AcuraMDX2003Overview/acura/mdx/2003/base/

2003 Acura MDX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 MDX.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2003 Acura MDX is an SUV driven by a powertrain mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission and requiring 4.5 quarts of 5W-20 API oil, returning EPA fuel economy figures of 15 city and 21 highway mpg for a 17 mpg combined rating. While those mechanical specifications defined its daily operation, the powertrain also dominates the vehicle's reliability profile, serving as the top complaint area among 212 total owner complaints and 13 recalls. When contextualized against the model's 2001-2026 complaint history, 2003 sits well below the peak of 360 complaints reached in 2016 but substantially above the low of 6 in 2026, meaning researchers will find this year represents a period of notable, though not historically extreme, reliability concerns.

Model year20262024202320222020201920182003

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/21/17 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 550 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235-65TR17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length188.2 in
Overall width77.2 in
Overall height71.3 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight4392 lb
Track (front / rear)66.5 / 66.5 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)52/48

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 21 / 17 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the MDX of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.80 sec — 2003 Touring w/Nav & Entertainment
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2003Touring w/Nav & Entertainment 3.5L V67.80 sec16.10 sec260 hpAWD
2001Touring w/Nav 3.5L V67.60 sec15.90 sec240 hpAWD
2001Touring w/Nav 3.5L V68.10 sec16.30 sec240 hpAWD
2001Touring w/Nav 3.5L V68.40 sec16.60 sec240 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.5 Pints
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Transfer Case Fluid80W-90 · API · GL-4 · GL-5
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity0.8 Pints

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts181 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts54 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Main BearingsCap Bolts: 54 ft-lbs, Side Bolts: 36 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs9 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts8.9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Driveshaft Flange to Transmission53.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug35.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug35.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub210 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub181 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)730 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)730 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.9-1.1 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerHonda
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.27-1.38 lbs
Oil TypePAG 46
Oil Capacity6.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)48.0-55.0 psi
Engine Compression145 minimum PSI. 28 maximum variation PSI.

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket27 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs / 41 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.060 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.098 in / 0.429 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.106 in / 0.437 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.024 in / 0.354 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9014 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant at 120,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 120,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 15,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Final Drive (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Final Drive (drain & refill)
At 105,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Timing Belt (replace) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) · Water Pump (inspect)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Seat Belt System (inspect)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Seat Belt System (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2003 MDX sits at a peak within the first-generation arc (2001–2006): its 13 recalls and 5 investigations are the highest of any year in that span, and its 212 complaints are only slightly below the 2001 and 2002 totals. The preceding years (2001–2002) had far fewer recalls (4 each) and investigations (1 each), while the following years (2004–2006) show a gradual decline in complaints and TSBs, though recalls remain elevated through 2005. The 2003 model’s top complaint areas—Powertrain (85), Air Bags (31), and Engine & Cooling (12)—along with 13 crash-related and 5 fire-related complaints, indicate a model year that drew significant regulatory scrutiny, though the data does not specify root causes. Across the entire generation, complaints and recalls trend downward after 2003, suggesting that later first-generation years (2004–2006) may be less problematic. Given the high recall and investigation counts relative to both earlier and later years, the 2003 MDX is not a recommended buy for a used vehicle; you would be better served by a 2004 or 2005 model, which have fewer complaints and TSBs despite still carrying multiple recalls.

13
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
189
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
5
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
212
Owner complaints
13 involved a crash · 5 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 212 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train85
Air Bags31
Engine & Engine Cooling12
Electrical System8
Air Bags,Seat Belts6
Service Brakes, Hydraulic5
Power Train,Electrical System4
Seat Belts3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 13 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V182000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 06/03/2019

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… Remedy: 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…

19E068000Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator PedalReported 10/10/2019

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 189 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B18-0232026-06-30Air BagsService Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's…
DOR-M3J3F-072020-06-03Engine And Engine CoolingThese SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication…
B20-0072020-03-10Air BagsService Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating…
B20-0102020-03-10Air BagsService Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating…
B18-0232018-06-01Air BagsService bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific MDX. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2003 MDX take?

4.5 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2003 MDX have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 13 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the MDX get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined mpg.