The 2004 Acura MDX factory service and repair manual is matched to this exact year, engine and trim, so every torque figure, wiring diagram and diagnostic sequence is the one Acura wrote for this vehicle.
Engines
- 3.5L V6 — 3471cc (212 cu in), SOHC, naturally aspirated, gas
Trims
- Touring Sport Utility 4-Door
- Base Sport Utility 4-Door
Known issues on the 2004 Acura MDX. Four recalls are on federal record for this model year: three frontal air bag inflator modules — two on the passenger side and one on the driver side — where an inflator explosion or rupture may send sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, and a replacement accelerator pedal assembly that can bind, leaving the engine unable to quickly return to idle after the pedal is released. Owners have filed 242 complaints and 115 technical service bulletins are on record for the year. This manual carries the factory diagnostic and repair procedures behind each of those systems.
From a scheduled service interval to an SRS fault code or a throttle that hangs off idle, it keeps you on the OEM procedure and the correct specification for your 2004 MDX.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash
An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2007-2011 Honda Element, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot and 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."
If the accelerator pedal binds, the engine may not quickly return to idle after the pedal is no longer pressed, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, using option 5. Dorman's number for this recall is AS1019XXXX.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.
American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2008 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2008 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA0, KA1, KA2, and KA3.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles that have had their driver frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy prior to September 12, 2014 need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Vehicles that, on or a
American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in California, and equipped with Takata-brand air bag inflators. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
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.
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.
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.
HONDA IS RECALLING 2,032 HITCH STYLE BIKE RACKS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE ON MY 2003-2007 AND SOME MY 2008 HONDA PILOT, RIDGELINE, AND ACURA MDX VEHICLES. A PINCH BOLT EXISTS BETWEEN THE BIKE ARM BRACKET AND THE UPRIGHT ASSEMBLY OF THE "HITCH" STYLE BICYCLE RACK.
WHEN MOVING THE BIKE ARM BRACKET TO ITS DOWN POSITION, THIS PINCH BOLT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF CAUSING SEVERE LACERATION OR AMPUTATION TO THE USER'S FINGERTIPS OR HAND.
OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THULE AT 800-THULE91 (800-848-5391) TO OBTAIN A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS OR OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's Airbag Inflator.
Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement f
Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement d
Special Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated.
Sending vehicle data to tech line.
These SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to a loss of CARB certification. These SKUs can no longer be sold as they do not meet CARB standards, but parts
Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement f
Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects to the replacement d
Showing the 8 most recent of 138 technical service bulletins on file with NHTSA.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A THREE VEHICLE CRASH, WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FIRST VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY CAUSING A SECOND VEHICLE TO ALSO STOP AFTER CRASHING INTO THE FIRST VEHICLE WHICH THEN CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE SECOND VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST, BACK AND NECK INJURIES BUT DID NOT REQUIRED MEDICA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, TURNING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE DRIVER IN FRONT SUDDENLY STOPPED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO REAR END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THEM. THE VEHICLE'S PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED OUT OF IT'S COMPARTMENT, HOWEVER, THE DRIVER'S SEAT AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER RECEIVED INJURIES TO THEIR ARMS, KNEES, AND FACE
I WAS TRAVELING ON A CITY STREET WHEN ANOTHER DRIVER TRAVELING FULL SPEED FAILED TO YIELD AS HE WAS ENTERING THE CITY STREET AT A HIGH SPEED AND HARSHLY IMPACTED MY CAR IN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND THEN A SECOND IMPACT TO MY REAR DRIVER SIDE. MY SEATBELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN ME TO THE SEAT AND AS A RESULT I WAS BRUTALLY BANGED AROUND THE INTERIOR OF MY VEHICLE. EVEN THOUGH THE PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO MY CAR DIDN'T LOOK TO BE TOO BAD, I SUSTAINED 7 HERNIATED / BULGING DISC IN MY BACK AND NECK IN WHICH
FOLLOWING A RELATIVELY HIGH SPEED ACCIDENT, CAR VS. DOWNED LARGE TREE, THE CAR SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT LEFT FRONT END DAMAGE AND IMPACT HARD ENOUGH FOR DRIVER TO STRIKE HIS HEAD ON THE INSIDE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE, SUFFERING HEAD AND NECK INJURIES. ONLY THE SIDE AIRBAGS ON PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED. NEITHER FRONT AIRBAG DEPLOYED. NO DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER AIRBAGS HAD JUST BEEN REPLACED DUE TO RECALL ON 10-12-15.
