2017 Acura MDX
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 255 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 24 MDX model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 7 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 4 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
Air bags, sensor, occupant classification, front passengerMay 21, 2026
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
Campaign 26V332000 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
Engine and engine cooling, engine, hard parts internal/mechanicalNov 13, 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-December 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early April 2024, 2019 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-May 2024, 2020 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-June 2024, and 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed January 27, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XG1 and GG0.
Campaign 23V751000 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, other, delivery, fuel pumpJan 29, 2019
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine. Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance.
Reduced fuel pump performance can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the fuel injection engine control unit (FI-ECU) software and, if necessary, replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019. Owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's recall number for this recall is P3W. Honda's recall number for this recall is N3X.
Campaign 19V060000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, disc, caliperNov 1, 2018
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Acura MDX, 2017-2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda HR-V and Honda Odyssey, and 2016 Honda HR-V vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating, causing gas pockets to form, reducing brake performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash.
Owners will be notified, and Honda or Acura dealers will bleed the brakes, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are C31 and L30.
Campaign 18V777000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: other or unspecified
30 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, May 29, 2018
ACURA MDX 2017 BOUGHT BRAND NEW. HAS SHUT OFF COMPLETELY 5 TIMES IN THE LAST 60DAYS. 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 DAYS. COME TO A STOP, ENTIRE CAR SHUTS OFF ALONG WITH ELECTRONICS. OCCURED THE LAST THREE TIMES AT AN INTERSECTION WAITING TO TURN LEFT OR AT A RED LIGHT. . CAN'T MOVE. HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR. DANGEROUS. I'VE TAKEN IT TO ACURA AND THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG. SERVICE TECH TOLD ME ANOTHER MDX OWNER IS HAVING SAME ISSUE.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 12, 2018
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AS I REDUCE SPEED, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATES WHEN I RELEASE THE BREAK TO START ACCELERATING AGAIN. THE ACCELERATION HAPPEN WHEN YOU ARE GOING AT SLOW SPEED. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IT HAD HAPPENED IN 4 OCCASIONS AND I HAD ATRIBUTED THE INCIDENT TO LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN DRIVING A NEW CAR. BECAUSE IT HAPPENED IN FRONT OF MY DAUGHTERS SCHOOL ' AND IN THEORY I COULD HAVE ACTUALLY KILLED A CHILD ' I PROMPTLY DELIVER IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. DURING THE TEST DRIVE WITH THE TECHNICIAN, THE CAR CHANGED GEARS FROM THE COMFORT MODE TO SPORT MODE ON ITS OWN. BECAUSE IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, THEY INFORMED ME THAT AN ENGINEER FROM ACURA WOULD COME AND INSPECT THE UNIT. AFTER A WEEK WITH MY CAR, THEY JUST DID AN UPDATE INTO THE TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE - AND INFORMED ME THEY WERE UNABLE TO RECREATE THE ISSUE. THIRTY THREE DAYS LATER' WHILE DROPPING MY DAD AT HIS DIALYSIS ' AT A TURN - THE CAR WENT FORM 3 MILES TO 25 MILES, AND IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT IT WAS 5:45 IN THE MORNING ' SINCE I COULD CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE CAUSE AN ACCIDENT CONSIDERING I ALMOST RAN A LIGHT. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND ON FEBRUARY 1, DROPPED AGAIN THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALERSHIP. 11 DAYS LATER I CALLED BACK TO FOLLOW UP AND WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT ACURA SHOULD HAVE CONTACTED ME ON FRIDAY FEBRUARY 9 TO LET ME KNOW THAT THEY WOULD BE SENDING AN ENGINEER TO CHECK THE VEHICLE AGAIN. OUR CONCERN IS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DOCUMENTED ON TWO PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS IN THIS FORUM, THAT CONSTITUTE A SERIOUS RISK FOR MY FAMILY AND COMMUNITY. AT 11:00 AM ON FEBRUARY 12 I HAVE YET TO HEAR FROM ACURA ALTHOUGH THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Jan 28, 2018
OCCASSIONALLY, THE YELLOW BRAKE ALERT GOES OFF WHEN DRIVING AROUND A RIGHT HAND BEND WITH A CAR COMING THE OTHER WAY. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO CHANCE OF A COLLISION WHERE BRAKING WAS NECESSARY. ALSO, I HAVE HAD ONCE INSTANCE WHERE THE CAR APPLIED THE BRAKES AND BROUGHT THE CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN IT WAS UNNECESSARY.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Dec 28, 2017
IT WAS 46 OUTSIDE WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN I-10. MY SUNROOF EXPLODED WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE. ONLY CAR ON INTERSTATE AT THE TIME. NOT PASSING UNDER OVERPASS OR FOLLOWING BEHIND ANY VEHICLE THAT COULD'VE THROWN ROCKS. THE BREAK IN THE SUNROOF WAS IN AN UPWARD FASHION, AS IF IT BROKE FROM THE INSIDE OUT (AS IF RELATED TO INCREASED PRESSURE). THE PIECE OF GLASS THAT WAS BROKEN WAS A LARGE SHEET, STILL INTACT. IT SEEMS IF AN OUTSIDE OBSTACLE (SUCH AS A ROCK OR DEBRIS) WOULD'VE CAUSED THE SUNROOF TO SHATTER, THE GLASS WOULD'VE BEEN IN MANY MORE PIECES/SHARDS. I TOOK IT TO MY DEALER WHO SAID IT 'MUST HAVE' BEEN A ROCK AND THEY WANTED ME TO FILE AN INSURANCE CLAIM. AFTER I REFUSED, THEY OFFERED ME A 'GOOD WILL WARRANTY' TO COVER THE COST BUT NEVER DID ADMIT THAT THIS ISSUE WAS MORE THAN LIKELY RELATED TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.
Other or unspecified, Apr 11, 2017
I WAS DRIVING 70MPH ON AZ STATE ROUTE 51. I HEARD A LOUD BANG, LIKE A GUN SHOT, AND A SUDDEN NOISE LIKE TURBULENT AIR AND HIGHWAY NOISE. AS I SLOWED THE VEHICLE I LOOKED AROUND TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY BROKEN WINDOWS WHICH THERE WEREN'T. PULLING OVER AND INSPECTING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED 2/3 OF THE MOONROOF WAS MISSING AND A FEW PEBBLES OF PLATE GLASS ON TOP OF THE INSIDE COVER. THE REMAINING GLASS WAS ANGLED UP LIKE IT HAD BEEN SUCKED UP NOT DEFLECTED DOWN FROM AN IMPACT. I WAS A NAVY FIGHTER PILOT AND THIS IS THE SAME SEQUENCE OF EVENTS I EXPERIENCED WITH THE LOSS OF A CANOPY AND SUDDEN DECOMPRESSION. I HAVE A MASTER'S DEGREE IN AEROSPACE ENGINEERING AND I KNOW THE LOCATION OF THE MOONROOF IS A LOW PRESSURE AREA LIKE THE TOP OF AN AIRCRAFT WING. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES IN CLOSE PROXIMITY, NO OBJECTS FLYING OFF THE ROAD, NOR WAS THE VEHICLE UNDER AN UNDERPASS. THIS IS A COMBINATION OF A DESIGN FLAW AND POSSIBLY A DEFECT IN THE MOONROOF GLASS. THE VEHICLE IS 3 MONTHS OLD, LESS THAN 3000 MILES DRIVEN AND THE MOONROOF HAS NEVER BEEN OPENED. ACURA TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS A LESS EXPERIENCED STARTLED DRIVER COULD BE SO DISTRACTED AS TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE FIX IS A WIND DEFLECTOR IN FRONT OF THE MOONROOF. I AM HAVING ONE INSTALLED AT MY EXPENSE BY THE ACURA. I WOULD PREFER A METAL SUNROOF OR A FACTORY ROOFLINE MODIFICATION TO DEFLECT THE AIRSTREAM AND PREVENT THE LOW PRESSURE AREA CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. GOOGLING MOONROOF EXPLOSION YIELDS NUMEROUS INCIDENTS FROM MULTIPLE MANUFACTURERS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A FIX BEFORE A FATALITY OCCURS. CAPTAIN, USNAVY(RET)