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
70 reports, newest first.
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
Engine, Nov 13, 2019
THE VEHICLE IS CONSUMING TOO MUCH OIL. DEALERSHIP MADE US GO THROUGH OIL CONSUMPTION TEST AND CONFIRMED THIS IS AN ISSUE AND INCLUDED US IN THEIR WARRANTY EXTENSION TO DO THE REPAIRS. HOWEVER, ITS BEEN MORE THAN A MONTH AND THERE IS NO TIMELINE ON EVEN WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AND IT COULD BE ANOTHER MONTH OR 2 OR 4 MONTHS. I CALLED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AS WELL AS ACURA WITH NO DIFFERENT ANSWER.
Electrical system, Nov 7, 2019
POWER WINDOWS AND SUNROOF STARED WORKING INTERMITTENTLY FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN STOPPED WORKING ALL-TOGETHER. APPARENTLY, THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH WIRES BREAKING INSIDE DRIVER DOOR SUB-WIRE, ACURA PART NUMBER 32757-STX-A01. MY CAR ONLY HAS 101,768 MILES. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND I SAW PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR ACURA MDX VEHICLES.
Engine, Sep 16, 2019
ON SEPT 11 2019 MY MECHANIC NOTIFIED ME OF A PROBLEM WITH MY 2011 ACURA MDX. HE SAID IT WAS EXCESSIVELY BURNING OIL. HE SAID TO CONTACT ACURA/HONDA BECAUSE THEY IDENTIFIED IT AS A PROBLEM WITH SOME OF THEIR CARS. I CALLED THAT SAME DAY AND WAS TOLD THAT YES, THERE IS A DEFECT IN MY MAKE AND MODEL CAR AND THAT HAD ISSUED A WARRANTY TO COVER THE REPAIRS, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE I WAS 11 DAYS TOO LATE, THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE CAR. I HAVE ASKED FOR AN EXTENSION TO AT LEAST GET THE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST DONE (THAT I WOULD PAY FOR) TO SEE IF MY CAR HAS THE DEFECT. THEY SAID THAT I AM FREE TO GET THE TEST DONE ON MY OWN AND EVEN IF THE CAR IS DEFECTIVE THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. ALL I AM ASKING IS FOR THEM TO FIX THE DEFECTIVE CAR. I NEVER RECEIVED THE LETTER AND THEY CANNOT VERIFY WHETHER THEY SENT IT TO ME.
Other or unspecified, Jul 13, 2019
SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ABOUT 80MPH WITH LITTLE TRAFFIC AND CLEAR SKIES. LUCKILY, THE SUNROOF INTERIOR SLIDE COVER WAS CLOSED PREVENTING THE GLASS SHARDS TO FALL INTO THE VEHICLE. TOOK CAR TO A LOCAL ACURA DEALER AND THEY DID NOT MENTION A RECALL AND NEEDED TIME TO ORDER A NEW PART AND SCHEDULE SERVICE. DECLINED THEIR SERVICE AND WENT TO AN AUTO GLASS SERVICE FOR PENDING REPAIRS. I BELIEVE THIS WAS NO FAULT OF MY OWN AND I WASN'T AWARE OF THIS SUNROOF ISSUE. IF THE GUARD WAS NOT CLOSED MYSELF AND PASSENGERS WOULD MOST LIKELY GET HURT.
Engine, Jun 17, 2019
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME, AN UNIDENTIFIABLE BURNING ODOR WAS EMITTED INTO THE CABIN. TYPICALLY PULLING OVER AND ALLOWING FOR IT TO COOL DID THE TRICK. EVENTUALLY THE SMELL RETURNED. THIS TIME THE SCENT GOT UNBEARABLE AND THE ENGINE AND CAR BEGAN VISIBLY SHAKING, ESPECIALLY WHEN ACCELERATING OR SLOWING DOWN. MECHANIC REVEALED THERE WAS AN OIL LEAKAGE IN THE CYLINDERS DUE TO A FAULTY SEAL, THUS LEADING TO EXCESS OIL CONSUMPTION.
Electrical system, Structure, May 12, 2019
ON THE AFTERNOON OF MAY 11, 2011 I PUSHED THE BUTTON TO CLOSE MY CAR TRUNK HATCH AND MY 13 Y/O DAUGHTER RAN INTO A SHARP EDGE OF THE HATCH CUTTING HER FRONT RIGHT EYE LASH. THERE IS A MANUFACTURER-BUILT SHARP EDGE THAT CAUSED THE CUT. SHOULD THE EDGE HADN'T BEEN IN THAT LOCATION, SHE WOULDN'T HAVE CUT HER EYE LID. WE IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY DAUGHTER TO THE HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM TO STOP THE BLEEDING AND RESEAL HER EYE LID.
Engine, Apr 17, 2019
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, IT BURNS AT LEAST 1 QT PER 1000 MILES.
Air bags, Sep 6, 2018
YELLOW CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM APPEARS AFTER CAR IS STARTED.
Visibility, May 17, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED AND CAUSED THE GLASS TO FRACTURE. THE SLIDER WAS CLOSED, WHICH PREVENTED GLASS FROM ENTERING THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND INJURING THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT EACH DEALER ACTED INDEPENDENTLY; THEREFORE, IT WOULD BE AT THEIR DISCRETION TO REPLACE THE SUN ROOF GLASS. THE DEALER (MAC CHURCHILL ACURA, 3125 NE LOOP 820, FORT WORTH, TX 76137, 1-(817) 232-2872) ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER AND NOT TO REPLACE THE PART. THE MANUFACTURER EXPECTED THE CONTACT TO CALL SEVERAL DEALERS TO DETERMINE IF THEY WOULD REPLACE THE PART INSTEAD OF JUST REPLACING THE PART. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,225. *TT
Electrical system, Feb 9, 2018
SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED, WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH
Engine, Jan 4, 2018
THE ENGINE IS CONSUMING MORE OIL THEN IT SHOULD BE. THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND ACURA STILL HAS YET TO RECALL THEIR ENGINES. THIS PROBLEM IS UNSAFE DUE TO HAVING TO ACCELERATE TO MERGE ON THE HIGHWAY AND NOT KNOWING THERE ISN'T MUCH OIL IN THE ENGINE TO GIVE IT POWER THE CAR IMMEDIATELY LOOSES POWER AND DROPS SPEED RESULTING IN A ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN DUE TO NO POWER IN THE ENGINE TO SPEED UP WHILE MERGING LANES ON THE FREEWAY. THIS IS NOT SAFE !
Other or unspecified, Nov 17, 2017
I WAS TRAVELING ALONG AN INTERSTATE AND HEARD A DEAFENING SOUND. I LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE, LEFT THE INTERSTATE AND WAS HEADING DOWN AN EMBANKMENT WHEN I FINALLY REGAINED CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. I MADE IT BACK TO THE INTERSTATE AND PULLED OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT. I HEARD THE SOUND AS IF SOMETHING THAT WAS PERTAINING TO MY ROOF. WHEN I PULLED BACK THE INSIDE SUNROOF COVER GLASS STARTED COMING INTO MY CAR. I LOOKED AND MY SUNROOF HAD A LARGE HOLE IN IT AND FROM THE LOOK OF THE GLASS PUSHING OUTWARD IT EXPLODED. THERE WAS NOTHING AROUND ME AT THE TIME AND I WAS NOT UNDER AN OVERPASS OR UNDER ANY TREES WHICH ELIMINATED ANYTHING FALLING ON THE SUNROOF. THE QUESTION STILL REMAINED WHY DID THE GLASS APPEAR AS EXPLODE INSTEAD OF AN IMPLODE? I WENT TO A BODY SHOP AND THEY SAID THEY HAD HEARD OF SUNROOFS "EXPLODING". AFTER GOING THROUGH SEVERAL TECHNICIANS AT A LOCAL ACURA DEALERSHIP AND RESEARCHING THE INCIDENT ON THE INTERNET I CONFIRMED THAT MY SUNROOF DID ACTUALLY "EXPLODE". TO MY DEALERSHIPS CREDIT A MANAGER AGREED TO REPLACE THE SUNROOF FOR FREE. HOW MANY FATALITIES HAVE HAPPENED DUE TO "EXPLODING" SUNROOFS? IF I WOULD OF ROLLED MY CAR OR CRASHED AND DIED I DON'T THINK AN INVESTIGATION WOULD OF LED TO THE REAL SOURCE OF THE INCIDENT; ONE WOULD ASSUME THAT SUNROOF SHATTERED ON IMPACT OR ROLL OVER. CONSUMERS NEED TO BE AWARE OF THIS!! I HAVE PUT IT OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO TRY TO MAKE THE PUBLIC AWARE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I'M THANKFUL I DIDN'T HAVE MY GRANDSON OR ELDERLY PARENT WITH ME WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I GIVE GOD CREDIT FOR PROTECTING ME THROUGH A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE. I HAVE PHOTOS ON MY IPHONE IF PROOF IS NEEDED.
