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, Mar 23, 2022
On March 20, 2022, I was on the freeway going 65 miles per hour in the fast lane and my transmission warning light came on and the car went in to Neutral and lost all power on the gas pedal and the car would not move. I could not put it in Park or it would roll backwards so I put on my hazard lights and kept my foot on the brake. I was almost rear ended several times as it was 9:30pm and no lights on the freeway in the area I was at and no place to get out and find a safe spot as my car would have rolled backwards as it would not come out of Neutral and at that spot in the freeway there is only cement walls. I was able to get the Calif. Highway Patrol to get me a tow company that could tow my car after I called 911. AAA which I have said it would be 90 minutes. I would have been killed before that. The tow truck driver had to tow my car to the Hopkins Acura dealership in Fairfield, CA where I had just had it serviced the Thursday and Friday before on March 17 and 18 for the car's 100,000 maintenance work. The Hopkins Acura said they test drove it after the maintenance work which cost me $3500.00 but my speedometer showed they only put 1.5 miles on my car so they did not test drive it far. The dealership said they do not touch the transmission during the big maintenance but this car was driving fine and for this transmission to just stop and freeze is so dangerous. The dealership says they will fix the transmission as they spoke to two different companies they work with but they want me to pay $600.00 of the repair which I do not think is fair.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Feb 24, 2022
This morning I read that you were investigating the automatic braking for certain Honda models. I have had this same thing happen with my 2017 Acura MDX several times over the past few years. I would be driving (not following another car), and my car would suddenly brake and flash "Brake" on the screen, without my doing anything. Both times, I attributed the issue to driving into a bright sun, but I am not sure. It did not cause an accident and it was not a big deal, but the last time (about 3 months ago) I remember braking and being nervous about someone else read ending me...when I tried to accelerate I was unable to do so.
Exterior lighting, Feb 17, 2022
The rear tail lights stopped working completely due to manufacturing defect of rear tail lights causing electric short circuit by moisture . Defective tail lights Safety recall was performed in August 2021 by Dennisville Acura. The rear tail lights stopped working again due to same issue.Took to the dealer Davis Acura on 17 Feb 2022 to perform the safety recall again and dealer refused to perform the repair to fix the safety recall issue. I want to file a complaint against Honda of NA and Davis Acura of Langhorne for refusing to perform safety recall on a vehicle with safety recall issue.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 8, 2022
Cruise control set to 37 mph, vehicle accelerates to almost 50 mph on downhill without braking.
Power train, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 8, 2022
On multiple occasions (6 times within a week) the powertrain loses power. While traveling 60 mph in 4 lane Interstate traffic engine loses all power and accelerator ceases to respond. Passengers were at risk due to no power. Acura Dealer has not been able reproduce. Some dealers have affirmed that they've had customers with the issue but can't reproduce. The issue seems to occur more frequently after cruise control has been dis-engaged. I have spoken with another a 2018 Acura owner directly and they have experienced the same issue. It does seem the engine/powertrain resolves when the transmission is switched from "Normal" to "Sport" mode. The amount of time with loss of power seems to span about 5-10 seconds.
Power train, Nov 22, 2021
Vehicle has ongoing rough transmission shifting issues. It jerks between gears when accelerating at stop signs or stop lights. I have also received a letter from attorney alleging ongoing transmission issues with this model - 2017 MDX. Car has only 23k miles. I used your website to search for possible recalls and did not see any. However, I wanted to share my experience to hopefully help others or perhaps hope of others reporting same mechanical issue.
