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
170 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, Apr 17, 2024
Paint. Delaminating at the sealer. Paint flakes randomly fall off car over the years. Acura verified this was a factory defect and the common area is occurred was the roof. This was covered for my car 03.2019 under an extended warranty but was only limited to the roof. I specifically asked to fix the whole paint job since this was a FACTORY defect and they stated they will only fix the area with the current damage. Well now time has passed and this has now happened on my left passenger door and Acura will not cover any part of fixing their factory defect. Terrible on Acura for selling a product they know has a FACTORY defect and they will not stand by their product.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 11, 2024
ABS VSA malfunction light comes up constantly and car rattles when brakes are used. It’s constantly turned on even with good road conditions. There are millions of customer complaints on the web about this issue and I believe this should be logged as a major issue which should be logged a recall and offered as a fix to customers who have these car models and issues. My daughter was driving the car and experienced issues on freeway when braking. The car slipped to the side when brakes were pushed and the whole car was shaking and unstable.
Other or unspecified, Oct 25, 2023
Hi, My Reverse camera is not working. When I put the car in reverse, I can see the guidelines but no picture of the rear. Regards,
Steering, Oct 18, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Acura MDX. The contact stated that when starting the vehicle, she heard an abnormally loud noise and the steering column was inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.
Visibility, Jul 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, there was a loud popping sound was heard. The contact stopped and inspected the vehicle and discovered that the glass sunroof had shattered. The contact stated that there was no impact to the sunroof glass to cause the glass to shatter. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,000.
Power train, Oct 18, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle was jerking upon acceleration and deceleration. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the transmission control module (TCM) software was updated, and the transmission fluid was flushed; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys where it was diagnosed that the transmission control valve solenoid had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer who provided the same diagnostic information. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.
Power train, Engine, Oct 10, 2022
There is a known issue of Certain Acura MDX models having a "judder" (i.e. bouncing rev counter) at certain speeds. This causes the torque converter to not lockup and continue to find the right gear, per se. This is a known issue and Acura has a TSB (16-062) for this: https://www.tsbsearch.com/Acura/16-062 The issue is, even though, unaddressed in a timely manner and continual use of the vehicle may deteriorate the transmission, Acura doesn't fix this free of charge for vehicles not under warranty. Dealer quotes $800+ for a total 1.6 hours of work (based on the TSB bulletin). This is outrageous and monopolistic behavior in a free market. Moreover, typical mechanics doesn't have access to the special computers needed to perform the software update, required by this TSB. I am reaching out to request Acura (Car manufacturer) to cover this under recall and not charge the customer this ridiculous ~$400/hr labor rate just because I can't update the software from a local mechanic.
Steering, Lane departure, Sep 1, 2022
On numerous occasions the Electric Power Steering, Lane Departure Warning, and Lane Keeping Assist problem lights illuminate on the dash and I lose all power steering. My car becomes extremely difficult to turn, particularly at lower speeds. This is a major safety hazard and warrants a recall. Had my wife been driving when this occurred she would not be able to turn the vehicle. This has happened on several occasions over the past 2 weeks. The car is being taken to the dealership tomorrow. Note: it appears that Acura and Honda have extended the warranty on several models for a similar issue, but not the 2014 Acura MDX.
Power train, Apr 27, 2022
Transmission surges when shifting between 1st gear to 2nd, feels like rear ended, the whole car jumps. Acura of America seems to not have a fix for this issue that a lots of 3rd generation ACURA MDX owners suffer from . Acura dealership only suggestion is transmission fluid flush, which is not a real fix for the transmission jump that can cause a serious accident while operating the vehicle in traffic. Acura Of America is aware of this issue but !!! No safety recall been addressed.
Exterior lighting, Mar 5, 2022
Back LEFT inner tail light assembly strip and RIGHT Outer LED strip tail light assembly damaged by water moisturizer getting inside of them.
Exterior lighting, Oct 12, 2021
The outside rear taillight was FULL of water. I discovered this when going to replace bulbs I thought were just burned out. In fact one of the bulbs was shattered I presume from the water reaching the hot light. The taillight is non functional and I will have to take it to be repaired/replaced. I should not have to pay for what is very clearly an manufacturer defect that compromises safe vehicle operations. Acura did a recall for the interior tail light for this same issue, but did not include the outer taillight. A simple google search shows this is not an isolated incident but rather a major problem.
