Acura MDX reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 2,029 complaints about the Acura MDX with NHTSA since 2010, most often about engine and transmission and drivetrain. Acura has filed 20 warranty extensions and 0 service campaigns for it, and there are 22 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Acura MDX? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the MDX a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 2,029
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 20
- Filed by Acura
- Service campaigns
- 0
- Filed by Acura
- Safety recalls
- 22
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the MDX with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 9 | Other or unspecified (33%) | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 108 | Engine (61%) | 3 | 0 |
| 2024 | 40 | Electrical system (30%) | 2 | 0 |
| 2023 | 41 | Transmission and drivetrain (24%) | 2 | 0 |
| 2022 | 154 | Transmission and drivetrain (43%) | 2 | 0 |
| 2020 | 222 | Engine (37%) | 8 | 3 |
| 2019 | 190 | Engine (25%) | 9 | 3 |
| 2018 | 169 | Engine (21%) | 10 | 3 |
| 2017 | 258 | Engine (30%) | 8 | 5 |
| 2016 | 374 | Engine (43%) | 7 | 12 |
| 2015 | 71 | Electrical system (21%) | 8 | 6 |
| 2014 | 172 | Steering (22%) | 8 | 6 |
| 2013 | 30 | Engine (30%) | 1 | 9 |
| 2012 | 76 | Engine (30%) | 1 | 9 |
| 2011 | 70 | Engine (40%) | 0 | 9 |
| 2010 | 45 | Engine (24%) | 1 | 9 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single MDX model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Acura
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Acura filed with NHTSA for the MDX, in its own words. A warranty extension means Acura pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionAug 2025· Engine· model years 2016
Dealer Message - Acura is also implementing an additional (1) twenty-four (24) month period for 2015 model year Acura TLX vehicles, commencing at the expiration of the 10-year warranty extension period for each vehicle, and (2) eighteen (18) month period for 2016 model year…
- Warranty extensionMar 2023· Engine and cooling· model years 2016–2020
Warranty Extension - Warranty Extension reimbursement form for engine idle stop repairs made before the warranty extension notice date.
- Warranty extensionMar 2023· Engine and cooling· model years 2016–2020
Warranty Extension - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart.
- Warranty extensionJan 2023· Electrical system· model years 2016–2020
Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or low cranking torque.
- Warranty extensionOct 2019· Visibility· model years 2014–2016
Dealer Message - On August 29, 2019, American Honda launched one revised, and one new Warranty Extension paint bulletin. Please review the following summary of requirements within these bulletins and share with the appropriate staff to ensure proper claim submission.
- Warranty extensionOct 2019· Engine and cooling· model years 2010–2013
Due to high demand for repairs under this warranty extension, pistons and rings required to complete this repair are currently backordered.
- Warranty extensionAug 2019· Engine and cooling· model years 2010–2013
Dealer Message - On January 16, 2019, Acura announced a warranty extension for certain 2009-14 Acura vehicles equipped with a 3.7L V6 engine to address client concerns related to excessive oil consumption.
- Warranty extensionAug 2019· Body and structure· model years 2014–2016
Dealer Message - In the last few weeks, American Honda has issued a paint warranty extension service bulletins on the MDX model due to paint defects under S/B# 19-029.
- Warranty extensionAug 2019· Body and structure· model years 2014–2016
To ensure your confidence in your vehicle, American Honda is extending the warranty on the paint in these areas to 8 years from the original date of purchase.
- Warranty extensionJun 2019· Body and structure· model years 2014–2016
The exterior paint on the roof and/or tailgate may peel off. American Honda is extending the warranty on the paint of the affected vehicles to 8 years from the original date of purchase with no mileage limit.
- Warranty extensionJun 2019· Body and structure· model years 2014–2016
Dealer Message - Today, June 1, 2019, Acura is announcing a warranty extension for certain 2014-16 MDX vehicles with White Diamond Pearl paint to address client concerns with peeling paint.
- Warranty extensionApr 2019· Engine· model years 2010–2013
The oil control rings may become clogged with carbon deposits.
