Acura MDX Complaints

3,381 consumer complaints on file.

#11652074April 1, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
•Make: Acura •Model: MDX •Year: 2018 •VIN: [XXX] •Mileage: 80,594 (as of March 22, 2025) Complaint Type: Vehicle Component/Recall Reoccurrence Component Affected: Exterior Lighting – Taillights Summary of Problem: I am filing a complaint regarding a recurring safety issue involving my 2018 Acura MDX’s taillight assembly, which was previously the subject of a recall. In 2019, the left taillight was repaired under a manufacturer recall related to water intrusion that caused lighting failure. On March 22, 2025, during a routine visit to Acura of Boston (Bernardi Acura), it was determined that the same taillight assembly had failed again due to signs of water intrusion, causing the light to malfunction. The dealership estimated a cost of $805.82 for the replacement. I contacted Honda and requested goodwill assistance since this issue was previously addressed as a safety recall, but they denied my request due to warranty expiration—even though this is clearly a recurrence of the original defect. This poses a potential safety hazard, as taillight failure can impair visibility and increase the risk of rear-end collisions, especially in low-light conditions. The fact that the exact issue has returned after an official recall fix raises concerns about the long-term effectiveness of the original repair. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether this issue is affecting other 2018 Acura MDX vehicles and whether an extended recall or follow-up campaign should be considered. Dealership Details: •Service Date: March 22, 2025 •Dealer: Acura of Boston, 1600 Soldiers Field Rd, Brighton, MA •Original Recall Repair: Prime Acura of Westwood (2019) Attachments available upon request: Service estimate, VIN, dealer findings, and photos. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652134April 1, 2025
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
When using the a/c while the Auto Idle Stop is engaged, the engine will shut off and not restart. This issue does not happen immediately, at the first cycle of being activated, it's after 3 or more cycles of the AIS being in use, like driving in stop and go traffic for instance. The issue reminds me of a low/dying battery when it happens. Now when I turn off the A/C, the car starts right up like normal. Also if I don't use the A/C, the AIS cycles like normal, like in traffic, l'll have no problems with its performance.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651737March 31, 2025
ENGINE
Hi, My 2020 Acura MDX has a problem with a Start/Stop sytem malfunction, sometime it fails to start after start/stop system activated either at the stop sign, red light or non moving traffic on the highway. I have to put it to the park and restart my car. It is very unsafe.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651916March 31, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was stopped at a traffic light and my car just shut off for no reason. I had to keep trying to start it but it wouldn't turn back on. I finally got the car to completely turn off, sat a couple minutes and then restarted it. Thankfully I was able to get it back on before the light changed again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651508March 29, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
My vehicle will phantom brake and kick on the automatic emergency brake system without cause. It has done it as I was accelerating onto the freeway onramp and almost caused a collision with the vehicle behind me. There was nothing in front of me and no reason to brake. It has happened on several occAsions
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651539March 29, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Keyless access unit shorted and triggered alarm and drained the battery
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651274March 28, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the timing chain. The dealer also observed that the timing chain cover was leaking. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); the VIN was included, but the vehicle was already repaired under recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,553.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11650996March 27, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal knocking sound. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop onto the highway the following day, several unknown warning lights were illuminated, and a message advising to park the vehicle was displayed. The contact stated that while attempting to make a turn to drive back to the residence, the vehicle stalled in the middle of the road. The contact and her children, who were occupying the vehicle, were significantly frightened. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts; however, the vehicle made an abnormally loud grinding sound. The contact was able to drive back to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine was damaged due to rod bearing failure. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under warranty or recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance in adding the VIN to the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651008March 27, 2025
SEATS
I have a 2023 Acura mdx type s advanced with 16k miles on it and the front driver seat at the bolster is starting to separate and many other owners is having this same issue on their type s models I attached multiple pictures of my seat which is the white seat and other owners seats
