2018 Acura MDX
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 166 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 24 MDX model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 3 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 3 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
Engine and engine cooling, engine, gasoline, belts and associated pulleysApr 12, 2019
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura MDX and Honda Pilot vehicles and 2019 Acura RLX, RLX Sport Hybrid, TLX and Honda Odyssey and Ridgeline vehicles. The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt.
Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected timing belt free of charge. Vehicles receiving a replacement timing belt will also have the engine inspected and any damaged components will be replaced for free. The recall began June 7, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is L4M. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is Z4L.
Campaign 19V298000 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
SeatsApr 5, 2018
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018 Honda Pilot and Ridgeline vehicles and 2018 Acura MDX vehicles. The front driver and passenger powered seats in the Honda vehicles and the driver powered seats in the Acura vehicles may have been assembled with improperly manufactured rivets. In the event of a crash, the rivets can break causing the seats not to be secured to the floor. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems," and 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
In the event of a crash, if the seat does not remain secured to the floor, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver seat frame assembly in Acura MDX vehicles, and replace the driver and front passenger seat slide rail frames in Honda Pilot and Ridgeline vehicles, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall is D0S, and T0T.
Campaign 18V221000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: power train
23 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 10, 2026
Transmission failed and light appeared. Speed reduced from 30 to 15. Acura stated they had to reset computer system and claimed when they started the car no lights shown and was able to reverse car. I was unable to reverse car, struggled and tugged feeling in the car. This is the 2nd time and they always repeat same solution no lights appeared and to reset system.
Power train, Jul 6, 2026
Driving my Acura MDX on the highway, I hear a noticeable engine whine as I accelerate, and it rises in pitch when I take my foot off the accelerator.
Power train, Engine, Nov 18, 2025
I want to say that the engine or transmission is faulty. Sometimes while at a complete stop, the car will not advance and tries to stall or lose power. It takes about 2 or 3 seconds to finally go after I push the accelerator pedal almost 3/4 throttle. No it has not been reproduced at the dealer. I took it May of 2024 for the engine recall repair. They said that the repairs should fix the problem but it has maybe even worsened. No warning lamps appear when the problems happen.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Traction control system, Aug 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled, with several unknown warning lights and the traction control warning light illuminated. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle, and the vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the oil pressure switch. The oil pressure switch was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 - 75 MPH, the vehicle unintentionally decelerated to 40 - 45 MPH. The accelerator pedal was pumped until the vehicle accelerated with a crunching sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the remote start failed to operate as designed occasionally. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic and was diagnosed with transmission failure; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer approximately 7 to 8 times due to the failure. The contact stated that the fuel pump was replaced; however, the failure persisted, and the transmission had experienced total failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), and the vehicle had exceeded the mileage for the transmission repair under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
Power train, Jul 11, 2025
My vehicle started a couple of months ago making a noise like the transmission was having trouble shifting smoothly. I do not drive this vehicle that often so I thought it was maybe my ears. When researching I found out there to TSB's on Acura MDX's B20-015 & B19-004 to from 2016 to 2019. My wife does not feel safe driving this vehicle. Can you help ASAP. Thank you so much.
Power train, Mar 24, 2025
Vehicle stalls when accelerating from A stop. Has done this since first purchased. Acura charged me for transmission software but did not resolve issue. Vehicle hesitates and stalls when accelerating from a stop. My wife refuses to ever drive vehicle as we have had many close calls with accidents.
Power train, Feb 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Acura MDX. While the contact's wife was driving and stopped at a stop light, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the transmission hesitated, and the vehicle jerked forward. The contact stated that the failure was persistent. In addition, the contact stated that the transmission was shifting abnormally hard. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,365.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 8, 2025
From a stop, the vehicle will lurch forward after 1 second of acceleration without a change in the amount of pressure on the gas pedal, as if there is a delayed input to the throttle position. This only happens from a complete stop, such as at red lights, stop signs, or in heavy stop and go traffic. On multiple occasions I have almost rear ended the vehicle in front of me as a result of this. There are no warning lamps or error messages displayed in the gauge cluster. I have not been able to have this inspected by any of the Acura dealers in a 25 mile radius, because when I called to make an appointment for the connecting rod bearing recall, the earliest opening was March of 2026.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 4, 2024
While accelerating, the vehicle to decelerated rapidly, the gas pedal became unresponsive when pushed down. Numerous warning lights started Additionally, the vehicle shifted into neutral while the vehicle was being driven and would not shift out even after stopped. I was on a very busy 6 lane highway going 80 mph in thanksgiving traffic, my wife, 1 year old and 3 year old were in the vehicle. This appears to be a known issue from Honda, please see [XXX], et al. v. American Honda Motor Company Inc., et al., Case No. [XXX], INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power train, Nov 12, 2024
While driving car turned cel/epb/emission, car lost power while engine still running suddenly so I pulled to the side of the street. I put in park and turn engine off and on, it would not let me put in any gears . I hold down parking brakes and finally it let me engage the gears. The Acura technician found clutch positions controlled error which caused engine stall conditions, this DTC is typically caused by outdated TCM, PCM software. This situation is a safety issues, the manufacturer should fix for free, the engine stall may cause a major accident if i am on the highway
Power train, Feb 9, 2024
The transmission of my 2018 has a slip or hesitation where it stalls when going in gear. This has put me and my family in danger. Acura is aware of the issue but claims there is no remedy. I have taken the car to service multiple times and nothing has been done. Last time it stalled while going up hill and I had my children in the car which is extremely dangerous. I had the same issues with my 2016 MDX which had the same issue. The transmission was replaced 3 times on the vehicle. Acura needs to open up a recall on these transmissions.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jan 9, 2024
First it was start knocking under the hood and the car suddenly stop on the freeway at 80 miles an hour. The car lost all the power. We were lucky we didn't get hit by other cars on the freeway.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Apr 5, 2023
It seems that, from the day we purchased the vehicle, there have been issues with the transmission regarding how it is programmed and how it responds to drive or input through the throttle. This causes the vehicle the occasionally lurch forward under acceleration, especially at low speeds in the parking lot. And times the throttle gets really confused and the transmission fails to deliver power to the vehicle for a second. This has happened to me two or three times. I was turning left when the vehicle lost power momentarily and oncoming traffic was headed straight for me and my vehicle. If the delay had lasted just a while longer, things would have looked very bad. Based on my research online, I am not the only driver experiencing this kind of problem with the transmission.
