2012 Acura MDX
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 76 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 16th highest complaint count among 24 MDX model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 4 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 2 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assemblyFeb 17, 2012
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.
AS A RESULT, FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE TANK, INCREASING THE RISK OF FIRE.
HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VSF ASSEMBLY DATE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 13, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-999-1009.
Campaign 12V063000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
13 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Apr 22, 2025
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.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 29, 2022
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.
Electrical system, Air bags, Nov 2, 2020
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY MY CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. I REACHED MY DESTINATION AND TURNED OFF MY VEHICLE, I THEN RESTARTED MY VEHICLE AND THE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. I TOOK A PICTURE OF THE LIGHT FOR PROOF. STILL ON FOR 3 WEEKS NOW. I CHECKED AND MY VIN IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST FOR THE AIRBAG.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Mar 26, 2020, fire
WINDSHIELD WIPER DOESN'T WORK, ELECTRONIC STEERING FAILED
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 31, 2019, fire
AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE, I PARKED IT, TURNED IT OFF AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE.
Electrical system, Jan 30, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA MDX. AFTER CAMPING, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT RODENTS CHEWED ON SEVERAL WIRES. THE DEALER DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,900.
Electrical system, Jan 3, 2017
POWER DOOR LOCKS WERE ALL DEFECTIVE, BECAME NON-RESPONSIVE TO TRANSMITTER AND DRIVER MASTER SWITCH IN YEAR 4. LOCKS ALSO BEGAN CYCLING OPEN AND CLOSED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. [MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD!] ALL 4 ACTUATORS HAD TO BE REPLACED OVER THE COURSE OF THREE TRIPS TO DEALER. I AM REPORTING ONLY THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE DATE AS THIS HAPPENED THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF 2017
Electrical system, Jan 3, 2017
POWER DOOR LOCKS WERE ALL DEFECTIVE, BECAME NON-RESPONSIVE TO TRANSMITTER AND DRIVER MASTER SWITCH IN YEAR 4. LOCKS ALSO BEGAN CYCLING OPEN AND CLOSED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ALL 4 ACTUATORS HAD TO BE REPLACED OVER THE COURSE OF THREE TRIPS TO DEALER. I AM REPORTING ONLY THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE DATE AS THIS HAPPENED THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF 2017
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jul 16, 2016
WHEN DRIVING USING ACC, THE VEHICLE BRAKES (NOT CONSISTENTLY) WHEN APPROACHING A LARGE TRUCK IN THE LANE NEXT TO LANE I AM DRIVING IN. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE NEW AND HAS BEEN REPORTED AT LEAST 10 TIMES TO DEALER AND THEY SAY THEY CAN'T REPRODUCE THE ISSUE. GAS MILEAGE IS 12MPG IN TOWN AND 19MPG ON FREEWAY, STICKER WAS 16/23. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SINCE NEW AND THEY DRIVE THE CAR AND SAY THEY ARE GETTING CORRECT MILEAGE, THEN THEY TOLD ME THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE ROTORS NEEDED GRINDING. I WAS ASSURED BY THE SERVICE WRITER THAT MY MILEAGE WOULD BE MUCH BETTER, WITH A WINK OF AN EYE. I LEFT THE NEXT DAY FOR 600 MILE DRIVE AND MY MILEAGE WAS 20MGP IN TOWN AND 27MPG ON FREEWAY, THIS LASTED FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS. TEMPERATURE GUAGE FOR OUTSIDE TEMP HAS NEVER WORKED. ON HOT DAYS IT WILL READ 64 WHEN IT IS 105 OUTSIDE. I AM TOLD I HAVE TO DRIVE AT LEAST 20MPH FOR THIRTY SECONDS FOR THE TEMP TO INCREASE EACH DEGREE. ABSURD, HOWEVER, EVEN THIS TACTIC DOES NOT WORK.
