Acura MDX problems by model year

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 1,564 owner complaints and 32 recalls on file for the Acura MDX (2005–2026). The 2016 MDX has the most serious complaints, most often about engine.

Complaints
1,564
Recalls
32
Model years
21
Worst year
2016

Complaints by model year

16200576200781220091226201130142013522520152522102017146174201922215420224140202410892026
NHTSA complaints per Acura MDX model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst Acura MDX years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

  1. 2016 Acura MDX — 252 complaints, 6 crashes, 4 fires; top problem: Engine
  2. 2020 Acura MDX — 222 complaints, 4 crashes; top problem: Engine
  3. 2017 Acura MDX — 210 complaints, 3 crashes, 2 fires; top problem: Engine
  4. 2019 Acura MDX — 174 complaints, 4 crashes, 3 fires; top problem: Engine
  5. 2022 Acura MDX — 154 complaints, 6 crashes, 2 fires; top problem: Transmission & Drivetrain

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2007 (6 complaints).

Every Acura MDX model year

YearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesRecallsTop problem
2026 MDX90001Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2025 MDX1082053Engine
2024 MDX401042Electrical System
2023 MDX412022Transmission & Drivetrain
2022 MDX1546242Transmission & Drivetrain
2020 MDX2224028Engine
2019 MDX1744339Engine
2018 MDX14624110Engine
2017 MDX2103228Engine
2016 MDX2526447Engine
2015 MDX251018Transmission & Drivetrain
2014 MDX520118Steering
2013 MDX140201Electrical System
2012 MDX300101Engine
2011 MDX260000Engine
2010 MDX120241Engine
2009 MDX120010Electrical System
2008 MDX81110Airbags
2007 MDX60000Electrical System
2006 MDX70008Engine
2005 MDX1620210Airbags

Most common Acura MDX problem areas (all years)

  • Engine
    598 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    292 complaints
  • Electrical System
    276 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    199 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    189 complaints
  • Brakes
    86 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    69 complaints
  • Steering
    63 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    55 complaints
  • Lighting
    52 complaints

Complaint trend

2020202120222023202420252026
Complaints about the Acura MDX received by NHTSA each month.

Acura MDX recalls

  • Recall 26V365000Jun 4, 2026880,514 vehiclesModel years 2014–2020

    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.

  • Recall 26V332000May 21, 202698,892 vehiclesModel years 2017–2026

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

  • Recall 25V391000Jun 12, 2025259,033 vehiclesModel years 2023–2025

    Risk: A brake pedal that shifts out of position can prevent the driver from applying the brakes as intended, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

  • Recall 25V259000Apr 17, 2025152,800 vehiclesModel years 2014–2020

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

  • Recall 25V032000Jan 23, 20259,221 vehiclesModel years 2025

    Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 24V064000Feb 1, 2024750,114 vehiclesModel years 2020–2022

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

  • Recall 23V858000Dec 18, 20232,490,460 vehiclesModel years 2013–2020

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

  • Recall 23V751000Nov 13, 2023248,999 vehiclesModel years 2016–2020

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

  • Recall 23V458000Jun 29, 2023124,077 vehiclesModel years 2020

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

  • Recall 21V215000Mar 25, 2021624,552 vehiclesModel years 2019–2020

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

  • Recall 19V499000Jun 27, 20193,947 vehiclesModel years 2005–2006

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • Recall 19V501000Jun 27, 20191,657,752 vehiclesModel years 2005–2006

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • Recall 19V298000Apr 12, 201993,946 vehiclesModel years 2018–2019

    Risk: Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.

  • Recall 19V256000Mar 28, 2019322,897 vehiclesModel years 2014–2019

    Risk: Loss of the taillights reduces the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of crash.

  • Recall 19V182000Mar 6, 20191,101,534 vehiclesModel years 2005–2006

    Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • Recall 19V060000Jan 29, 2019437,032 vehiclesModel years 2016–2018

    Risk: Reduced fuel pump performance can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.

  • Recall 18V777000Nov 1, 201864,785 vehiclesModel years 2017–2019

    Risk: A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 18V221000Apr 5, 20185,810 vehiclesModel years 2018

    Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat does not remain secured to the floor, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

  • Recall 17V029000Jan 10, 2017308,884 vehiclesModel years 2005–2006

    Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • Recall 16V417000Jun 9, 201639 vehiclesModel years 2015–2016

    Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

  • Recall 16V344000May 23, 20161,790,894 vehiclesModel years 2005–2006

    Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • Recall 15V417000Jul 1, 2015106,439 vehiclesModel years 2014–2015

    Risk: If a bolt was not coated, it may corrode and break as a result. If the bolt breaks, the compressor clutch plate may separate from the vehicle, possibly becoming a road hazard.

  • Recall 15V320000May 28, 20156,281,043 vehiclesModel years 2005–2006

    Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • Recall 15V301000May 20, 201519,502 vehiclesModel years 2014–2015

    Risk: If the CMBS unexpectedly applies emergency braking force while driving, there is an increased risk of a crash.

  • Recall 14V700000Nov 4, 2014Model years 2005

    Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Other Acura models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology