Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Acura MDX, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine35
- Electrical system28
- Fuel/propulsion system28
- Power train23
- Forward collision avoidance23
- Fuel system, gasoline23
- Unknown or other20
- Engine and engine cooling19
- Lane departure18
- Vehicle speed control14
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 3 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 11 2018 MDX vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 3 people died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2018 Acura MDX failed the safety check 1.35% of the time — 18% less often than the average 2018 passenger car (1.65%). Median odometer at inspection: 57,841 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the United Kingdom
1 cars built in 2018 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025.
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 2 variants; 2 of 2 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 Acura MDX SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 16.4 % |
| 2018 Acura MDX SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | 16.4 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Standard
- Lane departure warning
- Standard
- Best overall rating
- 5 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 10.7–11.0 L/100 km (about 21–22 mpg US), CO₂ 251–259 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| MDX SH-AWD Elite · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Premium gasoline | 12.2 | 9.0 | 10.7 |
| MDX SH-AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Premium gasoline | 12.6 | 9.0 | 11.0 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
10 Transport Canada recalls for the 2018 Acura MDX.
| 2026275 4 Jun 2026 | Structure Issue: On certain vehicles, the suspension mounting points on the rear subframe could rust. As a result, rear suspension components could fail. This could lea… |
| 2026251 21 May 2026 | Seats And Restraints Issue: On certain vehicles, the weight sensor for the front passenger seat may not have been manufactured properly. As a result, the passenger-front airbag an… |
| 2025212 17 Apr 2025 | Lights And Instruments Issue: On certain vehicles, the recall repairs completed by a Honda or Acura dealer during recall AL65/AL66 (Transport Canada recall no. 2019-159) may not hav… |
| 2024262 6 May 2024 | Fuel System Issue: This recall is for low-pressure fuel pumps installed on certain vehicles or sold at dealerships as a replacement part. On certain vehicles, the low… |
| 2023679 18 Dec 2023 | Fuel System This recall was replaced by Transport Canada recall no. 2024-262. Issue: This recall is for low-pressure fuel pumps installed on certain vehicles or sold … |
| 2023603 8 Nov 2023 | Engine Issue: On certain vehicles equipped with a V6 engine, the connecting rod bearings could wear prematurely and become damaged. If this happens, the engine could… |
| 2019179 11 Apr 2019 | Engine Issue: On certain vehicles, the teeth on the timing belt may separate due to a manufacturing issue. This could result in an engine stall. Safety Risk: … |
| 2019159 28 Mar 2019 | Lights And Instruments This recall was replaced by Transport Canada recall no. 2025-212. Issue: On certain vehicles, water could enter the tail lamps located on the tailgate. Th… |
| 2018602 1 Nov 2018 | Brakes Certain vehicles may fail to conform to Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 135 - Light Vehicle Brake Systems. A problem with the rear brake system may… |
| 2018167 6 Apr 2018 | Seats And Restraints Certain vehicles equipped with power driver and passenger seats may fail to conform to Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 207 - Anchorage of Seats and… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid light assembly and wiring harness, which can cause the interior and exterior lights to fail, including the lid lights, position lights, license plate lights and taillights.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
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.
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.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Acura MDX and 2017-2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid lights, possibly causing a loss of the tailgate lid lights and the taillights.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine. Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance.
