When making a sharp turn on hot days the car makes a grinding noise like something is grabbing the tire. It slows the car, hands the steering wheel and then the VSA hazard light comes on. It is a recurring issue and mechanics have not been able to diagnose.
2005 Acura MDX driver assistance problems
15 complaints (8% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 127,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 15
- of this car's complaints
- 8%
- typical mileage
- 127,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Acura MDX driver assistance problems in other years
Related recalls
Traction control system
- What is wrong
- 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 to an abrupt stop. Additionally, due to a loose ground connection, certain model year 2005 Pilots have a VSA system that may apply partial brake force, without the illumination of the brake lights, whether or not the driver is using the brakes.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 13V092000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Vehicle Stability Assist Malfunction
On March 14, 2013, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) submitted a Defect Information Report to the federal safety agency identifying a defect in the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) system in approximately 183,576 model year (MY) 2005 Honda Pilot, Acura RL and MY 2005-2006 Acura MDX vehicles (the federal safety agency Recall No 13V‑092).The population and failure counts provided pertain only to the MY 2005 Honda Pilots that were the subject of this investigation.Honda's recall addresses two conditions in the VSA system that could result in inappropriate brake activation.The first condition is related to a manufacturing concern with a capacitor in the VSA electronic control unit (ECU) circuit board.According to Honda, VSA systems with damaged capacitors may apply a small amount of braking force for a fraction of a second, when the brake pedal is not applied by the driver.If the driver does apply the brake pedal during a malfunction, the VSA system may employ the brake assist feature rapidly increasing braking force independent of the amount of pressure the driver applies to the brake pedal (releasing the brake pedal would end the brake assist activation in such events).The second condition applied to a portion of the MY 2005 Pilot vehicles manufactured at the Alabama assembly plant that may havebeen assembled without tightening one of the VSA system electrical ground connector fasteners to the proper torque.According to Honda, an improperly torqued fastener can result in increased electrical resistance in the VSA system, causing an incorrect signal to be sent to the VSA ECU, which may result in inappropriate braking while driving with no pedal application by the driver.The owners of all affected vehicles will be contacted by mail and asked to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer who will install a partial wiring harness containing a capacitor for the VSA modulator and, if necessary, inspect and tighten the affected electrical ground fastener.All work will be performed at no charge to the owner.ODI identified 106 incidents of inappropriate brake activation by the VSA system that appear to be related to the defect conditions addressed by Honda's recall.While many of the incidents reported experiencing significant unexpected braking while driving, none resulted in crashes or injuries.ODI reviewed a VOQ reporting a crash resulting in two fatalities that allegedly may have been related to the VSA conditions investigated in PE12-028 and EA13-002 (VOQ 10492170).After interviewing thecomplainant and reviewing evidence regarding the crash (e.g., police report and witness statements), ODI did not find sufficient evidence to determine that the crash was related to the VSA system.Regarding the 25 incidents of brake activations of short duration due to a yaw rate sensor malfunction, complainants indicate that typically the events are very brief and that the puling effect is mild.This investigation is closed.
EA13002
What 2005 Acura MDX owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Recall not fixed in timely manner at all now car isn't working brakes sticking just not safe at all can't drive.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 acura mdx. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the driver's side rear brakes activated independently with the vsa (vehicle stability assist) warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the driver's side rear brake pads and rotor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v092000 (service brakes, hydraulic, traction control system) as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 153,000.
Going 65 miles an hour on the highway vehicle brakes suddenly vsa light comes on almost threw me in the ditch under snowy conditions airbag light also came on
My 2005 acura mdx has been driving great since we purchased it over a year ago. Recently the vsa light came on while driving around town and the vehicle stopped very abruptly when lightly applying the brakes. The light goes away and appears to reset when you turn off the vehicle. Now every time that the vehicle is driven I have to drive extra careful because I never know when the vsa light will come on again causing the vehicle to come to an abrupt stop. I am afraid to drive this car on the freeway because driving at high speeds of the light were to come on and the wheels were to lock up like they have been would be extremely dangerous because it would be difficult to control the vehicle skidding at freeway speeds.
I just purchased this vehicle from a used car dealership at the time had no light appearing. The vsa light has come on and I see it had a recall for this previously. I called the dealership to see if all recalls had been serviced and they indicated they had. I have a huge concern knowing this is still a problem and when I asked if they could repair it under the previous recall that appears to not have fixed the problem I was told I would have to pay for the repair. I sold my honda accord coupe for a 4 door thinking honda/acura products were safe and reliable. I have read further about recall processes and they don't always fix the problem but the dealership can state the recall was remedied. I have an infant and that is why I bought a 4 door. I really am concerned about the safety of this vehicle and I have researched and found others with the same scenerio in which they have serviced the recall and the vsa light comes on again only to be told it is a 2k fix that may not fix the problem. I really need some help at this point, I am driving my infant and would hate for the car to malfunction causing me to have an accident. Recall s87, s88, and s89. This light appears when the car is in motion.
Two days ago, my vehicle was running about 45mph on a sidestreet. An unexpected braking was experienced without me applying the brake, vsa light went on. I had experenced 3 times of unexpected braking, vsa light coming - for the same day. So I decided to change inspect the brakes. The brakes and rotors are still good but I decided to change them anyway. (front: brake pads and rotors, rear: brake pads only today, I was driving on a freeway just before 7am, with a speed of about 65mph, suddenly my vehicle made an expected braking without me pushing the brake. My vehicle almost went out of control for a second but I was able to handle it. I noticed that vsa light went on - but the road was clear, no bumps, no debris, just plain road.
While my vehicle was in motion the vsa light came on and my vehicle started slowing down and jumping like braking on it's own. Without my even touching my brake pedal. I was on the highway going about 40 miles and my 2005 acura mdx did this. I almost got into an accident because a truck was coming behind me at about more or so 60 to miles. I had to literally veer off to the breakdown down line. This was very scary. Please find a way to correct this on this type of vehicle. I am so afraid to drive my car pass 40 miles anywhere now.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 acura mdx. While driving 40 MPH, an abnormal noise was heard. The vehicle decelerated and started moving to the to right and then to the left independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (acura of wichita, 10950 e 13th st n, wichita, ks 67206) where it was diagnosed that the yah rate sensor needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact there was no recall for the failure. The contact was advised to go to the dealer for repairs. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Experiencing the following sudden inadvertent braking issue, but not listed under my VIN even though the make and model fit description of recall. The vehicle automatically braked and pulled to one side causing a temporary loss of control. Vsa ecu malfunction. The federal safety agency campaign number: 13v092000 manufacturer honda (american honda motor co.) components service brakes, hydraulic, traction control system summary of existing recall: 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 to an abrupt stop.(model year 2005-2006 acura mdx vehicles manufactured september 16, 2004, through september 22, 2005)
Questions about the 2005 Acura MDX driver assistance
Does the 2005 Acura MDX have driver assistance problems?
Owners have filed 15 complaints about the driver assistance of the 2005 Acura MDX, 8% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2005 Acura MDX driver assistance problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 127,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2005 Acura MDX driver assistance?
Yes, 1 recall: 13V092000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Acura MDX have the most driver assistance problems?
The Acura MDX model years with the most driver assistance complaints are 2017 (44 complaints), 2020 (38 complaints) and 2018 (28 complaints).
Other 2005 Acura MDX problems
Transmission 87Airbags 39Electrical 18Engine 16Brakes 14Acceleration 9Steering 9Seat belts 7Body 4Visibility 4Wheels 3Fuel system 2Suspension 2Seats 1Tires 1
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