Owners have filed 101 complaints
about the 2012 Acura MDX with NHTSA between 2013 and 2026.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 18 of 24 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 26
Against the median year of the Acura MDX. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 61
11.9% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 78
46% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
69.5%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
1625.4%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
57.9%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
711.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
69.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
1117.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
812.7%
150,000+ miles
46.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 2013peak 5Jul 2026
Recalls on the 2012 Acura MDX
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
12V063000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 PILOT AND ACURA MDX VEHICLES. THE VENT SHUT FLOAT (VSF) VALVE CASE IN THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY DOES NOT MEET THE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS.
Risk: AS A RESULT, FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE TANK, INCREASING THE RISK OF FIRE.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2012060571 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain vehicles, the vent shut-float valve case (a component of the on-board vapour recovery system located inside the fuel tank) may have been incorrectly manufactured and could fail. This could allow fuel leakage from the tank which, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the fuel tank assembly.
NHTSA complaint #11319352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesHamden, CTFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE, I PARKED IT, TURNED IT OFF AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #11292235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesHamden, CTFire
ENGINE
AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE, I PARKED IT, TURNED IT OFF AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #11292235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,000 milesST. Louis, MOFire
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THEIR SPOUSE ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE OF THEIR DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING AND THEY HEARD AN ABNORMAL WHISTLING SOUND. AFTER THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PRODUCE SMOKE. THE CONTACT'S WIFE PLACED THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THEY HEARD AN ABNORMAL CRACKING SOUND AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT THE FIRE OUT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT MADE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE. THE CONTACT CALLED MUNGENAST ACURA OF ST.LOUIS (13720 MANCHESTER RD, MANCHESTER, MO 63011 (314) 822-2872) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE TEST READ THAT A NEW ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
NHTSA complaint #11218497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chino, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT LAST WEEK AND TOTALED MY MDX. I RAN INTO A PILLAR IN A PARKING STRUCTURE PRETTY HARD. THE FRONT OF MY CAR IS ALL DAMAGED BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAD CONCUSSION AS A RESULT OF THIS ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAR WAS PRONOUNCED AS A TOTAL LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #11080717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Greensboro, NC
STRUCTURE:BODY
I have a 2012 MDX and it burns an extreme amount of oil. We took our MDX back to the dealership where we purchased it and had the oil issue fixed. Or so we thought. The problem was supposed to be fixed 3 months ago but the car is still burning a lot of oil. We have to add oil every 2 weeks. We did not drive the car much after "getting the oil issue repaired" so we did not realize that the problem still exists. Acura should know how to repair this issue and there should be a recall for this excessive oil consumption. Acura is a luxury brand but they are not taking care of their customers. Also the paint is peeling off our MDX badly. We had a couple of paint touch up jobs but it just keeps getting worst. I am embarrassed driving this car with the continuing paint peeling off. We cannot keep shelling out money to get this vehicle repainted. There should be a recall for the paint peeling also. I had a Honda and the Honda had a lot less issues and cost a lot less. We will not purchase another Acura unless Acura does right by their customers and put recalls out and fix the oil consumption and paint peeling issues.
NHTSA complaint #11750952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greensboro, NC
ENGINE
I have a 2012 MDX and it burns an extreme amount of oil. We took our MDX back to the dealership where we purchased it and had the oil issue fixed. Or so we thought. The problem was supposed to be fixed 3 months ago but the car is still burning a lot of oil. We have to add oil every 2 weeks. We did not drive the car much after "getting the oil issue repaired" so we did not realize that the problem still exists. Acura should know how to repair this issue and there should be a recall for this excessive oil consumption. Acura is a luxury brand but they are not taking care of their customers. Also the paint is peeling off our MDX badly. We had a couple of paint touch up jobs but it just keeps getting worst. I am embarrassed driving this car with the continuing paint peeling off. We cannot keep shelling out money to get this vehicle repainted. There should be a recall for the paint peeling also. I had a Honda and the Honda had a lot less issues and cost a lot less. We will not purchase another Acura unless Acura does right by their customers and put recalls out and fix the oil consumption and paint peeling issues.
NHTSA complaint #11750952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portland, OR
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I bought a 2012 silver Acura MDX on March 3rd in 2022 from our local Acura dealership. Exterior paint was great, hardly any dings, scratches anywhere. I spent over $20,000 for this USED CAR and as of the past two years, the clear coat has worn out in various places on front hood, near the moon roof, near the rear side door windows, near the rack on top, near the back hatch window. It's absolutely embarrassing and I find it interesting/maddening that I have seen two others MDX's around town that have the same issues with paint. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL? MY 2011 HONDA ODYSSEY paint doesn't have this issue, why is Acura inferior to Honda? I always thought Acura was higher end. But clearly, they went cheap on paint and want their Acura MDX's to look like trash. WHAT IS A FIX FOR THIS? I CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPAINT CAR ON MY OWN.
NHTSA complaint #11749224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portland, OR
ENGINE
2012 ACURA MDX burns extreme amounts of oil between oil changes. Typically a warning indicator comes on about 1,000 miles before oil change is due. I continue to refill oil between oil changes.
NHTSA complaint #11749222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stanwood, WA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
our car eats a ton of oil and the piston rings failed, we owe a lot on it and I'm told there is no help for this issue even though there used to be because we are outside the guidelines in terms of mileage and purchase date. our car has 156k its a 2012 MDX. VIN [XXX] . Just checking with everyone everywhere to make sure I've exhausted all resources as it will take 13,000 to fix and we owe 12,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11739318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stanwood, WA
ENGINE
our car eats a ton of oil and the piston rings failed, we owe a lot on it and I'm told there is no help for this issue even though there used to be because we are outside the guidelines in terms of mileage and purchase date. our car has 156k its a 2012 MDX. VIN [XXX] . Just checking with everyone everywhere to make sure I've exhausted all resources as it will take 13,000 to fix and we owe 12,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11739318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stanwood, WA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
our car eats a ton of oil and the piston rings failed, we owe a lot on it and I'm told there is no help for this issue even though there used to be because we are outside the guidelines in terms of mileage and purchase date. our car has 156k its a 2012 MDX. VIN [XXX] . Just checking with everyone everywhere to make sure I've exhausted all resources as it will take 13,000 to fix and we owe 12,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11739318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Silver Spring, MD
ENGINE
Oil consumption/burning Cylinder rings
NHTSA complaint #11683548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 126,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 159,000.
NHTSA complaint #11656007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glendale, AZ
Other/I am not sure
Does not have anchor for the seat. A recall was placed by NHTSA
NHTSA complaint #11649927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spokane, WA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11642172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Summit Hill, PA
ENGINE
On 11/30/24 I heard a slight whirling sound while driving. On 12/1/24 I drove from Point A towards my home. Along the way the oil light flashed. I stopped at Advance Auto Parts, 15 miles from Point A. I checked the oil and it read as it should on the dip stick. No oil was needed. I drove straight home, a distance of 30 miles, and parked the car. When my son arrived home he started the car and there was a knocking sound. He shut it off. He stated that he felt it to be the rod bearings. He then changed the oil as previously planned as supplies were already in the car. He checked the oil and found a slight glitter in it indicating the rod bearing issue. The car remained parked until 12/26/24 when it was taken to an independent service center, round trip of 18 miles, who confirmed that the rod bearings were the issue. The car was parked again and only started to move about 50 feet into the garage prior to a snow storm. It has not been started since. My safety was put at risk as the engine could have, and will, fail when driving. The engine had previously been repaired at an Acura dealer for an oil consumption issue in accordance with service bulletin 19-006. Honda refused to honor the recall previously offered due to this known failure. The car was picked up on 12/8/22 with 92,954 and purchased finalized on 1/4/23. The oil consumption issue was first noted on 2/12/23 at 97,088 miles. Car was serviced and oil changed on 2/16/23 at which time the oil consumption issue was diagnosed by the selling dealer. Oil was continually added until work was completed on 3/21/23 at 99,425 miles. The new issue with the rod bearings (that were not changed with the first repair as they should have been) was first noted at approximately 137,840 miles. This is now the second engine failure for this car. The car is available for inspection. The car has not been inspected by any entity other than the initial diagnosis on 12/26/24.
NHTSA complaint #11640525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Worth, TX
POWER TRAIN
The engine consistently consumes too much oil between service events. The low oil light comes on. I had this problem for over 8 years and the dealership said it was not a problem until now and they want me to pay for it. The oil control rings have been clogged since 2016 and progressively gotten worse. The clogged rings cause restriction of oil to return to the crankcase. This causes a decrease in available oil and may cause overheating that could lead to engine fire. Acura should fix the oil control rings to function properly. They have identified this in the past, through a service bulletin (19-006). I have performed 97% of my oil changes at Acura dealerships.
NHTSA complaint #11567583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Worth, TX
ENGINE
The engine consistently consumes too much oil between service events. The low oil light comes on. I had this problem for over 8 years and the dealership said it was not a problem until now and they want me to pay for it. The oil control rings have been clogged since 2016 and progressively gotten worse. The clogged rings cause restriction of oil to return to the crankcase. This causes a decrease in available oil and may cause overheating that could lead to engine fire. Acura should fix the oil control rings to function properly. They have identified this in the past, through a service bulletin (19-006). I have performed 97% of my oil changes at Acura dealerships.
