Recalls: Honda YD1 MDX
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Honda YD1 MDX
Honda YD1 MDX: MIL may not illuminate when OBD malfunction occurs
In May 2005, a recall was issued for Honda YD1 MDX vehicles due to the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) failing to illuminate when an automatic transmission on-board diagnostic (OBD) malfunction occurred; however, the ‘D’ indicator would flash if OBD malfunctions occurred. The recalled vehicles had VINs in the range 2HKYD 18615H300002 to 2HKYD 18685H300451 (PRA 2005/7723).
2005 Honda YD1 MDX: ESC malfunction
In March 2013, a recall was issued for 959 Honda MDX vehicles that were manufactured in 2005. In these vehicles, the electronic stability control system may not operate as designed, causing the brake assist system to operate. As such, sudden braking pressure may occur regardless of whether the brake pedal was applied or not. The recalled vehicles had VINs in the range 2HK YD18 6*5H 300002 to 2HK YD18 6*5H 300962 (PRA 2013/13508).
2003 Honda YD1 MDX: airbag may deploy inadvertently #1
In September 2013, a recall was issued for 1,598 Honda MDX vehicles that were manufactured in 2003. In these vehicles, damage to the SRS ECU (Supplementary Restraint System Electronic Control Unit) could result in the airbag deploying inadvertently. The recalled vehicles had VINs in the range 2HK YD1 8633H 300001 to 2HK YD1 86X3H 301601 (PRA 2013/13758).
Honda YD1 MDX: airbag may deploy inadvertently #2
In October 2015, a recall was issued for 1,598 Honda MDX vehicles that had VINs in the range 2HKYD18633H300001 to 2HKYD186X3H301601. In these vehicles, ‘variation’ within the SRS ECU (Supplementary Restraint System Electronic Control Unit) could produce excessive electrical noise and cause the airbag to inadvertently deploy. If the airbag deployed while driving, it may distract the driver and increase the risk of an accident (PRA 2015/14972).
2003 model year Honda MDX: Takata airbag recall #1
In June 2014, a recall was issued for 2003 model year Honda MDX vehicles and this recall was updated with new information in September 2017. In these vehicles, propellant wafers inside the inflator of the passenger airbag could accumulate moisture over time. In the event of an airbag deployment, the airbag inflator housing could therefore rupture and cause metal fragments to be projected throughout the cabin – this posed a risk of serious injury or fatality to vehicle occupants. For the VINs of the recalled Honda Accord vehicles, please see PRA 2013/13549.
2003-06 model year Honda YD1 MDX: Takata airbag recall #2
In June 2015, a recall was issued for 2003-06 model year Honda MDX vehicles and this recall was updated with new information in September 2017. In these vehicles, the driver’s airbag contained propellant wafers that could absorb moisture over time. In the event of deployment, the airbag inflator housing could therefore rupture and cause metal fragments to be projected through the cabin – these posed a risk of serious injury and fatality to vehicle occupants. For the VINs of the recalled Honda MDX vehicles, please see PRA 2015/14737.
2005-06 model year Honda YD1 MDX: Takata airbag recall #3
In July 2016, a recall was issued for 2005 to 2006 model year Honda MDX vehicles and this recall was updated with new information in September 2017. In these vehicles, propellant wafers in the airbag inflators could absorb moisture over time and cause overly aggressive combustion if the airbag was deployed. This, in turn, would create excessive internal pressure that could cause the airbag inflator housing to rupture and scatter metal fragments through the airbag cushion material; these scattered fragments could cause serious and potentially fatal injuries to vehicle occupants. For the VINs of the recalled Honda MDX vehicles, please seePRA 2016/15495.
2003-06 model year Honda YD1 MDX: replacement of airbags fitted from 2015-17
In April 2019, recall campaign 6KY was issued for 2003-06 model year Honda YD1 MDX vehicles that were fitted with a replacement airbag inflator between 1 March 2015 and 31 December 2017. These vehicles were fitted with ‘like for like’ replacement Takata airbags which contained propellant wafers that could absorb moisture over time. In the event of airbag deployment, excessive pressure in the airbag inflator housing could cause it to rupture and project metallic fragments into the vehicle’s cabin. These metallic fragments posed a risk of serious injury and death. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17450.
2003-05 Honda YD1 MDX: replacement of ‘like for like’ Takata airbags
In August 2019, recall campaign 6DE was issued for Honda YD1 MDX vehicles that were available for sale from 18 March 2003 to 7 January 2005. These vehicles had their original Takata passenger airbag inflators replaced with a recently manufactured Takata inflator (‘like for like’). Since these replacement Takata inflators had the same fault – whereby propellant wafers could absorb moisture and airbag deployment could create excessive internal pressure that, in turn, could cause the airbag inflator housing to explode and disperse metallic fragments through the cabin – the inflators were to be replaced with non-Takata inflators. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17659.
Search online for recalls by VIN
To see if a Honda vehicle has been recalled, you can conduct a search on the Honda Australia website using its VIN.
Problems and faults: Honda YD1 MDX
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items identified below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
Problems and faults: Honda YD1 MDX
- The MDX’s automatic transmission could fail due to a lack of thread-locking compound for the low clutch.
- The Honda MDX’s battery may become weak or drained due to the glove box light staying on; installing a plastic cap over the plunger ensured that it would turn off when the glove box was closed.
- The left seat in the second row may fail to fold down or slide away for third-seat access due to a loose cable.
