My engine start vibrating when reach speed 20 MPH to 50 MPH
2005 Acura MDX engine problems
moderate 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 10 engine complaints filed for the 2005 Acura MDX, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: 2005 Acura MDX owners report widespread transmission noise and failure starting early or at mid-mileage, along with engine mount, cooling system, and electrical issues that dealers struggle to diagnose or Acura refuses to cover under warranty. Budget for potential transmission replacement ($3,900-$5,000+) even with lower mileage.
2005 MDX owners consistently report grinding and whining noises from the transmission, especially at highway speeds (50–60 mph), sometimes appearing early in vehicle life or around 75,000 miles. Multiple owners took their vehicles to dealers while still under warranty; the dealer could not identify the source for weeks or months, then recommended transmission replacement at owner expense once coverage expired. Two owners paid $3,900 to $5,000+ for replacement; at least one was denied warranty coverage despite the noise occurring during the warranty period.
Owners also report a transmission cooler line separation at the radiator connection—identified as having only 3 threads, a design weakness Honda acknowledges affects multiple models. One owner's transmission nearly failed when this hose blew out, spilling fluid undetected onto the road.
Engine-related failures include rear main seal leakage around 70,000 miles (repair quote over $1,000) and premature engine mount failures, which Honda addressed only with TSB 06-014, not a redesign or warranty extension. One vehicle experienced stalling with airbag SRS wiring shorts and navigation unit battery drain; the underlying cause was never resolved. Another had radiator coolant line failure that cross-contaminated transmission fluid and risked transmission failure. A speedometer malfunction at highway speed could not be replicated or diagnosed by the dealer.
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission grinding and whining noise
Owners report grinding and whining noises from the transmission, particularly at highway speeds (50-60 mph), sometimes described as unbearable. Several cases resulted in transmission replacement recommendations or actual replacement.
When: Occurred under warranty on new vehicles; also reported at 75k+ miles. Symptoms emerged early in ownership for some, while grinding started after 2 years for others.
Symptoms owners cite: grinding noise; whining noise from engine area; noise at 50-60 mph highway speeds; rough idle with grunting sound
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement cited as necessary repair; costs reported at $3,900-$5,000+. Owners state dealers initially could not identify the problem, often only recommending transmission replacement after warranty expiration.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Acura refused to cover under warranty despite occurrence during warranty periods. Dealers cited repair costs as owner responsibility. No recalls or TSBs mentioned for this specific issue.
Transmission cooler line failure
Transmission cooler connection hose separated from the radiator, causing transmission fluid loss without driver awareness. Owners report the cooler line connection has only 3 threads, identified as a design weakness affecting MDX and Pilot vehicles.
When: Occurred early in one vehicle's operation; owner was leaving home when friend noticed fluid leak.
Symptoms owners cite: transmission fluid pouring onto road; no warning light for transmission fluid loss; vehicle could have experienced transmission failure
Repairs/costs cited: Part identified as having inadequate thread design (only 3 threads). Potential for catastrophic transmission failure if fluid loss not caught.
Rear main seal failure
Engine rear main seal failed, causing oil leaks onto driveway. Occurred around 70,000 miles. Owner performed own maintenance with genuine Acura parts.
When: Around 70,000 miles; noticed oil stain in garage, escalated to dripping at 76,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: oil stain in garage; oil dripping; visible oil seepage
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer repair quote over $1,000 to replace a $10 seal. Owner requested manufacturer assistance to mitigate cost but was denied based on dealer service history.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer denied cost assistance, citing dealer service history.
Engine mount failure
Engine mounts fail prematurely (2003-2006 models), causing excessive engine movement and vibration. Owners cite Honda/Acura TSB 06-014, indicating manufacturer awareness of the issue. Multiple owners report multiple mount failures within a year.
When: Early to mid-life of vehicles; multiple failures noted within a single year.
Symptoms owners cite: excessive engine vibration; potential steering input shimming; rough idle; vibration during driving
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement required; owners reference TSB 06-014 as evidence Honda/Acura is aware of the defect.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda/Acura issued TSB 06-014 acknowledging the engine mount issue but did not implement enhanced design or extended warranty coverage.
Engine stalling with electrical issues
Engine stalled unexpectedly while driving at low speed (20 mph). Investigation revealed navigation unit draining battery and a short in the airbag SRS module wiring. Battery replacement and airbag wiring repair performed, but stalling persisted. Dealer unable to duplicate problem on final visit.
When: Early in vehicle operation.
Symptoms owners cite: engine stall while driving; airbag light illumination; tire pressure monitoring light; complete power loss; battery discharge
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replaced. Airbag SRS module wiring short repaired. Stalling issue not resolved; dealer could not replicate or diagnose root cause.
Radiator coolant line failure with transmission fluid cross-contamination
Radiator blew a coolant line, causing coolant and transmission fluid to cross-contaminate. Vehicle exhibited vibration, grinding, and distress warning light, then stalled completely. Dealer diagnosed potential transmission failure in addition to radiator damage.
When: Occurred while driving at 30-45 mph in busy traffic.
Symptoms owners cite: vibration; grinding noise; triangle distress warning light; vehicle stalling
Repairs/costs cited: Radiator replacement required; extensive fluid bleeding needed due to cross-contamination. Potential transmission failure diagnosis pending retesting after radiator repair.
Speedometer failure
Speedometer needle instantly dropped to zero while driving at highway speed (65-70 mph), causing vehicle deceleration despite engine still running.
When: Occurred 1/18/05 while driving at 65-70 mph.
Symptoms owners cite: speedometer drops to zero; vehicle deceleration without engine stall
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer could not identify or replicate problem on initial incident.
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
I have a 2005 Acura mdx and felt the car noisy while driving after a while the vsa light came on and stayed on. Thank god I purchased an extended warranty because this happened 1 month after the manufacturers warranty expire. They had to replace the transmission at a cost of $3900. *tr
Engine mounts on the Acura mdx from 2003-2006 seem to fail regularly resulting in excessive torque on the transmission and potential steering input shimming. Honda/Acura is well aware of the early failure of these mounts per referencing tsb 06-014. Further evidenced by numerous inputs of multiple mount failure within a year. This is a significant defect that Honda/Acura should address with…
Had engine trouble with your 2005 Acura MDX?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2005 Acura MDX?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 23,075 and 82,000 miles, with the median around 43,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 23,075; a quarter make it past 82,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Acura/MDX.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.