Other or unspecified, Oct 26, 2017
THE SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN MORNING TRAFFIC GOING AT LEAST 65 MPH.
Engine, Jul 13, 2017
THE VEHICLE STARTED CONSUMING OIL AROUND 80,000 MILES. AT 90,000 MILES THE ENGINE WAS CONSUMING 1 QUART EVERY 1,000 MILES AT 110,00 IT WAS CONSUMING 1 QUART EVERY 500 MILES. AT 117,000 MILES THE VEHICLE CONSUMES 1 QUART EVERY 250 MILES. IT IS NOT BURNING THE OIL. NO SMOKE AT THE TAILPIPE. NO SMOKE STAINS ON THE BUMPER. NY STATE EMISSIONS TEST IS FINE WHEN INSPECTED. IT IS NOT LEAKING THE OIL. NO OIL PUDDLES UNDER THE CAR. NO HEAVY ACCUMULATION OF OIL ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE. HAVE NOT YET TESTED ENGINE COMPRESSION. WILL DO THAT SOON
Engine, Jun 23, 2017
EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION
Electrical system, Apr 25, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE MORE THAN ONCE AND PROVIDED NO SPECIFIC DIAGNOSIS OTHER THAN INDICATING THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE DUE TO THE BATTERY AND BATTERY CABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE TO DETERMINE IF THEY COULD PROVIDE A REPAIR SOLUTION TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, Apr 25, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE OIL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED UPON ACCELERATION, THEY HEARD A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED UPON INSPECTION THEY NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK WAS ALMOST DRY. UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST APPROXIMATELY 3 QUARTZ OF OIL WHILE APPROXIMATELY 40% OIL LIFE LEFT. THE OIL WAS CHANGED HOWEVER THE CHECK ENGINE OIL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC PERFORMED OIL CONSUMPTION TEST WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD 70% OIL LIFE AND APPROXIMATELY 2 QUARTS LOW. THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL CHANGE PERFORMED HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THEY DID AN OIL CONSUMPTION CHECK WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THE OIL WAS CLOSE TO A QUART LOW AND THAT WAS AN ACCEPTABLE RANGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,515.
Visibility, Jan 15, 2017
THE GLASS SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS WHILE AT FREEWAY SPEED OF 65-70 MPH. THE NEAREST VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US WAS OVER 300 YARDS AHEAD, NOTHING HIT THE SUNROOF TO CAUSE IT TO EXPLODE OUTWARD (FROM THE INSIDE OUT). IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS INCIDENTS OF THIS HAPPENING DUE TO ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS BETWEEN THE SUNROOF AND THE INTERIOR SCREEN WITH TEMPERATURE CHANGES. IF THE GLASS WAS LAMINATED, THIS MIGHT NOT HAPPEN. IT CERTAINLY WOULD NOT BE AS DANGEROUS AS THE POTENTIAL FOR GLASS TO SHOWER DOWN ON OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALLY THE DRIVER WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. *TR
Engine, Jan 11, 2017
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE CAR HAS NO LEAKS. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED OUT BY A FEW DEALER. CAR HAS 96,000 MILES. AFTER AN OIL CHANGE, THE OIL LEVEL WOULD BE CONSUME BACK DOWN TO CLOSE TO LOW WHEN RECHECK AFTER DRIVING 1500 MILES IN 2 MONTHS. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jan 10, 2017
COMING TO A STOP LIGHT AND TRYING TO STOP, THE CAR START ACCELERATING AND REACH OVER 6500RPM. I COULD NOT STOP AND PASSED THE STOP, MOVED THE GEAR ON NEUTRAL AND THE RPM MOVED HIGHER THE WHOLE CAR WAS SHAKING AND THOUGHT IS GOING TO EXPLODE I MOVED IT IN P AND TURNED THE KEY OFF. AFTER ONE MINUTE I DID START AND THE CAR WAS RUNNING GOOD. I AM SCARED NOT TO KILL SOMEONE. THE DEALER SAID; THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY RECALL AND TO DRIVE AGAIN. IF HAPPENED AGAIN TO COME BACK TO THEM.!!! I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR ANY MORE, PLEASE HELP.
Engine, Oct 31, 2016
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. ACURA CLAIMS BURNING 1 QT EVERY 1,000 MILES IS ACCEPTABLE. BASED ON WEB SEARCH MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. MY GUESS IS THAT IT'S A RATHER PREVALENT PROBLEM GIVEN HOW FEW PEOPLE ACTUALLY REGULARLY CHECK THEIR OIL AND I'M CERTAIN THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS AREN'T INFORMING THE CUSTOMER WHEN THE OIL LEVEL IS UNACCEPTABLY LOW. *TR
Suspension, Engine, Jan 12, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT HEARD NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN SPEEDS OF 60-65 MPH OR HIGHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
Engine, Dec 24, 2015
VEHICLE PURCHASED USED WITH 47K MILES ON IT. BY THE TIME I NOTICED THE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM (WHICH I CERTAINLY DIDN'T EXPECT) THE USED CAR WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I AM CURRENTLY BURNING 1 QT OF OIL EVERY 1K MILES. AS THE VEHICLE HAS A FACTORY 70K POWERTRAIN WARRANTY I BROUGHT IT TO MY LOCAL ACURA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NORMAL AND ACCEPTABLE UNDER ACURA GUIDE LINES. I EXPLAINED IN MY 38 YEARS OF DRIVING MANY VEHICLES MOST OF THEM NEW THAT I HAD NEVER OWNED ANYTHING THAT BURNED OIL UNTIL I PURCHASED AN ACURA WHICH IS COMPLETELY CONTRARY TO WHY PEOPLE PURCHASE EXPENSIVE HIGH END VEHICLES FROM REPUTABLE CAR COMPANIES IN THE FIRST PLACE. THEY ARE CURRENTLY MONITORING THE CONSUMPTION NOW BUT I HOLD OUT LITTLE HOPE AS I HAVE READ ON DIFFERENT ACURA MDX FORUMS THAT ACURA IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT THIS. I DID READ WHERE HONDA WAS FORCED TO RECALL 1.6 MILLION 3.5L ENGINES FOR THIS VERY ISSUE AND ONLY OFFERED TO EXTEND THE FACTORY WARRANTIES AS A RESULT. THESE ENGINES ARE OF THE SAME BASIC DESIGN SAVE FOR THE ACURA 3.7L HAS NO CAST IRON SLEEVES HENCE THE LARGER DISPLACEMENT. I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL CAUSE A PREMATURE FAILURE OF MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND SPARK PLUGS. I HAD BELIEVED THAT EMISSION REQUIREMENTS WERE TO STRICT TODAY TO ALLOW FOR ANY OIL CONSUMPTION (BURNING) UNDER THE EPA'S STRICT GUIDE LINES. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT IN THIS DAY AND AGE THAT THIS WOULD EVEN BE AN ISSUE IN SUCH A MARQUIS BRAND SUCH AS ACURA. SINCE HONDA WOULD FAR OUTSELL THE ACURA BRAND THERE WERE NO DOUBT FAR MORE COMPLAINTS FOR THE 3.5L ENGINE THEN THE SMALLER SELLING 3.7L ENGINE OF SIMILAR ARCHITECTURE. I HOPE THAT MORE CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME PREDICAMENT WILL COME FORWARD TO PROVE THAT THE SAME ISSUE EXISTS WITH THE SIMMILIAR ACURA ENGINE. PLEASE CALL OUT THIS MATTER WITH ACURA WHILE I CONTINUE TO HOPE FOR THE BEST OUTCOME WHICH WOULD FULLY NECESSITATE A NEW SHORT BLOCK.