Seat belts, Jun 21, 2021
Went out with family recently and all of a sudden front passenger side seat belt buckle won't latch. I took it to the dealer (Pohanka Acura). They said seat belt buckle has to be replaced and it will cost approx. $1000. I called Acura and they said this is not a warranty issue. Car is only 7 years old and front passenger side is used only occasionally by an adult. I would like Acura to pay for the replacement of my seat belt buckle.
Power train, Apr 1, 2021
I HAD THIS 2014 ACURA MDX FOR 4YR SINCE 2016 AS CPO AT LOCAL ACURA DEALER. SINCE 2YRS AGO, MY RPM DO NOT CLIMB STEADY AND IT IS JUMPING UP AND DOWN ,ESPECIALLY AT THE SPEED BETWEEN 40 TO 60. I THOUGHT IT IS JUST TRANSMISSION FLUID ISSUE. ONCE I REPLACED TRANSMISSION FLUID REPLACED, LEVEL OF FLUCTUATION BECAME LESS THAN PREVIOUS. BUT AFTER COUPLE MONTH LATER, IT IS STILL SAME. I AM WONDERING THIS ISSUE IS KNOWN FOR ANY ACURA MDX OWNER MANUFACTURED IN SAME PERIOD. I THINK THIS COULD BE SOFTWARE ISSUE RATHER THAN MECHANICAL ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED TO BE REPAIRED OR UPDATED. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY CLAIM SAME AS WHAT I AM EXPERIENCING. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND SINCERE SUPPORT.
Steering, Feb 21, 2021
WHILE PARALLEL PARKING, THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING (CAR WAS STOPPED OR GOING <3 MPH). IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. I CHECKED TO BE SURE NOTHING WAS STUCK IN THE WHEEL WELLS OR OTHERWISE BLOCKING THE TIRES. AFTER PULLING OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT, POWER STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHEN RE-TRYING TO PARALLEL PARK, BUT THEN POWER CAME BACK TO NORMAL. I HAVEN'T TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER YET. IT STARTED ALL OF THE SUDDEN TODAY AND APPEARS TO HAVE RESOLVED SPONTANEOUSLY. BUT I WORRY THAT IT WILL RETURN, PERHAPS LEADING TO AN ACCIDENT.
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 8, 2021
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS ONLY A REPETITIVE CLICK, CLICK, CLICK SOUND. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THIS INDICATED A BATTERY ISSUE THAT WAS CONTRADICTED BY THE FACT THAT EVERYTHING ELSE WAS WORKING I.E. HORN, LIGHTS, BLOWER, RADIO. A QUICK SEARCH OF THE INTERNET DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS AN ISSUE WITH THE HANDS FREE MODULE WEAKENING THE BATTERY JUST ENOUGH TO NOT START.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 22, 2020, fire
WHILE DRIVING IN A MAIN ROAD, SMOKE STARTED TO FILL THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY, OPENED THE HOOD, THERE WAS FIRE THAT WAS RAPIDLY EXPANDING. CALL 911, BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVED (ABOUT 4 TO 5 MINS), THE FIRE CONSUMED THE ENTIRE CAR.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 6, 2020
THE DRIVER SIDE HEAD LIGHTS ARE BRIGHTER THAN THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHTS. I GET BRIGHT LIGHTED ALL THE TIME. IT LOOKS LIKE MY BRIGHT LIGHTS ARE ON AND THEIR NOT. THE FROM AIR CONDITIONING / HEAT FAN WORKS OFF AND ON. THE BLOWER IS ACTING UP. THE BACK HEAT FAN ( BLOWER) WORKS ALL THE TIME. I HAVE TO CRACK THE FRONT WINDOWS AND FLY DOWN THE HIGHWAY TO GET THE FRONT FAN TO WORK.