Electrical system, Mar 30, 2016
MY WIFE, WHO HAD BEEN DRIVING, EXITED THE SUV TO GO SHOPPING, LEAVING ME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. UNAWARE, SHE PRESSSED THE "LOCK" BUTTON ON THE KEY REMOTE AS SHE WALKED AWAY.. AFTER A MOMENT, I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN MY CAR DOOR, WHICH TRIGGERED THE PANIC ALARM. THE ISSUE WAS THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHICH COUYLD HAVE RESULTED IN A DANGEROUS EVENT HAD THE CAR BEEN ON FIRE. IT WAS LATER SHOWN TO ME A MANUAL LOCK/UNLOCK SWIITCH THAT I COULD HAVE OPERATED. BUILDINGS HAVE EXITS THAT REQUIRE NO EXPERIENCE TO USE IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. WHY CANNOT A VEHICLE BE EXITEDHURRIEDLY, EVEN THOUGH THE PANIC ALARM WILL BE ACTIVATED IN THAT TYPE OF AN EMERGENCY?
Electrical system, Seats, Aug 5, 2013
I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2012 ACURA MDX (1 YEAR AND 2 WEEKS OLD). IT HAVE ONLY 7000 MILES ON IT RIGHT NOW. THE POWER DRIVER SEAT IS NOT WORKING AND ALSO, THE MEMORY #1 AND #2. THE SEAT IT ALL THE WAY UP POSITION CLOSE TO STEERING WHEEL IT HARD FOR ME TO DRIVE. I WORK ANN ARBOR, MI THE ACURA DEALER ARE IN TROY, MI. IT MORE THAN ONE HOUR DRIVE ONE WAY. IF I TAKE MY ACURA MDX TO THE DEALER, I HAVE TO TAKE TIME OFF FROM WORK WHICH I DO NOT TO .................. WHY IT COST MONEY ....................... I'M NOT HAPPY. I OWN HONDA ACCORD 10 YEARS, ACURA 3.2 TL 8 YEARS, TOYOTA HIGHLANDER MORE THAN 5 YEARS NEVER HAVE ANY PROBLEMS LIKE THIS ONE ...................... NOW WHAT............... *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Back over prevention, Feb 23, 2013
HONDA ACURA MDX, THE VEHICLE PROVIDES A BACKUP CAMERA TO DISPLAY THE REAR VIEW WHEN THE VEHICLE BACKS UP. HOWEVER THE CAMERA SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK AT NIGHT UNDER STREET LIGHT. THE DRIVER BARELY SEES ANYTHING AT REAR THROUGH THE VIDEO DISPLAY EVEN IT IS SET AT NIGHT MODE AND IT IS TURNED TO MAX. BRIGHT LEVEL. I ALMOST HIT A CHILD WHEN I TRIED TO BACKUP THE CAR WITH THE REAR VIEW THOUGH THE CAMERA AND I THOUGHT IT WAS CLEAR BUT IT IS NOT. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS AND IT COULD KILL A CHILD. ACURA SHOULD NEVER INSTALL SUCH POOR QUALITY CAMERAS ON ITS HIGH END VEHICLES. OR ACURA SHOULD PUT A CLEAR WARNING MARK BESIDE THE DISPLAY WHICH WARNS DRIVER NEVER USE IT AT NIGHT. COMPARING TO THE OTHER BRAND REAR VIEW CAMERAS I NEVER HEARD SUCH STORIES THAT THEY ARE NOT BE ABLE TO WORK AT NIGHT. THERE ARE COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB AND MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. I HOPE ACURA WILL REPLACE THE CAMERA AND PREVENT IT FROM AN ACCIDENT REALLY HAPPENED. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 29, 2013
THE REAR BACK UP CAMERA DOES NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE BRIGHTNESS AT NIGHT. WITH THE SCREEN BRIGHTNESS SET TO MAX, I AM UNABLE TO DISCERN OBJECTS BEHIND ON THE SCREEN AT NIGHT ESPECIALLY IN RAIN. THE CAMERA LENS IS CLEAN. THIS IS SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE COMPARED TO MY PRIOR 2008 ACURA MDX, AND COMPARED TO OTHER VEHICLES THAT I OWN AND HAVE DRIVEN WITH SIMILAR CAMERAS. THE DEALER SAYS THAT IT IS A FREQUENT COMPLAINT. *TR