Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Acura MDX owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Upon engine start noticed vibration buzz noise and steering wheel locked, very difficult to steer. Turned off the ignition and waited 20 min, steering wheel was back to normal. Upon driving in the road for approximately 5-10 min, the wheel locked up with notification alert of "Electrical Power Steering Failure" It was very difficult to maneuver the steering wheel and manage to pull into a parking lot. Turned the ignition off and waited again another 5min and Upon restart, wheel was back to normal. As we were on our way home, the same alert came with steering wheel locked and difficult to turn. We managed to get home with difficulty turning. Car was towed to Acura Plesanton and was reported no recalls for this issue.
I was driving on a residential street back home when a haze started coming out of the air conditioning vents. That turned into black smoke coming from the front passenger side, underneath/behind the glove compartment. From that smoke, a fire started in the front passenger side, inside the vehicle. I pulled over to the side of the street, turned the car off, grabbed my son who was in a car seat in the back and got out of the car safely. Not a minute after we got out of the car, the entire car was engulfed in flames. The fire department did an investigation and classified it as undetermined, but mechanical in nature. We bought our Acura brand new from the dealer in 2014 and have only had it serviced at the Acura dealer. We have not experienced any issues with the car, other than regular maintenance. I'm extremely concerned that the car would burst into flames while driving.
Flames and fire shot out from the front passenger side vents and under the dashboard and glove compartment, engulfing the vehicle into flames resulting in a total loss. The vehicle was in motion on a neighborhood street.
Defect shows as immediate loss of toe alignment in both front tires, lane keep assist computerized feature in unable to turn steering wheel right, and steering wheel position sensor is unable to remain fixed at zero. Steering wheel position sensor: forces the vehicle into oncoming traffic by automatically during front wheels two and five degrees with maximum turning force applied when the road presents any combination of curved, tilted, and bumpy condition. Steering wheel hand sensor ? Computer applied over-steer forces the car left or right several degrees depending on hand position. Ids: three settings force steering wheel several degrees left or right during braking depending on last applied steering adjustment. …
First, I have had the vehicle for a little over a year. I have driven to florida and nc without issue. Today will be the 4th time taking my car to the Acura dealership in less than 3 months. Today the car started to kickback when I reach 20mph. Also, at 80mph the car is jerky when I accelerate or decrease and go again. Also when I release the gas, the speed decreases quickly as opposed to gradually. Around 60mph the car tends to have a slight jerk which ive notified Acura but they said I need a wheel alignment which ive done. The issue prior was all the lights in the dash came on the the drive function was almost paused while the vehicle was in motion. Acura claimed the issue was minor yet I am going again today. Prior to that issue, something near the tires was scratching or something which they claimed the issue was fixed. …
I bought 2014 Acura MDX brand new and after 2000 mile a noise came out from engine I went dealer they ordered the part and fixed and the same problem happened after 5000 miles. I have lots of headaches since I bought this car. The suspensions are very bad even when I bought it from the dealer as a first day. And now I have all lights on such as battery, brake, hill stability problem, steering wheel problem, engine emission stability problem writing, shown all wheel drive problem. Whenever I go to dealer they reset the signs and say its OK now. They charge me but after a while again happens and this time saying different problem.. Really has too much problem. Suspensions and brake a worst. Now I am afraid to drive this car with my little baby and family. 100% I believe car stops in middle of the way.. Its very dangerous. . …
While traveling on a city street, the computer started to change radio stations, fan speeds, temperature, and heated seats without any operator input and in a very rapid manner for approximately 5 minutes. By the time we got the vehicle to the dealership, the system had reset and the dealer advised they could not find any issues with the vehicle. Since then, we continue to have problems and they now include the collision warning system going off while sitting still, the rear view camera will keep operating while driving forward, the touchscreen panels quit working for up to 10 minutes at a time, the navigation system will show inaccurate information, and the panels have gone blank and then showed the message hdd error, contact service. …
Forward collision warning (FCW) system: sometimes going on a smooth road FCW activates all of a sudden and flashed in the dashboard with an alarm. You have to press brakes in order to ensure that you are getting into an accident. Acura need to fix this warning system and ensure its more reliable. Brakes and rotors are warped at 13000 miles. Went to dealer and they told that it needs resurfacing. Continuous whistling noise from engine when your foot is on gas and when its off it stops. Acura hasn't been able to figure out where is the problem
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Acura MDX. While making a left turn out of a parking space, a sudden clicking noise was heard from the steering column. The steering wheel suddenly became locked and could not be turned to the right. The driver immediately depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle lunged to the right and hit the curb. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 32,000. Updated 10/26/16
All dash lights came on and power steering went. Dealership says it is okay and a misfire. 2/2/15 same thing happened, AWD, power steering, and brakes went. Then the car stopped running and wouldn't start. An hour later it started again and alarms were off. The dealership also had to replace the transmission at 4K miles. Car doesn't sense key sometimes and won't start. Locks on its own. Heated seats won't turn on/off. Car makes weird noise when making sharp turns and wheels pull straight.
Electrical complaints in other MDX years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2014 Acura MDX?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the electrical system of the 2014 Acura MDX, 16% of the model year's 172 complaints. The component named most often is 12v/24v/48v battery › cables (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Acura MDX electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2014 Acura MDX, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2014 Acura MDX electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 13,000 miles, and 61% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 4 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.