Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 22% | — |
| 2025 | 68 | 61% | 14,000 miles |
| 2024 | 6 | 15% | — |
| 2023 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2022 | 9 | 6% | 26,000 miles |
| 2020 | 102 | 46% | 55,000 miles |
| 2019 | 77 | 41% | 42,000 miles |
| 2018 | 54 | 32% | 65,000 miles |
| 2017 | 97 | 37% | 86,000 miles |
| 2016 | 172 | 46% | 65,000 miles |
| 2015 | 7 | 10% | 60,000 miles |
| 2014 | 26 | 15% | 13,000 miles |
| 2013 | 10 | 33% | 26,000 miles |
| 2012 | 25 | 33% | 85,000 miles |
| 2011 | 29 | 41% | 90,000 miles |
| 2010 | 11 | 24% | 89,000 miles |
| 2009 | 11 | 21% | 45,000 miles |
| 2008 | 5 | 10% | 125,000 miles |
| 2007 | 15 | 15% | 82,000 miles |
| 2006 | 11 | 13% | 95,000 miles |
| 2005 | 16 | 9% | 82,000 miles |
| 2004 | 26 | 15% | 103,000 miles |
| 2003 | 26 | 13% | 105,000 miles |
| 2002 | 19 | 9% | 82,000 miles |
| 2001 | 22 | 10% | 80,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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 start/stop switch stalls the vehicle and will not restart after several tries for up to 5 minutes. We get a message during this time to "continue to drive, depress brake pedal and push switch" and even after then it still will not start for several tries. This has happened several times. One time my wife was on a heavily traveled two lane farm road at a four-way stop and it did it and was almost hit by 18 wheelers trying to navigate around her. This was not only a safety issue for her but also those trying to get around her with all the traffic coming in all direction. Took back to the dealer but it did not do it while they tried to recreate the issue. No warnings prior to the issue of dying and not re-starting. This was the latest occurrence, it had happened a couple of times before.
Vehicle will suddenly shut the engine off and shift into park, even when the auto engine shut off is not active. Typically happens when stopped at a stop light. You will feel the engine shut off, and the car shift into park. It is very scary and unsafe. It has also caused the vehicle to shut off and shift into neutral while it was moving, and the vehicle gave a transmission warning. It sounds very similar to NHTSA Recall 25v-031, however, my vehicle was not included in the recall as it is not a Type S. I took it to the dealership and they said that Acura has opened an investigation due to the number of complaints, but there is no solution yet. I have not other option but to dry the vehicle, but I am worried that it is unsafe and not good for the vehicle to keep stalling the way it is.
The contact owns a 2022 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while idling at a red light, a white-colored smoke began to emit from the front passenger tire wheel well. The contact was then alerted by a fellow motorist that the vehicle had caught fire. The contact exited the vehicle and called for assistance. The fire department arrived at the scene and extinguished the fire. A police nor a fire report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed from the scene to the dealer where it remained in their possession. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be either repaired or destroyed. The failure mileage was 26,000.
Please add me to the compliant pool. My transfer case/transmission went out - 2022, 80,000 miles. March 6, 2026 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: DP26001 OPEN INVESTIGATION All wheel drive allegation NHTSA Action Number: DP26001 Components: POWER TRAIN Opened From: March 6, 2026 - Present Summary The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a Petition dated January 9, 2026, requesting an investigation into the loss of the optional all-wheel drive capability in model year (MY) 2021-2023 Acura TLX and MY 2022-2023 Acura MDX vehicles. The Petition contends that the interfacing splines between the transmission and the rear wheel drive power take off unit are failing. Failure of these splines prevents the transfer of drive power to the rear axle, making the vehicle front wheel drive only. The Petition further alleges that this failure results in a reduction of vehicle directional control. …
The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving 30-35 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond and would not move. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that after depressing the drive button several times, she was able to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined that the contact had inadvertently depressed an unknown button on the steering wheel causing the vehicle to shift to neutral. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove to her destination. The contact stated the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle inadvertently stalled while driving. Several unknown warning lights illuminated. …
The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle shook abnormally with the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the engine seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with rod bearing failure and a failure in cylinder #6. The contact was informed there were metal shavings inside the oil pan, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. …
Related recalls (3)
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024.
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.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected timing belt free of charge. Vehicles receiving a replacement timing belt will also have the engine inspected and any damaged…
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
On certain minivans, sedans, coupes, and sport utility vehicles equipped with v6 engines, a timing belt tensioner pulley on the water pump is misaligned and could cause the timing belt to contact a bolt on the cylinder head. Eventually the belt could be damaged and fail.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the water pump and if it is one of the defective pumps, the water pump and timing belt will be replaced. Owner notification began August 30, 2002.
NHTSA investigations
Engine failure
On November 8, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ24013 to assess the scope of Honda recall 23V-751 after receiving complaints that alleged connecting rod bearing failures in vehicles that were not within the scope of recall 23V-751. In November 2023, Honda recalled 248,999 various Model Year (MY)2016-2020 Honda and Acura vehicles equipped with the 3.5L V6 engine.
Engine failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 414 reports of connecting rod bearing failures in the 3.5L V6 engine used in the following vehicles: Model Years (MY) 2018-2020 Acura TLX, MY2016-2020 Acura MDX, MY2016-2020 Honda Pilot, MY2018-2020 Honda Odyssey, and MY2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline. The subject engine failures were analyzed as part of a Recall Query (RQ24013).
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Acura MDX years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2016 (172), 2020 (102), 2017 (97), 2019 (77) and 2025 (68) model years. Engine complaints make up 46% of all complaints for the 2016.
Is there a recall for Acura MDX engine problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 23V-751 (hard parts internal/mechanical, Nov 13, 2023); 19V-298 (belts and associated pulleys, Apr 12, 2019); 02V-226 (engine, Aug 28, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Acura MDX engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles; 37% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (16 mentions), followed by the exhaust system (4).
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.