InsightArise CarsU.S. Owner Complaint Index
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2020 Acura MDX problems, complaints & recalls

Fewer Steady

NHTSA has received 220 owner complaints about the 2020 Acura MDX, or 33.0 per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.78, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 82 model-year 2020 vehicles we track, it ranks #51 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Acura models its rate is 18% higher; against other Luxury SUVs it is 119% higher.

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

Complaints filed between 2021-01-03 and 2026-08-24. Median delay from incident to filing: 5 days.

220Complaints
33.0Complaints per year on the road
0.78Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
8Recalls
1.4%Share involving a crash or fire
63Last 12 months

Analysis

The previous model year (2019) drew 25.1 complaints per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2020 model collected 10 complaints, 82% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.

The most common problem area is Engine (43.6% of complaints), followed by Electrical (11.4%) and Driver-assist systems (11.4%). Engine complaints are 2.0 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Engine reports, owners most often mention “idle”, “restart”, “engine”, “neutral” and “red light”. 3 reports (1.4%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 2 injuries and 0 deaths.

Half of the reported incidents happened within 57 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (43% of incidents). In the last 12 months 63 new complaints were filed, versus 68 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls for this model year. 58% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses. 4 NHTSA defect investigations cover this model year; the most recent is “Engine failure” (opened 2025-08-20, still open).

Complaint index

  • vs. all tracked vehicles0.78
  • vs. other Acura models1.18
  • vs. other 2020 models0.87
  • vs. other Luxury SUVs2.19
  • Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (10)0.18
  • #51 of 82 · 2020Rankings ›

1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road.

Other model years

  • 201819.0 per year0.45
  • 201925.1 per year0.6
  • 202033.0 per year0.78
  • 202236.2 per year0.86
  • 202311.7 per year0.28
  • 202415.0 per year0.36
  • 202555.6 per year1.32

Acura MDX problems, complaints & recalls by model year ›

What owners complain about

  • Engine96 · 43.6% · 1.96×
  • Electrical25 · 11.4% · 0.72×
  • Driver-assist systems25 · 11.4% · 1.99×
  • Interior & equipment19 · 8.6% · 0.96×
  • Transmission / powertrain16 · 7.3% · 0.63×
  • Fuel system8 · 3.6% · 0.84×
  • Brakes6 · 2.7% · 0.45×
  • Airbags & seat belts6 · 2.7% · 0.71×

vs. all vehicles: 1.00 = All-vehicle average

Engine · Common terms in reports

  • idle29
  • restart35
  • engine61
  • neutral22
  • red light18
  • rod15

Electrical · Common terms in reports

  • auto7
  • restart7
  • stoplight3
  • advanced3
  • high beam3
  • functionality3

Driver-assist systems · Common terms in reports

  • collision mitigation11
  • camera16
  • departure11
  • adaptive10
  • lane14
  • keeping assist6

Problem areas: Engine · Transmission / powertrain · Electrical · Interior & equipment · Driver-assist systems · Fuel system · Brakes · Body & structure

When complaints were filed

2021: 10 10 2021 2022: 13 13 2022 2023: 28 28 2023 2024: 61 61 2024 2025: 68 68 2025 2026: 40 40 2026
  • Crashes reported: 3
  • Fires reported: 0
  • Injuries: 2
  • Deaths: 0

Vehicle age at incident

  • <1 yr1.4%
  • 1–2 yrs5.0%
  • 2–3 yrs7.7%
  • 3–5 yrs42.7%
  • 5+ yrs43.2%

Median age at incident: 57 months

What owners report

Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.

Segment peers · 2020 · Luxury SUVs

ModelsComplaintsComplaints per year on the roadComplaint index
2020 Audi Q7263.90.09
2020 Audi Q5365.40.13
2020 Lexus RX548.10.19
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC8012.00.29
2020 BMW X510716.00.38
2020 BMW X310916.30.39
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE12318.40.44
2020 Acura MDX22033.00.78

Safety recalls (8)

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS Campaign 26V365000 · 2026-06-04

Summary: American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.

Risk: Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER Campaign 26V332000 · 2026-05-21

Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING Campaign 25V259000 · 2025-04-17

Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid light assembly and wiring harness, which can cause the interior and exterior lights to fail, including the lid lights, position lights, license plate lights and taillights.

Risk: Vehicle lights that fail to illuminate can decrease visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wiring and install a fuse harness, replace the lid light, and repair the body dust sealer, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 30, 2025. Owners may contact Acura's customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Acura's number for this recall is FLI. Vehicles included in this recall that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 19V-256 will need to have the new remedy completed.

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER Campaign 24V064000 · 2024-02-01

Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.

Risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP Campaign 23V858000 · 2023-12-18

Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL Campaign 23V751000 · 2023-11-13

Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.

Risk: A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-December 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early April 2024, 2019 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-May 2024, 2020 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-June 2024, and 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed January 27, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XG1 and GG0.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER Campaign 23V458000 · 2023-06-29

Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.

Risk: Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP Campaign 21V215000 · 2021-03-25

Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.

How to check whether your car has an open recall ›

Investigations

Frequently asked questions

How many complaints were filed for the 2020 Acura MDX?

220 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Acura MDX, or about 33.0 per year on the road.

What is the most common problem reported for the 2020 Acura MDX?

The most common category is Engine, accounting for 43.6% of complaints.

Does the 2020 Acura MDX have any recalls?

NHTSA lists 8 safety recall(s) for this model year. 4 NHTSA defect investigations cover this model year; the most recent is “Engine failure” (opened 2025-08-20, still open).

Is the 2020 Acura MDX still generating complaints?

In the last 12 months 63 new complaints were filed, versus 68 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.

How does the 2020 Acura MDX compare with similar vehicles?

NHTSA has received 220 owner complaints about the 2020 Acura MDX, or 33.0 per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.78, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 82 model-year 2020 vehicles we track, it ranks #51 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Acura models its rate is 18% higher; against other Luxury SUVs it is 119% higher.