299 of the 923 complaints about the Acura MDX (32.4%) concern Engine, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 1.5× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
299Complaints · Engine
32.4%Share of complaints
1.46×vs. all vehicles
104Last 12 months
2.0%Share involving a crash or fire
2Related recalls
Analysis
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2020 model (96, 44% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2023 model (1). 104 Engine complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 71 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
Owners most often describe: “idle”, “engine cooling”, “engine engine”, “restart” and “cooling recall”. 7 of these reports (2.0%) describe a crash or fire, with 1 injury and 0 deaths mentioned.
2 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 23V751000 (2023-11-13, model years 2018, 2019 and 2020).
The contact owns a 2018 Acura MDX. The contact stated that at an idle stop, he allowed another vehicle to complete a turn.
Engine · 2024-12-09 · ODI 11629655 · Crash
The contact owned a 2018 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in a garage there was a sudden odor of smoke. The contact stated upon discovering the smoke the contact noticed fumes and flames coming from the engine compartment.
Engine · 2024-04-19 · ODI 11584082 · Fire
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.
Engine · 2026-09-01 · ODI 11761234
Idle Auto Start/Stop will not restart after cutting on leaving me stranded in traffic.
Engine · 2026-08-26 · ODI 11759837
My 2025 Acura MDX suffers from a severe safety defect regarding the Auto Idle Stop (auto start-stop) system. When the vehicle comes to a complete stop at intersections or traffic lights, the engine shuts off as intended.
Engine · 2026-08-25 · ODI 11759336
The contact owns a 2018 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and failed to exceed 35-60 MPH. The check engine warning light was flashing. The driver pulled over to the side of the road.
Engine · 2026-08-24 · ODI 11759230
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL Campaign 23V751000 · 2023-11-13 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020
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.
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS Campaign 19V298000 · 2019-04-12 · Model years: 2018, 2019
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura MDX and Honda Pilot vehicles and 2019 Acura RLX, RLX Sport Hybrid, TLX and Honda Odyssey and Ridgeline vehicles. The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected timing belt free of charge. Vehicles receiving a replacement timing belt will also have the engine inspected and any damaged components will be replaced for free. The recall began June 7, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is L4M. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is Z4L.
Why modern engines burn oil, and what owner complaints revealThe design choices that make many recent engines consume oil, the warning signs owners describe, what counts as normal, and which tracked models draw the most engine complaints right now.
Frequently asked questions
How common are Engine problems on the Acura MDX?
299 of the 923 complaints about the Acura MDX (32.4%) concern Engine, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 1.5× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Acura MDX model years have the most Engine complaints?
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2020 model (96, 44% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2023 model (1).
Is there a recall for Acura MDX Engine problems?
2 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 23V751000 (2023-11-13, model years 2018, 2019 and 2020).