2011 Acura MDX
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 70 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 18th highest complaint count among 24 MDX model years with reports.
Of the 2011 reports, 4 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 6 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: power train
8 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Exterior lighting, Engine, Sep 17, 2025
Check engine light continues to come on after repair, lack of power and transmission skip at times. Reverse light dark, unable to see at all.
Power train, Apr 28, 2025
The 2011 Acura MDX has a problem with the pistons in the engine which causes excessive oil consumption. This was subject of the matter of a class action suit described on the website entitled Acura Oil Consumption Settlement. This defect should be subject to recall and American Honda should be required to repair or replace this pistons.
Power train, Jan 24, 2020
THERE IS SHUDDERING COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION ON SPEEDS OF 30-40 MPH. IT SEEMS LIKE ACURA KNEW OF THE PROBLEM AND SENT A RECALL FOR MDX,RDX AND ZDX THAT WERE MADE FROM 2010 TO 2013 BUT MY VIN WASN'T INCLUDED ALTHOUGH I AM FACING THE SAME PROBLEM AS THOSE RECALLED VEHICLES.
Power train, Engine, Nov 16, 2019
I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED AND DISSATISFIED WITH THE 2011 ACURA MDX I PURCHASED NOVEMBER 2018 THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD ALL TYPE OF PROBLEMS FROM THE START FROM OIL ISSUES TO NEEDING THE ENGINE REBUILT TO NOW TIMING BELT ISSUES AND THE ONLY THING THAT IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY IS THE REBUILD AND IT IS NOT LIKELY TO HAPPEN UNTIL EARLY 2020 AND THE ONLY THING I'M GETTING IS QUOTES OF 1200 DOLLARS AND SORRY YOUR GOING THRU THIS I AM TIRED OF THAT FROM ONE OF MOBILE MOST RESPECTED DEALERSHIP I WANT IMMEDIATE ACTION ESPECIALLY WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN INSPECTED BEFORE IT BECAME A SELLABLE VEHICLE I AM ALSO SENDING THIS RESPONSE TO ACURA AND THE BETTER
Power train, Aug 25, 2015
WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING OR TRANSMISSION IS MAKING NOISES, LIKE WHINING, DRONING, OR HUMMING. I HAD THE FRONT HUBS AND BEARINGS REPLACED WITH NEW OEM HUBS AND BEARINGS. THE NOISE HAS CONTINUED!!!
Power train, Engine, May 20, 2013, crash
WHILE PARKING, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AS IF THE ACCELERATOR WAS FLOORED, AND THE CAR ONLY CAME TO A STOP AFTER HITTING A BLOCK WALL. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV UNTIL THE CAR WAS PUT INTO PARK AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. I COULD HEAR THE TIRE SCREECHING LIKE "BURNING RUBBER" WHEN IT ACCELERATED. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, I'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE CAR LURCH FORWARD WHILE DRIVING FOR THE PAST 2 WEEKS. BUT IT WAS HARD TO REPRODUCE, AND I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHEN AND HOW IT HAPPENS. *TR
Power train, Jun 26, 2012
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY THE CAR THE BEGAN SHAKING FOLLOWED BY A BOOMING SOUND- SIMILAR TO A TIRE EXPLOSION - AND EVENTUALLY TIRES LOCKED UP CAUSING VEHICLE TO SKID. DEALER REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSED AS A "REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE" AND REPAIRED. HOWEVER, TWO DAYS AFTER THE REPAIR, THE PROBLEM MANIFESTED AGAIN, THIS TIME THERE WAS NO "SHAKING" AND WHEELS SEEMED TO LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL AND CAR TO SKID. *JB
Power train, Sep 13, 2011
WHILE LEAVING A PARKING LOT AND COMING TO A STOP PRIOR TO ENTERING TRAFFIC, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD WHILE BRAKING. THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 ADDITIONAL TIMES SINCE THAT INITIAL EPISODE. CONCURRENTLY, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SHIFT ROUGHLY. I EXPERIENCED "MICRO LURCHES" WHILE ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING; UNDER 40MPH. THESE LURCHES WHILE SHIFTING ARE NOT PRESENT WHEN SPEEDS EXCEED 55 MPH. THE ACURA DEALER INITIALLY INDICATED THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS AS NO COMPUTER ANOMALIES WERE DETECTED. AFTER MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS, ACURA SENT A TECHNICIAN TO INVESTIGATE. HE EXPERIENCED THE "MICRO-LURCHES" ON A TEST DRIVE WITH ME AND AFTER CONSULTATION WITH ACURA, AGREED TO REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. HOWEVER, THEY MAINTAIN THAT THERE IS NO COMPUTER DATA TO EXPLAIN THE UNANTICIPATED ACCELERATIONS I EXPERIENCED AND THEREFORE ACURA DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT THESE INTERMITTENT EPISODES OF UNANTICIPATED ACCELERATIONS REPRESENT A SAFETY PROBLEM. DURING MY LAST CONVERSATION WITH ACURA (800382-2238 X 115185), I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING FURTHER THEY PLAN TO DO. I INDICATED THAT I WOULD BE FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA. *TR