The contact owns a 2005 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was able to restart after several attempts; however, the failure recurred after driving a short distance. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the OG sensor and the PMP sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had progressively worsened, and the 4WD warning light was constantly illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and approaching a traffic light recently, the vehicle unintendedly downshifted and nearly stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be repaired for the most recent failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
2005 Acura MDX electrical problems
18 complaints (10% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 100,000. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 18
- of this car's complaints
- 10%
- typical mileage
- 100,000
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Ignition2
- 12v/24v/48v battery2
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Acura MDX electrical problems in other years
Related recalls
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 12V573000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Ignition Interlock Failure - Rollaway
On December 10, 2012, Honda Motor Company submitted a defect information report to the federal safety agency regarding ignition interlocks in approximately 576,117 model year MY) 2003 through 2004 Honda Pilot and Odyssey vehicles that are the subject of this investigation and 231,044 MY 2003 through 2006 Acura MDX vehicles (Recall No. 12V‑573).Honda's report states that a design change to the ignition switch used in the recalled vehicles reduced the range of rotation for the ignition switch from 160 degrees in earlier designs to 125 degrees without a corresponding change to the ignition interlock blocking mechanism.The result was that excessive rotational force could damage a lever that would allow the driver to remove the ignition key that was in a position other than the Park position, which may allow the vehicle to roll away.ODI identified 176 complaints related to the alleged defect, including 48 roll away crashes.Threeof the incidents resulted in the following injuries to pedestrians:1) a broken foot and torn Achilles tendon; 2) a fractured fibula and crush injuries to a shin area; and 3) an incident requiring unspecified treatment at a hospital emergency room.This investigation is closed.The VOQs associated with this investigation are: 10486515, 10486393, 10486100, 10485010, 10482229, 10482091, 10481169, 10481105, 10481079, 10481027, 10480804, 10480648, 10480099, 10480009, 10479934, 10479695, 10479561, 10479517, 10479494, 10479484, 10479437, 10479421, 10479409, 10479343, 10478916, 10478876, 10478857, 10478845, 10478784, 10478776, 10478720, 10476767, 10473167, 10465590, 10463995, 10457825, 10452596, 10451185, 10448593, 10446962, 10440841, 10440040, 10439061, 10439033, 10438611, 10425909, 10403299, 10397920, 10395833, 10395298, 10379673, 10374724, 10365751, 10363501, 10361325, 10358480, 10355331, 10354680, 10354669, 10354390, 10353281, 10351899, 10351489, 10351240, 10349716, 10349612, 10348987, 10348955, 10348725, 10348579, 10348564, 10348429, 10348389, 10348268, 10348254, 10331474, 10325334, 10276072, 10179464.
PE12026
What 2005 Acura MDX owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I purchased this vehicle from a private auction in hesperia, ca around august of 2020 and I am currently the registered owner as of today. About a month into the purchase I notice the car jerk and brake unusually while in motion. I didn't know what exactly happened at the time so I ignored it for the moment. Then about another month after that incident my wife, kids and I were traveling about 70 MPH on the 15fwy headed south and this time it happened once again and more aggressively due to is traveling at a much greater speed and did jerk a lot harder almost making my wife lose control. Luckily she was alert and pulled over to the shoulder right away and that's when we noticed a new light on the I dash had illuminated. We see the acronym (vsa) illuminate and I had never seen this particular light before so I then start to research it. I find out it's part of an anti lock feature and it's suffice when dealing with curvy roads and helps with traction which gives smoother turns while driving and gives better control of the vehicle. I also read it's best to keep this feature off while commuting in your regular everyday transit. So as months go by it happened to me a good handful of times afterwards but at slower speeds and this time the light would not go off when I tried turning off the vsa control button on the driver side dash. I didn't have means to repair this part so I put it off once again. Well coming to a more recent event which resulted in myself losing control while on my way home from work at 11:30pm at night and totaling the vehicle as well as flipping the vehicle until it came to a rest on its side. I strongly believe the vsa feature malfunctioned made me lose control at 62-65 MPH almost claiming my life. I strongly believe it is responsible for my recent accident which could have been life threatening and has caused financial stress upon my family.
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 the vehicle experienced reduced engine power with the potential of an internal electrical failure. The vehicle stalled more than once without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The diagnostic results were not disclosed. The vehicle was unable to be driven safely. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN and failure mileage were not available.
Starting grinding after I had all recalls done I noticed the vsa light is now on an. Didnt have any issue before the vechical at 25 to 40 MPH starts to shutter an makes me feel very unsafe ... I bought this car with the specific ability to keep me safe an have everything I need.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 acura mdx. The contact stated that the key failed to remain inserted in the ignition switch when the vehicle was not in park. As a result, the vehicle drifted. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact called apple acura (1202 loucks rd, york, pa 17404, (717) 854-1800). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was previously repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v573000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 200,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 acura mdx. When the vehicle was in any gear, the key could be removed from the ignition. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same symptoms as listed in the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v573000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 acura mdx. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v320000 (air bags), 13v092000 (service brakes, hydraulic, traction control system), and 12v573000 (electrical system); however, the parts to do the recall repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Driver side power window control unit connector fails after years in service. The control unit is mounted on door with bracket and two screw which puts undue pressure on the connector by pushing it against the body. Over the time plastic connector (due to creep effect) will give away and become loose preventing proper contact which will disable the operation of driver side power window. I learned it hard way by spending lots of money changing all parts (control module, window motor and driver multiplex switch) for no reason.
After placing vehicle in park, I was unable to remove the key from the ignition. The ignition key failed to align with slot so key could be removed. When I attempted to restart the car, it failed to start. I believe the problem is somehow linked between the ignition and the transmission/gear shift. Recently, when shifting into park and drive the gear shift met with resistance. I'm out of town (approx 100 miles) and afraid to stop anywhere until I reach my dealer. Had new transmission installed within the last two years. Posting this notice from hotel's computer, heading to dealer (mcgraph acura, westmount,il.) to diagnose and hopefully correct problem.
Questions about the 2005 Acura MDX electrical
Does the 2005 Acura MDX have electrical problems?
Owners have filed 18 complaints about the electrical of the 2005 Acura MDX, 10% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2005 Acura MDX electrical problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 100,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2005 Acura MDX electrical?
Yes, 1 recall: 12V573000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Acura MDX have the most electrical problems?
The Acura MDX model years with the most electrical complaints are 2025 (54 complaints), 2007 (51 complaints) and 2017 (46 complaints).
Other 2005 Acura MDX problems
Transmission 87Airbags 39Engine 16Driver assistance 15Brakes 14Acceleration 9Steering 9Seat belts 7Body 4Visibility 4Wheels 3Fuel system 2Suspension 2Seats 1Tires 1
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