2015 Acura MDX
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 71 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 17th highest complaint count among 24 MDX model years with reports.
Of the 2015 reports, 5 involved a crash and 2 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
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assemblyJun 9, 2016
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura MDX 2WD and MDX 4WD vehicles, 2016 Acura MDX 4WD vehicles, 2015-2016 Honda Odyssey vehicles, and 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD and 4WD vehicles. The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that were manufactured with insufficient welds which may separate and allow fuel to leak out.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tanks, free of charge. Owners may contact Honda/Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. The recall began on July 29, 2016. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA9 (Honda vehicles) and KB0 (Acura vehicles).
Campaign 16V417000 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
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
15 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Feb 23, 2026
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2015 Acura MDX. It was later discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 82,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 167,000.
Electrical system, Nov 19, 2025
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2015 Acura MDX. The contact stated that upon retrieving the Carfax report of the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 105,000, and the mileage on the Carfax report was 215,000 in July 2025. The MVA was contacted and referred the contact to the Police Department, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 26, 2024
For the last 50k miles we've taken our Acura MDX to the dealership for regular oil changes. Almost every visit results in a bad battery. We've had the dealership replace a side mirror due to the electrical and several batteries as well. They've kept it for several days diagnosing issues but haven't to this day found out what's wrong with it. Now my back taillight stopped working, we bought another one and replaced it for it to work for a couple months and stop working again. Now we've taken it to another place for diagnosing, they have said the inter taillight assembly and wiring needs replaced. Seems like this has been the issue the entire 6 yrs we've been complaining. The dealership says they took care of the problem already, clearly this is a safety issue when driving at night especially. Having a taillight that works off and on is not my idea of safe or "fixed" according to the dealership.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 10, 2018
VEHICLE STOPS ACCELERATING WHILE DRIVING AND LOSES POWER WITHOUT WARNING. MULTIPLE ENGINE LIGHTS GO OFF: CHECK ENGINE, EMISSION SYSTEM PROBLEM, ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM PROBLEM, POWER STEERING SYSTEM EPS PROBLEM, VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST VSA PROBLEM, HILL START ASSIST PROBLEM, TRAILER STABILITY ASSIST PROBLEM. CAR STARTS SMOKING EXCESSIVELY. RETURNED TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES IN JUST A FEW DAYS AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM APPEARS TO RESOLVE AND THEN RETURNS AFTER DRIVING NO MORE THAN 10 MILES. INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE IN 45 MPH SPEED ZONES WHERE WE HAD THE ABILITY TO PULL OVER AND GET OUT OF TRAFFIC. THIS WILL BE CATASTROPHIC IF DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AS THE EFFECT OF THIS MALFUNCTION IS EQUIVALENT TO HITTING THE BREAKS WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED. CAR IS CURRENTLY BACK WITH THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE 3RD TIME IN 4 DAYS. ACURA MDX DRIVERS SHOULD BE ALERTED TO THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY - IT HAPPENS WITH NO WARNING.
Electrical system, Structure, Sep 11, 2018, fire
