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: power train
12 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Forward collision avoidance, May 12, 2022
TRANSMISSION SLIPS,AND HESITATES TO SHIFT NORMALLY AND THEN GOES NORMAL AGAIN. VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WHEN THIS OCCURED ,IT HAPPENED WHILE CRUSING AT 35 MPH, AND AT 50 MPH, STREET ,AND HIGHWAY. I HAVE TAKEN IT INTO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES TO FIND THE ISSUE AND ANYWAYS END UP WITH NO ANSWERS, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND MULTIPLE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUES WITH THEIR VEHICLE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH 25,000 MILES AND IT NOW HAS 125,000 PROBLEM HAS NOT GOTTEN BETTER OR WORSE HAS BEEN THE SAME. THE BRAKE WARNING ALSO POPS UP RANDOMLY WHEN NO OTHER CARS ARE NEAR.
Power train, Dec 1, 2021
Torque converter shutter at speeds of 30mph - 45mph causing erratic acceleration fluctuations. I addressed the concern with the dealership at around 72,000 miles (just out of manufacturers warranty). I told there was a fluid recall. They changed the fluid which remedies the issue. The transmission fluid has to be changed every 5,000-10,000 for the vehicle to perform with a less noticeable transmission shudder. Manufacturers recommends changing every 30,000 miles to prevent transmission slipping. I did contact Acura and they dismissed my concerns, stating I drove the vehicle too much. After researching online this seems to be a common concern/problem other Acura MDX owners are experiencing.
Suspension, Power train, May 1, 2021
WHILE CAR IS SHIFTING IDLE HANGS AND SHUTTERS AROUND 1600-2000 RPM. LEFT FRONT AND REAR SHOCKS HAVE LOUD NOISES WHEN TRAVELING OVER BUMPS.
Power train, Dec 13, 2020
APPEARS TO HAVE ISSUES SHIFTING FROM D4 TO D5 OR WHILE IN D5. ROUGHLY AROUND 1.6K RPM THE VEHICLE SOUNDS LIKE IT IS DRIVING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS. I THINK IT MIGHT BE A TORQUE CONVERTER PROBLEM.
Power train, Aug 11, 2020
TRANSMISSION SLIPS ,AND HESITATES TO SHIFT NORMALLY AND THEN GOES NORMAL AGAIN. VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WHEN THIS OCCURED ,IT HAPPENED WHILE CRUSING AT 35 MPH, AND AT 50 MPH, STREET ,AND HIGHWAY. .
Power train, Sep 26, 2019
VEHICLE SHUDDERS AT 35-40 MPH, THE SHUDDERING IS HARDER WHEN GOING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE. IT SEEMS THAT THE VEHICLE DOESN'T WANT TO SHIFT DOWN A GEAR. I HAVE TO EITHER LET GO OF THE GAS OR GIVE IT MORE GAS FOR THE SHUDDERING TO STOP.
Steering, Power train, Jan 13, 2019
BOUGHT OUR 2015 ACURA MDX LESS THEN 6 MONTHS AGO FROM A CERTIFIED USED ACURA DEALER. LAST WEEK, THE EMS, POWER STEERING AND TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. CAR STAYS IN FIRST GEAR AND JERKS WHILE DRIVING. SPEEDOMETER IS WEIRD. BROUGHT TO ACURA DEALER, OF COURSE THE LIGHTS WERE OFF BY THEN. WAS TOLD WE NEED TO DO SPECIAL TRANSMISSION FLUSH. A WEEK LATER LIGHTS ARE LOL BACK ON! I DRIVE MY KIDS TO AND FROM SCHOOL AND DON'T FEEL SAFE ANYMORE WITH MY CAR
Power train, Nov 5, 2018
CAR STARTED TO DRIVE 'JUMPY', THE LOCAL SHOP DID DIAGNOSE A TRANSMISSION ISSUE ABOUT WHICH ACURA HAD A SERVICE BULLETIN- AT LOW SPEED OR AT SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAR WOULD DRIVE UNEVEN, INTERRUPTED; AT CONSTANT HWY SPEED THERE WOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON EMISSION SYSTEM PROBLEM. LOCAL SHOP DID REGULAR MAINTAINENCE AS THE SERVICE LIGHT HAD TURNED ON, DIAGNOSED THE FAULT IN CONCORDANCE TO ACURA'S OWN SERVICE BULLETIN HOWEVER UPON TRAVEL TO ACURA DEALERSHIP THIS WAS 'NOT REPRODUCIBLE'. UPON RETURNING HOME CAR STARTED AGAIN TO INTERRUPT WITHOUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. DIAL OF RPM JUMPS UP AND DOWN WITHOUT REMAINING EVEN ATA CONSTANT SPEED. CAR HAS NEW SPARK PLUGS, OIL, FILTERS, HOWEVER THE LOCAL SHOP HAS DEFERRED THE REST FOR THE DEALERSHIP. ACURA DEALER IN SAVANNAH EXPLAINED THAT THE ISSUE IS IN FACT NOT A 'RECALL' AND I SHOULD BRING THE CAR BACK IF IT DOES THE SAME. HOWEVER PER BULLETIN THE COVERAGE LASTS FOR CARS UP TO 80K MILES AND MINE STARTED THIS AT 79+ AND BY THE TIME I WOULD DRIVE BACK TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP IT WOULD PROBABLY EXCEED 80K MILES, WHICH THEY SAID THEY WOULD TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION SHOULD THIS RECUR. OBVIOUSLY THE ISSUE IS KNOWN BUT BECAUSE IT IS NOT A OFFICIAL 'RECALL' THEY WOULD DO NOTHING.
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.
Power train, Aug 11, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 ACURA MDX. AFTER PARKING ON AN INCLINE, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A GARAGE WALL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED TWO FRACTURED RIBS AND CONTUSIONS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. UPDATED 09/20/16 *BF UPDATED 09/26/16.8JB
Power train, Jan 31, 2016
TRANSMISSION JERKS (BADLY) AROUND 3RD GEAR, IN LOW SPEED.
Power train, Oct 20, 2014
THE ACURA MDX 2015 CAN BE TURNED OFF WHILE IN DRIVE AND THE CAR ROLLS BACKWARDS AS IF IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION. PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE AND FORGET TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK, BUT PUSH THE ENGINE START BUTTON TO TURN OFF THE CAR. THE CAR WILL ROLL BACKWARDS. THE CAR DOES NOT LOCK INTO PLACE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN IF A PERSON WAS BEHIND THE CAR THEY WOULD GET RUN OVER. THE ACURA CORPORATE OFFICE TOOK THE INFORMATION AND TOLD ME TO CALL THE DEALER. THE DEALER SAID THAT THIS IS A KNOWN FEATURE OF THE NEW CAR. *TR