Service brakes, Nov 21, 2021
The vehicle put emission system and electronic parking brake warning lights on panel, allowed vehicle to be placed in drive "D", then suddenly switched to a flashing "P," stalled in parking lot, and would not allow the vehicle to be changed to any other gear.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 19, 2021
Driving East on Interstate 20/59 10 miles East of Meridian, MS November 17, 2021 around 2:00 PM. A lot of trucks on the road. Had speed control set at 69 MPH. Came up behind a semi doing about 65, pulled over to the left lane to go around him. When I got about half way all of a sudden all hell breaks loose. Vehicle goes in into emergency stop with lights flashing all over the dash. Vehicle brakes to around 30 MPH within a couple of hundred feet with semi's and cars beside and behind me. Finally got the vehicle over to the side of the rode without and accident. (A miracle inself). Code DTC P0716. After about an hour of shutdown, started engine and all messages were gone. Took it to the Acura dealer and they, evidently, updated the TCM software. I had not been notified that it needed and update which is negligence on Acura. This incidence could have been a catastrophe with possible deaths. Now my wife is really afraid to drive this vehicle.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Oct 14, 2021
While driving suddenly all error warnings came up. It included Check Engine Light, Error messages included: Electronic Braking System error, Emission System error. The light indicative of parking P! kept blinking also the (P) came up on the dashboard. Interestingly after some time this all cleared on its own. Then came back again only this time it stayed on. I don't know if this has compromised the safety features of the vehicle including emergency braking (crash avoidance/vehicle proximity)
Power train, Oct 8, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle started to jerk back and forth. The vehicle inadvertently shifted to neutral causing the loss of motive power. The contact exited the vehicle and pushed the vehicle to the side of the road. The contact had the vehicle towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Power train, Aug 22, 2021
Transmission goes into neutral on its own. Loses power. Delay in acceleration. Jerky gear shifting.
Electrical system, Aug 10, 2021
At different times, either with my wife or I driving the vehicle, we will receive error messages on the dash indicating that various systems are inoperative. These involve the lane keeping assist system and the braking system. I also believe that the cruise control does not function when these messages appear.
Forward collision avoidance, Jul 12, 2021
2017 Acura MDX purchased May 2020. Incidences has happened 5 times. Twice this month in July 2021 the brakes engaged! Anxiety and fear of being hit by cars behind. 1st incident:location back road When the brakes engaged the vehicle in front had taken a right turn. The vehicle was cleared from mine so it came as a scare as it stopped in the middle of the road with others behind me honking….. The brakes released and i proceeded driving. 2nd:location back road Again In front a vehicle turned right and the brakes engaged. I hit the gas gently i dont know if that helped to disengage the brakes or not. 3rd: location highway Brakes engaged and immediately released. I was in passing lane and a truck in middle lane ….. this made no sense. 4th: location at intersection Truck turned left across and in front of me, brakes engaged and stopped my car, only to find out a low trailer was being towed. Brakes did help prevent an accident. KUDOS earned here!!!! 5th: location back road speed less than 40mph Vehicle in front of me turning right Again my brakes engaged! Again I used the gas hoping the brakes would disengage. I dont know if it helped or not. Now I ONLY use the cruise control on highways.
Power train, Engine, Jun 21, 2021
We were driving on the highway yesterday at 75 mph when suddenly our tachometer jumped a couple of times and then the car lost all power and switched into neutral. It's the same transmission problem others are reporting and dangerous.
Parking brake, Power train, Engine, Apr 15, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE EMISSION AND PARKING BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION AS THE WARNING REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LINDSAY ACURA (5880 SCARBOROUGH BLVD, COLUMBUS, OH 43232) WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC CLEARED THE WARNING LIGHTS OFF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE PERSISTED SOON AFTER THE RETURN OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Apr 2, 2021
WHILE DRIVING ON NORMAL ROAD WITH NO OTHER CARS AROUND, THE EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM/FORWARD COLLISION ACTIVATED AND IMMEDIATELY STOPPED MY CAR WITH NO DANGER PRESENT. THIS RESULTED IN THE CAR BEHIND ME SWERVE TO AVOID HITTING ME IN THE REAR. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON THE DASH OR NO AUDIBLE WARNING EITHER. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MALFUNCTION IN THE SYSTEM.
Power train, Electrical system, Mar 24, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHUDDER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOHN EAGLE ACURA (16015 KATY FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77094) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE IGNITION COIL CIRCUIT CABLE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000.
