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: service brakes
6 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Seats, Service brakes, Apr 25, 2017
OUR 2015 ACURA MDX HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP 8 TIMES. OUR VEHICLE HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE FOR APPROXIMATELY 64 DAYS TOTAL. IT HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR ELECTRICAL GLITCHES STARTING WITH SEATS, STEERING WHEEL, GPS AND FOR RAUTOMATIC BRAKING ISSUES. STEERING WHEEL AND POWER SEATS REPEATEDLY NOT SETTING TO APPROPRIATE KEY FOB SETTINGS. CAR HAS BEEN TO DEALER FOR THIS ISSUE 4 TIMES. DEALER UNABLE TO REPRODUCE ISSUE OR SHOW "TROUBLE CODES" UNTIL 4TH TIME IN SHOP. THE NEXT GLITCH MOVED INTO THE GPS SYSTEM AND CONTROLS ON GPS SCREEN. THE SCREEN REMAINED BRIGHT AT NIGHT. THE CONTROLS DISAPPEARED FROM SCREEN. THIS WAS VIDEO RECORDED. THE DEALER STATED THIS MUST HAVE BEEN A GLITCH. THE DEALER STATED UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE GLITCH. THE DEALER STATED NO "TROUBLE CODE" DETECTED ALTHOUGH IT WAS CLEARLY VIDEO RECORDED WITH DATE. THE VEHICLE LOCKED THE BRAKES UP WHILE IN OPERATION WITH NO VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE OPERATOR WAS NEARLY IN A REAR END COLLISION HAD THE DRIVER BEHIND NOT BEEN FOLLOWING AT A SAFE DISTANCE. ON THE NEXT OCCASION, WHILE AT A RED LIGHT STOPPED, THE "BRAKE" WARNING CAME ON. THIS WARNING IS DESIGNED TO COME ON WHEN IN MOTION. OPERATOR WAS CONCERNED IF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN MOTION AGAIN IT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BRAKE SUDDENLY. THESE INCIDENCES COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THE DEALERSHIP SIMPLY STATED THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE EVENT AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. OWNER SENT RECALL ARTICLES AS IT RELATED TO BRAKING ISSUE BUT WAS INFORMED VEHICLE DID NOT FALL UNDER RECALL. OWNER IS SIMPLY ILLUSTRATING WITH DETAILED NOTES AND VIDEOS THAT THE VEHICLE HAS ELECTRONIC ISSUES THAT VARY AND ULTIMATELY HAVE TURNED INTO SAFETY CONCERNS. OWNER WANTED "SAFETY CONCERN" TO BE DOCUMENTED IN WORK ORDER BUT DEALER DID NOT DOCUMENT THIS AS SUCH. REQUESTED DEALER PUT US IN A SAFE CAR OF EQUAL VALUE. THEY REFUSED.
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
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Dec 14, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED MOVEMENT AND THE BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION WHILE IDLED. THE VEHICLE THEN LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED DURING COLD WEATHER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,000. UPDATED 03/09/16*LJ; UPDATED 05/10/18*JB
Service brakes, Oct 26, 2015
I WAS DRIVING IN HOUSTON, GOING NORTH ON KIRBY DRIVE, WHICH IS A BUSY CITY STREET, AT APPROXIMATELY 4:30 PM ON MONDAY, OCT. 26, 2015. SHORTLY BEFORE I REACHED THE INTERSECTION OF KIRBY DR. AND SUNSET BLVD, I APPROACHED A STANDARD SIZED STEEL SHEET/PLATE IN THE ROAD. THE BRAKE ALERT FLASHED ON MY DASHBOARD. I IGNORED THE ALERT AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE, BECAUSE MY CAR WAS NOT IN DANGER OF HITTING ANYTHING. AS I GOT CLOSER TO THE STEEL PLATE, THE VEHICLE'S COLLISION MITIGATION BRAKING SYSTEM APPLIED THE BRAKES ON ITS OWN, I ASSUME BECAUSE IT PERCEIVED THE STEEL PLATE TO BE A COLLISION THREAT. I HAD NO CONTROL OVER MY SUV, AND THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO TO RESUME NORMAL ACCELERATION. THE COLLISION MITIGATION BRAKING SYSTEM ONLY DISENGAGED ONCE THE SUV WAS DIRECTLY ON TOP OF THE STEEL PLATE. MY CHILDREN AND I NARROWLY AVOIDED A REAR-END COLLISION. AT THE TIME, BECAUSE THE CITY