VEHICLE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS THROUGHOUT THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, WHICH THE DEALERSHIP WAS VISITED FOR REPEATEDLY. THESE PROBLEMS OCCURRED WHEN THE WEATHER WAS VERY COLD, USUALLY BELOW ZERO (F), AND INVOLVED MULTIPLE DISFUNCTIONAL SENSORS ALL DISPLAYING INOPERATIVE. WHEN THESE SENSORS DISPLAYED ERRORS, THAT COMPONENT OF THE CAR WOULD NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY. (ONE TIME THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE COLLISION MITIGATING SYSTEM, AND THE BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED ON AN ICY ROAD AT FULL SPEED--ANOTHER THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AWD WHICH TURNED THE VEHICLE INTO A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION). DEALERSHIP DISCOVERED AFTER MULTIPLE VISITS, AND WHEN WE TOLD THEM WE WERE GOING TO TRY TO PURSUE A LEMON LAW PROTECTION ON THE VEHICLE, THAT IT WAS A POWER CONTROL MODULE THAT WAS BAD. THIS WAS REPLACED. VEHICLE RAN MOSTLY ERROR FREE FOR SOME TIME AFTER. ON THE MORNING OF 2/15/2018, THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED IN ORDER TO WARM UP. WHILE PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE SOMEWHERE BEHIND THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. WE PUT THE FIRE OUT USING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THANKFULLY, I WAS NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE AS I WOULD HAVE BEEN 5 MINUTES LATER, AS I HAD NO FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN THE CAR; AND ALSO THANKFULLY THERE WAS NOT GOING TO BE A PASSENGER IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING, AS THE FLASH WAS IMMEDIATE AND INTENSE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. FURTHER, IT DID NOT CATCH OUR HOUSE OR SHOP ON FIRE WHEN IT WENT, AS IT COULD HAVE. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. DOCUMENTATION OF NUMEROUS PROBLEMS (RECEIPTS OF VISITS TO DEALERSHIP) AND PHOTOS OF DAMAGE TO CAR AFTER FIRE ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
Electrical system, Structure, Other or unspecified, Aug 12, 2018
AUTOMATIC SAFETY DOOR RELOCK FAULTY. THE REMOTE WAS USED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE REAR DOOR WAS OPENED AND THE BABY WAS PLACED IN THE CAR SEAT. THE DIAPER BAG WAS THEN PLACED ON THE FLOOR OF THE BACK SEAT. DOORS AUTOMATICALLY RE-LOCKED AFTER 30 SECONDS WITH BABY AND CAR KEYS STUCK INSIDE. 911 WAS CALLED TO RESCUE THE BABY AND BUST OPEN THE DOOR. THIS SHOULD ABSOLUTELY NEVER HAPPEN. AFTER CHANGING THE SETTINGS TO 90 SECONDS, THE CAR STILL LOCKS AT 30. ACURA DENIES HEARING THIS HAPPEN. ACURA SAYS THERE IS NO WAY TO DISABLE THIS "FEATURE".
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 25, 2018
WHEN OPENING THE AUTOMATIC TRUNK IT STARTS COMING AND FALLING DOWN RAPIDLY AS TO ALMOST HAVE OUR HEADS TRAPPED. IT'S A DEATH AND INJURY AWAITING TO HAPPEN. I HAVE CONTACTED BOTH ACURA DEALERSHIP AND ACURA CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY REFUSE TO NOTATE THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND RESOLVE. THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR A NEW PART WHEN IN NO WAY DID WE CAUSE THIS MALFUNCTION TO OCURR.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 16, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LED HEADLAMPS FAILED TO FUNCTION IN GENERAL AND DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE DEALER (MIKE HALE ACURA, 5601 STATE ST, MURRAY, UT 84107, (801) 263-0202) WAS CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES TO REACH THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE A SOLUTION. THE SERVICE CENTER MANAGER STATED THAT HE WOULD FURTHER ADDRESS THE MATTER; HOWEVER, AN APPOINTMENT HAD NOT YET BEEN SCHEDULED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 23, 2018
I WAS APPROACHING THE RED LIGHT ABOUT MAKE COMPLETE STOP , SUDDENLY MY CAR SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND THEN THE ENGINES SHUT OFF, I HAVE TO PUT IT BACK INTO PARK START UP AGAIN, I START FOR COUPLES TIME BEFORE IT LET ME ENGAGE TO DRIVE MODE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER THEY CHECK BUT THEY FOUND NOTHING. FEW DAYS LATER IT HAPPEN AGAIN.
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 4, 2018
THREE MONTHS AFTER OWNING THIS 2015 MDX MY POWER STEERING FAILED AS I WAS DRIVING (EPS FAILURE) AND MAKING A LEFT TURN. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER STEERING MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THIS SAME EPS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED 4 TIMES WITHIN 11 MONTHS WITH THE VEHICLE, ALWAYS WHEN TURNING LEFT. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 33,000 MILES, THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 15,000 MILES ON IT. TWICE THIS HAPPENED IN PARKING LOTS AND TWICE IT HAPPENED WHEN DRIVING ON MAJOR ROADS WHILE TURNING. IT HAD TO BE TOWED ALL 4 TIMES AS THIS RENDERS IT UNDRIVEABLE AND UNSAFE.