Structure, Wheels, Oct 12, 2020
I WAS DRIVING ON A NYC STREET, GOING OVER A SPEED BUMP AT LESS THAN THE NOTED (10 MPH) SPEED WHEN THE SPARE TIRE BROKE FROM THE HOLDER AND DROPPED INTO THE PATH OF THE FOLLOWING CAR.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 7, 2020
ON OR ABOUT 50,000 MILES WE NOTICED THE CAR WOULD SURGE WHEN DRIVING ON A FLAT LEVEL SURFACE ABOUT 50 MILES AN HOUR. THE TACHOMETER WILL SHOW A PULSING RPM MY WIFE FIRST COMPLAINT OFFICIALLY ABOUT IT WHEN THE CAR HEAD JUST OVER 80,000 MILES AND WE WERE TOLD IT WAS A SOFTWARE ISSUE BUT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY.. THIS DOES NOT SEEM LIKE IT SHOULD BE EXPIRED AS IT IS AN ISSUE WITH THE CAR AND SHOULD BE A RELATIVELY EASY FIX AND NOT HAVE TO PAY $400 TO HAVE IT DONE
Steering, Aug 6, 2020
ON 7/22/2020, AFTER FILLING UP AT GAS STATION, STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND EPS LIGHT CAME ON. RESTARTED CAR 4 TIMES AND STILL LOCKED. WHEN TOW TRUCK ARRIVED AN HOUR LATER, CAR DROVE AND STEERED FINE. TOWED TO BERGMAN ACURA IN APPLETON, WI AND THEY FOUND NO PROBLEMS. PICKED UP CAR ON 7/27/2020. IT DROVE FINE FOR 2 DAYS. AFTER BEING PARKED IN A FRIEND'S DRIVEWAY FOR 2 HOURS ON 7/29/2020, UPON STARTING STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND EPS LIGHT CAME ON. HAD IT TOWED AGAIN TO BERGSTROM ACURA AND THEY SAID EPS SYSTEM WAS FRIED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Wheels, Jul 28, 2020
THE STEERING AND THE WHEELS LOCK WHEN TURNING. IT GOES INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING
Suspension, Jun 17, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON APPROACHING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO METRO HONDA (540 NJ-440, JERSEY CITY, NJ 07305) FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000.
Steering, Mar 10, 2020
VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN THE #2 LANE OF THE FREEWAY DUE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC. A LANE CHANGE WAS MADE TO THE LEFT (TO THE #1 LANE) FROM A STOP. AFTER EXITING THE LANE THE STEERING WAS SLOW TO RESPOND WHEN TRYING TO STRAIGHTEN OUT (TURNING RIGHT) AND ALMOST RESULTED IN HITTING THE CENTER DIVIDER.
Power train, Feb 4, 2020
TRANSMISSON FEELS LIKE IT SLIPS,SHIMMYS, TACHOMETER JUMPS UP AND DOWN 600 OR MORE RPS UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATING AND STEADY THROTTLE IN2,3,AND SOMETIMES 4TH GEAR. DEALER PRIME ACURA WESTWOOD MASSACHUSETTS CLAIMS CAR REQUIRES EXTRA MAINTENANCE TO BE CONSIDERED UNDER WARRANTY AND VOIDED ISSUE TELLING HONDA NOT TO FIX TROUBLE AS BRAKE FLUSH, REAR AXLE GEAR LUBE CHANGES NOT DONE AND PAID TO DEALER.THIS IS S A NON WARRANTY SERVICE DEALER CLAIMS IS NEEDED TO MAINTAIN WARRANTY SERVICE ,THUS TELLING HONDA TO VOID THE WARRANTY. I PROVIDED MULTIPLE TSB'S TO DEALER BUT THEY REFUSE SERVICE AS I REPEATEDLY REFUSED TO PAY FOR NON WARRANTY, NOT REQUIRED SERVICES TO DEALER. PLEASE NOTE HONDA HAS PUBLISHED TSB'S THAT I HAD PROVIDED TO PRIME ACURA AT THE TIME SERVICE WAS REQUESTED, I WAS INFORMED I MUST PAY FOR SERVICES BEFORE THIS ISSUE WOULD BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE ACURA/HONDA 6 YEAR DRIVETRAIN WARRANTY REQUEST.
Exterior lighting, Jan 14, 2020
DRIVERS SIDE REAR TAILLIGHT ON QUARTER PANEL. SEALS FAILED AND FILLED WITH WATER RENDERING DRIVING LIGHT TO MALFUNCTION. TOLD DEALER ABOUT PROBLEM AND THEY SAID RECALL ONLY AFFECTED INNER REAR HATCH LIGHTS. CAR IS GARAGED ITS WHOLE LIFE. CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. MUST HAVE HAPPENED MUCH PREVIOUSLY THAN NOTICED AT DEALER.