Acura MDX 2007–2013 problems by year and mileage
2nd generation (YD2)
NHTSA data through 18 October 2026421 complaints, 301 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2007 Acura MDX
Close- Median failure report
- 92,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 99
- Recalls naming this year
- 0
Most reported on the 2007
- Electrical system51 reports · median 100,000 mi
- Suspension12 reports
- Engine11 reports
The 2008 Acura MDX
Close- Median failure report
- 40,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 49
- Recalls naming this year
- 0
Most reported on the 2008
- Electrical system8 reports
- Body structure8 reports
- Suspension6 reports
The 2009 Acura MDX
Close- Median failure report
- 55,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 52
- Recalls naming this year
- 0
Most reported on the 2009
- Electrical system18 reports
- Engine8 reports
- Transmission and driveline8 reports
The 2010 Acura MDX
Close- Median failure report
- 67,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 45
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2010
- Engine11 reports
- Electrical system9 reports
- Steering6 reports
Recall areas Air bags
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2011 Acura MDX
Close- Median failure report
- 66,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 70
- Recalls naming this year
- 0
Most reported on the 2011
- Engine28 reports
- Transmission and driveline8 reports
- Electrical system7 reports
The 2012 Acura MDX
Close- Median failure report
- 62,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 76
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2012
- Engine23 reports
- Electrical system13 reports
- Transmission and driveline13 reports
Recall areas Fuel system, gasoline — storage
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2013 Acura MDX
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 30
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2013
- Engine9 reports
- Electrical system8 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise5 reports
Recall areas Fuel system, gasoline — delivery
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2007; earliest: the 2008, and the 2007 is 1 year older (part of the gap is age). 1 of these years carries fewer than 30 reports with an odometer reading and shows no median at all, rather than one computed from a handful.
The short answer
“Is the 2007–2013 Acura MDX reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 70,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 133,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 301
- Recalls
- 3
Most reported
- Electrical system27.1% of complaints · median 90,000 mi
- Engine22.1% of complaints · median 90,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline11.6% of complaints · median 61,000 mi
Owners filed 421 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007–2013 Acura MDX; the electrical system leads with 27.1% of them, and half of the 301 that record an odometer reading came by 70,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 31,000 to 103,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2007–2013 Acura MDX last?
On the 2007–2013 Acura MDX, half of the 301 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 70,000 miles and 90% by 133,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
18 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 2 past 200,000 — each one proof that a MDX reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Acura MDX 2007–2013 · 301 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
10,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 37 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 2 complaints (0.7%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 6,000
- 25%
- 31,000
- Median
- 70,000
- 75%
- 103,000
- 90%
- 133,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 37 | 12.3% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 19 | 6.3% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 18 | 6.0% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 21 | 7.0% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 14 | 4.7% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 21 | 7.0% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 19 | 6.3% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 24 | 8.0% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 23 | 7.6% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 21 | 7.0% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 21 | 7.0% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 8 | 2.7% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 17 | 5.6% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 13 | 4.3% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 7 | 2.3% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 7 | 2.3% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 2 | 0.7% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 4 | 1.3% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 1 | 0.3% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 2 | 0.7% |
| 200,000+ | 2 | 0.7% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common MDX problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Acura MDX 2007–2013
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Steering28 reportsmedian 52,000middle half 7,500–99,000
- Transmission and driveline49 reportsmedian 61,000middle half 20,000–90,000
- Problems owners could not categorise40 reportsmedian 70,000middle half 50,000–107,000
- Suspension25 reportsmedian 74,000middle half 50,000–97,000
- Airbag system36 reportsmedian 85,000middle half 60,000–125,000
- Electrical system114 reportsmedian 90,000middle half 51,000–122,000
- Engine93 reportsmedian 90,000middle half 45,000–122,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 114 | 27.1% | 90,000 | 51,000–122,000 |
| Engine | 93 | 22.1% | 90,000 | 45,000–122,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 49 | 11.6% | 61,000 | 20,000–90,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 40 | 9.5% | 70,000 | 50,000–107,000 |
| Airbag system | 36 | 8.6% | 85,000 | 60,000–125,000 |
| Steering | 28 | 6.7% | 52,000 | 7,500–99,000 |
| Suspension | 25 | 5.9% | 74,000 | 50,000–97,000 |
| Body structure | 24 | 5.7% | 66,000 | 35,000–133,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 19 | 4.5% | 50,000 | 10,000–72,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 18 | 4.3% | 14,000 | 3,500–68,000 |
Known problems with the 2007–2013 MDX
Engine — Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) 2007–2013
The cylinder-deactivation system causes excessive oil consumption as oil passes the rings on deactivated cylinders; the consumed oil fouls spark plugs, producing misfires and a check-engine light. Secondary effects include repeated engine/motor mount failure from the vibration of running on three cylinders, and torque converter damage. Owners report stalling or lurching under light acceleration in the 35-45 mph range where VCM cycles.
