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The 2006 Acura MDX has 6 critical safety recalls on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 87 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
The 2006 Acura MDX has 87 NHTSA owner complaints and 11 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 37 complaints, typically surfacing around 79,935 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 MDX | 180 | 13 |
| 2006 MDX (this page) | 87 | 11 |
| 2007 MDX | 99 | 1 |
| 2008 MDX | 49 | 1 |
| 2009 MDX | 52 | 0 |
Significant reliability concerns on file. Read the trouble spots before buying.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the powertrain was repaired or replaced.
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 79,935 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Run the VIN from the listing — 11 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 3.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Acura a division of Honda has know for many years now about a defective draw on the battery from the hands free bluetooth in this vehicle even when the vehicle is shut off with the ignition key out of the ignition. I have read numerous complaints from the 2004 to 2012 models of…
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.
2006 Acura mdx with 34000 miles, start to have intermittent transmission "shudder" around 40mph, bring to thomas Acura dealer to check for two times and was told to change the converter because of "normal"stress of the transmission. In addition, dealer suggest to change…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Acura mdx. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v351000 (air bags). The contact stated that the vehicle was unable to be repaired within a reasonable amount of time. The dealer was contacted, but did not provide an estimated…
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA15001 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 3.6 out of 10 based on 87 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Acura MDX has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
On the NHTSA data, the 2006 Acura MDX is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the powertrain was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: Powertrain: 37 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 58,000–86,172 mi; Reliability score 3.6/10 — below the segment average; 11 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 37 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 79,935 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
It scores 3.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 87 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 79,935 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 37 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 79,935 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 79,935 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 87 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.