Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 11% | — |
| 2025 | 5 | 5% | — |
| 2024 | 2 | 5% | 10,000 miles |
| 2023 | 11 | 26% | 65,000 miles |
| 2022 | 69 | 44% | 97,000 miles |
| 2020 | 21 | 9% | 26,000 miles |
| 2019 | 31 | 16% | 30,000 miles |
| 2018 | 23 | 14% | 40,000 miles |
| 2017 | 64 | 25% | 38,000 miles |
| 2016 | 113 | 30% | 31,000 miles |
| 2015 | 12 | 17% | 52,000 miles |
| 2014 | 27 | 16% | 35,000 miles |
| 2013 | 4 | 13% | 69,000 miles |
| 2012 | 13 | 17% | 78,000 miles |
| 2011 | 8 | 11% | 50,000 miles |
| 2010 | 5 | 11% | 30,000 miles |
| 2009 | 8 | 15% | 69,000 miles |
| 2008 | 3 | 6% | 53,000 miles |
| 2007 | 8 | 8% | 93,000 miles |
| 2006 | 38 | 44% | 70,000 miles |
| 2005 | 87 | 48% | 80,000 miles |
| 2004 | 77 | 45% | 91,000 miles |
| 2003 | 104 | 50% | 109,000 miles |
| 2002 | 125 | 61% | 98,000 miles |
| 2001 | 131 | 58% | 104,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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. …
My 2025 Acura MDX completely stalled in active roadway traffic and failed to restart. The failure occurred during a routine stop in traffic, tied to the Auto Idle-Stop / restart sequence: when releasing the brake pedal to accelerate, the engine did not restart, leaving the vehicle completely dead and stranded in the travel lane, creating a severe risk of a rear-end collision. I brought the vehicle to an authorized Acura dealership for repair. The dealership diagnosed the issue and replaced the starter motor under warranty. However, shortly after picking up the vehicle, the exact same failure occurred again in traffic. The vehicle was brought back in, and the 12V battery and charging system were tested and deemed functional, but the vehicle continues to stall and fail to restart. …
The contact owns a 2023 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds over a bumpy road surface or a pothole, there was an abnormal metallic sound coming from underneath the passenger's side of the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where a technician informed the contact that the sound was common after 50,000 miles. The contact was later informed that the cause of the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but the assigned case manager failed to help. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
The automatic transmission on the vehicle failed without warning. Vehicle was driven on the highway without issues; exited highway to a city street, stopped at a stop light, and turned onto another street. Upon turn onto another street, transmission did not upshift as it should; it was noticed the engine was revving high, but transmission did not shift. Tried to manually shift, with no luck. There were no warning lights or messages present at any time. Vehicle was stopped in a safe area and turned off, restarted, and tried again. Transmission still would not shift correctly; when it tried to shift, it would clunk, and it sounded like something dragging under the vehicle. Drove vehicle home and parked it. Later when transmission was shifted into gear, it did not move, and made a terrible clunking noise, then a squealing sound. Called dealer and had vehicle towed in for inspection. …
The contact owns a 2022 Acura MDX. The contact stated that drops of fluid were discovered on the floor of the garage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for diagnosis, and the contact was informed that transmission fluid was leaking due to a failure of the Power Take Off (PTO) unit and transmission spline, causing the transmission to overheat and leak fluid. The contact was informed that the transmission and PTO unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, there was an abnormal vibration coming from the front passenger's side of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The abnormal vibration persisted, and there was a grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the power transfer case spline had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall, and the vehicle was not under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
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 in Comfort Mode at approximately 40 MPH and attempting to accelerate to change lanes, the vehicle stalled for several minutes before accelerating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle hesitated to start intermittently, and the failure was more frequent over time. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the battery had failed. The battery was replaced, and the vehicle was remedied under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V031000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Electrical System). The failure reoccurred. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, and the contact stated that the vehicle was shaking abnormally while accelerating; however, the dealer had not diagnosed the vehicle a second time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …
Related recalls (2)
Power train › Automatic transmission
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Acura MDX AWD vehicles manufactured May 6, 2013, through October 14, 2013. The bolts that attach the drive shaft to the automatic transmission transfer assembly may not have been properly tightened.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the drive shaft attaching bolts as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on July 3, 2014.
Power train › Automatic transmission
On some Mini vans, sport utility and passenger vehicles, certain operating conditions can result in heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft second gears in the automatic transmission, eventually leading to gear tooth chipping or gear breakage.
Remedy: On vehicles with 15,000 miles or less, the dealer will update the transmission with a simple revision to the oil cooler return line to increase lubrication to the second gear.
NHTSA investigations
All wheel drive allegation
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has completed its review of 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 alleges failures in the interfacing splines between the front wheel drive transaxle and the rear wheel drive power take off unit.
Frequently asked questions
Which Acura MDX years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (131), 2002 (125), 2016 (113), 2003 (104) and 2005 (87) model years. Transmission complaints make up 58% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for Acura MDX transmission problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 13V-571 (automatic transmission, Nov 14, 2013); 04V-176 (automatic transmission, Apr 15, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Acura MDX transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles; 23% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (319 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › torque converter (10).
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.