2014 Acura MDX
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 170 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 10th highest complaint count among 24 MDX model years with reports.
Of the 2014 reports, 10 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 9 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Structure, frame and membersJun 4, 2026
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.
Campaign 26V365000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 17, 2025
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid light assembly and wiring harness, which can cause the interior and exterior lights to fail, including the lid lights, position lights, license plate lights and taillights.
Vehicle lights that fail to illuminate can decrease visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect the wiring and install a fuse harness, replace the lid light, and repair the body dust sealer, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 30, 2025. Owners may contact Acura's customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Acura's number for this recall is FLI. Vehicles included in this recall that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 19V-256 will need to have the new remedy completed.
Campaign 25V259000 on NHTSA.gov
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
Exterior lighting, tail lightsMar 28, 2019
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Acura MDX and 2017-2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid lights, possibly causing a loss of the tailgate lid lights and the taillights.
Loss of the taillights reduces the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
Acura will notify owners, and dealers will modify the tailgate lid lights and install updated gaskets and a wiring sub-harness or will replace both tailgate lid lights. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is M49.
Campaign 19V256000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, appliance, air conditionerJul 1, 2015
American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX and MDX AWD vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to December 16, 2014. The affected vehicles have air conditioning compressor clutch drive bolts that may not have received the proper anti-corrosion coating.
If a bolt was not coated, it may corrode and break as a result. If the bolt breaks, the compressor clutch plate may separate from the vehicle, possibly becoming a road hazard.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air conditioning compressor clutch drive bolt and install a new clutch plate if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 7, 2015. Owners may contact Acura client relations at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's number for this recall is JQ7.
Campaign 15V417000 on NHTSA.gov
Forward collision avoidance, crash imminent brakingMay 20, 2015
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX 2WD and AWD, RLX and 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid vehicles. In certain driving conditions, the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) may incorrectly interpret certain roadside objects such as metal fences or metal guardrails as obstacles and unexpectedly apply the brakes.
If the CMBS unexpectedly applies emergency braking force while driving, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the CMBS software, free of charge. The recall began on July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's numbers for this recall is JQ4, JQ5 and JQ6.
Campaign 15V301000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat beltsOct 10, 2014
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to August 25, 2014, and 2014 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured November 5, 2012, to November 25, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the driver and front passenger seat belt may not extend or retract in low temperatures.
A seatbelt that does not function increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Honda has notified owners, and dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belts, free of charge. The recall began in November 2014. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's number for this recall is JK7 for the MKX, and JK8 for the RLX.
Campaign 14V639000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionNov 14, 2013
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Acura MDX AWD vehicles manufactured May 6, 2013, through October 14, 2013. The bolts that attach the drive shaft to the automatic transmission transfer assembly may not have been properly tightened. As a result, the bolts could loosen possibly allowing the shaft to detach.
If the drive shaft detaches while driving it could cause excessive noise and possibly damage the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the drive shaft attaching bolts as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on July 3, 2014. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009 or visit their website at www.recalls.honda.com. Honda's recall number is JC8.
Campaign 13V571000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical systemJul 22, 2013
American Honda Motor Co. is recalling certain Trailer Hitch Harness Kits, Part Number 08L91-TZ5-200. These kits are for use in 2014 model year Acura MDX vehicles. The trailer hitch kit has a subharness that is incorrectly wired such that there may be no power supplied to an accessory trailer brake controller.
If the trailer brake controller is not powered, when towing a trailer, longer stopping distances could be required, increasing the risk of a crash.
Honda will notify owners and Acura dealers will correct the trailer hitch subharness wiring, free of charge. The recall began on August 23, 2013. Owners may contact Acura Customer Service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's number for this campaign is JB2.