Forward collision avoidance, Mar 18, 2021
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 80 MPH AND AS I WAS ROUNDING A BAND THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY STARTED BREAKING WITH NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR ALMOST CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE IT OUT OF ALLEVIATED THE BREAKING AND ALLOWED ME TO CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 18, 2021
INCIDENT #2 DRIVING DOWN CITY STREET APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION. NO CAR IN FRONT AND NO CAR BEHIND. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION THE CAR AUTO BRAKES TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE RELEASING BACK TO NORMAL. IF A CAR WERE BEHIND ME I WOULD HAVE MOST SURELY BEEN REAR ENDED.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Feb 17, 2021
LOSES POWER AND UNABLE TO ACCELERATE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN 2 MONTHS
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 14, 2021
I OWN A 2017 ACURA MDX. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP IT HESITATES FOR A SECOND OR TWO AND THEN JERKS WHEN IT FINDS ITS GEAR. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS USED. MERGING ONTO THE INTERSTATE OR SWITCHING LANES CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS.
Power train, Electrical system, Dec 20, 2020
AFTER RECEIVING THE VEHICLE FROM ACURA IN MARCH 2020 WITH APPROXIMATELY 49,500 MILES AND NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS SLIPPING AROUND 20 TO 30 MILES PER HOUR. MY FIANCEE DROVE IT AS WELL AND FELT IT SLIPPING IN A CITY STOP AND GO UNDER THE SAME SPEED. WE CALLED ACURA TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SLIPPING AS WELL AS THE BATTERY MALFUNCTIONING. THEY TOLD US TO BRING IT IN AND WE DID. THE BATTERY END UP BEING DEAD A FEW WEEKS AFTER RECEIVING THE VEHICLE. IT WAS CHANGED. WE THEN WERE TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDS A TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE AND THAT THIS MAYBE CAUSES THE PROBLEM. WE NOTICED WITH THE VEHICLE RECORDS THE FLUID WAS CHANGED AT 42,376 MILES PRIOR. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID ENDED UP BEING CHANGED AND WE WERE TOLD THAT WE WOULD NEED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE A LOT FOR THE SLIPPING TO GO AWAY. THOUSANDS OF MILES LATER THE VEHICLE IS STILL SLIPPING WITH 53,000 MILES. WE FEEL ACURA KNOWS THE IS AN ISSUE BUT DOESN'T WANT TO FIX IT. WE NEED HELP. I'M NOT THE ONLY WON HAVING THIS ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE WHEN IT INVOLVES SLIPPING. I HAVE A FEW DOCUMENTS SUPPORTING MY CASE ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THE CURRENT ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE.
Power train, Lane departure, Nov 12, 2020
VEHICLE LOST POWER UPON ACCELERATING AND I RECEIVED A MESSAGE TO PULL OVER WHEN SAFE TRANSMISSION ERROR; THIS HAPPENED AT A STOP AND SEEMS TO BE MORE LIKELY WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE OR WHILE ACCELERATING, I PULLED OVER AND ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE WITH OUT SUCCESS;
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Oct 18, 2020
MULTIPLE SYSTEMS INDICATOR FAILURES WEN ON, PER ATTACHED PICTURES. THE TRANSMISSION WAS STUCK IN THE 1ST GEAR, THE VEHICLE WAS VIBRATING AND WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. THIS CREATED A DRIVING HAZARD, AS I WAS ON THE ROADWAY.
Other or unspecified, Sep 15, 2020
STARTING, SEAT PUSHED FORWARD AGAINST STEERING COLUMN MOVING DOWN RADIO BLARING DRIVER CLIMATE CONTROL WENT TO LOW PASSENGERS TO 80 DEGREES BLOWER TO HIGH AND CAR LUNGED FORWARD. DEALER SAID PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS WERE DISCOVERED AND ADDRESSED TO BE TWO FOBS ENTERING VEHICLE AT SAME TIME AND AND VEHICLE CONFUSED THEY ADVISED ONLY ONE FOB IN CAR AT ANY ONE TIME. QUESTIONABLE ANSWER NOT SUBSTANTIALLY PROVEN? AND WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE TWO FOBS. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN GEAR.