Acura MDX 2014–2020 problems by year and mileage
3rd generation (YD3)
NHTSA data through 24 September 20261,466 complaints, 574 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2014 Acura MDX
Close- Median failure report
- 23,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 170
- Recalls naming this year
- 8
Most reported on the 2014
- Steering38 reports
- Electrical system27 reports
- Engine26 reports
8 recall campaigns name the 2014: Suspension — rear; Interior lighting; Fuel system, gasoline — delivery. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2015 Acura MDX
Close- Median failure report
- 23,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 71
- Recalls naming this year
- 8
Most reported on the 2015
- Electrical system15 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise14 reports
- Transmission and driveline12 reports
8 recall campaigns name the 2015: Suspension — rear; Interior lighting; Fuel system, gasoline — delivery. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2016 Acura MDX
Close- Median failure report
- 38,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 374
- Recalls naming this year
- 7
At least 40% of the complaints about the 2016 were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading. The median here rests on the earlier reports and likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.
Most reported on the 2016
- Engine161 reports · median 60,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline111 reports · median 31,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise40 reports
7 recall campaigns name the 2016: Suspension — rear; Interior lighting; Fuel system, gasoline — delivery. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2017 Acura MDX
Close- Median failure report
- 32,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 263
- Recalls naming this year
- 9
At least 40% of the complaints about the 2017 were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading. The median here rests on the earlier reports and likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.
Most reported on the 2017
- Engine79 reports
- Transmission and driveline69 reports · median 30,000 mi
- Electrical system46 reports
9 recall campaigns name the 2017: Suspension — rear; Air bags — sensor; Interior lighting. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2018 Acura MDX
Close- Median failure report
- 28,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 166
- Recalls naming this year
- 10
At least 40% of the complaints about the 2018 were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading. The median here rests on the earlier reports and likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.
Most reported on the 2018
- Engine35 reports
- Fuel and propulsion system28 reports
- Electrical system27 reports
10 recall campaigns name the 2018: Suspension — rear; Air bags — sensor; Interior lighting. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2019 Acura MDX
Close- Median failure report
- 21,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 196
- Recalls naming this year
- 9
At least 40% of the complaints about the 2019 were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading. The median here rests on the earlier reports and likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.
Most reported on the 2019
- Engine47 reports
- Electrical system41 reports
- Transmission and driveline32 reports
9 recall campaigns name the 2019: Suspension — rear; Air bags — sensor; Interior lighting. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2020 Acura MDX
Close- Median failure report
- 44,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 226
- Recalls naming this year
- 8
Most reported on the 2020
- Engine83 reports
- Electrical system40 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise39 reports
8 recall campaigns name the 2020: Suspension — rear; Air bags — sensor; Interior lighting. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
Each tile shows the median mileage at which that model year’s failures were reported. † marks a year whose median likely understates the mileage: much of its reporting came after 2020, when most complaints stopped recording an odometer reading. The 2020 reports latest and the 2019 earliest, but part of that gap is age: the 2019 has had 1 more year on the road to accumulate mileage.
The short answer
“Is the 2014–2020 Acura MDX reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 31,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 107,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 574
- Recalls
- 19
At least 40% of this generation’s complaints were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading, so the median likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.
Most reported
- Engine29.9% of complaints · median 44,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline20.1% of complaints · median 31,000 mi
- Electrical system15.9% of complaints · median 23,000 mi
Documented problems
Owners filed 1,466 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014–2020 Acura MDX; the engine leads with 29.9% of them, and half of the 574 that record an odometer reading came by 31,000 miles. A count like this can’t rate reliability on its own: NHTSA records what owners chose to report, not how many of each car were sold.
32% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 3.9 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000. Failures clustered that early usually indicate a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2014–2020 Acura MDX last?
Complaint records can’t measure how long a car lasts; they show when reported failures happened. On the 2014–2020 Acura MDX, half of the 574 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 31,000 miles and 90% by 107,000 miles.
20 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 5 past 200,000 — each one proof that a MDX reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Acura MDX 2014–2020 · 574 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 10,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 150 complaints.