- Warranty extensionFeb 2019· Engine· model years 2010–2013
The oil control rings may become clogged with carbon deposits.
- Warranty extensionJan 2019· Engine· model years 2010–2013
Dealer message - Today, January 16, 2019, Acura is announcing a warranty extension for certain 2009-14 Acura vehicles equipped with the 3.7L V6 engine to address client concerns related to excessive oil consumption.
- Warranty extensionMay 2018· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010–2017
Dealer message - Today, May 24, 2018, Acura is announcing a warranty extension for 2002-17 Acura vehicles. This warranty extension applies in cases where any of the replacement driver?s and/or front passenger?s airbag inflators have failed internally.
- Warranty extensionSep 2017· Engine and cooling· model years 2016–2017
American Honda is extending the warranty on the 9-speed transmission warmers to 10 years from the original date of purchase with unlimited mileage. This warranty covers vehicles where the engine coolant and ATF mix because of an internal leak in the 9-speed transmission warmer.
- Warranty extensionSep 2017· Equipment and accessories· model years 2016
Dealer message - Today, September 22, 2017, Acura is announcing four product updates and two warranty extensions on certain model year 2015-16 TLX and 2016 MDX vehicles to address vehicles with a possible leaking transmission warmer.
- Warranty extensionNov 2016· Mobility equipment· model years 2010–2013
Warranty Extension: 2007?13 MDX and 2010?12 ZDX Front Active Damper - cold areas, the front active dampers may be susceptible to leaking.
- Warranty extensionNov 2016· Mobility equipment· model years 2010–2013
Warranty Extension: 2007?13 MDX and 2010?12 ZDX Rear Active Damper - In cold areas, the rear active dampers may be susceptible to leaking.
- Warranty extensionNov 2016· Mobility equipment· model years 2010–2013
Dealer message - Today, November 8, 2016 Acura is announcing four warranty extensions for model years 2007-2013 Acura MDX and model years 2010-2012 Acura ZDX vehicles to address Active Damper System(ADS) dampers from failures in cold regions.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every MDX model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Engine592 (29%)
- Transmission and drivetrain401 (20%)
- Electrical system363 (18%)
- Other or unspecified260 (13%)
- Automatic emergency braking and collision warning156 (8%)
- Fuel and propulsion106 (5%)
- Brakes90 (4%)
- Steering85 (4%)
Safety recalls
22 recalls cover at least one MDX model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
The brake pedal pivot pin was not secured properly, which can cause the pedal to shift out of position.
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.
The touchscreen in the center console may go blank, resulting in the rearview camera image not displaying as intended.
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
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.
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt.
Moisture may enter the tailgate lid lights, possibly causing a loss of the tailgate lid lights and the taillights.
Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance.
The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating, causing gas pockets to form, reducing brake performance.
The front driver and passenger powered seats in the Honda vehicles and the driver powered seats in the Acura vehicles may have been assembled with improperly manufactured rivets.
And 7 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- DP26001Defect petition· opened Mar 2026, closed Aug 2026· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2022–2023
All wheel drive allegation
- PE25008Preliminary evaluation· opened Aug 2025, still open· Engine· model years 2016–2020
Engine failure
- EA25004Engineering analysis· opened Mar 2025, still open· Engine and cooling· model years 2016–2025
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
- RQ24013Recall query· opened Nov 2024, closed Aug 2025· Engine· model years 2016–2020
Engine failure
NHTSA's own page for the 2026 Acura MDX has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Acura MDX reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 2,029 owner complaints, 20 warranty extensions and 0 service campaigns Acura filed, and 22 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2016 (374), 2017 (258), 2020 (222). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Acura MDX?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name engine (29%), transmission and drivetrain (20%), electrical system (18%). Acura has filed 20 warranty extensions covering the MDX, listed on this page.
Which MDX model years have the most complaints?
2016 (374), 2017 (258), 2020 (222). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the MDX with each other rather than with other models.
Has Acura extended the warranty on the MDX?
Yes: engine (model years 2016); engine and cooling (model years 2016–2020); engine and cooling (model years 2016–2020), and 17 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a MDX?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 22 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.