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: steering
8 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Jun 28, 2020
WHEN TURNING SLOWLY (IE PARKING LOTS), THERE IS KNOCKING/CREAKING SOUND HEARD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. DEALER CONFIRMED NOISE BUT NOT ABLE TO SAY EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG OR WHY OTHER THAN TO SAY THAT IT NEEDS FRONTS AXLES ON BOTH SIDES REPLACED AT COST OF $1200+. IN MY OPINION, THEY DIDN'T PROPERLY DIAGNOSE IT (AND REALLY ARE JUST GUESSING AT PROBLEM). THEY ONLY TEST DROVE IT AND THAT IS NOT ONLY WAY TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE. IT APPEARS TO BE A PRODUCT QUALITY ISSUE IN MANUFACTURING. THE CAR IS 5 YEARS OLD AND HAS 70,000 MILES. ALL SIGNS SHOWED THAT IT HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF BY PREVIOUS OWNER AND NOW BY ME. I HAVE HAD IT FOR ABOUT YEAR WHEN IT HAD 65000 MILE. AT THIS STAGE OF ITS LIFE, IT SHOULD NOT NEED AXLES REPLACED. IF THIS WAS A GM CAR, I'D SAID THAT'S PROBABLY TRUE BUT THIS IS AN ACURA WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. THE CAR HAS NOT EVEN BEEN BROKEN INTO AT THIS MILEAGE.
Steering, Jan 19, 2020
ON 01/18/2020. I CAN NOT START MY 2015 ACURA MDX ANYMORE WHEN I WAS ON THE WALMART PARKING LOT, POWER STEERING SYSTEM ( EPS) PROBLEM " LIGHT WAS ON, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP. THE CAR HAS 61,035 MILES.
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
Steering, Other or unspecified, Jan 3, 2019
1. ENGINE EMMISION PROBLEM INDIACTOR - ACURA MAINTANANCE PERSONAL TOLD ME THAT THE WARNING IS BECAUSE OF THE CATALYST SYSTEM EFFICIENCY IS BELOW THRESHOLD NUMBERS AND THEY GOING ADJUST THE SOFTWARE TO INCREASE THE THRESHOLD AND I SHOULD PAY FOR THE UPDATE. 2. STEERING COLUMN SCREECHES OR SQUEALS WHEN IT IS ADJUSTED.
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.
Steering, Sep 8, 2017
POWER STEERING SYSTEM (EPS) PROBLEM. STEERING JAMMED. VERY HARD TO STEER.
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.
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.