American Honda Motor Co. is recalling certain Trailer Hitch Harness Kits, Part Number 08L91-TZ5-200. These kits are for use in 2014 model year Acura MDX vehicles. The trailer hitch kit has a subharness that is incorrectly wired such that there may be no power...
Electrical system
Acura MDX Electrical problems by year
533 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Acura MDX's electrical system. Dead batteries, warning lights, wiring, alternators, infotainment and electronic module failures.
Electrical complaints by model year
Electrical recalls
Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Pilot and Odyssey and 2003 through 2006 Acura MDX passenger vehicles manufactured from November 26, 2001, through August 30, 2006. The interlock lever of the ignition switch may deform, which can allow the...
Latest MDX electrical complaints
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...
Read the full complaint
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.
I purchased my 2020 MDX from the dealership as a new vehicle. I have had to replace the Starter 3 times in 6 years. The dealership covered the replacement of the starter all three times. The first time I was stranded on the road when the starter gave out at a red light. The second time the starter gave out I was in a parking lot. The third time was I was at a gas pump getting gas. I don't think its an appropriate remedy to keep replacing the starter every two years. It seems that there is something wrong with the connection or the circuit system that is making the starter go bad prematurely.
The contact owns a 2025 Acura MDX. The contact stated upon coming to a complete stop at an intersection downhill, the engine turned off while the instrument panel and infotainment center remained operable. The contact was unsure if the engine Auto START/STOP system was engaged during the failure. The message "Shift to Park" was displayed. The contact attempted to shift to park(P), to turn off and restart the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to respond. The message "Transmission Error-Take to Acura Dealer" was...
Read the full complaint
displayed. The contact's husband arrived on the scene to assist, but the Police advised the contact that an emergency tow was required due to the potential crash. The Police requested emergency towing services, and the vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Action Number: EA25004 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The selling dealer, Acura of Memphis (2611 Ridgeway Rd, Memphis, TN 38119) and the manufacturer were contacted by email. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.
On Saturday 10/24/26 at approximately 6:45 PM I pulled into my garage and pressed the engine button to shutdown the car after parking in my home garage. I was about to open the door and exit when the engine started again. I shutdown the engine once again and safely exited the car with my 13year old daughter. I returned within 15 minutes and attempted to restart the car to examine the dashboard engine lights, it was then I discovered that I was unable to start the car and a warning was displayed on the dashboard...
Read the full complaint
that no KEY FOB was present although I was holding it near the start button. I retrieved my spare key fob and attempted to start the engine and noted the same error. The battery on both key fobs had been recently replaced with new batteries. I waited about an hour and attempted to start the engine unsuccessfully once again, the same error displayed "NO KEY FOB present, please place the fob near the start button to engage the engine. I waited approximately 8 hours and was able to restart the engine with no error or issue. This was a very dangerous incident as my daughter and I were in the process of existing the 2019 MDX when the engine started and could have potentially driven through the garage wall.
While driving and coming to a stop, the engine shuts down and will not restart. Error "To continue to drive, depress brake pedal and push Switch". After 10 minutes of trying to start the car it finally started.
My 2020 Acura MDX fails to restart after the Auto Idle Stop system shuts off the engine at stops. The vehicle stalls and will not restart in active traffic, including busy intersections and high-speed roads. This began about three years ago and now happens every day, leaving my family stranded in live traffic lanes at risk of a collision. On [[redacted]], the engine shut off and would not restart in the middle of the [[redacted]], with traffic moving around me at about 40 mph. Capitol Acura in San Jose diagnosed...
Read the full complaint
a failing starter motor and ordered a replacement under repair order [[redacted]]. The part has been on backorder since, with no delivery date. I escalated to American Honda / Acura Client Relations on October 13, 2026 (case [[redacted]]). On [[redacted]], Acura replied only that it is "still reviewing" my request. No loaner or alternate vehicle has been provided, and no repair timeline has been given. I am concerned this is a defect affecting other MDX owners: a starter that fails under frequent Auto Idle Stop cycling, combined with a parts shortage that leaves unsafe vehicles on the road. I request that NHTSA review this issue for a possible investigation or recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
There is a reaccuring safety defect issue where the engine completely shutts off and stalls without warning when the car comes to a stop. This can be at a stop sign, stop lights, or just stopping the car when in traffic, even on the highway. This is due to the IDS (Auto Idle Stop system). A couple exteme safetyhazards that have occured: The car has repeatedly shut down while we are in the middle of the highway during stop and go traffic leaving us stranded in in live lanes of traffic with the car just completely...
Read the full complaint
shutting down and glitching. It would take multiple attempts to turn the car on in order to get out of the situation. There have been close calls on rear-end collisions as a result of this. The issue also progressively worsens during super cold or super hot weather further reflecting the starter/software issues. During other occasions, the car completely failed to restart or delayed restarts that took 5+ hours long once the car "cooled down" from being parked in the sun. We have taken the car to an authrozied acura delarship on atleast two seperate occasion to address the racall issue. On top of these more severe situations, atleast once a week i will get stuck on a stop sign were the shuts down and then i am stuck for a few minutes trying to get it to turn on. However, the issue had ZERO improvement. The defect remains entirely unresolved and feels unsafe to operate. For the safety of my family and for your own massive legal and manufaturere liability due to the immenet threat of accidents, severe injury, or death, please resolve ASAP.
Faulty and auto-stop/start system glitch where the engine fails to turn back on. This issue frequently occurs while driving in traffic or at a stop light. This issue happens daily become extremely dangerous as car unexpected turns off and fails to turn back on a busy road. There is no option to turn off the auto-stop/start system to avoid the glitch.