- First 12,000 miles — 32% of all failures
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 5 complaints (0.9%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 1,300
- 25%
- 8,500
- Median
- 31,001
- 75%
- 65,000
- 90%
- 107,256
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 150 | 26.1% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 82 | 14.3% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 48 | 8.4% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 47 | 8.2% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 51 | 8.9% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 30 | 5.2% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 34 | 5.9% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 24 | 4.2% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 21 | 3.7% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 22 | 3.8% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 12 | 2.1% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 6 | 1.0% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 11 | 1.9% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 9 | 1.6% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 7 | 1.2% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 8 | 1.4% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 3 | 0.5% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 1 | 0.2% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 2 | 0.3% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 1 | 0.2% |
| 200,000+ | 5 | 0.9% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
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.
Common MDX problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Acura MDX 2014–2020
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise181 reports12,0004,000–40,000Problems owners could not categorise: 181 reports, median 12,000 miles, middle half 4,000 to 40,000 miles.
- Throttle and speed control101 reports20,0005,000–43,000Throttle and speed control: 101 reports, median 20,000 miles, middle half 5,000 to 43,000 miles.
- Electrical system233 reports23,0007,000–48,000Electrical system: 233 reports, median 23,000 miles, middle half 7,000 to 48,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline295 reports31,00011,000–57,000Transmission and driveline: 295 reports, median 31,000 miles, middle half 11,000 to 57,000 miles.
- Forward collision avoidance126 reports41,00020,000–65,000Forward collision avoidance: 126 reports, median 41,000 miles, middle half 20,000 to 65,000 miles.
- Fuel and propulsion system126 reports42,00012,000–64,000Fuel and propulsion system: 126 reports, median 42,000 miles, middle half 12,000 to 64,000 miles.
- Engine438 reports44,00013,000–86,000Engine: 438 reports, median 44,000 miles, middle half 13,000 to 86,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 438 | 29.9% | 44,000 | 13,000–86,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 295 | 20.1% | 31,000 | 11,000–57,000 |
| Electrical system | 233 | 15.9% | 23,000 | 7,000–48,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 181 | 12.3% | 12,000 | 4,000–40,000 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 126 | 8.6% | 41,000 | 20,000–65,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 126 | 8.6% | 42,000 | 12,000–64,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 101 | 6.9% | 20,000 | 5,000–43,000 |
| Brakes | 96 | 6.5% | 12,000 | 3,500–27,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 95 | 6.5% | 87,000 | 56,000–120,000 |
| Lane departure | 83 | 5.7% | — | — |
System by system, in words
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 31,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The engine accounts for 29.9% of complaints (438 reports, 117 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 44,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 13,000 and 86,000 miles.
A single system taking 29.9% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 20.1% of complaints (295 reports, 152 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 31,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 11,000 and 57,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 15.9% of complaints (233 reports, 103 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 23,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 7,000 and 48,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 12.3% of complaints (181 reports, 63 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 12,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 4,000 and 40,000 miles.
Forward collision avoidance accounts for 8.6% of complaints (126 reports, 11 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 41,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 20,000 and 65,000 miles.
The fuel and propulsion system accounts for 8.6% of complaints (126 reports, 26 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 42,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 12,000 and 64,000 miles.
Known problems with the 2014–2020 MDX
Transmission — Zf 9-Speed Automatic 2016–2017
Harsh and erratic shifting, hesitation and delayed engagement in the first years of the ZF 9HP application, addressed through successive transmission control software updates. 2016 is the problem year; by 2017-2020 most calibration fixes were in place.
Engine — Variable Cylinder Management (vcm) 2014–2020
VCM-driven oil consumption and spark plug fouling continue from the previous generation, though better understood and more often mitigated by owners in later model years.
Before you buy a 2014–2020 MDX: the 3-minute check
Generated from 574 mileage-tagged complaints, 19 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 19 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Ask for problems owners could not categorise repair records. Reports on this area come at a median of 12,000 miles — on any car this age it already happened or never will; the question is whether it was fixed under warranty.
- Check transmission — zf 9-Speed automatic on 2016–2017 primarily cars. Harsh and erratic shifting, hesitation and delayed engagement in the first years of the ZF 9HP application, addressed through successive transmission control software updates. 2016 is the problem year; by 2017-2020 most…
- Check engine — variable cylinder management (vcm) on 2014–2020 cars. VCM-driven oil consumption and spark plug fouling continue from the previous generation, though better understood and more often mitigated by owners in later model years.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, an early-failure pattern is comparatively good news on a used example: 32% of the reported failures occur in the first 12,000 miles, which on a car of this age means they have already happened or they were never going to. Service history matters more than mileage here.
On inspection, the engine and the transmission and driveline are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The transmission and driveline in particular shows a median failure mileage of 31,000, 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.
MDX problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer reading, or read the common mileages in the table. Your marker lands on the timing chart above and on the curve below.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi71% below | At 90k mi85% below | At 120k mi92% below | At 150k mi97% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 13,000–86,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 11,000–57,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 7,000–48,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 4,000–40,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Forward collision avoidance | 20,000–65,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 12,000–64,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Throttle and speed control | 5,000–43,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Acura MDX 2014–2020 · 574 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 71% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 85% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 92% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 97% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it above
The staircase tops out at 99%: the remaining 0.9% of reports (5) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
2014–2020 Acura MDX recalls (19)
NHTSA records 19 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 (4), the airbag system (2), the engine and its cooling system (2). Several campaigns against one area can mean a remedy that did not hold, or separate defects in parts filed under the same heading; the summaries below name each defect.
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.
Jun 2026 · 2014–2020 · SuspensionFailure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and…
The defect. American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine…
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying…
May 2026 · 2017–2020 · Air BagsAir bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V…
What can happen. Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for…
Apr 2025 · 2014–2020 · Interior LightingVehicle lights that fail to illuminate can decrease visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles. 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…
What can happen. Vehicle lights that fail to illuminate can decrease visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the wiring and install a fuse harness, replace the lid light, and repair the body dust sealer, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 30, 2025.…
Feb 2024 · 2020 · Air BagsAn air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020…
What can happen. An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at…
Dec 2023 · 2014–2020 · 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…
Nov 2023 · 2016–2020 · Engine and Engine CoolingA damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear…
What can happen. A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024.…
Jun 2023 · 2020 · Service Brakes, HydraulicBrake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been…
What can happen. Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at…
Mar 2021 · 2019–2020 · 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 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit…
What can happen. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note…
Apr 2019 · 2018–2019 · Engine and Engine CoolingTeeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura MDX and Honda Pilot vehicles and 2019 Acura RLX, RLX Sport Hybrid, TLX and Honda Odyssey and Ridgeline vehicles. The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt.
What can happen. Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected timing belt free of charge. Vehicles receiving a replacement timing belt will also have the engine inspected…
Mar 2019 · 2014–2019 · Exterior LightingLoss of the taillights reduces the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Acura MDX and 2017-2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid lights, possibly causing a loss of the tailgate lid lights and the taillights.
What can happen. Loss of the taillights reduces the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
The free fix. Acura will notify owners, and dealers will modify the tailgate lid lights and install updated gaskets and a wiring sub-harness or will replace both tailgate lid lights. The repairs will be performed…
Jan 2019 · 2016–2018 · Fuel System, OtherReduced fuel pump performance can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine. Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its…
What can happen. Reduced fuel pump performance can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the fuel injection engine control unit (FI-ECU) software and, if necessary, replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019.…
Nov 2018 · 2017–2019 · Service Brakes, HydraulicA reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash.
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Acura MDX, 2017-2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda HR-V and Honda Odyssey, and 2016 Honda HR-V vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating, causing gas…
What can happen. A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Owners will be notified, and Honda or Acura dealers will bleed the brakes, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's…
Apr 2018 · 2018 · SeatsIn the event of a crash, if the seat does not remain secured to the floor, the seat occupant has an increased…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018 Honda Pilot and Ridgeline vehicles and 2018 Acura MDX vehicles. The front driver and passenger powered seats in the Honda vehicles and the driver powered seats in the Acura vehicles may have been…
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver seat frame assembly in Acura MDX vehicles, and replace the driver and front passenger seat slide rail frames in Honda Pilot and Ridgeline…
Jun 2017 · 2017 · Fuel System, GasolineThe misrouting can cause the hoses to be damaged from contact with other components, potentially resulting in…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid vehicles. The affected vehicles have an engine fuel feed hose and a fuel purge hose that may have been misrouted during vehicle assembly.
