Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 5% | — |
| 2024 | 11 | 27% | — |
| 2023 | 8 | 19% | 4,000 miles |
| 2022 | 18 | 11% | 41,000 miles |
| 2020 | 15 | 7% | 6,000 miles |
| 2019 | 9 | 5% | 18,000 miles |
| 2018 | 9 | 5% | 18,000 miles |
| 2017 | 23 | 9% | 12,000 miles |
| 2016 | 13 | 3% | 36,000 miles |
| 2015 | 6 | 8% | 9,000 miles |
| 2014 | 26 | 15% | 10,000 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 3% | 47,000 miles |
| 2011 | 2 | 3% | 20,000 miles |
| 2010 | 3 | 7% | 50,000 miles |
| 2008 | 6 | 12% | 24,000 miles |
| 2006 | 9 | 10% | 147,000 miles |
| 2005 | 14 | 8% | 108,000 miles |
| 2004 | 11 | 6% | 138,000 miles |
| 2003 | 10 | 5% | 21,000 miles |
| 2002 | 6 | 3% | 8,000 miles |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% | 31,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Hello! I am writing to report an urgent and serious safety failure involving my 2025 Acura MDX A-Spec and to request immediate investigation and action. The vehicle's driver-assist systems - specifically the lane departure warning and forward collision warning - failed to operate. In addition, both the steering wheel and the accelerator became stuck, causing my vehicle to collide head on with oncoming traffic. These failures placed my life and the lives of others in immediate danger. I previously opened a case with Acura Contact and Client Relations (Case #16550271). To investigate my vehicle failures that caused this major accident, the response I received was inadequate and deeply concerning. …
My new Acura MDX has very soft braking under normal braking and with harder braking the pedal normally is at the same level as the accelerator pedal which I feel could be a safety issue if your foot is then pressing both pedals at the same time. Also, when driving with adaptive cruise activated, when the car starts to brake on its own following another slower car, with my foot resting on the accelerator, the brake petal will activate and sometimes trap my foot between brake and accelerator petals. This is new to Acura as this is my third MDX since 2014. It has been noted on u-tube videos of the new MDX's. The dealer says it is not an adjustable brake system. The car can be hard to stop with a heavy load. Nothing I have ever experience before with any car. Thank you, [redacted]
1. Brake Pedal Sinking to Floor While Stopped - While stopped at a traffic light or in stop-and-go traffic, the brake pedal intermittently sinks all the way to the floor despite steady pressure being applied. This issue occurs sporadically, making it difficult for the dealership to consistently replicate during service visits, but it has happened multiple times. Critically, once the pedal sinks, it does not return to its normal position on its own. I am forced to manually pull it back using my foot, which is both dangerous and unacceptable in a modern vehicle. This creates a serious safety hazard and raises concerns about potential failure of the braking system. 2. Delayed Brake Engagement - The brake pedal consistently travels halfway before the braking system engages and slows the vehicle. On all three occasions, I was told the problem could not be replicated. …
on [redacted], I was trying to park under the shade of a tree when the vehicle suddenly surged forward, ran through the back of a big concrete dumpster retaining wall, pushed the dumpster at least 3 to 4 feet forward. It all happened so fast, I was left puzzled about why the brake failed and caused the accident and property damage. Luckily there was no personal injury to me nor anyone else, my car video showed that I narrowly missed 2 Hispanic young men standing near the dumpster ! Since the car is still under warranty, my plan was to get the car checked out by the dealership mechanic after the body shop finished with the $18,000 repair job. Then on 7/31/2025 I received a recall notice from Honda about BRAKE PEDAL PIVOT PIN may not have been staked during production. I immediately contacted State Farm and Honda. On 8/6/2025 A Honda representative, Mr. …
The contact owns a 2023 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal, the pedal unintendedly travelled down to the floorboard, causing the vehicle to unintendedly accelerate. The contact stated that the vehicle exceeded 95 MPH while driving in a 25 MPH zone. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to stop while depressing the brake pedal and drove through a red traffic light. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where an Acura engineer flew in to examine the vehicle. The engineer determined that the driver's side floor mat was faulty, and the floor mat was replaced; however, the failure recurred on three separate occasions and lasted approximately 40 seconds. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 4,000.
1) I was struck by a vehicle that ran the stop sign at 50mph. After the impact my vehicle continued rolling forward and wouldn't stop. I ended up a block away from the accident and my emergency brake, brake pedal and center console brake would not engage. My vehicle was stopped after a car pulled up infront of me for me to rear end it to stop. Vehicle is a total loss and sitting in a tow yard. 2) I was in the vehicle with my 3 children under 7 years of age. Our safety was put at risk because If the accident would've happened on a main street I could've rolled into on coming traffic. 3) Not yet, they have declared the car a total loss and have no interest in inspecting for damage repair. 4) No 5) No failures were detected nor happening prior to accident.
The contact owns a 2022 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 2 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brakes became stuck or jammed. Later, while driving at approximately 15 MPH, the contact again depressed the brake pedal; however, the brakes failed to respond, remained stuck, and failed to stop the vehicle in an intersection, causing the contact to steer to the right and resulting in a crash with a government dump truck. The driver's child informed the contact's husband that the brakes were not working. No warning lights were illuminated at the time of the failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number 25V391000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The driver's iPhone detected the crash and automatically contacted the emergency contact and the state police. …
The contact owned a 2022 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while her husband was reversing from the driveway, the transmission was being shifted from reverse (R) into Drive (D), the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop. The vehicle crashed into the neighbor's residence and landed in their yard. The contact's husband was injured and received medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 17,956.
Related recalls (3)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Acura TLX, 2023-2025 Acura MDX, and 2023-2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin was not secured properly, which can cause the pedal to shift out of position.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pedal assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Acura MDX, 2017-2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda HR-V and Honda Odyssey, and 2016 Honda HR-V vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating, causing gas pockets to form, reducing brake performance.
Remedy: Owners will be notified, and Honda or Acura dealers will bleed the brakes, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Frequently asked questions
Which Acura MDX years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2014 (26), 2017 (23), 2022 (18), 2020 (15) and 2005 (14) model years. Brake complaints make up 15% of all complaints for the 2014.
Is there a recall for Acura MDX brake problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 25V-391 (pedals and linkages, Jun 12, 2025); 23V-458 (master cylinder, Jun 29, 2023); 18V-777 (caliper, Nov 1, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Acura MDX brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles; 73% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (4 mentions), followed by the foundation components › master cylinder (2).
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.