2020 Acura MDX transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Aug 14, 2026NYEngineSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   Engine turns off while in drive or stopped at a red light/stop sign. It has happened 7-10 times withing the last couple of months, but 3-4 times within the last week. Out of the four times it happened, my family's safety was at risk, because the car was in drive, and could've caused us to get into an accident. During the other occasions, we were moving in reverse and stopped at a stop sign. Complaint was made with Acura of Bay Shore in Long Island, NY, at which time an…

   NHTSA complaint #11756994 · source
2. Filed Mar 16, 202669,400 miCTTowedTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while attempting to leave a parking lot, the contact was unable to shift the vehicle to drive (D). The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and retrieved information associated with transmission…

   NHTSA complaint #11724608 · source
3. Filed Jan 22, 2026NJBrakesElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   The following issues occur on a 2020 Acura MDX with low 50k miles, maintenance was done regular whenever a maintenance schedule appear. For the past few years after purchasing the vehicle we started getting a non-start engine with the key fobs and automatic side mirrors did not open or close when parked. Brand new batteries were replace for the key fob and later the Car Battery and the issue occurs intermittently, this was brought to the attention of the dealership and each…

   NHTSA complaint #11712781 · source
4. Filed Sep 18, 2025ILEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   When the vehicle stops and the idle auto-start/ stop engages, the vehicle will automatically go into neutral and cannot be restarted until the vehicle is turned off then back on. This has happened at both stop lights and on the highway and almost caused a very serious rear end accident.

   NHTSA complaint #11688065 · source
5. Filed Apr 9, 202548,193 miCAElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving in Comfort Mode at approximately 40 MPH and attempting to accelerate to change lanes, the vehicle stalled for several minutes before accelerating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle hesitated to start intermittently, and the failure was more frequent over time. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the battery had failed. The battery was replaced, and the vehicle was…

   NHTSA complaint #11653622 · source
6. Filed Mar 26, 202572,062 miMATransmission & Drivetrain

   Engine noise on Monday sounded like thumping - didn't drive car on Tuesday and stated up today sounded like chewing metal in engine bay. 2020 MDX Advanced. Drove to dealership and they confirmed needs small block and is only 2K miles outside of powertrain warranty. Honda claims this isn't under their recall, but dealership is saying all signs point to the same bearing failure. 10K costs for the small block, but could lead to entire engine required.

   NHTSA complaint #11650824 · source
7. Filed Nov 13, 202426,000 miTXTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact stated while coming to a stop, the contact noticed that the vehicle inadvertently slipped into neutral. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle several times to shift back into drive. The contact also noticed that the steering wheel had seized, making the steering wheel difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not mad aware of…

   NHTSA complaint #11624970 · source
8. Filed Oct 10, 2024MNTransmission & Drivetrain

   I was in a stop and go traffic on the highway. When at a complete stop car shifted into neutral, I know that I didn’t push neutral because both of my hands were on the steering wheel. Step on gas pedal and car will not go. Tried putting into Drive but will not shift into Drive. Lots of vehicle behind me. It was very scary and dangerous, I could have been rear ended. I had to turn the engine off and restarted again then I was able to put it Drive and go. This issue happened…

   NHTSA complaint #11619175 · source
9. Filed Oct 5, 2024TXAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   Hello, so far 4 to 5 times my MDX automatically shifted to Neutral gear at traffic signals. THen vehicle stops and not moves, i wouldn't be able to change the gear, the vehicle just seems stuck. COuple of times the cars behind almost crashed with my family in the car. ONly options is to power off the car and restart. I took to the dealer, they ran all the tests and nothing found in the debugging. Looking online, looks like many customers have experienced the problem with…

   NHTSA complaint #11618244 · source
10. Filed Jul 26, 2024MDEngineOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

    I was in traffic and we slowed down to a stop. Suddenly my car went to neutral and it didn’t want to go to Drive. I put emergency lights, as many cars were behind in the highway. I turned the car off and turned it back on. Then I was able to drive again! This has happened twice in the last 3 months.

    NHTSA complaint #11604815 · source
11. Filed Mar 26, 2024MAFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

    What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - Periodically After Auto Start Stop System activates (vehichle shuts down after stop). When the brake pedal is released and vehicle attempts to restart the engine stalls and is shifted into neutral. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - UNK Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - No, this is an intermittent…

    NHTSA complaint #11579623 · source
12. Filed Mar 25, 2024GATransmission & Drivetrain

    I was in RED light and Car went to Idle Stop. I got Green Light but the Car automatically went to Neutral mode and did not back to Drive mode when I changed. I put emergency light on but People do not have any patience and Horn me in the light.. I tried many times to put Drive mode and it did not work. After turn off/on the engine few times finally it worked. It was very scary if I would have struck in middle of the Highway with family it would be very bad. I called the…

    NHTSA complaint #11579363 · source

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. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology