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
255 reports, newest first.
Power train, Jun 8, 2025
We purchased vehicle in Sept 2020. The vehicle has always had a rough jerk or rough shift when initially moving at stop lights or any stop and as vehicle is accelerated and to shifting to next gear. It is not a smooth transmission shift from initial start to first few gears. Just seems that at any time transmission may fail and vehicles behind may run into it.
Engine and engine cooling, May 29, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.
Engine and engine cooling, May 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, there an abnormal sound coming from the engine. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the connecting rod bearing, resulting in damages to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that three years prior the vehicle was diagnosed with connecting road bearing failure. The vehicle was under warranty and the engine was replaced. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Engine, May 14, 2025
While driving down the road we started hearing a knocking sound. All the lights on the dash came on. Vehicle stopped running while driving it to the mechanic. We had to have it towed to the Acura Dealership. They kept it to check it out. Per their report it's a Possible Push Rod Recall. Diagnosis- Spun connecting bearing. There is a recall on this specific issue on this specific Year , make and model. Yet Acura is telling me they will not cover this. The car ran perfectly before this happened, no lamps, no issues. We have been dealing with this since October 17th 2024.
Engine and engine cooling, May 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 35 MPH, the check engine warning light was displayed, and the vehicle was driving rough and failed to properly accelerate. The vehicle was slowly driven to the nearby local dealer who examined the engine and discovered metal shavings inside the oil pan. The contact was informed that the engine rod bearings had failed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 111,000.
Engine, Apr 23, 2025
While driving on the interstate, the engine suddenly lost power and a lot of malfunction indicator lights turned on. Driver was able to pull over without incident. Mechanic reported the engine had failed due to loss of oil pressure. The engine had to be replaced.
Power train, Engine, Apr 10, 2025
Our engine started making a loud knocking noise that was clearly not good. We had a friend who is a mechanic come put it on the computer and he diagnosed that the rocker arm took out some valves or lifters. He looked up the car and found a recall for our make and model (2017 MDX with the 3.5L engine) that matches our exact issue. But the VIN does not appear in the search so our car is not covered by the recall despite it clearly being caused by the defect. I understand that there is an investigation into this that the NHTSA opened and Honda has been pushing for extensions. I was encouraged to add our car to this list to help you all see that the problem is much larger than originally thought. We are in a very tough spot and do not have the $5-10k to replace the engine. If the recall is not expanded soon, our only hope is that we get a goodwill repair. We have requested this, but are waiting to hear back from the dealer. Thank you for looking into this. I’m sure we are not the only people in a tough financial spot being affected by this. We appreciate your efforts to protect consumers!
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 9, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Electrical system, Lane departure, Apr 4, 2025
My Vehicle intermittently fails to go into "Drive" when pressing the gear shift button. Additionally, various warning messages appear at random, including: Lane Keeping Assist Problem, & Road Departure Mitigation System Problem. I have brought my vehicle to DCH Montclair Acura#709, located at 100 Bloomfield Ave, Verona, NJ 07044, on January 10, 2025, February 18, 2025, and March 13, 2025. Despite these visits and an inspection conducted by my extended warranty provider, the problem continues. On [XXX], while my daughter was a passenger, the vehicle once again failed to shift into drive when pressing the "D" button. This incident, like others before it, occurred without warning and reinforces my growing concern about the safety and reliability of the vehicle. I am now afraid to drive the car, unsure when it might fail again. I respectfully request that Acura take immediate and decisive action to investigate and resolve this issue. If a reliable repair cannot be made, I would like to discuss alternative remedies such as vehicle replacement of buyback under applicable warranties and safety protections
Other or unspecified, Mar 29, 2025
Keyless access unit shorted and triggered alarm and drained the battery
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the timing chain. The dealer also observed that the timing chain cover was leaking. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); the VIN was included, but the vehicle was already repaired under recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,553.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal knocking sound. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop onto the highway the following day, several unknown warning lights were illuminated, and a message advising to park the vehicle was displayed. The contact stated that while attempting to make a turn to drive back to the residence, the vehicle stalled in the middle of the road. The contact and her children, who were occupying the vehicle, were significantly frightened. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts; however, the vehicle made an abnormally loud grinding sound. The contact was able to drive back to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine was damaged due to rod bearing failure. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under warranty or recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance in adding the VIN to the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
Engine, Mar 25, 2025
only had a car for a year no issues, started hearing a knocking noise two days later in the middle of the intersection the car throws all the lights and refuses to move. The engine gives out we take it to the dealership and they confirm that it is the rod bearing issue which is a known issue with ACURA which is currently on recall. We send the issues to ACURA and they are refusing to advocate for us for the fact that this is a KNOWN RECALL ISSUE but even though our car is not vin specific for the recall this issue that we are having is the same issue as the recall. Like it was stated earlier that there was no issues with the car before the engine blew. This is a safety concern of Acura as to why they placed the recall on these make and models in the first place. We have asked for a goodwill recall adjustment as was denied which is also not fair because again an engine does not just give out like that. We are not being taken care of by our manufacturer for a manufacture defect and we know that there is currently a class action lawsuit with Acura for the same issue we are having and they are refusing to do right by people who are purchasing these cars.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 13, 2025
Wipers do not dispense water(front or rear) and wipers to not reset to original position when in use. Took it to Acura dealership in 03/20/2024 for a 60,000 factory service and problems started afterwards. On 05/16/2024 I had another service at Fountain Acura dealership and problems persist.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at approximately 65-70 MPH on the highway, the engine seized after pulling into a parking lot. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined there was a knocking noise from the underside of the engine. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rod bearing was damaged and was fractured. The dealer informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local dealer and opened a case, confirming there was no open recall on the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 149,000.
Engine, Mar 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 35 MPH and approaching a stop light, the vehicle lost automotive power and shut off. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was coasted to a stop and towed to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the rod bearings had failed and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.
Engine, Mar 1, 2025
On [XXX] had a problem with my 2017 Acura MDX. Engine had loud knocking sound and major loss of power. Had car towed to Acura of Santa Barbara Ca. Was told they had found #2 rod bearing was bad and would cost over $17000 or more to repair. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Feb 23, 2025
There are warning lights for all safety modules, The LKAS, Headlight warning system accident prevention system, collision avoidance system etc..
Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 16, 2025
When I stopped in traffic, there are times the gear shifted from drive (D) to neutral (N) by itself. And sometimes the engine shuts off. This problem started last month until now. I brought the car to the dealership for diagnostic tests but according to them, they found no problem with my car. I saw in social media that lots of MDX owners experienced the same problem.
Seats, Feb 10, 2025, crash
on January 9, 2024 I was driving this car and was hit on the driver's side of my vehicle , other driver at fault. The driver's side door side curtain airbags appropriately deployed. The door itself was crushed, and I had to be cut out of the car. The malfunction was my seat, the driver's seat of the vehicle. It moved as far forward as possible and I was tightly wedged between the steering wheel and the seat. Even if my door had been possible to open, I would not have been able to escape. I was also not able to drive in that position, so the car remained in active traffic for some time. I believe this is a design/manufacturing defect with regard to that seat and potentially other seats in the vehicle. I write at this time, over a year later, with the concern that this design flaw may be present in other Acura / Honda vehicles. I wrote to Acura at the time but they did not seem very interested.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 29, 2025
My 2017 Acura MDX died on me 3 times in the middle of the street last year 2024, July. All the warning lights got turned on the dashboard all 3 times. Car staled and could not turn it on right away. I managed to turn it on and after few seconds turned its self off. It felt like fuel injectors were not working properly or fuel pump. I tried few more other times and got turned on and drove it home. Next day all the warning light went away. Day after, i drove it to grocery store and on stop light same thing happened. I decided to take it to Acura dealership, on the way there all the warning lights turned off by it self. They could not find that anything is wrong with it.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the connecting rod bearings, resulting in damages to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 91,000.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 28, 2025
Car loosing power
Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 27, 2025
There is an active recall on the brake calipers and fuel pump for Acura Mdx 2017, and Hondas. My Acura Mdx 2017 has the same issues with a code of p07e4, which is the brake calipers. When looking up the recall of my car, there is no recall on it when inserting the VIN. My car is an Acura Mdx 2017; I do not understand why it is not included in the recall when it should.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.