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2001 Acura MDX Base

The 2001 Acura MDX Base is a 240-hp 3.5-liter SUV with an electronically controlled 5-speed automatic and four-wheel drive. It starts at $34,370 MSRP and is rated at 17 mpg combined.

It makes 240 horsepower at 5,300 rpm and 245 lb-ft of torque at 3000-5000 rpm, spinning to a 6,200 rpm redline. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway (17 mpg combined).

The MDX measures 188.5 inches long on a 106.3-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 4,328 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSUV
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$34,370 ($63,073 *)
MSRP with Destination$34,850 ($63,954 *)
Destination Charge$480
Engine
Engine Type3.5-liter SOHC VTEC 60-degree V-6
Displacement3.5 L
Horsepower240 hp @ 5,300 rpm
Torque245 lb-ft @ 3000-5000 rpm
Redline6,200 rpm
ValvetrainSOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, VTEC, belt-driven
Bore and Stroke89 x 93 mm (3.5 x 3.66 in)
Compression Ratio10.0:1
Injection TypeMulti-Point Fuel Injection
Drivetrain
Drive Type4WD (VTM-4)
Transmission
TransmissionElectronically controlled 5-speed automatic with Grade Logic Control
1st Gear2.563 (47 mph **)
2nd Gear1.552 (78 mph **)
3rd Gear1.021 (118 mph **)
4th Gear0.727 (166 mph **)
5th Gear0.52 (233 mph **)
Reverse1.846
Final Drive4.428
Fuel Economy
City15 MPG
Highway21 MPG
Combined17 MPG
Recommended FuelPremium unleaded
Tank Capacity19.2 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent strut with L-arm
Rear SuspensionIndependent multi-link with trailing arm
Brakes
Front Brake DiscVentilated, 11.8" (300 mm) diameter, 1.1" (28 mm) rotor thickness
Rear Brake DiscSolid, 12.3" (313 mm) diameter, 0.4" (11 mm) rotor thickness
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front17" x 6.5JJ cast-aluminum alloy
Wheels Rear17" x 6.5JJ cast-aluminum alloy
Tires FrontP235/65R17 all-season
Tires RearP235/65R17 all-season
Dimensions & Weight
Length188.5 in
Width76.3 in
Height68.7 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Front Track66.3 in
Rear Track66.5 in
Ground Clearance8 in
Approach Angle28°
Departure Angle21°
Cargo Volume81.5 ft³
Curb Weight4,328 lbs
Weight Distribution (F/R)58% / 42%
Interior
Headroom Front38.7 in
Headroom Rear39 in
Legroom Front41.5 in
Legroom Rear37.8 in
Shoulder Room Front61.2 in
Shoulder Room Rear61.1 in
Hip Room Front56.9 in
Hip Room Rear56.3 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars
** Theoretical max speed per gear at redline

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2001 Acura MDX. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Jan 17, 2020 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL, 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL, 2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey, 2001-2002 Acura MDX and 2000 Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bags in the vehicles, replacing the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138.

NHTSA campaign 20V027000

Jan 17, 2020 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.

NHTSA campaign 20V026000

Sep 1, 2005 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN AREAS WHERE LARGE QUANTITIES OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS HAVE INSUFFICIENT CORROSION PROTECTION, AND MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION.

Consequence: EXCESSIVE CORROSION CAN CAUSE SPRING FAILURE AND A BROKEN SPRING COULD PUNCTURE A FRONT TIRE, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS WITH IMPROVED SPRINGS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 11, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ACURA AT 800-382-2238.

NHTSA campaign 05V385000

Apr 15, 2004 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.

Consequence: GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

NHTSA campaign 04V176000

224 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2001 Acura MDX

Owner Complaints

224 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Acura MDX (9 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 8 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Power Train131
Engine And Engine Cooling19
Suspension19
Air Bags18
Vehicle Speed Control12
Structure10
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Apr 11, 2024 · Power Train
“The contact owns a 2001 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started stalling while attempting to…”
Mar 14, 2023 · Air Bags Crash
“car accident”
Feb 4, 2023 · Power Train, Vehicle Speed Control, Unknown Or Other
“I was Driving down the HighWay at 70 MPH and the Vehicle is “Jerking” like I am Breaking then proceeded to fail to Accelerate and keep up with my RPMS.”
Nov 30, 2021 · Power Train
“The contact owns a 2001 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while he was at a stop light, the vehicle inadvertently switched gears to neutral independently. The contact stated that he switched gears to…”
Aug 24, 2021 · Suspension, Structure
“Horrible rust on subframe. Subframe disconnected from vehicle WHILE DRIVING!!! Very lucky I was not going at a high speed. This is very unsafe, and there are many similar complaints for these…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2001 ACURA MDX. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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