Before you buy a 2007–2013 MDX: the 3-minute check
Generated from 301 mileage-tagged complaints, 3 recall campaigns, 1 documented problem area.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check engine — variable cylinder management (VCM) on 2007–2013, with 2010–2011 the most heavily reported (2010 owners reported averaging roughly $6,800 to remedy) cars. What it looks like: Known problems.
- Years differ here: from 30 to 99 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
MDX problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi43% below | At 90k mi65% below | At 120k mi82% below | At 150k mi94% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 51,000–122,000 | in window | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 45,000–122,000 | in window | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 20,000–90,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 50,000–107,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 60,000–125,000 | in window | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Steering | 7,500–99,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Suspension | 50,000–97,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Acura MDX 2007–2013 · 301 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 43% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 65% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 82% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 94% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2007–2013 Acura MDX recalls (3)
NHTSA records 3 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the fuel system (2), the airbag system (1) (why one area can repeat).
Dec 2023 · 2013 · Fuel System, GasolineFuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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…
Feb 2012 · 2012 · Fuel System, GasolineAs a result, fuel may leak from the tank, increasing the risk of fire.
The defect. Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 pilot and Acura MDX vehicles. The vent shut float (vsf) valve case in the fuel tank assembly does not meet the design specifications.
What can happen. As a result, fuel may leak from the tank, increasing the risk of fire.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners and dealers will inspect the vsf assembly date and, if necessary, replace the fuel tank assembly, free of charge. The safety recall began on march 13, 2012. Owners may…
Jan 2010 · 2010 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash resulting in side curtain air bag deployment, the trim piece may not remain properly…
The defect. Honda is recalling certain model year Acura 2010 MDX vehicles manufactured between october 7, 2009 and november 14, 2009. A bolt used to attach an interior trim piece to either the driver's or passenger's side a-pillar may not have been installed during…
What can happen. In the event of a crash resulting in side curtain air bag deployment, the trim piece may not remain properly secured to the a-pillar, increasing the risk of injury to the driver and/or front seat…
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the interior trim piece of the a-pillar and if a bolt is missing it will be installed free of charge. Four vehicles were purchased before the stop-sale was issued and all the…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 421 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 22 (5.2%)
- Fires
- 15
- Injury reports
- 21
- Fatality reports
- 0
MDX problems by model year
The 2007 drew the most complaints of this generation, 99, most of them about the electrical system, and the 2013 the fewest, 30. A typical year drew about 52.
The first year of the generation, 2007, drew more complaints than a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 99 | 90 | 92,000 | Electrical system (51) | 0 |
| 2008 | 49 | 35 | 40,000 | Electrical system (8) | 0 |
| 2009 | 52 | 37 | 55,000 | Electrical system (18) | 0 |
| 2010 | 45 | 30 | 67,000 | Engine (11) | 1 |
| 2011 | 70 | 44 | 66,000 | Engine (28) | 0 |
| 2012 | 76 | 46 | 62,000 | Engine (23) | 1 |
| 2013 | 30 | 19 | under 30 reports | Engine (9) | 1 |
What MDX owners reported
The contact owns a 2013 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact was able to steer the vehicle to the side of the road. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated during the failure. The contact…
2013 · 162,000 miles · Fuel system
The contact owns a 2010 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while attempting to open the door, the contact’s grandson exited the vehicle, and the door closed independently. The contact stated that his daughter had experienced the door closing independently onto her right hand while exiting the vehicle. No warning light…
2010 · 184,000 miles · Latches and locks
The contact's wife owned a 2010 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while parked in his garage, the passenger's low beam headlamp was removed after it stopped illuminating. The contact observed then observed the driver's low beam heal lamp blinking. The contact stated after 10 minutes, he and his family observed a…
2010 · 240,000 miles · Visibility equipment
The contact owns a 2013 Acura MDX. The contact stated that he was about to drive the vehicle when he noticed the front passenger-side headlight was flickering. The contact stated he decided not to drive the vehicle. The contact stated when he looked at the vehicle again he noticed the vehicle was on fire from the…
2013 · 158,000 miles · Electrical system
Built from 301 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other MDX generations
- MDX 2001–2006 822 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline
- MDX 2014–2020 579 reports with mileage, most about the engine