STREET WAS SO BUSY, I WAS ONLY TRAVELING 20-25 MPH, AS WERE THE OTHER CARS AROUND ME. I FEAR WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT HIGHER SPEEDS. MANY HOUSTON ROADS, INCLUDING OUR BUSY HIGHWAYS, HAVE STEEL PLATES COVERING ROAD REPAIR PROJECTS. I AM AFRAID THE BRAKES WILL ENGAGE SPONTANEOUSLY ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP SHORTLY AFTER THE INCIDENT OCCURRED, I WAS INFORMED THAT UNLESS THERE IS AN ACTIVE SIGNAL ON MY CAR SHOWING THE NEED FOR SOME KIND OF SERVICE, THE DEALERSHIP WON'T BE ABLE TO FIX OR IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. SUPPOSEDLY, MY VEHICLE WAS SUBJECT TO THE MAY 20, 2015 FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE RECALL INVOLVING THE 2015 ACURA MDX COLLISION MITIGATION BRAKING SYSTEM (NHTSA CAMPAIGN #15V301000). THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT IT ADDRESSED THE RECALL ISSUE AS A PART OF MY AUGUST 2015 CHECKUP, AND THAT AS A RESULT, MY VEHICLE MET ALL STANDARDS. I NOTE THAT MY COMPLAINT IS NOT THE ONLY ONE PERTAINING TO THIS ISSUE (SEE NHTSA ID #10763775). THE RECALL FIX MAY NOT HAVE WORKED.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Sep 15, 2015
AFTER THE RECALL OF COLLISON MIGRATION BRAKING SYSTEM (CMBS). WITH THE NEW RECALL SOFTWARE. THE MDX STOPS OR APPLY THE BRAKING ON THE FREEWAY. THIS IS A CONTINUES TO THIS DAY. THE DEALERSHIP HAD THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK. THEY SAID THAT IT COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP PUT OVER 250 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM APPLING THE BRAKES GOING FROM CONCREATE TO ASPHALT WITH SPEEDS OVER 50 MILES PER HOUR. I HAVE TO REACT TO EACH BRAKING QUICKLY. IT ALSO HAPPENS IF THEIR IS A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD LIKE A VERY SMALL SPEED BUMP. SOMETIMES OVER THE SAME AREA I WOULD GET THE BRAKING ALERT FLASHING ON THE HEADS UP DISPLAY. SOMETIMES THE BRAKING LIGHT HAPPENS WITH SEAT BELT JERKING BACK AND A CHANGE OF SPEED. ONLY ONCE SINCE I GOT MY VEHICLE BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP DID IT DO A FULL BRAKING. AND THERE WAS NO OTHER CARS IN FRONT OF ME JUST THE ROAD. I AM LUCKY TO HAVE NO ONE BEHIND ME WHEN THIS HAPPENS.
Service brakes, Jan 26, 2015, crash
UPON ENTERING A T-INTERSECTION WITH A STOP SIGN AT THE END OF OUR STREET THE BRAKES OF A 2015 ACURA MDX SH AWD WITH ONLY 2000 MILES WOULD NOT ENGAGE. WE WERE TRAVELING AT 50MPH AND DECREASED OUR SPEED TO 30MPH AS WE WERE COASTING, BUT COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE BRAKES WERE PUMPED TWICE AS WE DECELERATED (SO REST ASSURED THE GAS PEDAL WAS NOT BEING PRESSED BY MISTAKE), BUT TO NO AVAIL AND WITH NO WHERE TO GO AND NOT ENOUGH TIME TO DO MUCH MORE WE COLLIDED WITH A SEMI TRUCK. IT WAS A HORRIFIC ACCIDENT THAT TOTALED OUR CAR AS THE SECOND TRAILER TIRES RAN OVER OUR HOOD AS HE WAS DRIVING AT 60MPH. LUCKILY DUE TO HIS HIGH SPEED OUR VEHICLE WAS THROWN AND WE LANDED UPRIGHT AND ALL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHICH IS THE ONLY REASON WE ARE ALL ALIVE. IT WAS A COLD DECEMBER MORNING WITH BELOW ZERO TEMPERATURES. I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE OTHER ACCOUNTS WHERE BRAKE PEDALS ARE NOT WORKING IN THE COLD OR WHERE DRIVERS ARE PUMPING BRAKES 4-5 TIMES TO GET THEM TO ENGAGE, OR DRIVERS ARE TURNING THEIR CAR OFF. WE SADLY DID NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF REACTION TIME. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN 4 DEATHS AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ACURA LOOK INTO THEIR PLETHORA OF BRAKE PROBLEMS FURTHER AS THIS IS A BRAND NEW VEHICLE COMING OFF OF A BRAKE REDESIGN DUE TO THE EARLIER MODEL RECALL. *TR