by that mileage
Dashed the median reported mileage

What happens when these parts fail

Across the named modes, 20 mention a crash, 1 a fire and 14 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.

The average severity weight across every report on this year is 4.97, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.

What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: torque converter failure at $1,100–$3,200, other powertrain problem at $400–$4,500, other electrical problem at $250–$2,000 and airbag inflator rupture at $0–$0. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.

43% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.

Every reported failure mode

Mileage figures are percentiles of owner-reported readings. Click a column to sort.
Failure mode	System	Reports	With reading	25th	Median	75th	Per 1,000	Typical repair	Severity
Torque converter failure	transmission	38	36	57k	72k	82k	0.3	$1,100–$3,200	High
Other powertrain problem	transmission	36	29	57k	90k	115k	0.3	$400–$4,500	High
Other electrical problem	electrical	14	9	64k	100k	120k	0.1	$250–$2,000	Moderate
Airbag inflator rupture	airbag	11	1	—	50k	—	0.1	$0–$0	Critical
Other engine problem	engine	10	7	—	84k	—	0.1	$300–$4,000	High
Other brake problem	brakes	9	7	—	106k	—	0.1	$300–$1,800	High
Other driver assistance problem	adas	8	6	—	129k	—	0.1	$250–$1,800	High
Other speed control problem	adas	8	7	—	70k	—	0.1	$250–$2,000	Critical
Radiator or coolant leak	cooling	7	7	—	128k	—	0.1	$350–$1,900	High
Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure	electrical	7	7	—	70k	—	0.1	$700–$3,000	High
Other body or interior problem	body	7	7	—	64k	—	0.1	$200–$2,000	Moderate
Other steering problem	steering	6	5	—	125k	—	0.0	$350–$2,400	High
Complete transmission failure	transmission	5	5	—	65k	—	0.0	$2,800–$8,000	Critical
Airbag failed to deploy in a crash	airbag	5	5	—	60k	—	0.0	$1,000–$5,000	Critical
Seat belt or retractor failure	airbag	5	5	—	170k	—	0.0	$200–$900	High
Stalling while driving	engine	4	4	—	20k	—	0.0	$300–$2,500	Critical
Tire pressure monitor failure	wheels	4	0	—	—	—	0.0	$80–$600	Low
Other visibility problem	glass	4	3	—	65k	—	0.0	$150–$1,400	Moderate
Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault	airbag	3	1	—	187k	—	0.0	$300–$1,600	High
Control arm, ball joint or bushing failure	suspension	3	0	—	—	—	0.0	$400–$2,200	High
Other wheel or tire problem	wheels	3	2	—	52k	—	0.0	$200–$1,500	High
Wiring harness or short circuit	electrical	2	2	—	108k	—	0.0	$400–$3,500	High
Audio or connectivity failure	infotainment	2	2	—	151k	—	0.0	$150–$900	Low
Premature brake pad or rotor wear	brakes	2	2	—	153k	—	0.0	$300–$1,400	Moderate
Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure	steering	2	2	—	25k	—	0.0	$700–$2,600	High
Timing chain, belt or tensioner failure	engine	1	1	—	102k	—	0.0	$1,200–$4,500	Critical
Oil leak	engine	1	1	—	70k	—	0.0	$250–$2,200	Moderate
No-start or intermittent start failure	engine	1	1	—	111k	—	0.0	$200–$1,800	Moderate
Overheating	cooling	1	1	—	90k	—	0.0	$400–$3,500	High
Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure	fuel	1	1	—	250	—	0.0	$250–$1,800	Moderate
Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure	electrical	1	1	—	200k	—	0.0	$250–$1,500	High
Catalytic converter failure	emissions	1	1	—	65k	—	0.0	$900–$3,500	Moderate
Software fault or failed update	software	1	1	—	104k	—	0.0	$0–$600	Moderate
Other fuel system problem	fuel	1	1	—	115k	—	0.0	$300–$2,200	High
Other suspension problem	suspension	1	1	—	184k	—	0.0	$350–$2,000	Moderate
Unclassified problem	other	29	13	105k	144k	170k	0.2	—	Moderate

Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.

How often, against how many were built

Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2005 Acura MDX draws about 1.9 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 73rd percentile of complaint rates among 2005 vehicles we can rate.

That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.

The working figure is 125,620 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2005 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.

What owners wrote

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.

Torque converter failure

2005 acura mdx. Transmission problem. Seems others on the forums have complained of an intermittent vibration in the car, the diagnosis was the torque converter the other cars. I am having the same experiences these other people have had. ,however since I cant replicate the problem at the dealer no one is doing anything. *tr

50,000 miles NHTSA complaint 690965 filed 2008-10-04

I took my 2005 acura mdx in to the dealership to have an unusual sound checked out. It occurs while accelerating slowly to about 40mph. I was told that the torque converter needed to be replaced. I had a warranty purchase when I bought the vehicle so I did not incur any expense for this repair. The next week, the d4 light was blinking indicating a possible problem with the transmission. I took it in again and I was told that the 4th gear pressure switch was probably defective, as it was just replaced along with the torque converter. Ironically, a friend was having the same problem. She took her 2005 mdx in for service, had the torque converter replaced (unfortunately she did incur an expense), and the next day her d4 light was blinking. Her vehicle is being repaired as I write this complaint. My concern is that the transmission in this vehicle is defective altogether. As I have done a little research, I have discovered that this is fairly common with the acura mdx model. *tr

77,000 miles NHTSA complaint 738122 filed 2009-10-02

Recalls on the 2005 model year

NHTSA has issued 13 recall campaigns covering the 2005 Acura MDX, affecting an estimated 372,385 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.

