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: structure
8 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Jan 16, 2025
Paint peeling on roof (white diamond pearl paint).
Structure, Mar 18, 2024
See attached letter for complaint
Structure, Apr 9, 2020
I WAS DRIVING 80 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD GARNISH FLEW OFF THE CAR. AFTER INSPECTION, IT APPEARS THE CLIPS THAT HOLD THE GARNISH ON WERE BROKEN.
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".
Structure, Other or unspecified, Aug 10, 2015
1.TAIL GATE ISSUE: AFTER PURCHASING THE BRAND NEW ACURA MDX, NEXT MORNING I SAW TAIL GATE WAS OPEN BY ITSELF. I ASSUMED I MIGHT HAVE UNKNOWINGLY PUSHED THE WRONG BUTTON. FEW WEEKS LATER, MY WIFE SAW THE TAIL GATE OPEN IN HER GARAGE. WE AGAIN THOUGHT SOMETHING ON OUR END. FEW WEEKS LATER, MY WIFE'S CO WORKER SENDS HER TEXT SHOWING THE TAIL GATE BEING OPEN , WHILE MY WIFE WAS NOT PRESENT IN THE BUILDING. IN ONE OCCASION WHEN I WAS AT TARGET, I CAME OUT SAW MY TAILGATE OPEN. AT LEAST 8 OCCURRENCES HAD TAKEN PLACE IN LAST 8 MONTHS. AND ACURA HAS BEEN UNABLE TO LOCATE THE ISSUE. 2.BODY ISSUE FEW MONTHS LATER WE NOTICED THE VEHICLE'S EXTERIOR STARTED TO SEPARATE FROM ITS BODY. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE ACURA MCCHURCHILL , FORTWORTH. THEY SAID THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH HOW MANUFACURERS APPLIED THE GLUE. AND PROMISED THE ROOT PROBLEM IS RECOGNIZED AND FIXED. AFTER 2 WEEKS, THE INTERIOR WAS SEPARATING OUT FROM THE BODY. WE HAVE OUR CHILD IN OUR CAR, AT THIS POINT WE DID NOT FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. WE TOOK THE CAR TO ACURA MCCHURCHILL , FORTHWORTH, THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE ISSUE. WE REQUESTED THEM TO EXCHANGE OUR CAR TO ANY OTHER USED CAR, SAME YEAR MAKE/MODEL/MILEAGE.THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THEY HAVE 2016 MODEL, WE CAN LEAVE OUR CAR AND BUY NEW CAR. BY THAT TIME THEY HAD CLEARLY SEEN OUR FEAR OF DRIVING THE OLD CAR. THEY TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE SITUATION AND PROVIDED OPTION-EITHER BUY A NEW CAR OR TAKE THE UNSAFE CAR. THE STATEMENT THEIR SALES REPRESENTATIVE MADE WAS "SOMEONE HAS TO TAKE THE LOSS, WE CANT TAKE IT ALL" KBB VALUE WAS $40,000.00. THEY GAVE US $34000.00 AS THE TRADE VALUE.THEY KEPT SAYING "YOU ARE GETTING 2016 CAR" BUT THE PRICE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 2015 AND 2016 IS ONLY 150 DOLLARS. AND WE DID NOT NEED A NEW CAR. WE JUST NEEDED A SAFE CAR. WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY OTHER CHOICE EXCEPT BUYING NEW CAR AND BE SAFE ON THE ROAD.
Structure, May 30, 2015
I OWN A 2015 ACURA MDX THAT IS THREE MONTHS OLD AND IT HAS 4000 MILES ON IT. I WAS DRIVING THIS CAR EARLY IN THE MORNING WHEN I PRESSED THE BUTTON TO OPEN THE MOONROOF, IT VIOLENTLY EXPLODED CAUSING GLASS TO SHOWER UPON ME. I HAVE SUFFERED CUTS ON MY HAND AND ON MY HEAD AS A RESULT OF THIS. I HAVE CONTACTED TWO DIFFERENT HOUSTON ACURA DEALERS ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO FIX THE REPAIR AS ACURA WILL NOT APPROVE THE REPAIR COST. ONE DEALER EVEN ADMITTED THAT ACURA IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. I WISH THAT ACURA WOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND RESOLVE THE ISSUE PROMPTLY. IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR WOULD HAVE INJURED MY CHILDREN AS WELL IF THEY WERE PRESENT IN THE CAR.
Structure, Nov 12, 2014
MY NEW 2015 MDX HAS AN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED ROOF PANEL OR IMPROPERLY PLACED MOUNTING POINTS THAT ARE PART OF THE ROOF PANEL. I FOUND THE PROBLEM BECAUSE OF A GAPS BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR ROOF MOLDINGS, THE WINDSHIELD AND FRONT MOLDING AND THE REAR MOLDING WAS UNSECURED, FLAPPING AND HANGING OVER TOWARDS THE TAILGATE DOOR. I WAS INITIALLY TOLD THAT IT WAS JUST A BROKEN CLIP BUT AFTER ORDERING NEW CLIPS AND NEW MOLDINGS SEVERAL TIMES THEY DETERMINED THAT THE MOUNTING DOWELS ARE IN THE WRONG PLACE ON ONE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THEY SUGGEST I LET THEM CUT, WELD AND REPAINT THE ROOF OF MY BRAND NEW MDX. IT HAS TAKEN ACURA ALMOST 4 MONTHS TO REACH THIS DECISION. MY CAR HAS BEEN THE SHOP OVER THREE WEEKS IN COMBINED DAYS. MY CONCERN ASIDE FROM HAVING MY NEW VEHICLE REPAINTED IS THAT IF THEIR AUTOMATED ASSEMBLY PROCESS CAUSED THIS DEFECT WHAT OTHER DEFECTS MIGHT HAVE BEEN CAUSED AT THE SAME TIME AND HAVE NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED. HOW DID THIS VEHICLE PASS ACURA'S QUALITY CONTROL? WHAT COULD BE THE CONSEQUENCE OF THESE POTENTIAL DEFECTS. ACURA HAS DONE NOTHING TO EXPLAIN OR DETERMINE IF THERE COULD BE OTHER ISSUES THAT MIGHT EFFECT THE SAFETY OR LONGEVITY OF THE VEHICLE. THEY DID NOT EVEN ENGINEER THE SOLUTION THEMSELVES, THEY HAD A LOCAL BODY SHOP DETERMINE HOW TO RELOCATE THE INCORRECTLY INSTALLED PARTS.. I HAVE FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH ACURA CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND THEY HAVE REFUSED TO PROVIDE A WRITTEN RESPONSE OR A DETAILED WRITTEN EXPLANATION OF THE PROPOSED WORK TO BE DONE. THE CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT SHOULD BE CALLED ACURA DEFENSE DEPARTMENT. I HAD HOPED THAT THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FILED ON THIS SITE AND ELSEWHERE REGARDING THE 2014 MDX ASSEMBLY PROBLEMS WOULD BE RESOLVED IN THE 2015 MODEL. NO SUCH LUCK. BUYER BEWARE UNLESS YOU ARE READY TO HAVE YOUR BRAND NEW MDX REPAINTED! *TR