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 2017 Acura MDX owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On 11.25.25, my MDX was involved in a multi-car hit and run on highway 101 SB at the Laurel Drive off ramp. The vehicle sustained two points of impact: (1) substantial front/driver side impact (2) rear-passenger side impact. Despite the severity, location of impact and speed of travel at the time of the collision, all airbags deployed except for the driver side curtain airbag. Importantly, at the time of the crash, the Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) and associated AcuraWatch driver assist systems were activated. The vehicle's safety assistance technology was engaged and functioning immediately prior to impact. Considering the above mentioned facts, driver side airbag failing to deploy, raises serious concerns regarding Possible software or signal-processing malfunction or electronic communication between radar/camera systems and the SRS module. …
The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving, the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), brake, and Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) warning lights were intermittently illuminated. The contact associated the failure with the brake pads, which had not been replaced since the vehicle was purchased brand new; however, the dealer confirmed that the brake pads were in good condition. Additionally, the contact stated that there were electrical failures after the vehicle was parked. The steering wheel was raised, and the warning light was illuminated while making a continuous clicking sound, and the horn was honking continuously while the vehicle was parked and locked. The electrical failures caused the battery drain and the battery was replaced. The contact stated that several attempts were needed to jumpstart the vehicle. …
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for engine service, the mechanic discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy with the vehicle. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 135,316, however, the independent mechanic discovered that the actual mileage was 289,471.
My Vehicle intermittently fails to go into "Drive" when pressing the gear shift button. Additionally, various warning messages appear at random, including: Lane Keeping Assist Problem, & Road Departure Mitigation System Problem. I have brought my vehicle to DCH Montclair Acura#709, located at 100 Bloomfield Ave, Verona, NJ 07044, on January 10, 2025, February 18, 2025, and March 13, 2025. Despite these visits and an inspection conducted by my extended warranty provider, the problem continues. On [redacted], while my daughter was a passenger, the vehicle once again failed to shift into drive when pressing the "D" button. This incident, like others before it, occurred without warning and reinforces my growing concern about the safety and reliability of the vehicle. I am now afraid to drive the car, unsure when it might fail again. …
I was driving on the interstate yesterday ([redacted]) and the transmission suddenly downshifted gears and also went to neutral. I managed to pull to the shoulder, but the sudden loss of power could easily have been life threatening at a more crowded time of day or in poor weather. The car was towed to McDaniel Acura in Columbia, SC (I was out of town) and problem confirmed. I also called my regular mechanic (a Honda specialist) and he said this was a known problem and referenced Acura service bulletin [redacted] which says to reload new software. Codes were: Transmission code P0716 Parking Brake System U0401-68 Parking brake warning light on Blind spot warning light on Why hasn't there been a recall on this??? It's a known problem and I could easily have been killed and hurt others. …
The sensor under the hood malfunctions causing the car alarm system to go off and battery to get drained. Multiple batteries were changed because initially the thinking was that the battery needed to be replaced. Car alarm would go off in the middle of the night (with a new battery) when parked in the garage. All the electrical systems and lights would start turning off and on as if the car is possessed. Manufacturer is aware of the problem. Many others are complaining on the internet. There are variety of hacks including rigging the sensor that are suggested. Dealer said the entire control unit had to be replaced for $1122. Repair was made. They said when they run out of parts (control unit) they also disconnect the sensor. So you have cars on the highways that are no longer appropriately indicating when the hood is down (shut correctly or whether it is a false alarm. …
On highway and switching lanes. All of a sudden ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE AND ALL DRIVER ASSIST LIGHTS CAME ON. Pull over light came on as well. HIT ON LEFT REAR SYMBOL CAME ON. Was never hit just a close car on driver left rear side when switching lanes. Made it home and vehicle wouldn't switch back into drive mode. Acura didn't do its due process and assumed a new transmission was needed. Replaced and a month later ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE sign starts flashing again. Now dealership is saying I need a new catalytic converter. Refused as I believe Acura has been incorrect about the diagnostic. They also stated my vehicle was in a collision and it wasn't. They refused to check electrical issues and update software as these things are not in my control. …
Brake system, Cruise control, lane keeping system get malfunction erratically (ever since 2022, and has been like this), and one of the two sets of brakes never wears off (More than 100 K mileage now (Oct. 2026) , one set of brake pads still is still have sufficient life and does not seem to require replacement. Additiionally, recently (August 2026) the electronic system has gone very bad, the dashboard automatically restarts, headlight turns on, and trying to engaging something, then turned off automatically, then a new cycle starts, and even I turned off again, the cycle will restart until battery is drained and dead, if I do not lock the car (and I had to replace a new battery that was used for less than 1.5 year. If I lock the car, the car will start the same cycle and will honk, and honk, until the surrounding people had to remove the car.
I am reporting a severe safety defect regarding the sudden, unprovoked failure of the AcuraWatch driver-assist camera system (affecting LKAS, ADAS, and the Collision Mitigation Braking System), which directly and unexpectedly alters the vehicle's powertrain and driving dynamics without driver input. While driving, the front windshield monocular camera module experienced an internal electronic failure, immediately lighting up multiple critical safety warning indicators on the dashboard and permanently disabling all forward collision prevention and lane-keep capabilities. I urge NHTSA to open a safety defect investigation into 2016-2019 Acura MDX models regarding camera system degradation and its hazardous, cascading impact on transmission shift timing and vehicle deceleration behavior.
My 2017 Acura MDX has many issues with both the transmission and electrical. It has an issue shifting between gears, makes a loud sound like metal on wash board, then loses power for 3-5 seconds. I went to put the car in drive and it would not go in drive recently. I've now had to replace the transmission at 79,006 miles. The electrical system lights up when driving telling me my electronic parking brake has been engaged and also that there is emission system issues. My daughter was terrified and crying since i had a loss of power at the same time my dash lit up and I had to get across 5 lanes of traffic to the shoulder of road. The towing company had to remove battery cable to get my electric parking break to release. This is a dangerous and scary automobile
Electrical complaints in other MDX years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2017 Acura MDX?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the electrical system of the 2017 Acura MDX, 18% of the model year's 260 complaints. The component named most often is adas (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 Acura MDX electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2017 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 2017 Acura MDX electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 36,000 miles, and 40% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 3 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.