YearToAvoid

2005 Acura MDX Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA has 87 owner complaints about transmission problems in the 2005 Acura MDX, 48% of all 180 complaints for this model year. That is #2 highest transmission complaint count among 20 MDX model years. These complaints report 2 crashes and 3 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 79,828 miles.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
87
48% of 180
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
Median mileage
79,828 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2005 Acura MDX transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Sep 27, 2007, latest Jul 31, 2025.

2005 Acura MDX transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per quarter162007 Q32010 Q32011 Q42013 Q12014 Q32016 Q22019 Q2
87 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2007 Q3 to 2025 Q3; peak 2010 Q3 (16).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2005 Acura MDX

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by MDX model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200587 (48%)
  2. 200638 (44%)
  3. 20078 (8%)
  4. 20083 (6%)
  5. 20098 (15%)
  6. 20105 (11%)
  7. 20118 (11%)
  8. 201213 (17%)
  9. 20134 (14%)
  10. 201426 (15%)
  11. 201512 (17%)
  12. 2016111 (30%)
  13. 201764 (25%)
  14. 201823 (14%)
  15. 201931 (16%)
  16. 202021 (10%)
  17. 202264 (42%)
  18. 202310 (26%)
  19. 20242 (5%)
  20. 20254 (4%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Acura MDX have transmission problems?
NHTSA has 87 owner complaints about the transmission in the 2005 Acura MDX, 48% of all complaints for this model year, including 2 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 79,828 miles.
Which Acura MDX year has the most transmission complaints?
The 2016 Acura MDX has the most transmission complaints (111), compared with 87 for the 2005.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2005 Acura MDX?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2005 Acura MDX is classified under transmission & powertrain. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.