2014-2016 Acura MDX Hood: A Guide to Aluminum Damage and Latch Faults

Symptoms of a Damaged or Failing Hood

Beyond obvious collision damage, several other symptoms can indicate a problem with the hood or its related components on your 2014-2016 Acura MDX.

• Visible Dents, Dings, or Creases: The most common failure is physical damage from accidents, hail, or falling objects. Aluminum is more prone to sharp creases and can be more difficult to repair than steel.
• Poor Alignment or Uneven Gaps: If the gaps between the hood and the fenders are uneven, or if the hood sits higher or lower than the surrounding panels, it could be a sign of previous accident damage, improper installation, or failing hinges.
• Hood Won't Stay Open: If you lift the hood and it slowly drifts down or won't stay up at all, the gas-charged hood lift supports (struts) have worn out and need to be replaced. This is a common wear-and-tear item.
• Difficulty Opening or Closing: A hood that is hard to latch shut or requires excessive force on the interior release lever may have a misaligned or failing latch mechanism, or a stretched release cable.
• Security Alarm Randomly Goes Off: A faulty hood latch switch can trick the vehicle's computer into thinking the hood is open when it's closed, causing the alarm to sound unexpectedly. This is a known issue for this vehicle.

Known Issues, TSBs, and Recalls

While there are no major recalls for the hood panel itself on the 2014-2016 MDX, there is a key Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) related to the latching system.

TSB B15-046: Security System Sounds or May Not Set

A common complaint for these MDX models involves the factory security alarm. Owners may experience the alarm sounding for no reason, or find that the system won't arm (indicated by no horn beep or light flash when locking).

Cause: The issue is caused by excessive clearance within the hood latch assembly. This allows the integrated hood latch switch to incorrectly signal that the hood is open, even when it is securely closed.

Solution: The official fix is to replace the entire hood latch assembly with an updated part (Acura Part No. 74120-TZ5-A01). A dealership can confirm the issue by checking the security system history data with a diagnostic tool.

Buying a Used 2014-2016 MDX Hood: What to Inspect

A used OEM hood is often the best choice for fit and quality, but careful inspection is crucial, especially with an aluminum panel. Aftermarket steel hoods are available and cheaper, but they alter the vehicle's weight balance and may not fit as precisely as the original aluminum part.

Inspection Checklist:

1. Check for Previous Repairs: Since aluminum is harder to work with, look closely for signs of poor quality repairs. View the hood from a low angle against a light source to spot ripples, waves, or dull spots that indicate body filler has been used. A magnet will not work to find filler on the aluminum panel.
2. Inspect the Paint and Clear Coat: Look for mismatched paint, overspray on the underside or on hardware, or areas where the clear coat is peeling or cracking. This suggests a repaint, which often follows damage repair.
3. Examine the Edges and Seams: Check the folded edges on the underside of the hood. Factory seams are clean and consistent. Messy, thick, or cracked seam sealer is a red flag for a major repair.
4. Look for Structural Damage: Inspect the inner frame of the hood. Any cracks, bends, or non-factory welds are signs of a severe impact. Ensure all mounting points for hinges and the latch are intact and not deformed.
5. Verify Part Number: If possible, check for the original Acura part sticker on the underside to confirm it's a genuine OEM part. The primary part number is 60100-TZ5-A90ZZ, which supersedes 60100-TZ5-A00ZZ.

Cost Comparison: New vs. Used vs. Aftermarket

Replacing a hood involves the cost of the part, labor for installation and alignment, and potentially expensive paint work to match your vehicle's color.

Replacement Overview & Difficulty

Replacing the hood is a relatively straightforward job but requires careful handling to avoid damaging the new hood or adjacent panels like the fenders and windshield.

• Difficulty: 2/5 (Easy to Moderate)
• Estimated Time: 1.5 hours (not including painting)
• DIY Feasible: Yes, but a second person is essential for lifting the hood on and off safely.

Basic Steps:

1. With a helper supporting the hood, disconnect the washer fluid hose(s).
2. Use a marker or scribe to outline the position of the hinges on the hood. This will make aligning the new hood much easier.
3. While the helper holds the hood, unbolt the hinges from the old hood. Lift it off and set it aside.
4. With your helper, place the new hood onto the hinges. Loosely install the bolts.
5. Adjust the hood to match the outlines you made, ensuring even panel gaps on both sides and at the front.
6. Tighten the hinge bolts, re-connect the washer hoses, and carefully close the hood to check alignment with the latch. Adjust the rubber bump stops as needed to ensure it is flush with the fenders.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)