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018 Honda Pilot and Ridgeline vehicles and 2018 Acura MDX vehicles. The front driver and passenger powered seats in the Honda vehicles and the driver powered seats in the Acura vehicles may have been assembled with improperly manufactured rivets. In the event of a crash, the rivets can break causing the seats not to be secured to the floor. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems," and 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Acura told its dealers about the 2018 Acura MDX: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11011046 | Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on potentially due to water intrusion into the rear differential pump motor connector area that corrodes the terminals. |
| 11000723 | Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engaging, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Acura is providing a product update with a new PGM-FI software update to fix this issue. |
| 10248978 | Service Bulletin - The MIL comes on during vehicle operation due to variations in the purge control solenoid valve spring, the valve wears unevenly and intermittently sticks. This may result in setting DTC P0441 (Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System Purge Flow Malfunction). |
| 10247626 | Service Bulletin - Due to variations in the purge control solenoid valve spring, the valve wears unevenly and intermittently sticks. This may result in setting DTC P0441 (Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System Purge Flow Malfunction). |
| 10235126 | Service Bulletin - The engine will not crank on the initial startup attempt after the vehicle has been exposed to precipitation and then freezing temperatures. Water can enter the starter motor. In cold temperatures the water can freeze, preventing the starter motor from cranking the engine. |
| 10233292 | Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or low cranking torque. Typically, the client can immediately restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pressing the ENGINE START/STOP button. Acura is extending the warranty coverage for valve adjustment and starter replacement related to this condition to 10 years from the original date of purchase with no mileage limitation. |
| 10232976 | Product Update - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engaging, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Acura is providing a product update with a new PGM-FI software update to fix this issue. |
| 10232974 | Warranty Extension - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. |
| 10232972 | Warranty Extension - Warranty Extension reimbursement form for engine idle stop repairs made before the warranty extension notice date. |
| 10232965 | Service Bulletin - The engine will not crank on the initial startup attempt after the vehicle has been exposed to precipitation and then freezing temperatures. |
| 10232964 | Service Bulletin - Recall update for 2014 - 2019 MDX and 2017 - 2019 MDX Hybrid Sport models. An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one or all of the taillights not to work. Honda updated the inspection procedure to replace both inner taillights if one or both inner taillights do not come on. |
| 10232253 | Service Bulletin - Due to a problem with the detection logic in the multipurpose camera software, the vehicle's LKAS, ACC, or CMBS indicator lights may come on incorrectly. |
| 10231058 | Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Typically, the customer can immediately restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pushing the ENGINE START/STOP button. |
| 10229689 | Dealer Message - During development, the idle stop enable criteria was mis-set allowing idle stop to improperly engage while battery health is low. Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop, the vehicle may not automatically restart. In most cases, the client can immediately restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pushing the Start button. |
| 10229688 | Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or low cranking torque. Typically, the client can immediately restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pressing the ENGINE START/STOP button. NOTE: If 23-001 Product Update: PGM-FI Idle Stop Software Update is applicable to the VIN, the PGM-FI software must be updated first before the warranty extension applies. Acura is extending the warranty coverage for valve adjustment and starter replacement related to this conditi |
| 10229687 | Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Typically, the customer can immediately restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pushing the ENGINE START/STOP button. |
| 10213569 | American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RLXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0171 & P0174 (Rear/Front Bank Fuel System Too Lean), or P219A&B (Air-Fuel Ratio Variation of Cylinder) stored. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind. |
| 10211608 | Special Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated. |
| 10211102 | Dealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0171 & P0174 (Rear/Front Bank Fuel System Too Lean), or P219A&B (Air-Fuel Ratio Variation of Cylinder) stored. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind. |
| 10210096 | Dealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0171 & P0174 (Rear/Front Bank Fuel System Too Lean), or P219A&B (Air-Fuel Ratio Variation of Cylinder) stored. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind. |
| 10209092 | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0171 & P0174 (Rear/Front Bank Fuel System Too Lean), or P219A&B (Air-Fuel Ratio Variation of Cylinder) stored. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind. |
| 10208407 | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0171 & P0174 (Rear/Front Bank Fuel System Too Lean), or P219A&B (Air-Fuel Ratio Variation of Cylinder) stored. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind. |
| 10208095 | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0171 & P0174 (Rear/Front Bank Fuel System Too Lean), or P219A&B (Air-Fuel Ratio Variation of Cylinder) stored. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind. |
| 10206804 | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0171 & P0174 (Rear/Front Bank Fuel System Too Lean), or P219A&B (Air-Fuel Ratio Variation of Cylinder) stored. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind. |
| 10206450 | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0171 & P0174 (Rear/Front Bank Fuel System Too Lean), or P219A&B (Air-Fuel Ratio Variation of Cylinder) stored. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Engine failure
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
Engine failure
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation