Owners have filed 46 complaints
about the 2013 Acura MDX with NHTSA between 2013 and 2026.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 21 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 — 12
Against the median year of the Acura MDX. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 67
13% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 69
41% 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
414.8%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
311.1%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
13.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
622.2%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
622.2%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
518.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
13.7%
150,000+ miles
13.7%
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.
Jun 2013peak 4Jun 2026
Recalls on the 2013 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
23V858000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 158,000 milesBedford, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2013 Acura MDX. The contact stated that he was about to drive the vehicle when he noticed the front passenger-side headlight was flickering. The contact stated he decided not to drive the vehicle. The contact stated when he looked at the vehicle again he noticed the vehicle was on fire from the passenger side headlight. The contact stated a fire report was filed and the contact was informed that the fire origin was due to an electrical malfunction. There were no injuries reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 158,000.
NHTSA complaint #11554069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vienna, VAFire
SEATS
Internal vehicle fire started around front passenger seat and burned for an unknown amount time before it extinguished on its own while vehicle was off and parked. Fire department was contacted upon fire discovery and they confirmed it was out, could be electrically related, and disconnected my battery Vehicle is available for inspection for the time being (pending insurance). If I or any passenger was in the vehicle they could've been seriously injured or died. There were no warning lamps or issues of any prior problem.
NHTSA complaint #11439625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vienna, VAFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Internal vehicle fire started around front passenger seat and burned for an unknown amount time before it extinguished on its own while vehicle was off and parked. Fire department was contacted upon fire discovery and they confirmed it was out, could be electrically related, and disconnected my battery Vehicle is available for inspection for the time being (pending insurance). If I or any passenger was in the vehicle they could've been seriously injured or died. There were no warning lamps or issues of any prior problem.
NHTSA complaint #11439625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vienna, VAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Internal vehicle fire started around front passenger seat and burned for an unknown amount time before it extinguished on its own while vehicle was off and parked. Fire department was contacted upon fire discovery and they confirmed it was out, could be electrically related, and disconnected my battery Vehicle is available for inspection for the time being (pending insurance). If I or any passenger was in the vehicle they could've been seriously injured or died. There were no warning lamps or issues of any prior problem.
NHTSA complaint #11439625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,000 milesKirkwood, MOFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10680786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,000 milesKirkwood, MOFire
ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10680786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
West Bloomfield, MI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The car is giving external right head light issue. The light turns off suddenly at night which we need to turn on again after 2 minutes. This happens frequently and we have to turn on the lights very often. The dealer examined the issue and he expressed regret in repairing the vehicle and estimated price of $2.500.The Service Manager though stated that the issue is same as it pertains to the rear lighting issue for Acura 2014 to 2020 Models. We paid $100 just to examine the lighting issue to the dealer. We are senior citizens at advanced stage and it is becoming increasingly difficult to take out the cars at evenings for fear of proper and reliable lighting in the car.
NHTSA complaint #11744051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Bloomfield, MI
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
The car is giving external right head light issue. The light turns off suddenly at night which we need to turn on again after 2 minutes. This happens frequently and we have to turn on the lights very often. The dealer examined the issue and he expressed regret in repairing the vehicle and estimated price of $2.500.The Service Manager though stated that the issue is same as it pertains to the rear lighting issue for Acura 2014 to 2020 Models. We paid $100 just to examine the lighting issue to the dealer. We are senior citizens at advanced stage and it is becoming increasingly difficult to take out the cars at evenings for fear of proper and reliable lighting in the car.
NHTSA complaint #11744051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The car is giving external right head light issue. The light turns off suddenly at night which we need to turn on again after 2 minutes. This happens frequently and we have to turn on the lights very often. The dealer examined the issue and he expressed regret in repairing the vehicle and estimated price of $2.500.The Service Manager though stated that the issue is same as it pertains to the rear lighting issue for Acura 2014 to 2020 Models. We paid $100 just to examine the lighting issue to the dealer. We are senior citizens at advanced stage and it is becoming increasingly difficult to take out the cars at evenings for fear of proper and reliable lighting in the car.
NHTSA complaint #11744051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Little Rock, AR
ENGINE
Unknown
NHTSA complaint #11668249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Little Rock, AR
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Unknown
NHTSA complaint #11668249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dover, DE
AIR BAGS
Warning message appeared 1/17/25. Inspected by Price Acura service department 1/20/25. Checked online recall for airbags. Multiple airbag recalls are mentioned for Acura, including my make and model. This vehicle has approximately 92,000 miles and I am the original owner. Would like to know if this $1800 charge would be covered under recalls already listed as this is apparently a problem existing in many other similar vehicles.
NHTSA complaint #11637389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 158,000 milesBedford, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2013 Acura MDX. The contact stated that he was about to drive the vehicle when he noticed the front passenger-side headlight was flickering. The contact stated he decided not to drive the vehicle. The contact stated when he looked at the vehicle again he noticed the vehicle was on fire from the passenger side headlight. The contact stated a fire report was filed and the contact was informed that the fire origin was due to an electrical malfunction. There were no injuries reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 158,000.
NHTSA complaint #11554069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Branch, NJ
POWER TRAIN
The 2013 Acura MDX has a problem with the pistons in the engine which causes excessive oil consumption. This was the subject matter of a class action suit described in the website entitled Acura Oil Consumption Settlement. This defect should be subject to a recall and American Honda should be required to repair or replace the pistons.
NHTSA complaint #11523749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Branch, NJ
ENGINE
The 2013 Acura MDX has a problem with the pistons in the engine which causes excessive oil consumption. This was the subject matter of a class action suit described in the website entitled Acura Oil Consumption Settlement. This defect should be subject to a recall and American Honda should be required to repair or replace the pistons.
NHTSA complaint #11523749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Sacramento, CA
ENGINE
I changed the oil in my car with synthetic 4k miles ago. About 1k miles ago I started getting an error that said low oil level. I went back into the lube shop to see what was going on, they said there was no leakage or issues there but there was hardly any oil in my car and that it was probably burning oil. I searched for issues with my 2013 MDX burning oil and an issue in 2019 with clogged oil control rings came up but said that the warranty extension would only be good to 2021. I found out this will be $5k to fix. I was never alerted of this issue and would like to submit a complaint about not being notified that this was even an issue in my car. I would like Acura to fix my vehicle since I never received the alert that this was a known issue in my car.
NHTSA complaint #11492600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Haven, CT
ENGINE
It is having oil consumption issues .
NHTSA complaint #11490753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Southlake, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
During driving, Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) will activate and "BRAKE" light will blink, indicating that you should apply brakes. This happened multiple times. Finally the CMBS warning light came on permanently. I took my car to Acura Dealership for repairs. They informed me that it was a software issue and update of the software should resolve this problem.
NHTSA complaint #11475781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Southlake, TX
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
During driving, Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) will activate and "BRAKE" light will blink, indicating that you should apply brakes. This happened multiple times. Finally the CMBS warning light came on permanently. I took my car to Acura Dealership for repairs. They informed me that it was a software issue and update of the software should resolve this problem.
NHTSA complaint #11475781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vienna, VAFire
SEATS
Internal vehicle fire started around front passenger seat and burned for an unknown amount time before it extinguished on its own while vehicle was off and parked. Fire department was contacted upon fire discovery and they confirmed it was out, could be electrically related, and disconnected my battery Vehicle is available for inspection for the time being (pending insurance). If I or any passenger was in the vehicle they could've been seriously injured or died. There were no warning lamps or issues of any prior problem.
NHTSA complaint #11439625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vienna, VAFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Internal vehicle fire started around front passenger seat and burned for an unknown amount time before it extinguished on its own while vehicle was off and parked. Fire department was contacted upon fire discovery and they confirmed it was out, could be electrically related, and disconnected my battery Vehicle is available for inspection for the time being (pending insurance). If I or any passenger was in the vehicle they could've been seriously injured or died. There were no warning lamps or issues of any prior problem.
NHTSA complaint #11439625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vienna, VAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Internal vehicle fire started around front passenger seat and burned for an unknown amount time before it extinguished on its own while vehicle was off and parked. Fire department was contacted upon fire discovery and they confirmed it was out, could be electrically related, and disconnected my battery Vehicle is available for inspection for the time being (pending insurance). If I or any passenger was in the vehicle they could've been seriously injured or died. There were no warning lamps or issues of any prior problem.
NHTSA complaint #11439625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
POWER TRAIN
I have a 2013 Acura MDX with an estimated 87k miles. Over the past 3 months, the engine will cut off while I'm driving and the steering wheel and brakes lock up. This has happened about 5 times in a three-month period. There are no warning lamps on my dashboard and no codes appeared during the diagnostic tests. My mechanic is unable to reproduce the issue. I have two young sons and am terrified of driving them in the MDX. The engine failure happens very randomly as it's cut off while driving at varying speeds.
NHTSA complaint #11424043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
ENGINE
I have a 2013 Acura MDX with an estimated 87k miles. Over the past 3 months, the engine will cut off while I'm driving and the steering wheel and brakes lock up. This has happened about 5 times in a three-month period. There are no warning lamps on my dashboard and no codes appeared during the diagnostic tests. My mechanic is unable to reproduce the issue. I have two young sons and am terrified of driving them in the MDX. The engine failure happens very randomly as it's cut off while driving at varying speeds.
NHTSA complaint #11424043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 135,000 milesLido Beach, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BATTERY HAS HAD TO BE REPLACE THREE TIMES DURING OWNERSHIP OF CAR. ALSO CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING FOR THE THIRD TIME SINCE PURCHASE IN FALL OF 2013, TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE. LIGHTS TURN ON AND OFF W/O PROMPTING, CAR DOESN'T TURN OVER WITH PROPER KEY USAGE. DASHBOARD LIGHTS WARNING FLASH, CHECK ENGINE, TPMS. MAJORITY OF ERROR CODES ARE LOSS OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ALL MODULES. ELECTRIC WINDOWS AND ELECTRIC SEAT ADJUSTMENT NON-RESPONSIVE.THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE CAR IS PARKED AND IN THE "P" POSITION AND REMAINS STATIONARY.
NHTSA complaint #11405269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesChantilly, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PER THE MECHANIC MANY ACURA'S HAVING ISSUES WITH HANDSFREELINK BLUETOOTH WHICH DOESN'T TURN OFF RESULTING DRAINING BATTERY. WE JUST REPLACED OUR BATTERY AND ISSUE STILL PERSISTS. I CALLED ACURA AND THEY SAID THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT CAN NOT DO ANYTHING SINCE OUR VIN IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THIS CAN BE A BIG SAFETY ISSUE SINCE PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED CARS STOPPED MID ROAD DUE TO NO POWER. PLEASE HELP SINCE ACURA IS IGNORING SAFETY OF THEIR CONSUMERS! REFERENCE LINK FOR THE ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY PEOPLE. HTTP://WWW.ACURAPROBLEMS.COM/HANDSFREELINK-BATTERY-DRAW/ HTTPS://TOPCLASSACTIONS.COM/LAWSUIT-SETTLEMENTS/LAWSUIT-NEWS/840256-ACURA-HANDSFREELINK-DEFECT-CLASS-ACTION-LAWSUIT-GETS-TRIMMED/ HTTPS://TERRELLMARSHALL.COM/CLASS-ACTIONS/HONDA-ACURA-CLASS-ACTION/
NHTSA complaint #11389302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cartersville, GA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PROBLEM WITH JUDDER FROM THE TORQUE CONVERTER LOCK-UP CLUTCH/UPDATE THE PGM-FI ORA/T SOFTWARE AND FLUSH THE ATF. ACURA SENT SERVICE BULLETIN 16-062 ON 09/28/2018 JUST FOR 8 YEARS/80,000 MILES I HAVE A 2103 ACURA MDX WITH 103,102 MILES WITH THE SAME BULLETIN ISSUE, THEY WANT ME TO PAY CLOSE TO $500.00 FOR AN ISSUE THAT THEY READY KNOW WITH OUT DOING A DIAGNOSTIC ON MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11364818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13 milesSouth Amboy, NJ