The campaigns cover vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal, air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module and air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.

One caution about reading these together: a recall usually raises the complaint count for the same part, because owners who read about it go and file. The mileages stay informative; the counts get noisy.

19E068000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

3,744 vehicles 2019-10-10

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 to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."
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 is AS1019XXXX.

19V499000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

3,947 vehicles 2019-06-27

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 may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
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.

19V501000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

1,657,752 vehicles 2019-06-27

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 may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
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.

19V182000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

1,101,534 vehicles 2019-03-06

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 affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver…
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 O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.

17V029000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

308,884 vehicles 2017-01-10

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 Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is…
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.

16V344000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

1,790,894 vehicles 2016-05-23

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), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model…
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, and KA3.

15V320000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

6,281,043 vehicles 2015-05-28

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 moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
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, select option 4. Note: Vehicles that have had their driver frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy prior to September 12, 2014 need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Vehicles that, on or after September 12, 2014, received a remedy for a prior driver frontal air bag…

14V700000

AIR BAGS

0 vehicles 2014-11-04

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, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by…
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers 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.

14V353000

AIR BAGS

133,207 vehicles 2014-06-20

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 side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers 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.

13V092000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

183,576 vehicles 2013-03-14

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 Assist (VSA) control module causing intermittent, automatic, minor brake application. However, if the driver applies the brakes while the VSA is malfunctioning, the vehicle may come…
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 Pilots will have their ground connection tightened. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Honda owners may contact Honda Automobile Customer Service at 1-800-999-1009, and select option 4 or go to www.recalls.honda.com; Acura owners may contact 1-800-382-2238, and select option 4, or go to www.recalls.acura.com.

12V573000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

807,161 vehicles 2012-12-11

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. The recall began on February 22, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

08E013000

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK

2,032 vehicles 2008-02-05

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.

Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.

How it ranks in the 2005 field

The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.

Risk score against the rest of the 2005 field

Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.

Left fewer and less serious reports
Right more, or worse
Marker this vehicle

Where 2005 sits in the model line

High risk for a 2005 — 192nd riskiest of the 320 2005 vehicles we can rate. The comparison is always within the same model year, so an older car is never penalised for having had longer to break.

Across the 24 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 2023 comes out best at 63 and 2019 worst at 79, with 2005 itself at 67.

If the model year is negotiable, 2023 scores lower than 2005 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.

Within the 2001–2006 generation specifically, 2004 is the strongest year at 66 and 2002 the weakest at 68.

Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.

Risk score by model year, out of 100

Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.

Within the 2001-2006 generation, 2004 Acura MDX scores best at 66 and 2002 Acura MDX worst at 68.

Where to spend the inspection money

The mileages below are where the first quarter of reports for each mode had already been filed, which makes them the point at which a fault is worth looking for rather than the point at which it happens: torque converter failure from about 57k, other powertrain problem from about 57k and other electrical problem from about 64k.

On a 2005 Acura MDX with more miles than that on it, the useful question to put to a seller or a mechanic is whether torque converter failure has been dealt with, and if so with what parts and at whose expense. A car that has already had the repair is in a different position from one that has not.

Treat it as where to point the inspection, not as a prediction. A well-maintained example can sail past every mileage on this page, and a neglected one can fail well before the first of them.

The limits of complaint data

244 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.

Of those 244 reports, 184 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 75% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".

The failure modes are assigned by software reading the owner's own words, which is accurate in bulk and wrong in individual cases. A mode with a handful of reports may contain a misfiled one.

And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.

Questions this page answers

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Acura MDX?

The most-reported failures are torque converter failure (38 reports, median 72,500 miles), other powertrain problem (36 reports, median 90,000 miles) and other electrical problem (14 reports, median 100,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.

At what mileage do 2005 Acura MDX problems start?

Torque converter failure is the earliest failure mode to show up, with a median reported mileage of 72,500 miles and a quarter of reports before 57,500 miles. Across all failure modes on this year, the median report sits at 82,000 miles.

Is the 2005 Acura MDX reliable?

It scores 67 out of 100 on our risk index, which is high — 192nd riskiest of the 320 2005 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2005 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.

Which year of the Acura MDX is best?

Within the 2001–2006 generation, 2004 scores best at 66 out of 100 and 2002 worst at 68. Same body, same engines, different luck.

Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.

What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car

Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt 30 August 2026 Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed