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2001-2026 · 25 model years

Acura MDX Problems by year

Owners have filed 3,367 complaints about the Acura MDX across 25 model years, and it has 46 recalls. The 2025 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (118), while 2008, 2009, 2013 have far fewer than a typical year. The most reported problem area is the transmission & drivetrain, followed by the engine & cooling.

Share your MDX experienceCompare years46 recalls
Most complaints for its age2025118 complaints · 3 recallsSee the 2025
Complaints
3,367
Recalls
46
Crashes
148
Fires
51
Injuries
136
Deaths
0

MDX complaints by model year

Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20269100Driver assistanceB
2025118320Engine & coolingF
202442310Electrical systemC
202344320Transmission & drivetrainB
2022163362Transmission & drivetrainD
2020228840Engine & coolingD
2019193943Engine & coolingC
20181701034Engine & coolingC
2017261884Engine & coolingC
20163787105Engine & coolingD
201571852Electrical systemB
20141729103SteeringC
201330103Engine & coolingA
201276143Engine & coolingA
201170041Engine & coolingA
201045164Engine & coolingA
200952041Electrical systemA
200849121Body, doors & structureA
200799122Electrical systemA
20068711100Transmission & drivetrainB
200518013151Transmission & drivetrainC
200417110134Transmission & drivetrainC
200321213135Transmission & drivetrainC
20022234112Transmission & drivetrainC
2001224491Transmission & drivetrainC

Most common MDX problems

Acura MDX recalls 46

Latest MDX complaints

2018 Acura MDXSuspensionWheels & tiresBrakes

My 2018 MDX is at an authorized Acura dealership for safety recall 26V-365. The technician found the rear subframe hardware seized and unserviceable due to advanced corrosion, requiring a complete subframe replacement that is backordered for weeks. The dealership is refusing alternative transportation, attempting to force me to drive a structurally unsafe vehicle, and attempting to charge for rear brake and caliper binding directly caused by the compromised suspension geometry.

Filed Incident Suspension · Wheels · Service brakesNHTSA 11777337
2025 Acura MDXElectrical systemEngine & cooling

My 2025 Acura MDX A-Spec SH-AWD experienced an intermittent failure of the Auto Idle Stop/engine restart system. After the engine automatically shut off while stopped, it failed to restart when I attempted to proceed. The dashboard and electrical systems remained powered, but there was no engine cranking or audible starter engagement. The dashboard instructed me to depress the brake pedal and press the ENGINE START/STOP button. I followed these instructions and pressed the button multiple times before the engine...

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eventually restarted. This malfunction created a potential safety hazard because the vehicle could not move when traffic conditions required me to proceed, potentially exposing me and other motorists to a rear-end collision or traffic obstruction. The vehicle and affected components are available for inspection upon request. The problem has not yet been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer. However, I have scheduled an appointment with an Acura dealership for diagnosis. The service department indicated that the potential causes could be a failing battery or defective starter, but neither has been confirmed. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or other parties. Prior to the failure, I did not notice any warning lights or symptoms. The first indication of a problem was the engine failing to restart after Auto Idle Stop activated, followed by the dashboard displaying instructions to depress the brake and press the ENGINE START/STOP button.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11777318
2024 Acura MDXOther & unknown

Water is entering the cabin of my 2024 MDX and flooding the front dash and rear electronics bay (where the fuse box and MICU modules sit). The dealership and manufacturer are refusing to diagnose a known flooding defect, creating a severe electrical fire and stalling hazard.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11777057
2002 Acura MDXTransmission & drivetrain

2002 Acura MDX automatic with premium nav. We've experienced 2 main issues with this vehicle. First, the navigation screen glitched for some time and then finally quit completely. The second and larger failure is our shifting gears are beginning to slip and then jolt when the engine needs to shift into a different gear while driving. We notice it jolting occasionally when shifting into reverse as well.

Filed Incident Power train · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11776760
2020 Acura MDXEngine & cooling

On [redacted], while operating my vehicle, the engine suffered a catastrophic internal mechanical failure due to a broken connecting rod, rendering the vehicle completely disabled and creating a sudden loss of motive power. This vehicle is a 2020 Acura MDX Tech SH-AWD with a 3.5L V6 engine (Engine Code J35Y5). The failure mode experienced is identical to the crankshaft and connecting rod bearing defect detailed in Acura Recall 23V-751 (NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000). However, when checking my specific VIN...

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([[redacted]]) on the NHTSA lookup tool, it reports 0 unrepaired recalls. My vehicle was excluded from the original recall population despite carrying the exact same engine type, manufacturing year, and experiencing the exact same catastrophic rod fracture resulting from bearing seizure. Because of this severe mechanical failure, the vehicle is un-driveable and requires a complete engine replacement. I am filing this complaint to document that the vehicle population in Recall 23V-751 was too narrowly defined, and to ensure this vehicle is counted in the ongoing NHTSA investigation regarding un-recalled Honda/Acura V6 engine failures. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11776364

Questions about the Acura MDX

Which Acura MDX years have the most problems?

By the number of complaints owners filed with NHTSA: 2016 (378), 2017 (261), 2020 (228). Allowing for how long each has been on the road, the 2025 stands out most. Complaint counts also rise with sales, so compare years of the same model rather than different models.

Which Acura MDX years have the fewest complaints?

Among model years that have been on the road for at least three years, 2013, 2008, 2009 have the best Safety Index - the fewest complaints, crashes and recalls for their age compared with other MDX years. Always check the exact vehicle's recalls by VIN before you buy.

What are the most common Acura MDX problems?

Across every model year, owners report problems with the transmission & drivetrain (1,011), engine & cooling (862), electrical system (533) most often.

How many recalls does the Acura MDX have?

NHTSA lists 46 recalls across all Acura MDX model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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