Acura MDX years to avoid (and the best years)
1,993 NHTSA owner complaints and 23 recalls across 15 model years, 2010 to 2025. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 1,993complaints
- 23recalls
- 68reported crashes
- 34reported fires
- 66reported injuries
Which Acura MDX years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Acura MDX years to avoid are 2016, 2017 and 2020. The typical Acura MDX year has 104 complaints on file.
- 2016: 373 complaints, 3.6 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (46% of complaints) and the transmission and drivetrain (30% of complaints).
- 2017: 255 complaints, 2.5 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (38% of complaints) and the transmission and drivetrain (25% of complaints).
- 2020: 221 complaints, 2.1 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (45% of complaints) and the electrical system (18% of complaints).
What are the best Acura MDX years?
The Acura MDX years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2013 (29), 2023 (39) and 2010 (45). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 104 | 1.0× | 3 | 2 | 5 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2024 | 39 | 0.4× | 2 | 1 | 4 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2023 | 39 | 0.4× | 2 | 2 | 2 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2022 | 149 | 1.4× | 2 | 6 | 4 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2020 | 221 | 2.1× | 8 | 4 | 2 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2019 | 188 | 1.8× | 9 | 4 | 3 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2018 | 165 | 1.6× | 10 | 3 | 3 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2017 | 255 | 2.5× | 8 | 7 | 4 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2016 | 373 | 3.6× | 7 | 10 | 5 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2015 | 70 | 0.7× | 8 | 5 | 9 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2014 | 170 | 1.6× | 9 | 10 | 9 | Some concerns to check | Steering |
| 2013 | 29 | 0.3× | 1 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2012 | 76 | 0.7× | 1 | 4 | 2 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2011 | 70 | 0.7× | 0 | 4 | 6 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2010 | 45 | 0.4× | 1 | 6 | 8 | Few red flags | Engine |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 674 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain324 (48%)
- Electrical & infotainment118 (18%)
- Steering, suspension & tires60 (9%)
- Structure & body60 (9%)
- Brakes52 (8%)
Recalls (23)
Structure · 26V365000 · Jun 2026 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
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.
Airbags · 26V332000 · May 2026 · model years 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Brakes · 25V391000 · Jun 2025 · model years 2023, 2024, 2025
A brake pedal that shifts out of position can prevent the driver from applying the brakes as intended, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Exterior lighting · 25V259000 · Apr 2025 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Vehicle lights that fail to illuminate can decrease visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 25V032000 · Jan 2025 · model year 2025
A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 24V064000 · Feb 2024 · model years 2020, 2022
An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fuel system · 23V858000 · Dec 2023 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Engine · 23V751000 · Nov 2023 · model years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
Brakes · 23V458000 · Jun 2023 · model year 2020
Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 21V215000 · Mar 2021 · model years 2019, 2020
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Engine · 19V298000 · Apr 2019 · model years 2018, 2019
Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
Exterior lighting · 19V256000 · Mar 2019 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Loss of the taillights reduces the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
Fuel system · 19V060000 · Jan 2019 · model years 2016, 2017, 2018
Reduced fuel pump performance can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
Brakes · 18V777000 · Nov 2018 · model years 2017, 2018, 2019
A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 18V221000 · Apr 2018 · model year 2018
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.
Fuel system · 16V417000 · Jun 2016 · model years 2015, 2016
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Safety · 15V417000 · Jul 2015 · model years 2014, 2015
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.
Safety · 15V301000 · May 2015 · model years 2014, 2015
If the CMBS unexpectedly applies emergency braking force while driving, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 14V639000 · Oct 2014 · model years 2014, 2015
A seatbelt that does not function increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Transmission · 13V571000 · Nov 2013 · model year 2014
If the drive shaft detaches while driving it could cause excessive noise and possibly damage the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 13E040000 · Jul 2013 · model year 2014
If the trailer brake controller is not powered, when towing a trailer, longer stopping distances could be required, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 12V063000 · Feb 2012 · model year 2012
AS A RESULT, FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE TANK, INCREASING THE RISK OF FIRE.
Airbags · 10V002000 · Jan 2010 · model year 2010
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 PASSENGER.