Power train, Engine, Jan 13, 2023
Car has 1-2 second hesitation when the accelerator is pressed before the vehicle will accelerate. Causes dangerous condition when trying to turn in front of oncoming traffic.
Power train, Engine, Oct 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the contact was unable to shift into park (P) or into neutral (N) as the gear shifter became stuck into drive (D) position. The contact stated as he turned off and restarted the vehicle several times, the gear shifter responded as needed. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number:19V298000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jun 17, 2022
Gas petal is very touchy. It accelerates to fast even when you try to barely push the petal. And causes to shift hard.
Power train, Engine, Apr 18, 2022
On a regular basis, if accelerating to cross an intersection, car stops or hesitates for several seconds. We have almost been hit by cars several times in the past year. Dealership states everytime i have it serviced, they are unable to replicate and they have never heard of this. In a 5 minute internet search I have found many references to the same issue.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Mar 14, 2022
When trying to accelerate after braking the vehicle has a MASSIVE hesitation where it just sits there doing nothing literally for a solid second. Not only being very frustrating it's IMO very dangerous. If I'm at a yield and then need to merge quickly, if I'm getting on a highway from a parking lot, if I'm trying to switch lanes in traffic, etc etc the vehicle just bogs down and does nothing for that 1-2 seconds. Drive the vehicle normally, apply the brakes and then right away take your foot off the brake and accelerate. You don't have to mash the accelerator, even with light to moderate pressure you will notice that lag where the vehicle is just sitting there with zero power. If you do accelerate moderately or hard after a second or 2 of doing nothing it will just completely jerk into motion. Does the same thing in all modes, it's actually worse in Sport and Sport+ mode because you get more power after the hesitation After braking moderately hard from 40mph to 15mph because someone cut in front. Then I changed lanes and had to accelerate because that other lane was going quite a bit faster. Hit the gas and nothing for what seemed like the longest 1.5 seconds until the thrust came back online Pattern: From Stop --> Accelerate for about approx 20 MPH -->Release the gas pedal and immediately apply the gas pedal. Another pattern: Travel in about 40 MPH, apply the brakes to a speed below 20 MPH and apply gas pedal. Consulted with the dealer multiple times and they think this is normal for 2018 MDXes. But it is indeed a safety concern. The dealer said they applied TSB 20-015 TCM update and it still has not resolved the problem. THIS IS A HUGE SECURTY ISSUE and DANGER HAZZARD. The issue happens every day. Below reported date is the latest occurrence.
Power train, Dec 20, 2021
Car miss shifts especially in the 25 to 40 mph range. Sometimes hesitates when taking off. Also stays in one gear and will not upshift when entering the Freeway. Very dangerous. I found numerous complaints on the web in reference to these problems, but still no recall??? Have told the dealership about these problems with every service, but they said that there is nothing wrong.
Power train, May 22, 2021
This is the exact problem I am experiencing: https://carbuzz.com/news/some-acura-rdx-and-mdx-owners-have-a-troubling-problem https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2020/acura-mdx-and-rdx-acceleration-problems-lawsuit.shtml https://www.wirtzlaw.com/2020/04/19/defects-in-2016-2017-2018-2019-and-2020-acura-mdx-and-rdx-cause-acceleration-problems-are-subject-to-california-lemon-laws/#:~:text=Model%20years%202016%2C%202017%2C%202018%2C%202019%2C%20and%202020,neutral%2C%20and%20engines%20that%20stall. Transmission slip: sudden hesitation on acceleration, sudden deceleration then acceleration on low speed, 'hiccup' on transmission shifting The issue happened since day one I leased the car. At the first oil change service, I reported to the dealership. The dealer performed transmission check and told me everything was 'normal'. However the issue has become persistent and more obvious - it now happens every time I drive. I now feel the sudden acceleration, and decelerationI makes it very dangerous to drive.
Power train, Engine, Aug 31, 2020
TICKING NOISES COMING FROM ENGINE. CONFIRMED WITH DEALER ACURA IS LOOKING INTO THIS. I'M ALSO EXPERIENCING BRIEF LOSS OF POWER DEALER STATES THIS IS ASSOCIATED WITH ENGINE.
Power train, Service brakes, Sep 24, 2019
6 MONTHS AFTER DELIVERY OF MY VEHICLE I STATED NOTICING A JERKING WHEN MY TRANSMISSION SHIFTS. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER INDICATING MY CONCERN. EACH TIME THE DEALERS SAID THE COULD NOT DUPLICATE. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. THE SECOND ISSUE HAS TO DO WITH MY BRAKES . ON 9/23/2019 MY BRAKES STARTED EMITTING A LOUD PERSISTENT SQUEAK. I AM SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY DEALER. MY VEHICLE IS A LITTLE MORE THAN A YEAR OLD AND IT SEEMS TO ME THAT AT 30,000 MILES CONSTITUTE PREMATURE BRAKE WARE.
Power train, Electrical system, Air bags, Aug 19, 2018
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