Acura MDX 2007–2013
2nd generation (YD2)
NHTSA data through 12 August 2026561 complaints, 404 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 24,000 and 100,000 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 3 complaints (0.7%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 4,000
- 25%
- 24,000
- Median
- 66,283
- 75%
- 100,000
- 90%
- 133,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 61 | 15.1% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 30 | 7.4% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 22 | 5.4% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 32 | 7.9% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 17 | 4.2% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 26 | 6.4% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 25 | 6.2% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 26 | 6.4% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 29 | 7.2% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 29 | 7.2% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 24 | 5.9% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 10 | 2.5% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 21 | 5.2% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 23 | 5.7% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 8 | 2.0% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 9 | 2.2% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 1 | 0.2% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 4 | 1.0% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 2 | 0.5% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 2 | 0.5% |
| 200,000+ | 3 | 0.7% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 561 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007–2013 Acura MDX, and 404 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 24,000 and 100,000 miles. The median is 66,283 miles.
The most-reported areas are the electrical system (20.3% of complaints, typically around 90,000 miles), the engine (16.6% of complaints, typically around 90,000 miles), the transmission and driveline (8.7% of complaints, typically around 61,000 miles).
3 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Electrical system90,000median 90,000 miles, middle half 51,000 to 122,000
- Engine90,000median 90,000 miles, middle half 45,000 to 122,000
- Transmission and driveline61,000median 60,867 miles, middle half 20,000 to 90,000
- Problems owners could not categorise70,000median 70,500 miles, middle half 50,000 to 107,000
- Airbag system85,000median 85,000 miles, middle half 60,000 to 125,000
- Steering52,000median 51,750 miles, middle half 7,500 to 99,000
- Suspension74,000median 73,682 miles, middle half 50,000 to 97,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 114 | 20.3% | 90,000 | 51,000–122,000 |
| Engine | 93 | 16.6% | 90,000 | 45,000–122,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 49 | 8.7% | 61,000 | 20,000–90,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 40 | 7.1% | 70,000 | 50,000–107,000 |
| Airbag system | 36 | 6.4% | 85,000 | 60,000–125,000 |
| Steering | 28 | 5.0% | 52,000 | 7,500–99,000 |
| Suspension | 25 | 4.5% | 74,000 | 50,000–97,000 |
| Body structure | 24 | 4.3% | 66,000 | 35,000–133,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 19 | 3.4% | 50,000 | 10,000–72,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 18 | 3.2% | 14,000 | 3,500–68,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 66,283 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The electrical system accounts for 20.3% of complaints (114 reports, 96 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 90,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 51,000 and 121,953 miles.
The engine accounts for 16.6% of complaints (93 reports, 51 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 90,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 45,000 and 121,953 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 8.7% of complaints (49 reports, 36 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 60,867 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 20,000 and 90,213 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 7.1% of complaints (40 reports, 21 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 70,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 50,000 and 107,000 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 6.4% of complaints (36 reports, 19 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 85,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 60,000 and 125,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 5.0% of complaints (28 reports, 26 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 51,750 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 7,400 and 99,200 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2007 model year drew the most — 126 complaints — while 2013 drew the fewest at 46. The median year sits at 76.
The first year of the generation, 2007, sits above the median. That is a common pattern — early production of a redesigned vehicle tends to surface problems that later years do not repeat — and it is worth weighing when choosing between years.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 3 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the fuel system (2), the airbag system (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 561 complaints filed against this generation, 29 reported a crash; 26 reported a fire; 28 reported an injury. Crash-involved reports represent 5.2% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 24,000 and 100,000 miles, with a median of 66,283. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the electrical system and the engine are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The electrical system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 90,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Engine — Variable Cylinder Management (vcm) 2007–2013, with 2010–2011 the most heavily reported (2010 owners reported averaging roughly $6,800 to remedy)
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.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 126 | 112 |
| 2008 | 62 | 48 |
| 2009 | 76 | 55 |
| 2010 | 63 | 44 |
| 2011 | 87 | 55 |
| 2012 | 101 | 63 |
| 2013 | 46 | 27 |
Recalls (3)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 23V858000 | 2024-03-29 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump |
| 12V063000 | 2012-03-13 | Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly |
| 10V002000 | 2009-12-23 | Air Bags |
What owners reported
I was driving approximately 20 MPH when a car suddenly stopped in front of me. I could not stop in time, and hit the vehicle. My seatbelt [driver's], which i had properly fastened, did not retract and lock into place. The shoulder strap of the seatbelt fully extended, and i hit the steering wheel. The shoulder…
2007 · 7,000 miles · Seat belts
My wife went outside of our home to get into her Acura 2007 MDX to go to work. When she started the vehicle up, it started shaking and blowing out white smoke from the exhaust pipes with an unusual noise. She turned the vehicle off and called our insurance company which sent a tow truck out to take it to the dealer.…
2007 · 7,500 miles · Engine and its cooling system
Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6) 2007 Acura MDX 34,000 predominantly highway miles friday evening, as i was pulling out of a car wash, i heard a clunk, the instrument panel lit up with a "check charging system alarm" and i had no power steering. I…
2007 · 35,000 miles · Steering
While was driving the car, it shut down completely - .No lights, no motor, ..Completely dead in the middle of the freeway. I was simply driving and had not touched any buttons or dials. I was (luckily) able to drift to the breakdown lane. Approximately 45 minutes later, the inside lights turned on and i was able to…
2007 · 40,000 miles · Problems owners could not categorise
Built from 404 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page