Campaign 13E040000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: steering
38 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Electrical system, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Jan 12, 2015, crash
DEFECT SHOWS AS IMMEDIATE LOSS OF TOE ALIGNMENT IN BOTH FRONT TIRES, LANE KEEP ASSIST COMPUTERIZED FEATURE IN UNABLE TO TURN STEERING WHEEL RIGHT, AND STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR IS UNABLE TO REMAIN FIXED AT ZERO. STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR: FORCES THE VEHICLE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC BY AUTOMATICALLY DURING FRONT WHEELS TWO AND FIVE DEGREES WITH MAXIMUM TURNING FORCE APPLIED WHEN THE ROAD PRESENTS ANY COMBINATION OF CURVED, TILTED, AND BUMPY CONDITION. STEERING WHEEL HAND SENSOR ? COMPUTER APPLIED OVER-STEER FORCES THE CAR LEFT OR RIGHT SEVERAL DEGREES DEPENDING ON HAND POSITION. IDS: THREE SETTINGS FORCE STEERING WHEEL SEVERAL DEGREES LEFT OR RIGHT DURING BRAKING DEPENDING ON LAST APPLIED STEERING ADJUSTMENT. WHEN THE ROAD IS A COMBINATION OF CURVED, SUBSTANTIALLY SLOPED, OR BUMPY THE COMPUTER WILL APPLY MAXIMUM COMPUTERIZED TURNING FORCE TO MOVE STEERING WHEEL UP TO 45 DEGREES LEFT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC EVEN WHEN THE ROAD SLOPES AND/OR CURVES AWAY FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC. A SERIES OF SOFTWARE COMMAND CONFLICTS AND OVERRIDES BETWEEN IDS, STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR, STEERING WHEEL SENSOR FOR HAND POSITION, RADAR, AND ROAD POSITION SENSOR, AND OTHER-VEHICLE SENSORS ROUTINELY CAUSE THE COMPUTER TO PERFORM UNINTENDED DRIVE INTO INCOMING TRAFFIC WITH MAXIMUM COMPUTER APPLIED FORCE. MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO PROVIDE DEALERS COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT THAT ALIGNS STEERING WHEEL SENSOR WITH NAVIGATION COMPUTER, RADAR, INTERNAL/EXTERNAL SENSORS, IDS, AND STEERING WHEEL HAND SENSOR UNLESS THE CONSUMER IS WILLING TO PAY $700 IN EQUIPMENT TRANSFER COSTS. MANUFACTURER DEMANDS DEALERS DENY SERVICE OR AVOID WRITING WORK ORDERS THAT CONTAIN ANY INDICATION OF A PROBLEM WITH STEERING WHEEL SENSOR, RADAR, COMPUTER-INTEGRATED HARDWARE, OR IDS. INSTEAD VERBALIZE COMPUTER-RELATED ISSUES WITH REPAIR TECHS TO AVOID REGULATORY REPORTING AND CALIFORNIA LEMON LAW REQUIREMENTS. *TR
Steering, Jan 9, 2015
WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AT SLOW SPEED, STEERING LOCKED AND THE WHEEL HAD TO BE FORCED BACK THE OTHER DIRECTION, BARELY AVOIDING A TREE. CAR MAKES INTERMITTENT BUT CONSIDERABLE NOISE/RUBBING WHILE TURNING (NOISE LASTS ABOUT 2 SECONDS). TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP TODAY (PROCTOR ACURA) AND DEALERSHIP COULD FIND NO ISSUES WITH STEERING. ALSO COULD NOT REPLICATE THE NOISE/PROBLEM. NOTHING REPAIRED AND NO EXPLANATION GIVEN. *TR
Steering, Dec 29, 2014
I HAVE AN 2014 SH-AWD ADVANCE WITH ENTERTAINMENT PACKAGE. AFTER HAVING VEHICLE A FEW MONTHS I MADE A CALL ABOUT NOISE COMING FROM OUTSIDE OF CAR WHEN BACKING AND/OR PULLING FORWARD LIKE DOING A 3 POINT TURN. WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE. I ASKED WHEN TAKING VEHICLE FOR FIRST MAINTENANCE ABOUT GRINDING NOISE AND TOLD THAT THESE CARS DO THAT AND WAS NOT A PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES THAT WHEN PULLING FORWARD WITH WHEELS ONLY SLIGHTLY TURNED THAT THERE IS A NOISE AND ALOT OF RESISTANCE IN THE STEERING. ON ONE OCCASION AT AROUND 13,000 MILES WHILE PARKING, THE STEERING MADE NOISE AND JERKED WHEEL BACK OPPOSITE OF WAY I NEEDED TO GO ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HIT ANOTHER CAR. TAKING INTO SERVICE FOR 2ND MAINTENANCE AND WILL ONCE AGAIN POINT OUT THIS PROBLEM AND SEE IF ANYTHING CAN BE DONE BECAUSE THIS IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY AND BECOMING MORE AGGRESSIVE WITH CAR TAKING OVER MY STEERING CONTROL. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Nov 26, 2014
THE CAR HAS PERIODICALLY SHOWN AN ALERT INDICATING AN IMMINENT ACTIVATION OF THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SAFETY SYSTEM WHEN NOTHING HAS BEEN IN FRONT OF THE CAR. TODAY, IT DID IT THIS MORNING, AND THEN LATER IN THE MORNING, WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CAR CUT OFF, MAKING IT INOPERABLE AND IT STOPPED IN A TRAVEL LANE OF A BUSY ROAD. WE WERE ABLE TO RE-START IT LONG ENOUGH TO NAVIGATE OFF THE ROAD TO A SAFE LOCATION, AND IT PROMPTLY CUT OFF AGAIN. AFTER THAT, IT WOULDN'T RUN FOR MORE THAN 30 SECONDS. EVERY WARNING IMAGINABLE (POWER STEERING PROBLEM, LANE KEEP ASSIST PROBLEM, EMISSION SYSTEM PROBLEM, VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST PROBLEM, HILL START ASSIST PROBLEM) WAS DISPLAYING ON THE INFORMATION PANEL IN SEQUENTIAL ORDER. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN ACURA DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION/REPAIR. *TR
Steering, Nov 12, 2014
SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS 2 MONTHS OLD WITH ~2,000 MILES, ABOUT ONCE EVERY OTHER WEEK, THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT STEERING PROBLEM. THIS TYPICALLY HAPPENS IN A PARKING LOT OR PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. AS YOU GET TO THE HEIGHT OF THE TURN (READY TO LET THE WHEEL TURN BACK), THERE IS A LOUD RUBBING NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE A TIRE HITTING THE WHEEL WELL. AT THE SAME TIME THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES AND THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT SPIN BACK. I HAVE TO USE FORCE TO SPIN THE WHEEL BACK TOWARDS CENTER. THIS TYPICALLY HAPPENS FOR 2 SECONDS, AND THEN EVERYTHING IS NORMAL AGAIN. I CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM USING THE SAME EXACT ACTIONS. I HAVE HAD 2 QUITE DANGEROUS SITUATIONS DUE TO THIS. SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS: OON THE ROAD WAITING TO TAKE A LEFT TURN AS TRAFFIC WAS COMING THE OTHER DIRECTION. SOMEONE COMING THE OTHER DIRECTION FLASHED THEIR LIGHTS AND WAIVED ME TO TURN IN FRONT OF THEM. I TURNED LEFT, AND JUST AS I WAS AT THE PEAK, AND LETTING THE WHEEL TURN BACK TO CENTER, I GOT THE RUBBING, VIBRATION, AND LACK OF STEERING. I QUICKLY TURNED THE WHEEL BACK MYSELF, BARELY MISSING A CAR COMING IN THE OTHER DIRECTION. OI WAS IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE OFFICE THAT I WORK AT, AND WAS TAKING A RIGHT TURN FROM A STOP OUT OF THE PARKING GARAGE. AS I WAS AT THE PEAK, AND LETTING THE WHEEL TURN BACK TO CENTER, I GOT THE RUBBING, VIBRATION, AND LACK OF STEERING. WITH THAT, I NEARLY HIT THE CURB ON THE RIGHT WHERE THERE WAS SOMEONE WALKING ON THE SIDEWALK. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS REPRODUCED, AND THEY REPLACED THE CABLE REEL. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE FINAL TIME THAT IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER, IT WAS IN RESPONSE TO MY LEMON LAW CLAIM. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR A FEW DAYS, AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE ISSUE COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED, AND MY LEMON LAW CLAIM WAS DENIED. *TR