What can happen. The misrouting can cause the hoses to be damaged from contact with other components, potentially resulting in a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of a…
The free fix. Acura will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the routing of the fuel feed hose and the fuel purge hose. If misrouted, the hoses will be replaced and installed correctly, free of charge. The…
Jun 2016 · 2015–2016 · Fuel System, GasolineA fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura MDX 2WD and MDX 4WD vehicles, 2016 Acura MDX 4WD vehicles, 2015-2016 Honda Odyssey vehicles, and 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD and 4WD vehicles. The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that were…
What can happen. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tanks, free of charge. Owners may contact Honda/Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. The recall began on July 29, 2016. Honda's…
Jul 2015 · 2014–2015 · EquipmentIf a bolt was not coated, it may corrode and break as a result.
The defect. American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX and MDX AWD vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to December 16, 2014. The affected vehicles have air conditioning compressor clutch drive bolts that may not have received…
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air conditioning compressor clutch drive bolt and install a new clutch plate if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 7, 2015.…
May 2015 · 2014–2015 · Forward Collision AvoidanceIf the CMBS unexpectedly applies emergency braking force while driving, there is an increased risk of a crash.
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX 2WD and AWD, RLX and 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid vehicles. In certain driving conditions, the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) may incorrectly interpret certain roadside…
What can happen. If the CMBS unexpectedly applies emergency braking force while driving, there is an increased risk of a crash.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the CMBS software, free of charge. The recall began on July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's numbers for…
Oct 2014 · 2014–2015 · Seat BeltsA seatbelt that does not function increases the risk of injury in a crash.
The defect. American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to August 25, 2014, and 2014 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured November 5, 2012, to November 25, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the…
What can happen. A seatbelt that does not function increases the risk of injury in a crash.
The free fix. Honda has notified owners, and dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belts, free of charge. The recall began in November 2014. Owners may contact Acura customer service at…
Nov 2013 · 2014 · Power TrainIf the drive shaft detaches while driving it could cause excessive noise and possibly damage the vehicle…
The defect. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Acura MDX AWD vehicles manufactured May 6, 2013, through October 14, 2013. The bolts that attach the drive shaft to the automatic transmission transfer assembly may not have been…
What can happen. If the drive shaft detaches while driving it could cause excessive noise and possibly damage the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the drive shaft attaching bolts as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on July 3, 2014. Owners may contact Honda at…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 1,466 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 43 (2.9%)
- Fires
- 21
- Injury reports
- 24
- Fatality reports
- 0
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
MDX problems by model year
The 2016 drew the most complaints of this generation, 374, most of them about the engine, and the 2015 the fewest, 71. A typical year drew about 196.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 170 | 114 | 23,000 | Steering (38) | 8 |
| 2015 | 71 | 51 | 23,000 | Electrical system (15) | 8 |
| 2016 | 374 | 174 | 38,000† | Engine (161) | 7 |
| 2017 | 263 | 102 | 32,000† | Engine (79) | 9 |
| 2018 | 166 | 40 | 28,000† | Engine (35) | 10 |
| 2019 | 196 | 54 | 21,000† | Engine (47) | 9 |
| 2020 | 226 | 39 | 44,000 | Engine (83) | 8 |
What MDX owners reported
The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power and failed to accelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure posed a potential safety risk in…
2016 · 150,000 miles · Engine
The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The contact stated that later, while parking the vehicle, the vehicle unintended accelerated and drove over a curb and crashed into a tree. The vehicle crashed into the tree, and the…
2020 · 45,000 miles · Airbag system
The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while idling and driving on several occasions at various speeds, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that there was internal engine…
2020 · 65,000 miles · Engine
The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the oil light illuminated. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, while driving, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate, with a ticking and knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was later…
2020 · 85,000 miles · Engine and its cooling system
Built from 574 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-09-26 · open data · how it is built
Other MDX generations
- MDX 2001–2006 822 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline
- MDX 2007–2013 300 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system