AcuraMDX2004Overview/acura/mdx/2004/base/

2004 Acura MDX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 MDX.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2004 Acura MDX is an SUV fitted with a five-speed automatic transmission, specified for 4.5 quarts of 5W-20 API engine oil and EPA-rated at 15/21/17 mpg. Within the model's 2001-2026 complaint history, the 2004 model year sits below the midpoint with 171 total owner complaints, well under the 2016 high of 360 and substantially above the 2026 low of 6. Power train issues are the top complaint area, and the model year carries 10 recalls, so researchers should treat the drivetrain and recall record as the principal focus even though the 2004 MDX is not the most complained-about model year in the lineup.

Model year20262024202320222020201920182004

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.

7.6–8.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.60 sec — 2001 Touring w/Nav
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

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.3
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

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)43.4-50.5 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
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
147 ft. lbs., step 2: 6047 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 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Pedal Assembly (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 45,000 miTransfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 105,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Timing Belt (replace) · Water Pump (inspect)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

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

Within the first‑generation MDX (2001‑2006), complaint counts fell from 224 in 2001 to 221 in 2002 and 212 in 2003 before reaching 171 in the 2004 model year. The 2004 year also recorded 10 recalls, 4 investigations and 138 TSBs, which are lower than the 2003 peak (13 recalls, 5 investigations, 189 TSBs) but higher than the 2005 figures (13 recalls, 5 investigations, 98 TSBs). Compared with the subsequent 2005 model, complaints rose slightly to 180 while recalls and investigations remained at their 2002‑2003 levels, and TSBs dropped sharply to 98. By 2006 the complaint total plunged to 87, indicating a broader downward trend that the 2004 year precedes but does not yet reach. Consequently, the 2004 Acura MDX shows a modest improvement over the earlier 2001‑2003 models but still exhibits higher complaint and recall activity than the low‑point years of the generation, suggesting it is an acceptable but not optimal choice for a used purchase.

10
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
138
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
171
Owner complaints
13 involved a crash · 4 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 171 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train56
Air Bags17
Fuel/Propulsion System8
Engine & Engine Cooling8
Fuel System, Gasoline7
Electrical System5
Unknown Or Other4
Engine & Engine Cooling,Power Train4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 10 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 138 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 2004 MDX take?

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

Does the 2004 MDX have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 10 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.