Steering, Nov 11, 2014
APPROXIMATELY THE MIDDLE OF NOVEMBER, THE HYDRAULIC STEERING SYSTEM STARTED MAKING LOUD SCREECHING NOISES WHEN IT WAS STARTED AND THE COLUMN SELF ADJUSTED. ALSO WHEN THE VEHICLE COLUMN WENT BACK IN AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE 3 SEPARATE VIDEOS IF NEEDED. *TR
Steering, Nov 8, 2014
CAR PUT INTO REVERSE, WHEEL CRANKED ALL THE WAY, AND THEN NOISE HITS WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL BACK OTHER WAY. BRIEF GRINDING NOISE WITH STEERING WHEEL. SAY I BACK OUT, AND TURN THE WHEEL TO FULL LOCK. TURNING WHEEL TO OPPOSITE DIRECTION CAUSES A BRIEF BUZZING NOISE THAT'S UNDER A SECOND. DOESN'T ALWAYS HAPPEN. NOTICE IT MOST WHEN I PULL OUT IN REVERSE TO FULL LOCK, GO TO DRIVE, AND TURN WHEEL IN OTHER DIRECTION. DOESN'T MATTER IF I'M IN COMFORT/NORMAL/SPORT MODE. IT'S ALMOST LIKE SOMETHING'S RUBBING/GRINDING OR SOMETHING. LOUD CLUNK AT LOW SPEED WHEN TURNING. MOSTLY HAPPENS WHEN TURNING INTO DRIVEWAY, AT ABOUT 3 MPH. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG OR RUBBING. COULDN'T REPLICATE ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Oct 7, 2014
BACKING OUT FROM PARKING SPOT , STEERING LOCKED UP , BRAKES FAILED AND CAR KEPT MOVING DESPITE MAXIMUM APPLICATION OF BRAKES. HAD TO TURN THE POWER OFF TO STOP THE CAR . *TR
Steering, Aug 25, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND MADE A HIGH PITCHED BUZZING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE RESULTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,513.
Steering, Aug 6, 2014
HAPPENS MORE OFTEN WHEN EXITING A PARKING SPACE (STEERING TO THE MAX, THEN GOING STRAIGHT) BUT ALSO WHEN WHEN TAKING A SHARP TURN. THE STEERING LOCKS AND MAKES A GRINDING NOISE FOR COUPLE SECONDS MAKING IT VERY HARD TO MANEUVER. THE PROBLEM AS BEEN REPRODUCED AND ACKNOWLEDGE BY DEALER SERVICE, BUT NO FIX HAS BEEN APPLIED. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jul 10, 2014
DASH WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON : BRAKE PROBLEMS. ABS LIGHT PROBLEMS, HILL ASST. PROBLEM, LANE DEPARTURE WARNING, FRONT COLLISION WARNING, THESE SYSTEM STOP WORKING WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS! DEALER CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM! *TR
Steering, Jul 10, 2014
ON HIGHWAY GOING DOWNHILL AND CURVES, THE STEERING WHEEL HORRIBLY SHAKES AND VEHICLE FEELS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE (WOBBLY). FELT ALMOST LIKE IF BRAKES WERE BAD BUT IT IS NOT THE BRAKE (BRAKES HAVE ALMOST DECENT AMOUNT OF PADS). TIRES ARE GOOD TOO. *TR AFTER THE INCIDENT, EQUIPPED TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL MAKES LOUD SQUEAKY NOISE WHEN IT IS RETRACTING
Steering, Jun 9, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT HEARD AN INTERMITTENT NOISE BEHIND THE DASHBOARD. WHILE MAKING A TURN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND CAUSED TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL. INITIALLY, THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE STEERING MOTOR COULD BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250.