Electrical system, Aug 30, 2017
KEYLESS ENTRY COMMUNICATION ISSUE ON 2015 ACURA MDX FOR REFERENCE, KEY FOB LOCATED IN PURSE. PURSE DRAPED OVER RIGHT SHOULDER AND RESTING AGAINST THE CAR DOOR, KEY FOB NOT SITTING NEXT TO A CELL PHONE. KEYLESS ENTRY WILL NOT UNLOCK WHEN HANDLE PULLED OR LOCK WHEN BUTTON ON DOOR HANDLED PUSHED WITH INDEX FINGER. TO SOLVE, KEY FOB MUST BE PULLED OUT OF MY PURSE AND LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON PRESSED. MY PURSE MUST BE PLACED AGAINST THE TAILGATE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM FOR THE SENSOR TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE SIGNAL AND UNLOCK. MY KEY IS IN EXACTLY THE SAME LOCATION IT WAS THE THREE YEARS I OWNED MY 2013 AUDI Q5. NO PROBLEMS WITH KEYLESS ENTRY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF I NEED TO GET INTO MY CAR QUICKLY (E.G. DUE TO BEING FOLLOWED, FEELING UNSAFE IN A PARTICULAR LOCATION, NIGHTTIME IN A DARK PARKING LOT, PUTTING KIDS AND GROCERIES IN THE CAR, ETC.). I HAVE PUT ITEMS DOWN ON GROUND OR IN CART, UNZIP PURSE AND GET KEY FOB OUT. DEALER REFUSING TO FIX PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY CANNOT REPLICATE. REFERENCE NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10945870; 10759256; 10725514
Electrical system, Service brakes, Visibility/wiper, Jan 17, 2017
OUR MDX HAS HAD NUMEROUS INFOTAINMENT ISSUES. THE TAILGATE WILL OPEN WITHOUT BEING PRESENT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK ON OCCASION ON DRIVERS SIDE WITH KEY FOB. WIPERS WILL COME ON WITHOUT ANY MOISTURE ON VARIOUS TIMES. BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WILL COME ON WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT ANY TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. REAR BRAKES WILL HANG UP AND THEN RELEASE WHILE MOVING SLOWLY. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 3, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 25, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS IF THE CELL PHONE AND KEYLESS FOB WERE IN THE SAME LOCATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN EXPLAINED THAT SOME CELL PHONES MIGHT INTERFERE WITH THE KEYLESS SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE KEYLESS SYSTEM. HOWEVER, THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT THE PROPER REMEDY WOULD BE FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. UPDATED 11/09/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. ONLY REAR DOORS OPENED, WITH THE TAILGATE HAVING LITTLE MINOR ISSUES. UPDATED 1/25/2015 *JS *CN
Electrical system, Jun 16, 2015
THE OWNER'S GUIDE OF THE VEHICLE SAYS: "TO LOCK: PRESS THE DOOR LOCK BUTTON ON ANY FRONT (OR REAR) DOOR HANDLE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OFF. IF THE REMOTE TRANSMITTER IS INSIDE THE VEHICLE, THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK." BUT ON 5/20/15, AFTER MY SISTER PLACED HER 6 MONTH OLD BABY IN THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT IN THE BACK OF THE PARKED ACURA AND WAS READY TO DRIVE OFF, ALL DOORS WERE LOCKED WITH BABY AND THE REMOTE TRANSMITTER INSIDE THE VEHICLE. 911 WAS CALLED AND FIREFIGHTERS BROKE THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW TO SAVE THE BABY FROM OVERHEATING. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO ACURA WHO SAID IT WAS A NORMAL BEHAVIOR, EVEN THOUGH ITS OWNER'S GUIDE SAYS THE OPPOSITE. ACURA PEOPLE SAID THEY HAD A VIDEO SHOWING THE DOORS WOULD LOCK WITH THE REMOTE TRANSMITTER INSIDE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THAT WAS NOT PUBLIC INFORMATION. THAT MAKES ME WONDER - IF THE REMOTE TRANSMITTER CAN BE LOCKED INSIDE A PARKED VEHICLE, WHY DO THEY SAY "IF THE REMOTE TRANSMITTER IS INSIDE THE VEHICLE, THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK." IN THE OWNER'S GUIDE? I WOULD THINK THAT EITHER THEY PUT A WRONG STATEMENT IN THE OWNER GUIDE OR THEY DON'T WANT TO ADMIT THE DEFECTIVE LOCKING SYSTEM. ...UPDATED 07/30/15 *BF UPDATED 10/23/2017*CN