Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2025 Acura MDX owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2025 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle bucked for approximately 3-seconds before the vehicle stalled. The hazards were activated, the vehicle was turned off, and the contact waited before restarting the vehicle. While restarting the vehicle, several warning lights quickly flashed, and the vehicle failed to exceed 4 MPH while driving to the nearest parking lot. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V031000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2025 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light, the vehicle suddenly lost automotive power. The message, "Transmission System Failure - Apply Parking Brake while Parked - See Dealer," was displayed. The gear shifter indicator warning light was occasionally illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to use the Push-To-Start feature to start the vehicle, the engine hesitated while turning over. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and was diagnosed with starter failure. The vehicle was repaired under warranty. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
The contact owns a 2025 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while at a complete stop at a traffic light, the vehicle unexpectedly shut off and failed to restart. After approximately 15 minutes, the vehicle restarted, and the contact drove into a parking lot before driving to the residence. No warning lights illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure the following day, and a service appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.
The idle-stop function would frequently malfunction. I would be at a stop, which would trigger the idle-stop function and the car would turn off, but when I released my foot off the break in preparation for needing to start moving, the car would stall and shut completely off. There was about a five second delay before I could get the car to turn back on and start moving, which was very scary with traffic all around me. After the malfunction occurred several times, I would try to remember to turn off the idle-stop function using dynamic mode. I called my local Acura dealership about this problem and the service manager said that he wasn't sure what was wrong nor did he know how to fix it. He advised me to just wait and hope that Acura issues a recall for the issue. Then, I started noticing that there was a delay in my vehicle starting when pressing the start button. …
Incident 1 (Loss of Propulsion in Traffic) - 12/16/25 The vehicle failed to restart immediately after the auto start-stop system attempted to re-engage the engine. Upon attempting to accelerate, the engine did not restart, resulting in a complete loss of propulsion while in active traffic. The vehicle became temporarily inoperable and unresponsive, creating a hazardous condition with elevated risk of rear-end collision and inability to safely clear traffic or intersections. Incident 2 (Failure to Start - Reliability Concern) - 4/1/26 On a separate occasion, the vehicle failed to start entirely upon initial startup (first use of the day). The engine did not turn over as expected, rendering the vehicle inoperable. This incident raises significant concerns about system reliability and dependability, particularly given its occurrence independent of the auto start-stop event. …
I am reporting a serious safety defect involving repeated engine stalling and failure to restart associated with the auto idle stop/start system on a 2025 Acura MDX. The vehicle was leased in December 2024. Beginning in late summer and early fall of 2025, the vehicle intermittently shut off at stops and failed to restart when releasing the brake. This resulted in the vehicle becoming unresponsive in active traffic conditions, creating a significant safety hazard. The vehicle was presented to an authorized dealer for this issue on multiple occasions: August 15, 2025 September 9, 2025 October 31, 2025 After repeated unsuccessful attempts to diagnose and repair the condition, the dealer ultimately replaced the starter on October 31, 2025. This repair did not permanently resolve the issue. …
Last year, my 2025 Acura MDX was repaired under warranty for a known starter issue that is affecting all 2025+ MDX models. The issue is that the vehicle will stall or fail to start on random occasions leaving drivers stranded or stopped in traffic unable to move their vehicle. Honda and Acura are well aware of the fact that this is an issue, yet they continue to produce these vehicles with the same parts. This repair took several attempts and the dealership refused to even diagnose the issue for several months causing me to have to record each instance on my phone for proof. Once they eventually replaced the starter, the issue went away for approximately 10 months. Today, however, I was temporarily left stranded at a gas pump as my vehicle would not start. …
On June 9, 2026, my 2025 Acura MDX, with only 9,139 miles, stalled at a red traffic light after the Auto Idle Stop feature activated. The engine would not restart, leaving the vehicle disabled in an active traffic lane. I was unable to shift the vehicle out of Park and was stranded for approximately 5 to 10 minutes with my two young children in the back seat. The dashboard instructed me to fully depress the brake pedal and press the ENGINE START/STOP button to restart the vehicle, but repeatedly following those instructions did not restart the engine. There were no warning lights or other symptoms before the incident. I feared another vehicle would rear-end us because I could not move the vehicle out of the travel lane. After multiple attempts to turn the vehicle off and back on, it eventually restarted, allowing me to drive home. …
My 2025 Acura MDX suffers from a severe safety defect regarding the Auto Idle Stop (auto start-stop) system. When the vehicle comes to a complete stop at intersections or traffic lights, the engine shuts off as intended. However, upon releasing the brake pedal to accelerate, the engine completely fails to auto-restart.Instead of restarting, the vehicle drops out of the auto-restart sequence entirely, shifts itself out of drive, and displays a critical safety message on the dashboard: "To start engine: Brake + Push".This completely strands the vehicle in live traffic, forcing me to manually shift into Park, press the foot brake, and push the engine start button while traffic accumulates behind me. This creates an immediate rear-end collision hazard.The dealership has already attempted to diagnose and repair this issue under warranty by replacing both the vehicle's battery. …
I was driving w a passenger on a busy 4 lane road and trying to make a left turn. When I tried to hit the gas after coming to a stop, my car would not move. I did not know what was happening, as it turned out the car had shifted into park and turned off. Extremely dangerous scenario. I had to take my foot off the brake, restart the the car and put it in drive again to move. I brought it to the dealer the following day, they said they fixed it with a gear shield as the trans had dirt in it and a new starter. However, yesterday, prob about 6 or so months later it happened again. I went directly to the dealer. They kept the car over night. Today I was told the my battery charge was too low and the auto idle engine on/off turned off due to it being not having enough charge. Totally different excuse than the first time. …
NHTSA investigations
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
On June 3, 2022, the O ce of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several eld reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a tra c light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged.
Engine complaints in other MDX years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2025 Acura MDX?
NHTSA has 68 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2025 Acura MDX, 61% of the model year's 111 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2025 Acura MDX engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2025 Acura MDX, though it has 3 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 2025 Acura MDX engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 14,000 miles, and 100% before 25,000 miles.
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.