Acura · Known Issues
2001-2020 Acura MDX Problems: 11 Known Issues
2001-2020 model years · 3,100+ owner reports · Updated October 2026
All years · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2001-2020 model years · 3,100+ owner reports · Updated October 2026
All years · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
According to Au7o's analysis of 3,100+ owner reports, the 2001-2020 Acura MDX has 11 documented known issues, with 6 rated critical. The most serious are Timing Belt Tensioner and Water Pump Failure ($800-$1,500 repair), First-Year 2001 MDX Included in NADI Driver Airbag Inflator Recall (NHTSA 20V026000), Replacement Driver Air Bag Inflator May Rupture or Underinflate (Recall 20V027000), J37 Oil Consumption, Spark Plug Fouling, and Active Motor Mount Failure ($400-$3,500 repair), Fuel-pump impeller deformation — recall 23V858 and Intermittent hard upshifts during steady acceleration — bulletin 20-015. The most commonly reported issue is Timing Belt Tensioner and Water Pump Failure with 1,900 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $200 to $3,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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 performance.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
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.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
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, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 3,100+ owner reports, the 2001-2020 Acura MDX has 11 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Timing Belt Tensioner and Water Pump Failure, First-Year 2001 MDX Included in NADI Driver Airbag Inflator Recall (NHTSA 20V026000), Replacement Driver Air Bag Inflator May Rupture or Underinflate (Recall 20V027000). Of these, 6 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2001-2020 Acura MDX has 11 known issues documented across 3,100+ owner reports. 6 issues are rated critical: Timing Belt Tensioner and Water Pump Failure and First-Year 2001 MDX Included in NADI Driver Airbag Inflator Recall (NHTSA 20V026000) and Replacement Driver Air Bag Inflator May Rupture or Underinflate (Recall 20V027000) and J37 Oil Consumption, Spark Plug Fouling, and Active Motor Mount Failure and Fuel-pump impeller deformation — recall 23V858 and Intermittent hard upshifts during steady acceleration — bulletin 20-015. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Acura MDX issues range from $0 to $3,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Timing Belt Tensioner and Water Pump Failure, typically costs $800-$1,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
Reliability varies across model years of the Acura MDX. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 2001-2020 Acura MDX with 11 documented issues documented across 3,100+ owner reports.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
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.
SEATS
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 assembled with improperly manufactured rivets. In the event of a crash, the rivets can break causing the seats not to be secured to the floor. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems," and 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
+ 9 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.
First-generation MDX models with the J35 V6 are prone to timing belt tensioner bearing failure and simultaneous water pump leaks when the timing belt service is neglected past 105,000 miles. The hydraulic tensioner loses pressure, allowing the belt to skip teeth and potentially b… Repairs typically run $800-$1,500. Severity: high.
Only the 2001 model year of the Acura MDX falls under NHTSA recall 20V026000, the Non-Azide Driver airbag Inflator (NADI) campaign. This is a distinct problem from the PSAN-propellant inflator recalls — NADI inflators do not use phase stabilized ammonium nitrate at all. The defec… Severity: high.
This recall does not apply to every 2001-2002 Acura MDX — it applies to MDXs that received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair. The replacement NADI inflator used in those repairs was built with a manufacturing defect that allows it to absorb m… Severity: high.
The 2010–2013 MDX J37A1 can develop oil consumption and spark-plug fouling from piston-ring or cylinder sealing problems. Separately, its front and rear active hydraulic engine mounts can leak or collapse, causing idle vibration and a clunk when shifting. Diagnose these as separa… Repairs typically run $400-$3,500. Severity: high.
An affected pump's low-density impeller can deform and interfere with the pump body. Loss of fuel delivery can prevent starting or stall the engine, increasing crash risk. Applies to: Certain 2014–2020 Acura MDX and 2018–2020 MDX Sport Hybrid vehicles covered by recall 23V858 (Ac… Severity: high.
On an eligible 2018 MDX with the nine-speed automatic, intermittent harsh upshifts during steady acceleration may involve abnormal transmission-control adaptation values. This bulletin does not establish a cause for stalling or every shift complaint. Applies to: 2018 Acura MDX wi… Severity: high.
Owners of the 6-speed 2012-2015 MDX feel a rhythmic 'rumble-strip' judder between roughly 20 and 60 mph during light/steady throttle. Honda's investigation found the torque converter itself is not damaged; the lock-up clutch judders due to ATF deterioration combined with calibrat… Repairs typically run $200-$1,200. Severity: medium.
The third-gen MDX's stacked dual-display infotainment (8" upper + 7" touch) on 2014-2016 models suffers from slow boot times, screen freezes, Bluetooth dropouts, and random reboots. Acura issued TSB 15-001 (software v3.00.2304, dated 08/21/2015) for 2014 MDX, replacing TSB 14-014… Repairs typically run $0-$200. Severity: medium.
First- and second-gen MDX power-steering high-pressure hose deteriorates and cracks at the metal-to-rubber crimp, weeping Honda PSF onto the subframe and causing whine, low-fluid warnings, and eventually pump damage. Internally, the rack develops 'morning sickness' - stiff steeri… Repairs typically run $350-$1,800. Severity: medium.
Acura says that under certain circumstances, after the vehicle stops and Idle Stop shuts the engine off, the engine may not restart automatically. Acura notes the driver can typically restart it immediately by selecting Park and pressing the ENGINE START/STOP button. Applies to:… Severity: medium.
Owners describe the navigation system on these MDX models freezing during a route, with the screen and buttons unresponsive, or showing the wrong position until the system resets. Some report it happening repeatedly on long trips with a destination set. Some owners report that de… Severity: low.