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11650824March 26, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Engine noise on Monday sounded like thumping - didn't drive car on Tuesday and stated up today sounded like chewing metal in engine bay. 2020 MDX Advanced. Drove to dealership and they confirmed needs small block and is only 2K miles outside of powertrain warranty. Honda claims this isn't under their recall, but dealership is saying all signs point to the same bearing failure. 10K costs for the small block, but could lead to entire engine required.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11650502March 25, 2025
ENGINE
only had a car for a year no issues, started hearing a knocking noise two days later in the middle of the intersection the car throws all the lights and refuses to move. The engine gives out we take it to the dealership and they confirm that it is the rod bearing issue which is a known issue with ACURA which is currently on recall. We send the issues to ACURA and they are refusing to advocate for us for the fact that this is a KNOWN RECALL ISSUE but even though our car is not vin specific for the recall this issue that we are having is the same issue as the recall. Like it was stated earlier that there was no issues with the car before the engine blew. This is a safety concern of Acura as to why they placed the recall on these make and models in the first place. We have asked for a goodwill recall adjustment as was denied which is also not fair because again an engine does not just give out like that. We are not being taken care of by our manufacturer for a manufacture defect and we know that there is currently a class action lawsuit with Acura for the same issue we are having and they are refusing to do right by people who are purchasing these cars.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11650282March 24, 2025
ENGINE
Due to a manufacturing defect of the engine crankshaft, the connecting rod bearing prematurely wore and could seize. This is a recall for 2016 MDX V6 engines, my VIN is not included for some reason.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11650322March 24, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
Paint on the roof just suddenly peeled off 2 days ago. There's a Service Bulletin 19-029: [XXX] , but ACURA says the extended warranty is expired and they cannot do anything. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11650358March 24, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Vehicle stalls when accelerating from A stop. Has done this since first purchased. Acura charged me for transmission software but did not resolve issue. Vehicle hesitates and stalls when accelerating from a stop. My wife refuses to ever drive vehicle as we have had many close calls with accidents.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11649927March 22, 2025
Other/I am not sure
Does not have anchor for the seat. A recall was placed by NHTSA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11649747March 21, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
March 21, 2025. I made an appointment to the closest Acura Dealership (Sterling McCall Acura Sugar Land, TX) for the two recalls I have on my 2020 Acura MDX. They were not able to accommodate with my timing request. Since I reside more than one hour away, I am not able and willing to drive so many times for this issue. I've asked them to fix the recalls today, as I have 3-4 hours free. They were not able to and offered me a rental car to keep until the problems are fixed. Due to my location and timing consuming to drive to their location (the closest to me), I refused. When I bought my brand new MDX I trusted the brand, and now they are not able to provide a covenant solution to me. I am very disappointed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11649460March 20, 2025
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2019 Acura MDX. The contact stated that the vehicle shifted to park while driving at an undisclosed speed. The engine and EVAP system warning lights were illuminated. There was a leak from the Evaporative Emission Control (EVAP) system. The vehicle was previously taken to the local dealer for NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11649193March 19, 2025
ENGINE
My Acura mdx 2016 has always had oil changes on time . Also only 93 octane gas . Online there are 100’s of people complaining about my issue which there is a recall for same year make and model but my vin is not included. The recall is for rod knock , and this is what I’m experiencing right now out of nowhere. And Acura will not own up to it very upset . This is a very dangerous situation that can cause an accident with my family in the vehicle . Do to engine lock up .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11649122March 18, 2025
ENGINE
Connecting rod failure causing the need for engine replacement. This connecting rod has been part of a recall campaign by Honda for 2016-2020 MDX models, but this 2016 engine VIN [XXX] is not part of the recall, even though the SAME EXACT issue as the recall is what occurred. Acura is refusing to honor the recall. This happened while on a highway in the California mountains, going uphill, putting my entire family at risk as the vehicle lost power and became inoperable. The dealership confirmed the connecting rod failure, but informed me of Acura's denial on the recall claim. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11648447March 15, 2025
POWER TRAIN
I hear a high-pitched whistle when I the speed reaches around 57-63MPH. I've taken it to the dealer a couple of times, and they said it's normal. I am really disappointed that Acura didn't fix it...
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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