DURING A COLLISION THE PASSENGER FELL TO THE SIDE WINDOW AND AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, RESULTING IN HEAD INJURIES. PASSENGER WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED. *AK
I WAS PULLING INTO DRIVE WAY WHEN I SHUT OFF TRUCK TOOK KEYS OUT, SHUT DOOR, AS GARAGE DOOR WAS OPENING. CAR STARTED ROLLING BACK... I OPENED DOOR TRIED TO PRESS ON EMERG. BRAKE WITH HAND AS IM RUNNING WITH VEHICLE AS IT IS ROLLING BACK, WOULDN'T STOP. I REALIZED THE GEAR WASN'T IN PARK, IT WAS IN REVERSE, BUT WITH NO KEYS I TRIED TO PUT GEAR INTO PARK, WOULDN'T MOVE WITHOUT KEYS, I HOPPED IN, PUT KEYS IN IGNITION AND TURNED CAR ON, AS I WAS PUTTING THE GEAR IN PARK, THE VEHICLE REARED FORWARD
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA MDX. THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED WHILE STOPPED. THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT COLLAPSED. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BECAME UNLATCHED AND THE CONTACT WAS THROWN FORWARD SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE ENGINE SIZE AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 18,000.
I WENT TO DRUG A STORE AND WAS IN A HURRY WHEN I PARKED THE VEHICLE. I LEFT THE CAR IN "DRIVE" AS I WAS IN A HURRY AND DIDN'T NOTICE. I WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND REMOVE THE KEY, WHICH DIDN'T REGISTER TO ME AS A PROBLEM AT THE TIME. WHEN I CAME OUT OF THE STORE, I FOUND THE VEHICLE HAD ROLLED BACKWARDS AND STRUCK ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE, CAUSING APPROXIMATELY $2200 IN DAMAGE TO THE OTHER VEHICLE. MINIMAL TO NO DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. WHEN I GOT HOME I WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THIS S
ON JUNE 7TH, AS I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE THE DRIVER FRONT AIRBAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED CAUSING ME TO CRASH THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPART AND POLICE DEPARTMENT CAME TO THE SCENE. I WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TO TOWED FROM THE SCENE. DEEMED TOTAL LOSS BY INSURANCE COMPANY.
TAKATA RECALL MY AIRBAGS WERE REPLACED TWICE ALREADY THROUGH RECALL REPAIR AND THE AIRBAG SENSOR CAME BACK ON LAST WEEK, MOMENT IT CAME ON I WAS IN MOTION AND THE STEERING WHEEL I WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING. THIS RESULTED IN ME SIDE-SWIPING AND OBJECT, HITTING THE CURB AND FLATTENING MY TIRE. THERE IS ALSO ANOTHER RECALL ON MY VEHICLE
I EXPERIENCED A TERRIFYING EVENT OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION. I WAS PULLING INTO A CHURCH PARKING LOT YESTERDAY MORNING AND HAD ALMOST COME TO A FULL STOP WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE CAR TOOK OFF (A WITNESS SAID THE HORN BEEPED AS IT HAPPENED; I DON'T REMEMBER, I WAS SO BUSY TRYING TO CONTROL THE CAR AND THE ENGINE WAS LOUD, LIKE A TEEN-AGER IN A DRAG RACE). I KEPT BRAKING AND TURNED THE WHEEL SHARPLY TO AVOID HITTING THE FENCE IN FRONT OF ME BUT COULDN'T GET IT TO STOP. IT WAS LIKE IT WA
I PULLED UP MY DRIVEWAY WHICH HAS UPHILL GRADE THEN A FLAT AREA AND WAS IN MY GARAGE WHEN I NOTICED THAT I HAD THE KEYS IN MY HAND. I TURNED AROUND AND NOTICED MY CAR WAS DRIFTING BACK DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. I TRIED TO JUMP BACK IN THE CAR TO HIT THE BRAKES BUT THOUGHT BETTER OF IT AS IT WAS GAINING MORE SPEED. I LET GO F THE FRONT DOOR AND WATCHED AS IT VEERED OFF THE DRIVEWAY AND HIT A TREE AND LANDSCAPING ROCK AND END OF DRIVEWAY. WHAT IT . SO I WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION W
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR CRASH DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED BUT THERE WAS HESITATION IN ENGAGEMENT OF THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE TO THE FRONT BUMPER. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THE BRAKES IN THE VEHICLE WERE UNUSUALLY SOFT. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
ELECTRICAL SHORT
HI I'M SEEKING GUIDANCE MY MOM PURCHASED A USED 2004 MDX AND SHE ONLY DRIVES IT TO AND FROM WORK ABOUT A FIVE MIN DRIVE AND ONE MORNING AFTER SHE ARRIVED TO WORK TEN MINS LATER HER CAR CAUGHT IN FLAMES FIRE FIGHTER INVESTIGATORS STATED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WHAT CAN I DO. ABOUT THIS VIN # [XXX] 2004 ACURA MDX INCIDENT DATE OF APRIL 1,2016 AROUND 630 AM IN THE PARKING LOT OF LOMPOC HOSPITAL CA 93435 WE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE THREE WEEKS LATER SATURDAY APRIL 23,2016 INFORMATION RE
Showing the 15 most serious of 171 complaints filed with NHTSA.
