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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 76

Of the 2012 reports, 4 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 2 people were injured.

Primary concernEngine23 reports · 30% of complaints
Owner complaints76Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship1 safety recallNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine23
  2. Electrical system13
  3. Power train13
  4. Other or unspecified10
  5. Air bags9
  6. Structure5
  7. Fuel/propulsion system4
  8. Back over prevention2

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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: fuel/propulsion system

4 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 21, 2026

    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)

  2. Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 6, 2022

    S25 S25 recall fuel system 2012 Campaign Number 12V063000

  3. 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.

  4. Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 11, 2019

    ACURA MDX 2012 - PERSISTENT SLOW START OF THE ENGINE; ENGINE IS STRAINING TO TURN OVER/START. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY 4 TIMES, CHECKED ALL POSSIBLE PROBLEMS (STARTER, SPARK PLUGS ETC.) BUT SAME RANDOM, PERIODIC PROBLEM OF THE ENGINE STRUGGLING TO START. RELATED PROBLEM: FUEL TANK APPEARS TO BE SOMEWHAT LOOSE; WHEN I BUY GASOLINE, I CAN SEE THE GAS TANK MOVE. IN ADDITION, IT IS DIFFICULT TO FILL UP THE CAR WITH GAS; THE GAS PUMP CUTS OFF BEFORE THE GAS TANK IS TO THE "FULL" LEVEL. MY GUT TELLS ME THAT THESE 2 PROBLEMS ARE SOMEHOW AFFECTING MY CAR STARTING. MY CAR HAS ONLY 51,000 MILES ON IT. I TAKE GOOD CARE/MAINTAIN IT. I HAVE READ OTHERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM!!! ACURA SHOULD FIX THIS! TOO EXPENSIVE OF A CAR; WHERE IS THE QUALITY??? THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM OF MY 2012 ACURA MDX . PLEASE HELP.