Acura MDX problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 7 model years (2018–2025), NHTSA has logged 923 owner complaints and 16 safety recalls for the Acura MDX. That averages 27.9 complaints per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical (index 0.66 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Luxury SUVs segment it ranks #9 of 9 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 15.1.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
Across seven model years from 2018 to 2025, the Acura MDX has logged 923 owner complaints and 16 safety recalls, averaging 27.9 complaints per year which is fewer than typical for all tracked vehicles. While the 2023 and 2024 models show low rates of 11.7 and average complaints respectively, the 2025 model year stands out with a high rate of 55.6 complaints per year that runs at least 50% above the model's own average. The most common problem area is Engine accounting for 32.4% of complaints, followed by Transmission / powertrain at 15.4% and Electrical at 11.6%, with recurring terms including "idle", "restart", "auto", "transfer" and "engine cooling". Owners report 24 injuries and 0 deaths across all model years, though the complaint pace is rising with 349 filed in the last 12 months versus 213 previously.
Summary drafted by an AI model running on our own server from the figures on this page, and checked number by number against the data before publishing. The statistics and the analysis above come from our fixed methodology, not from the model.The trend is flat. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models are within 16% of the 2018 and 2019 models (19 early complaints per model year versus 26).
The 2025 model year has the highest rate (55.6 complaints per year) and the 2023 model year the lowest (11.7). The 2025 model year runs at least 50% above the model's own average — the one to research most carefully. Model years 2023 and 2024 sit well below the model's average.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Engine (32.4% of complaints), followed by Transmission / powertrain (15.4%) and Electrical (11.6%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “idle”, “restart”, “auto”, “transfer” and “engine cooling”. 29 complaints (3.1%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 24 injuries and 0 deaths.
In the last 12 months owners filed 349 complaints versus 213 in the previous 12 months — the pace is rising. The 2022 model year generated the most recent reports (90). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 49 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 16 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2025 (4). 5 NHTSA defect investigations have covered this model, 2 still open; the latest is “All wheel drive allegation” (opened 2026-03-06, closed 2026-08-04).
Every other tracked model among Luxury SUVs has fewer complaints per year, including Audi Q7, Lexus NX, Lexus RX and Mercedes-Benz GLE.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Complaints in first 2 years on the road | vs. same-year average | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 165 | 19.0 | 0.45 | 24 | 0.27 | 38 | 10 | Engine | View › |
| 2019 | 193 | 25.1 | 0.6 | 29 | 0.36 | 35 | 9 | Engine | View › |
| 2020 | 220 | 33.0 | 0.78 | 10 | 0.18 | 63 | 8 | Engine | View › |
| 2022 | 169 | 36.2 | 0.86 | 42 | 0.57 | 90 | 3 | Transmission / powertrain | View › |
| 2023 Fewest complaints | 43 | 11.7 | 0.28 | 10 | 0.12 | 22 | 3 | Transmission / powertrain | View › |
| 2024 | 40 | 15.0 | 0.36 | 29 | 0.41 | 19 | 3 | Electrical | View › |
| 2025 Years to research carefully | 93 | 55.6 | 1.32 | — | — | 82 | 3 | Engine | View › |
1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 349 · Previous 12 months: 213 Rising
Problem areas
Engine ›
299 · 32.4% · 1.46 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- idle71
- engine cooling60
- engine engine64
- restart89
Transmission / powertrain ›
142 · 15.4% · 1.32 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- transfer57
- transmission88
- splines24
- wheels27
Driver-assist systems ›
74 · 8.0% · 1.4 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- camera40
- mitigation27
- adaptive27
- cruise34
Fuel system ›
49 · 5.3% · 1.23 vs. all vehicles · Falling
- fuel34
- gasoline recall16
- system gasoline17
- distribution disconnect15
Body & structure ›
42 · 4.6% · 0.5 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- windshield19
- distorted8
- nausea5
- sunroof9
Other
22 · 2.4% · 1.32 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- seat9
- accelerates4
- drivers6
- coasting3
Wheels, tires & suspension
21 · 2.3% · 0.91 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- tires8
- suspension7
- continental3
- outer3
Steering
21 · 2.3% · 0.35 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- steering19
- wheel9
- electric power3
- departure4
Airbags & seat belts
13 · 1.4% · 0.37 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- notification air4
- seatbelt4
- bags recall3
- distribution disconnect4
Lighting
12 · 1.3% · 0.83 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- taillight5
- water8
- lighting6
- moisture4
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Common terms in reports
- idle92
- restart133
- auto125
- transfer59
- engine cooling61
- engine engine65
- cooling recall43
- splines25
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 49 months
What owners report
Hello! I am writing to report an urgent and serious safety failure involving my 2025 Acura MDX A-Spec and to request immediate investigation and action.