Brake system, Cruise control, lane keeping system get malfunction erratically (ever since 2022, and has been like this), and one of the two sets of brakes never wears off (More than 100 K mileage now (Oct. 2026) , one set of brake pads still is still have sufficient life and does not seem to require replacement. Additiionally, recently (August 2026) the electronic system has gone very bad, the dashboard automatically restarts, headlight turns on, and trying to engaging something, then turned off automatically,...
Read the full complaint
then a new cycle starts, and even I turned off again, the cycle will restart until battery is drained and dead, if I do not lock the car (and I had to replace a new battery that was used for less than 1.5 year. If I lock the car, the car will start the same cycle and will honk, and honk, until the surrounding people had to remove the car.
Car is not staying on during traffic. Afraid to go in highway now.
On two occasions my vehicle stalled out when the idle stop feature failed to restart the engine in traffic. I could not restart my vehicle initially and it took several attempts to restart. Because I was at a stop in an intersection waiting to turn this could have resulted in a serious accident. There was no warning light or other indication of an issue prior to, during, or after the first incident. This was subsequently reproduced and documented with the dealer. They indicated they are seeing issues with many...
Read the full complaint
other vehicle of the same model and year but indicated they couldn't say much more. The dealer said they would replace the starter but did not definitively say it would solve the issue. Because they did not have the part in stock thet advised me to continue driving in the meantime with the idle stop feature disabled; however, operators must remember to do this manually at each drive.
The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving, the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), brake, and Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) warning lights were intermittently illuminated. The contact associated the failure with the brake pads, which had not been replaced since the vehicle was purchased brand new; however, the dealer confirmed that the brake pads were in good condition. Additionally, the contact stated that there were electrical failures after the vehicle was parked. The steering wheel...
Read the full complaint
was raised, and the warning light was illuminated while making a continuous clicking sound, and the horn was honking continuously while the vehicle was parked and locked. The electrical failures caused the battery drain and the battery was replaced. The contact stated that several attempts were needed to jumpstart the vehicle. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from under the hood. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions; however, the cause of the failures could not be determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Acura MDX on August 26, 2026. While registering the vehicle, the contact was informed that the previous title indicated that the odometer was reported at 277,000. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 77,000.
On October 1, 2026 at approximately 5:45am, while driving my 2026 Acura MDX, I stopped at a red traffic light on a busy street. The vehicle's Auto Idle Stop system shut the engine off as designed. When the light turned green and I attempted to proceed, the engine failed to restart. The vehicle became disabled in an active traffic lane in the dark and I was unable to move it for several minutes. I attempted to restart the vehicle multiple times. It took several attempts to fully the shut the vehicle down and...
Read the full complaint
restart it before I was able to actually restart the car and resume driving. Because the vehicle was unexpectedly immobilized in traffic when surrounding vehicles began moving, I was placed at significant risk of being struck from behind or involved in a serious collision -- particularly because it was dark and all my lights were off while attempting to restart the car. My best assessment is that the failure involved the Auto Idle Stop / Restart system, starter system, electrical system or related control components. The exact cause is unknown at this time. The vehicle and all related components remain available for inspection upon request -- at least until the dealership starts working on my car to diagnose and hopefully fix the problem. (There are other reports of this happening with earlier models.) There were no warning lights, warning messages or obvious symptoms immediately before the failure. The Auto Idle Stop system appeared to operate normally when the engine shut off at the red light; the failure occurred when the system was supposed to restart the engine. The problem has not yet been reproduced or confirmed by my Acura dealer. I advised my dealership that the car failed to restart and left me stranded in active traffic. I was initially told that it could be several weeks to months before they could inspect the vehicle and I escalated the matter to the head of the service department due to the serious safety issue.
VIN: [[redacted]]: 2024 Acura MDXComponents: Engine, Electrical System, Powertrain (Auto Idle-Stop)Ref Investigation: NHTSA EA25-004 (Upgraded from PE22-005) Dealer: Acura Carland ([[redacted]])SAFETY DEFECT SUMMARY:Severe safety hazard involving the Auto Idle-Stop system. The vehicle repeatedly shuts off at stops (intersections, traffic lights) and fails or struggles to restart, leaving it stranded with zero motive power in active traffic and creating immediate collision risk. DEALER FAILURE & PROTOCOL...
Read the full complaint
DEVIATION:Under warranty, Acura Carland diagnosed excessive starter electrical draw and replaced the starter motor. This was a superficial fix. Per Honda/Acura technical directives (e.g., TSB 23-009 / NHTSA [[redacted]] and [[redacted]]), high starter current draw during idle-stop restart stems from root mechanical drag (valve clearances) and faulty relays. Replacing only the starter ignored the root cause, leading directly to repeat failure.The identical failure recurred. Upon returning to Acura Carland, dealership personnel dismissed my concerns, disregarded published technical notices and federal investigation references, and refused to escalate to Honda Technical Information & Support (TIS) or a Field Technical Specialist.NHTSA EA25-004 NEXUS:Directly matches active investigation EA25-004 (2.2M Honda/Acura 3.5L vehicles). ODI specifically noted restart failures persist even after software updates and starter motor replacements. My vehicle demonstrates that 2024 MDX models suffer the identical vulnerability and dealers are performing inadequate component swaps. RELIEF REQUESTED:Incorporate VIN [[redacted]] into EA25-004.Mandate American Honda enforce root-cause dealer repair protocols (valve adjustments, starter relays).Compel a safety recall and full warranty extension covering all Auto Idle-Stop, ignition, valve train, and starter components. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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