2013 Acura MDX

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Engine is the leading concern among 29 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 24th highest complaint count among 24 MDX model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 29

Of the 2013 reports, 3 involved a fire.

Primary concernEngine9 reports · 31% of complaints
Owner complaints29Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship1 safety recallNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine9
  2. Electrical system8
  3. Other or unspecified5
  4. Power train4
  5. Exterior lighting3
  6. Steering3
  7. Vehicle speed control3
  8. Forward collision avoidance2

Recalls and investigations

  1. Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpDec 18, 2023

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

    Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

    Campaign 23V858000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: power train

4 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Power train, Engine, May 24, 2023

    The 2013 Acura MDX has a problem with the pistons in the engine which causes excessive oil consumption. This was the subject matter of a class action suit described in the website entitled Acura Oil Consumption Settlement. This defect should be subject to a recall and American Honda should be required to repair or replace the pistons.

  2. Power train, Engine, Jul 9, 2021

    I have a 2013 Acura MDX with an estimated 87k miles. Over the past 3 months, the engine will cut off while I'm driving and the steering wheel and brakes lock up. This has happened about 5 times in a three-month period. There are no warning lamps on my dashboard and no codes appeared during the diagnostic tests. My mechanic is unable to reproduce the issue. I have two young sons and am terrified of driving them in the MDX. The engine failure happens very randomly as it's cut off while driving at varying speeds.

  3. Power train, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Jul 4, 2016

    TORQUE CONVERTER PROBLEM...... I BOUGHT A USED 2012 MDX WITH 4300 MILES 5 MONTHS LATER I HAD THIS ISSUE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A ACURA DEALER AND THEY FIXED IT BUT I DID FEEL SAFE SO I TRADED IT IN FOR A NEWER MODEL THINKING IT WOULD BE BETTER...LONG BEHOLD THE 2013 MDX I GOT DID THE SAME THING 5 MONTH LATER. THE DEALER NEVER TOLD ME AFTER BRING THE FIRST CAR BACK THAT THIS WAS AN ISSUE WITH THESE CARS. AND SOLD ME A SECOND ONE , WHICH BY THE WAY I LOSS $8000 ON THE FIRST CAR FOR TRADING IT IN SO SOON.I ONLY TRADED IT IN BECAUSE I DID FEEL SAFE AND I TOLD THEM THAT..LUCKY I BOUGHT WARRANTY BECAUSE THE 2013 MDX HAD 6700 MILE AND WARRANTY WAS UP......

  4. Power train, Engine, Feb 18, 2016

    PURCHASED THIS A AT A USED CAR FROM ACURA OF LOS GATOS AN PICKED THE CAR UP LATE ON JAN 27TH 2016. AT NOON ON FEB 5TH (JUST ABOUT 7 DAYS) THE CAR SUDDENLY STOP WHEN TRYING TO PULL UP TO THE DRIVE WAY OF MY FRIEND HOUSE. THE ENTIRE CAR IS IN THE MIDDLE OF A SMALL STREET, BLOCKING CARS FROM MOVING. CAR CAN'T GET STARTED EVEN WITH JUMPER FROM A TOWING COMPANY. THE CAR WAS TOWED BACK TO LOS GATOS ACURA AND FEW HOURS LATER WE WERE TOLD THE THE ENTIRE ENGINE IS GONE. WE PURCHASE THIS USED CAR BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A NEW CAR JUST ABOUT 2 YEARS OLD AND DRIVEN JUST ABOVE 25,000 MILES AND SUPPOSED TO RUN THROUGH ALMOST 200 POINTS CHECK FROM LOS GATOS ACURA, BUT IT FAILED IN OUR FACE AND WE ARE FEAR FOR OUR LIVES DUE TO THE REASON THAT WE ARE LUCKY ENOUGH THAT THE CAR BROKE DOWN IN A MIDDLE OF THE ROAD IN A LIGHT TRAFFIC AREA. IF THE ENGINE DID BREAK DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF FAST AND HIGH TRAFFIC FREEWAY, OUR LIVES COULD BE IN SERIOUS DANGER.