While sitting stopped at a red light, the brake pedal suddenly became soft and the vehicle began moving. As I rushed to depress the pedal further (all the way to the floorboard - which did not stop the car) the car rolled forward and collided with the car in…
Lost all wheel drive rear wheels not turning front wheel drive only. Out of warranty
driver seat rocking. Acura stated 2018 recall for this issue was vin number specific and does not include my vehicle however this is the issue with my driver seat. they advise repairs at my expense.
When at a red light the engine cuts off and does not restart when foot comes off the brake. Sometimes it takes several minutes to start. We were stuck in an intersection and almost were rear ended. Took it ti the dealership. had a new battery up in.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Luxury SUVs
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Audi Q7 | 349 | 7.3 | 0.17 | Improving | Steady | 20 | Engine |
| 2 | Lexus NX | 123 | 8.0 | 0.19 | Worsening | Steady | 7 | Electrical |
| 3 | Lexus RX | 303 | 11.3 | 0.27 | Worsening | Steady | 8 | Airbags & seat belts |
| 4 | Mercedes-Benz GLE | 476 | 12.8 | 0.3 | Worsening | Steady | 2 | Engine |
| 5 | Mercedes-Benz GLC | 510 | 13.9 | 0.33 | Worsening | Steady | 3 | Engine |
| 6 | Audi Q5 | 553 | 14.1 | 0.33 | Stable | Rising | 19 | Electrical |
| 7 | BMW X3 | 606 | 14.6 | 0.35 | Improving | Rising | 41 | Electrical |
| 8 | BMW X5 | 768 | 22.4 | 0.53 | Worsening | Steady | 42 | Electrical |
| 9 | Acura MDX | 923 | 27.9 | 0.66 | Stable | Rising | 16 | Engine |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 16
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 0
- Over-the-air fix: 0
Safety recalls: 2018 (10) · 2019 (9) · 2020 (8) · 2022 (3) · 2023 (3) · 2024 (3) · 2025 (3)
Investigations
- All wheel drive allegation Closed
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has completed its review of a Petition dated January 9, 2026, requesting an investigation into the loss of the optional all-wheel drive capability in model year (MY) 2021-2023 Acura TLX and MY 2022-2023 Acura MDX vehicles. The Petition alleges failures in the interfacing splines between the front wheel drive transaxle and the rear wheel drive power take of…
- Engine failure Open
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 414 reports of connecting rod bearing failures in the 3.5L V6 engine used in the following vehicles: Model Years (MY) 2018-2020 Acura TLX, MY2016-2020 Acura MDX, MY2016-2020 Honda Pilot, MY2018-2020 Honda Odyssey, and MY2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline. The subject engine failures were analyzed as part of a Recall Query (RQ24013). It was determin…
- No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages Open
On June 3, 2022, the Oï¬ce of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several ï¬eld reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traï¬c light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The su…
- Engine failure Closed
On November 8, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ24013 to assess the scope of Honda recall 23V-751 after receiving complaints that alleged connecting rod bearing failures in vehicles that were not within the scope of recall 23V-751. In November 2023, Honda recalled 248,999 various Model Year (MY)2016â2020 Honda and Acura vehicles equipped with the 3.5L V6 engi…
- Pedestrian alert sounds Closed
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and ele…
Frequently asked questions
Which Acura MDX model year has the most complaints?
The 2025 model year has the highest rate (55.6 complaints per year) and the 2023 model year the lowest (11.7).
Is the Acura MDX getting better or worse?
The trend is flat. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models are within 16% of the 2018 and 2019 models (19 early complaints per model year versus 26). In the last 12 months owners filed 349 complaints versus 213 in the previous 12 months — the pace is rising.
What are the most common Acura MDX problems?
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Engine (32.4% of complaints), followed by Transmission / powertrain (15.4%) and Electrical (11.6%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “idle”, “restart”, “auto”, “transfer” and “engine cooling”.
How does the Acura MDX compare with other Luxury SUVs?
Within the Luxury SUVs segment it ranks #9 of 9 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 15.1. Every other tracked model among Luxury SUVs has fewer complaints per year, including Audi Q7, Lexus NX, Lexus RX and Mercedes-Benz GLE.
Does the Acura MDX have recalls or open investigations?
Recalls: 16 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2025 (4). 5 NHTSA defect investigations have covered this model, 2 still open; the latest is “All wheel drive allegation” (opened 2026-03-06, closed 2026-08-04).