ENGINE
I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AFFECTING MY VEHICLE FROM ACURA (2013 MDX) I TOOK THE CAR AS INSTRUCTED TO BRIDGEWATER ACURA AND THEY PERFORMED AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER THE CAR HAD TO CONSUME AT LEAST 1 QUART OF OIL PER 1,000 MILES. THE DEALER STATED THAT MY CAR SHOWED THAT MY CAR CONSUMED 1 QUART AT THE FIRST 1,000 MILES, AND 1/2 QUART EACH TIME AT THE FOLLOWING 3 -1,000 MILE MARK. SO ACURA WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR NECESSARY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. AFTER THIS I HAD AN NEW OIL CHANGE DONE AND AFTER TRAVELING 4,260 MILES AND BEFORE I WAS DUE FOR ANOTHER OIL CHANGE THE LOW LEVEL INDICATOR CAME ON. SURE ENOUGH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF DCH HONDA IN OLD BRIDGE, NJ VERIFIED THAT MY CAR WAS OUT OF OIL. THE DIPSTICK WAS NOT REGISTERING ANY OIL ON IT. I HAD AT THAT TIME AN OIL CHANGE DONE TO SAVE MY ENGINE EVEN IF ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATION AND CAR COMPUTER I WAS NOT DUE FOR ONE FOR ANOTHER 3,000 MILES. MY CAR IS OBVIOUSLY BURNING MORE OIL THAN EXPECTED AT 77,000 MILES ON THE ENGINE. I AM NOT AN AGGRESSIVE DRIVER AND DON'T IDLE THE CAR. I SUSPECT THE TEST WAS NOT DOCUMENTED CORRECTLY SINCE I AM CONSUMING CLOSE TO 5 QUARTS OF OIL PER 4,260 TRAVELED MILES. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A NEW TEST DONE AND PROPERLY WITNESSED BY ME THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #11291712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesTampa, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
BACKUP CAMERA HAS EXTREMELY POOR PERFORMANCE IN LOW LIGHT OR NIGHT TIME SETTINGS IF THERE IS NO OTHER AMBIENT LIGHT LIKE STREET LIGHTS. REVERSE LIGHTS ARE NOT SUFFICIENT TO BE ABLE TO SEE OBSTACLES OR DANGERS IN THE BACKUP MONITOR. BODY PANELS PRODUCE A BLIND SPOT REQUIRING THE BACKUP CAMERA TO SEE BEHIND YOU. THE BACKUP CAMERA HAS SHIFTED ANGLE SLIGHTLY CAUSING THE MARKINGS INTENDED TO ALLOW BACKUP INTO PARKING SPACES TO BE OFF CENTER AND GUIDE THE VEHICLE TO AN INAPPROPRIATE PARKING ANGLE. THIS LOW LIGHT PERFORMANCE ISSUE HAS BEEN KNOWN TO OWNERS FOR SOME TIME, IN LIGHT OF ACURA'S NEW RECALL RELATED TO BACKUP CAMERAS THIS WARRANTS INVESTIGATION AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #11132688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesTampa, FL
VISIBILITY/WIPER
BACKUP CAMERA HAS EXTREMELY POOR PERFORMANCE IN LOW LIGHT OR NIGHT TIME SETTINGS IF THERE IS NO OTHER AMBIENT LIGHT LIKE STREET LIGHTS. REVERSE LIGHTS ARE NOT SUFFICIENT TO BE ABLE TO SEE OBSTACLES OR DANGERS IN THE BACKUP MONITOR. BODY PANELS PRODUCE A BLIND SPOT REQUIRING THE BACKUP CAMERA TO SEE BEHIND YOU. THE BACKUP CAMERA HAS SHIFTED ANGLE SLIGHTLY CAUSING THE MARKINGS INTENDED TO ALLOW BACKUP INTO PARKING SPACES TO BE OFF CENTER AND GUIDE THE VEHICLE TO AN INAPPROPRIATE PARKING ANGLE. THIS LOW LIGHT PERFORMANCE ISSUE HAS BEEN KNOWN TO OWNERS FOR SOME TIME, IN LIGHT OF ACURA'S NEW RECALL RELATED TO BACKUP CAMERAS THIS WARRANTS INVESTIGATION AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #11132688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesMonmouth Junction, NJ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AS I PULLED THE CAR INTO THE PARKING LOT SLOWLY AND WAS ABOUT TO PUT IT IN PARK I REALISED THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND JERKED UP ON THE CURB/WALKWAY. AS THERE WAS NO PLACE FOR ME TO MANOUVER I TRIED TO TURN IT TO THE LEFT AND HIT A WALL TO STOP THE CAR. DURING THIS WHOLE PROCESS THE ENGINE NEVER STOPPED.
NHTSA complaint #10970361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.