Car Defect Radar
Get the report
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 8 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

8 total · 8 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Structure recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 26V365000 · Jun 2026

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.

Remedy
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 owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 26V332000 · May 2026

Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Remedy
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 this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Exterior lighting recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 25V259000 · Apr 2025

Vehicle lights that fail to illuminate can decrease visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy
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. Owners may contact Acura's customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Acura's number for this recall is FLI. Vehicles included in this recall that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 19V-256 will need to have the new remedy completed.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 24V064000 · Feb 2024

An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy
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 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Fuel system recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 23V858000 · Dec 2023

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy
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 are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Engine recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 23V751000 · Nov 2023

A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.

Remedy
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. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-December 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early April 2024, 2019 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-May 2024, 2020 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-June 2024, and 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed January 27, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XG1 and GG0.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Brakes recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 23V458000 · Jun 2023

Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy
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 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Fuel system recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 21V215000 · Mar 2021

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy
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: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

221 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
128

Most reports here involve sudden stalling. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

sudden stalling 74transmission slipping 19
A recent report: 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…
Read full complaint

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 front wheels continued spinning without the accelerator pedal being depressed, and the engine was turned off. During the crash, the front end was severely damaged, but the air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was driven to the residence and examined by an independent mechanic, and it was determined that the PCM had malfunctioned and there was a computer miscommunication between the engine and the transmission. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer. The failure mileage was 45,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11764060 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Worth reading
41

Most reports here involve sudden stalling. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

sudden stalling 20software faults 9
A recent report: LKAS, forward collision, high beam all alerts are going off and have been told it's a camera system that gets over heated. This is not a easy fix and needs to be recalled to clear up the codes and…
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LKAS, forward collision, high beam all alerts are going off and have been told it's a camera system that gets over heated. This is not a easy fix and needs to be recalled to clear up the codes and alerts.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11763916 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
13

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 2 mention an injury.

software faults 8loss of braking 3unintended acceleration 1
A recent report: While sitting stopped at a red light, the brake pedal suddenly became soft and the vehicle began moving. As I rushed to depress the pedal further (all the way to the floorboard - which did not stop…
Read full complaint

While sitting stopped at a red light, the brake pedal suddenly became soft and the vehicle began moving. As I rushed to depress the pedal further (all the way to the floorboard - which did not stop the car) the car rolled forward and collided with the car in front of us causing damage to both vehicles. If the other car had not been in front of us we would have rolled directly into heavy active cross traffic which would have caused significant harm to all inside. My daughter, niece, and 8 month old grand-niece were with me in the car.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11740691 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
6

Most reports here involve loss of steering.

loss of steering 2premature wear 2
A recent report: The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact stated that the front windshield camera became inoperable. There were unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the control arms failed. The…
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The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact stated that the front windshield camera became inoperable. There were unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the control arms failed. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The windshield was replaced with an aftermarket part at an auto body shop. The control arm was replaced at the local dealer. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11718591 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
4

Most reports here involve other issues. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

other issues 4
A recent report: The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (AIR BAGS) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the…
Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (AIR BAGS) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11634684 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
11

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 3electrical shorts 1
A recent report: A federal safety recall was performed on the vehicle to install a rear subframe reinforcement kit. Before the recall repair, the vehicle operated normally and had no vibration at highway speeds…
Read full complaint

A federal safety recall was performed on the vehicle to install a rear subframe reinforcement kit. Before the recall repair, the vehicle operated normally and had no vibration at highway speeds. Immediately after the recall repair, a new vibration developed above approximately 60 mph. The vibration is felt primarily from the rear of the vehicle, occurs only while accelerating, becomes most noticeable between 60 and 80 mph, and disappears immediately when the accelerator is released while maintaining the same speed. The condition is repeatable and remains unresolved. The vibration creates concern for loss of vehicle stability and control at highway speeds because it occurs while the drivetrain is under load. No warning lights or diagnostic messages appeared before or after the repair. The vehicle has been inspected by both the dealership that performed the recall repair and an independent repair facility. To eliminate other possible causes, the front hub and bearing assembly were replaced and all four tires were remounted and dynamically balanced. Those repairs did not eliminate the rear vibration. The dealership attributed the condition to unrelated maintenance items, including tires, wheels, and brakes, but did not identify a defect with the recall repair or determine whether the rear subframe installation, rear differential mounting, driveshaft, or other components disturbed during the recall procedure contributed to the new vibration. The timing of the failure is significant because the vibration began immediately after completion of the federal recall repair and was not present beforehand. The component is available for inspection upon request. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether the recall remedy or repair procedure may have introduced a drivetrain or rear suspension condition affecting vehicle safety.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11750239 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
18

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 5premature wear 1
A recent report: While driving on a residential street under normal daylight conditions, the forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking system failed without warning. A dashboard message appeared…
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While driving on a residential street under normal daylight conditions, the forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking system failed without warning. A dashboard message appeared instructing me to clean the windshield and stating that collision avoidance services were unavailable. The windshield was clean and unobstructed. There was no precipitation, glare, or debris. The failure occurred while the vehicle was in motion. I had no indication of whether the vehicle was safe to continue driving or whether I should stop immediately, and no way to know whether the fault was limited to the camera or whether other systems were affected. There was no prior warning, no gradual degradation, and no fault indication before this event. I purchased this vehicle in part for its advanced driver assistance systems and rely on forward collision prevention in daily driving. That protection is now unavailable, and I am driving without a crash avoidance system I was sold and expected to have. I took the vehicle to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The dealer determined that the forward facing camera module must be replaced and recalibrated, and quoted 2,700. No recall or technical service bulletin was identified. I believe this constitutes a safety defect. A primary crash avoidance system failed spontaneously under normal operating conditions on a vehicle marketed on its safety technology. The repair cost is also high enough that many owners will defer or decline it, leaving vehicles on public roads with disabled collision avoidance. I request that NHTSA investigate the failure rate of this camera module and consider a safety recall.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11756689 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 221 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2021 and 2026, roughly 39 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2020 has 221 complaints on file, more than the 2019 (188) and more than the 2022 (149). Of the 15 model years of the Acura MDX we cover, the 2016 has the most (373). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.