The Used Car Index

2020 Acura MDX problems

NHTSA lists 222 complaints for the 2020 Acura MDX, 4 of them mention a crash and 0 mention a fire. 1 complaints mention an injury, with 2 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-09.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as ACURA MDX.

At a glance

Complaints
222
With crash
4
With fire
0
With injury (complaints)
1
Injuries
2
Deaths
0
Recalls
8
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
2,490,460
Investigations
3
Open investigations
2
Manufacturer communications
110

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
ENGINE8337.4%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3917.6%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3917.6%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE3716.7%
POWER TRAIN219.5%
LANE DEPARTURE198.6%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING188.1%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM156.8%
SERVICE BRAKES146.3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL146.3%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL22
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEWARNINGS17
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEAUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING14
LANE DEPARTUREWARNING13
LANE DEPARTUREASSIST11
BACK OVER PREVENTIONWARNINGS3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSTARTER ASSEMBLY1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCESENSING SYSTEM1
LANE DEPARTUREBLIND SPOT DETECTION1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
loss of control7132.0%0.79
electrical electronic6428.8%0.78
mechanical failure3716.7%0.83
visibility or lighting2310.4%0.82
unclear167.2%0.98
noise or comfort52.3%0.77
restraint or airbag41.8%0.85
fire or overheating20.9%0.52
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate16072.1%0.86
low5223.4%0.68
high73.2%0.86
none31.4%0.80

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 222 tagged complaints of 222 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

8 recalls.

26V365000

Date: 2026-06-04. Systems: STRUCTURE, SUSPENSION.

Defect: 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, Virg (excerpt)

Consequence: Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. (excerpt)

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888 (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

26V332000

Date: 2026-05-21. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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 Civi (excerpt)

Consequence: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury. (excerpt)

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involve (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

25V259000

Date: 2025-04-17. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING, INTERIOR LIGHTING.

Defect: 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. (excerpt)

Consequence: Vehicle lights that fail to illuminate can decrease visibility and increase the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wiring and install a fuse harness, replace the lid light, and repair the body dust sealer, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 30, 2025. Owners may contact Acura's customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Acura's number for this recall is FLI. Vehicles included in this recall that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 19V-25 (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

24V064000

Date: 2024-02-01. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short cir (excerpt)

Consequence: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury. (excerpt)

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

23V858000

Date: 2023-12-18. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.

Defect: 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 tan (excerpt)

Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

23V751000

Date: 2023-11-13. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Defect: 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. (excerpt)

Consequence: A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury. (excerpt)

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. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

23V458000

Date: 2023-06-29. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

Defect: 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 master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.

Consequence: Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.

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. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

21V215000

Date: 2021-03-25. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.

Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

3 investigations; 2 open.

PE25008

Opened: 2025-08-20. Closed: Not listed.

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.A The subject engine failures were analyzed as part of a Recall Query (RQ24013).A It was determin

Systems: ENGINE.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

EA25004

Opened: 2025-03-26. Closed: Not listed.

No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages

On June 3, 2022, the Oi? ce of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several i? 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 trai? c light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The su

Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

RQ24013

Opened: 2024-11-08. Closed: 2025-08-20.

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)2016a 2020 Honda and Acura vehicles equipped with the 3.5L V6 engi

Systems: ENGINE.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

Manufacturer communications

110 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING39
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE24
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM20
EQUIPMENT15
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC12
VISIBILITY11
SERVICE BRAKES8
ENGINE7

11028523

Date: 2026-01-31. Type: Other. Systems: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.

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.

11026692

Date: 2025-12-03. Type: Other. Systems: ENGINE.

Dealer Message - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Typically, the client can immediately restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pushing the ENGINE START/STOP button.

11020584

Date: 2025-07-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

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 S

11015014

Date: 2025-02-19. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on with one or more AWD DTCs having been set due to water intrusion into the electric oil pump motor connector area corrodes the terminals.

11011046

Date: 2024-11-22. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

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.

11002724

Date: 2024-06-19. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: VISIBILITY/WIPER.

Service Bulletin - Client complaint of A/C not blowing cold air due to oil/refrigerant leak from the A/C compressor shaft seal.

11000723

Date: 2024-05-29. Type: Other. Systems: ENGINE.

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.

11000147

Date: 2024-05-01. Type: Other. Systems: ENGINE.

Service News - Due to On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) regulation change starting with 2019 vehicles, American Hondaa s Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) On-Board Diagnostic monitors are now included in the EGR/VVT OBD Monitor Readiness status group. Due to some customera s driving

10249632

Date: 2024-01-24. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: VISIBILITY.

Service Bulletin - Customers have complained that the air conditioning system is not blowing cold air due to Oil/Refrigerant leaking from the A/C compressor shaft seal.

10248978

Date: 2024-01-10. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

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).

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
MDX222

Same model, other years

All model years | All Acura models

Other Acura models, 2020

Sources

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