Acura MDX common problems to LOOK for before you buy one 

Used Royal Purple max ez PS fluid on this and other toyotas, Hyundai and Fords. The PS isn't picky just needs to be changed. The transmission is more sensitive so I use the Honda fluid. You take care of the trans and engine you'll only have to deal with "cheap" repairs.

My 2003 Honda Pilot EXL still has the original engine and transmission. Mileage is over 250,000

My mdx is at 292,000. You can’t forget the timing belt that’s extremely important

Yea I’m 18 driving an 04 I’ve had it since I was 16 it can handle a lot 😂

are you still driving it? im looking at an 06 to drive up there

@@BasicGestalt yes, but not for much longer. I looked at an 06 that was in worse shape than mine. I have some pretty good parts in Betty. If I knew a mechanic, I could swap out the timing belt and valves. I need a new exhaust and power steering fluid tank.

@@msme2400 what’s the mileage at now and has the belt never been changed?

Hey me too! Where in Maine you at? The bolts still rusted all on the bottom of my 06 though. I'm hoping for another 50k miles, currently at 250k.

@@DouglasMcWadda central.

Haha same, Also from Australia. 2004 MDX- owned for 6-7 years. Most problems in the video do happen. but i have driven mine very hard (310,700km) (bought at 122,000km). Id be sure to check your tires. On the MDX the tires tend to pop/explode. My spare I had to use recently because a tire exploded. And ive been left stranded to RACV Because of tires regularly a couple years ago. Make sure to clean under the car. Power steering leaks do suck though. It leaks everywhere. Same for my oil. My wiper pipe did fall off unconnected so i had to reconnect it. Mainly just check the fuses (had to replace mine 2weeks ago), any rust, power steering, leaks. Otherwise the cars great. Just service it regularly as I havent done so since 2018. you can tell because the car feels like a boat to drive sometimes. Just keep up with everything and its a great vehicle.

@@NickOfficialYT G’day Nick.. You are the first Aussie MDX owner I’ve come across.. Thank You so much for sharing the issues you’ve experienced, it’s quite daunting 😬. OMG I’ve got so many questions 😂 I love it, but I’m not used to it yet- Do you have a suggestion on where to get it serviced? I live in Sydney but will be uhhh car camping for a while in the near future.. Does yours have the DVD player on the roof? Cheers

@@Anna-ry4nz Hey no I wouldn't have any idea in Sydney unfortunately! I would go call the nearest Honda to find out but I don't even think they'll know what an MDX is 🤣, I did have to change a tire with my MDX several times as they do tend to pop quite often. My spare is actually on right now. My MDX came with all the manuals and service/logbook info so I just had to read a little to figure out. It's all in the left side panel on the boot the jackstand. Under the pulltab in the boot there's the servicing tools, headrests etc for the car. It's easy when you're undoing the lever/pulltab as it slowly drops to the floor. You can then unhook it from the bottom of the vehicle. Using the jackstand id already have it lifted a little bit so you can navigate it easier. I would clean under your car. My tire was literally pale white when I got it out from under the car. Got a picture of it too. But it is a little complicated undoing the nuts for the car and takes a little time but a little elbow grease won't do much! I did not have any extra features on my car besides pretty much the done up beautiful faux(ish) wooden dash I got with the car. I took out the Honda cassette and radio player within 6months of owning and bought a Clarion NX-606AU. although I haven't used the radio since 2019 as I can barely get a signal due to the antenna. Bluetooth audio comes in the screen. GPS, reverse camera if bought the addon. Works perfectly fine with sensors that beep and lines showing where to reverse. Although not as helpful in 2022. I installed a Nakamichi DVD player in the car about a year in at the locals in Dandenong when I was living there. Works fine and pairs with the Clarion unit. Trip computers still working. I did have a problem early this year and very late last year. Fuse blew in my Honda, no radio, no turn signal sounds, no reverse and everything went distorted and blacked out. I replaced all the fuses because some were in the wrong place and the wrong fuses too. I would check that as I never checked that in my entire ownership of the car. I'd stay away from plugging anything in under the cars radio. I installed 2 usbs that come out the glovebox and can reach to the backseat Incase I have to do a long drive with family. Headphones come with the DVD player so you don't have to hear it. Or you can play it via radio. But once again for the servicing I would check around to see if anyone has experience with Japanese (sort of) imported SUVs from that era. Or if they have any experience working with an MDX. as I have a family member who refuses to service mine. Also look out for rust and clear coat fade. Left side fender has suffered badly due to clear coat peel since 2019. And I noticed some rust slowly growing in the top of the boot where the water flows. Happy to send photos if wanted. 👍

Normal wear and tear

Glad you enjoyed it

Thanks

You change at 100,000 in any car for preventive maintenance. Test the tightness of the belt if it’s loose you might have to tighten the belt tensioner or replace the belt tensioner. I just bought a mdx with 255,000 miles tuned up from a mechanic connection. Belt tight and new with threads no leaks and engine sounds quiet. My 2017 sentra sr turbo was already showing major problems at 110kiles and I bought it at 0 miles, car is totaled from a wreck so had to get this old school MDX. Back up camera is amazing to see in early 2000s cars.

Also turn off the car, then spin the pulleys if you hear anything then the bearings could be bad so you might have to replaced the whole unit including pulley, for example; the ac pulley is squealing then you buy a whole ac unit they usually come with a new or refurbished pulley

@@crazytimes288 awesome bro ! Thank you for the feedback! Sounds like you got lucky finding a MDX with new engine, you scored ! Same here my MDX is a clean title, all original, pearl ivory white,interior saddle brown, limo tint, smoked visors/gaurds. Always good to know before hand, preventive maintenance is something I take serious. Naturally aspirated engines are the way to go when it comes to reliability!

No it’s a interference engine. Ps . Look up Gene kim on RU-vid

I have a 04 with 195k. My belt is starting to wear and is recommended for replacement fairly soon. I try to minimize my start ups with the car. I can leave my car running at some gas stations where there is not a lot of people and where I can see it from the store. I don't like to use the pay at the pump bc it authorizes my card for $75 for 48 hours. If that isn't a problem for you or if you use a credit card-even better. I just leave it running, pump the gas, throw out any trash I might have and wash the rear window.

these are strong SUVs

How is your MDX? I would keep the fluid clean

Check your power steering fluid make sure is nice and clean sometimes if the pump is not holding the right amount of pressure in a turn That can happen. But start with checking the fluid

What state do you live in

@@AutoRepairTips757 mid to northern Idaho, near Washington border

One thing specifically I'm curious is a kind of grinding noise it makes when I'm driving and my foot is on the gas but it happens at a very low speed say myb some 20mphs give or take, and I do have some lights on dashboard and steering wheel noise when turning, which when weather gets better Imma check my fluids..

When I get back to work on Monday I’ll check

I work on these cars for a living I hate doing the high pressure ps hose it’s not necessarily difficult but I just hate doing it hahaha

The true headache is the timing belt

After you have done a couple, they are not bad. But do yourself a favour and buy yourself both a overweighted socket (19mm) for the crankshaft damper bolt and a Milwaukee 1/2 impact driver.

The vibration you’re feeling is it at certain speeds and if you let go of the steering wheel does the car pool left or right

@@AutoRepairTips757 When I drive it in the highway at 55mph-65 mph there is vibration but driving residential it doesnt, it does slightly pull to the left and the steering is soft.

@@Rinzler03ny The first thing I would do please make sure your tires are balanced

@@AutoRepairTips757 I'm going to have it check and also to see if I need alignment. Thank you for replying.

@@Rinzler03ny no worries

👍

Juan from J & J Mechanic

They had someone replace it only 30,000 miles ago

@@AutoRepairTips757 OK

I have an 04 with 195k and I need to replace mine soon. I think it is the original and that tb typically avg 150k?

@@msme2400 recommended every 7 years or 107,ooo miles. i just commented above about these INTERFERENCE engines

They do have a few issues

@@AutoRepairTips757 thank you..i saw one for sale kind of cheap..i see why now thanks.

Why you say that?

The 02-06 were the bad ones.

@@AbandonedExplorationUrbex1979 Always love Hondas but the MDX is the worst car ever had fix one thing nother thing went wrong lost 9000 dollars on it nother motor replace every thing on it then the gear box went and that was it no more so sold it for 2000 lost a lot of money on it its none stop problems do not buy this car the person that brought it he had the new gear box automatic and his motor went on him so he needs mine for the motor.

@@goose8524 Good to know

@@goose8524 I call bs on your story