Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 87 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Acura MDX, and it carries 11 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 30 | 34% |
| Air bags | 11 | 13% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 3 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 2% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 2% |
| Power train | 2 | 2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 1 | 1% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
There is a paracytic battery drain causing new batteries to fail. Troubleshooting says Hands Free Link system may be reason for drain/ dead battery. Or, the Navigation system. There are endless electrical issues within
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Car battery constantly draining resulting in having to jumpstart the car now every time to turn it on. Had the hands free system disconnected by the dealership over a year ago due to them stating it was drawing on batter
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2006 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and became stiff. In addition, the vehicle stalled, and the brake lights failed to illuminate. The contact stated
NHTSA complaint: Electronic stability control (esc)
On several occasions the vehicle will come to a stop and from that stop will begin to stall-at that point almost completely loosing power and an indicator light on dash indicates that an undefined problem *exclamation ma
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
THE TRANSMISSION IN THIS CAR HAS ISSUES WITH ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. I NOTICE THAT THERE IS TRANSMISSION JUDDER BETWEEN 20-45 MPH
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS RELEASED AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST (VSA) WARN
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
THE CAR STARTED LEAKING WATER EVERY TIME IT RAINS IN THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR INTO THE FLOOR AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL POSTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE WITH ACURA AND HONDA.
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 ACURA MDX. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, IT WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT FRACTURED IN HALF.
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2006 Acura MDX. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
Risk: 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 dea
Fix: 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 servic
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-
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 custo
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. The
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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 (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.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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 1-888-234-213
| Reliability raw | 62 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | good |
| Maintenance | 79 | good |
| Depreciation | 64 | average |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 30 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 87 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 30 of them (34%). There are 11 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 62/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 65/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.