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: other or unspecified
10 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Jul 8, 2026
I bought a 2012 silver Acura MDX on March 3rd in 2022 from our local Acura dealership. Exterior paint was great, hardly any dings, scratches anywhere. I spent over $20,000 for this USED CAR and as of the past two years, the clear coat has worn out in various places on front hood, near the moon roof, near the rear side door windows, near the rack on top, near the back hatch window. It's absolutely embarrassing and I find it interesting/maddening that I have seen two others MDX's around town that have the same issues with paint. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL? MY 2011 HONDA ODYSSEY paint doesn't have this issue, why is Acura inferior to Honda? I always thought Acura was higher end. But clearly, they went cheap on paint and want their Acura MDX's to look like trash. WHAT IS A FIX FOR THIS? I CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPAINT CAR ON MY OWN.
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)
Other or unspecified, Sep 18, 2022
THIS VEHICLE BURNS SO MUCH OIL. I USE 5 QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES IN THIS VEHICLE. UNREAL! SO DISAPPOINTED IN HONDA.
Other or unspecified, Jun 27, 2022
My Sunroof exploded.
Other or unspecified, Aug 8, 2021
11/17/2020 Acura battery of our 2012 Acura MDX failed & was replaced under manufacturer warranty, via comp was provided. 6/29/2021 Acura battery failed again. Dealership did not honor warranty claiming manufacturer Acura would not pay for replacement. Dealership said I needed to contact Acura Client Relationship which I did. ACR initially said dealership was at fault & the battery should be replaced under warranty. I asked for a client number & was placed on 10 minute hold. When agent returned she changed her story saying battery was not under warranty even though it had been replaced under warranty in November 2020. Their reason was I ‘did not pay for the battery.’ This is not true as I did pay a prorate portion of the replacement in November & the original battery I purchased with the certified vehicle purchase. The ACR agent declined to provide me a claim number. I talked to the dealer service manager Andrew Jackson & the service tech writer Tevin Jackson. I requested contact information for an Acura Zone or Regional Manager. Andrew stated he would speak to general manager - Cecil Turner. I followed up with Andrew, was told that Acura Client Relations have no record of my call (I have itemized billing & therefore proof of the call including duration) & he asked me to call back to get a claim number. I did this & obtained a claim number which I provided to Mr. Jackson. I followed up again & was told the Regional representative was going to try & obtain an Acura Loyalty Card. Weeks later I checked on this again & was told they were still trying. While the dealership is not at fault & my claim of Fraud is not directed at Acura of Little Rock or Mr. Tevin, Mr. Andrew or Mr. Cecil (even though as a 21 year customer of this dealership he has not bothered to contact me in any way) I am very dismayed that the manufacturer Acura – an American Honda com. The repeated battery failures are a real & present safety danger. Acura batteries are garbage.
Other or unspecified, Jul 19, 2019
MOISTURE GETS INTO THE BACK-UP CAMERA CASING, CAUSING LACK OF VISIBILITY ON BACKUP CAMERA SCREEN, CREATING AN UNSAFE SITUATION.
Other or unspecified, May 13, 2019
TAKATA RECAL: PERHAPS A MONTH AGO I ATTWEMPTED TO GET INFORMATION RE RECALLS FOR THIS CAR ON YOUR SITE. THE ANSWER WAS THAT IOT HAD DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS. I CONTACTED A DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THAT I WAS MISTAKEN. I AM ASKING IF YOU HAVE ANY EVIDENCE OF SUCH A DEFECT AND COULD PROVIDE ME WITH INFORMATION TO SHOW THE DEALER IF THERE HAS BEEN A DEFECT IN THE PAST.
Other or unspecified, Mar 31, 2019
HUMMING, MOANING OR DRONING LIKE NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE NOISE INCREASE AS YOU INCREASE SPEED. THE VEHICLE DRIVE NORMAL NO SHAKING OR JERKING.
Other or unspecified, Oct 14, 2018
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY WHEN MY SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES BY ME AND I WAS NOT DRIVING UNDER AN OVERPASS
Other or unspecified, Feb 8, 2018
TAKATA RECALL - THE ACURA RECALL WEBSITE SAYS THERE IS A TAKATA RECALL, HOWEVER, YOUR DATABASE SAYS THERE ARE NOT RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE. THANKS