NHTSA complaint #11567583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Worth, TX
ENGINE
Consistently getting low oil notification shortly after getting oil changes. This has been happening since 2017. Dealer does a oil consumption test and says it is not a problem. However I cannot go between oil changes without getting the notification. I have no oil leaks. Furthermore, I have had 'oil' services done over the past 5 years that never fix the problem. I'm afraid this is doing damage to the vehicle and can put us in danger if oil level is too low. Dealer continues to say it isn't a problem. And when they try to fix it, it doesn't work. This began in 2017
NHTSA complaint #11491170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
N Baldwin, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THIS VEHICLE BURNS SO MUCH OIL. I USE 5 QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES IN THIS VEHICLE. UNREAL! SO DISAPPOINTED IN HONDA.
NHTSA complaint #11485025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
N Baldwin, NY
ENGINE
This vehicle unrealistically burns oil. 5-6 quarts of oil is added to engine between oil changes.
NHTSA complaint #11485029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saugerties, NY
ENGINE
S25 S25 recall fuel system 2012 Campaign Number 12V063000
NHTSA complaint #11483057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saugerties, NY
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
S25 S25 recall fuel system 2012 Campaign Number 12V063000
NHTSA complaint #11483057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stone Mountain, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DONE everything Dealer suggested and still having problems with random misfires in 1,2 and 3 cylinders, changed spark plugs, fuel injectors, ignition coils and compression test and changed rear CAT. Still check engine light come on sometime then the SUV driving good, and sometimes it drive ruff, check engine light come on then go off then come back on with same codes: random misfire.
NHTSA complaint #11471653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stone Mountain, GA
ENGINE
DONE everything Dealer suggested and still having problems with random misfires in 1,2 and 3 cylinders, changed spark plugs, fuel injectors, ignition coils and compression test and changed rear CAT. Still check engine light come on sometime then the SUV driving good, and sometimes it drive ruff, check engine light come on then go off then come back on with same codes: random misfire.
NHTSA complaint #11471653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stone Mountain, GA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
DONE everything Dealer suggested and still having problems with random misfires in 1,2 and 3 cylinders, changed spark plugs, fuel injectors, ignition coils and compression test and changed rear CAT. Still check engine light come on sometime then the SUV driving good, and sometimes it drive ruff, check engine light come on then go off then come back on with same codes: random misfire.
NHTSA complaint #11471653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Auburn, WA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My Sunroof exploded.
NHTSA complaint #11471261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Little Rock, AR
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
11/17/2020 Acura battery of our 2012 Acura MDX failed & was replaced under manufacturer warranty, via comp was provided. 6/29/2021 Acura battery failed again. Dealership did not honor warranty claiming manufacturer Acura would not pay for replacement. Dealership said I needed to contact Acura Client Relationship which I did. ACR initially said dealership was at fault & the battery should be replaced under warranty. I asked for a client number & was placed on 10 minute hold. When agent returned she changed her story saying battery was not under warranty even though it had been replaced under warranty in November 2020. Their reason was I ‘did not pay for the battery.’ This is not true as I did pay a prorate portion of the replacement in November & the original battery I purchased with the certified vehicle purchase. The ACR agent declined to provide me a claim number. I talked to the dealer service manager Andrew Jackson & the service tech writer Tevin Jackson. I requested contact information for an Acura Zone or Regional Manager. Andrew stated he would speak to general manager - Cecil Turner. I followed up with Andrew, was told that Acura Client Relations have no record of my call (I have itemized billing & therefore proof of the call including duration) & he asked me to call back to get a claim number. I did this & obtained a claim number which I provided to Mr. Jackson. I followed up again & was told the Regional representative was going to try & obtain an Acura Loyalty Card. Weeks later I checked on this again & was told they were still trying. While the dealership is not at fault & my claim of Fraud is not directed at Acura of Little Rock or Mr. Tevin, Mr. Andrew or Mr. Cecil (even though as a 21 year customer of this dealership he has not bothered to contact me in any way) I am very dismayed that the manufacturer Acura – an American Honda com. The repeated battery failures are a real & present safety danger. Acura batteries are garbage.
NHTSA complaint #11428239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinati, OH
AIR BAGS
The airbag light is on I went to have the airbag replaced. I was told I couldn't get my airbag replaced because it was a CANADIAN vehicle and they couldn't get the part etc. to replace it. So I have a Canadian vehicle that was not disclosed to me at the time of purchase. What can I do to resolve this issue? I purchased the Suv from Walt Sweeny 6315 Harrison Avenue Cincinnati Ohio 45247Auto Center 877- 300-3930. I spoke with the owner once and other person. No resolution has come about yet.
NHTSA complaint #11424905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.