2023 Acura MDX
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 39 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 23rd highest complaint count among 24 MDX model years with reports.
Of the 2023 reports, 2 involved a crash. 2 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
Service brakes, hydraulic, pedals and linkagesJun 12, 2025
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Acura TLX, 2023-2025 Acura MDX, and 2023-2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin was not secured properly, which can cause the pedal to shift out of position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
A brake pedal that shifts out of position can prevent the driver from applying the brakes as intended, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pedal assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are FLX and XLY.
Campaign 25V391000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: forward collision avoidance
7 reports, newest first. Show all
Forward collision avoidance, Sep 4, 2026
Was exiting I275 onto Westbound Route 32 when the brakes were unexpectedly applied by the vehicle’s safety system. No vehicles were in front or beside me. Very alarming when it happened. This also happed two other times at slower speeds.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 4, 2025
As slowing down to park in parking space, the automatic braking applies hard and throws you forward. All three times, the vehicle was just entering the parking space and automatically slammed on brakes causing all passengers to lunge forward and seat belt to apply hard, hurting passengers chest. This is a safety hazard as it could cause harm to the passengers and if it happens at higher speeds then could cause a rear end collision if someone is behind us when this happens. This has happened three times in the past month. We have also experienced the cruise control not working once because it though there was a car in front of us when there was not. I turned the cruise off then on and has worked properly since.
Forward collision avoidance, Oct 28, 2025
I have taken my vehicle to the Acura service department three times for this issue. Each time, they were unable to find a fault code or permanent fix. They have repositioned the front camera and removed an Acura sticker from the windshield, but the problem continues to occur at random. The service department said diagnostic tests show no error, yet the system still triggers false collision warnings. I’m concerned about the safety of driving a vehicle whose collision avoidance system malfunctions without warning. This issue has occurred on city streets and highways, in clear weather, at various speeds. The alerts come on suddenly with no obstruction ahead. Acura has not provided a permanent fix, and I feel unsafe driving the vehicle. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether this is a common defect in 2023 Acura MDX models.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Aug 7, 2025
My 2023 Acura (VIN# [XXX] ) has experienced two separate incidents of sudden, total power loss while driving. In both cases, all dashboard warning lights came on, including the brake light, and the vehicle reduced speed to 20 mph and would not accelerate. The first incident occurred while I was driving on a 55 mph expressway, creating a major safety hazard. I had to maneuver to safety in high-speed traffic. The second incident occurred under similar conditions. The dealer has been unable to resolve the issue. I am filing this report to document the safety risk for investigation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Forward collision avoidance, Oct 1, 2024
While driving at approximately 25 mph with no vehicle in front of me and no objects in the road ahead of me, the automatic braking system suddenly and unexpectedly engaged and brought my vehicle to a near stop. This was sudden and unexpected and the vehicle behind me nearly collided with my vehicle. It also caused my head/neck to jolt forward and while I did not sustain an injury it was a significant “jolt”. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My safety and the safety of others was put at risk by my vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly braking automatically for no reason. This issue could easily cause collisions and injure me, my passengers, and occupants of vehicles driving behind my vehicle who may not be able to slow down or stop in my time when my vehicle automatically brakes suddenly and without warning, for no apparent reason. The problem has not yet been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The vehicle or component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. When the brakes suddenly engaged, the “Brake” warning flashed on the driver panel/screen in a yellow/orange color. There were no other warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the automatic braking system suddenly engaging for no reason.
Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Feb 27, 2024
Within a month of buying our 2023 mdx the rear parking sensor stopped working. When we took it to the dealer (10/23) they were unable to get the part. Car sat at dealer waiting on part but we finally decided to just get car back. Within a week of getting it back (12/23) I turned the car on one day and on the screen every system that could fail was flashing on the screen- brake system, power steering, parking assist, etc. The car was not draining correctly as all these alerts flashing. We finally had to get it towed to dealer (could not even get car in neutral to get onto tow truck). Still waiting on the rear sensor part to see if this fixes all the issues.
Electrical system, Back over prevention, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 9, 2022
-Alerts for all safety systems going offline appeared. Also said AWD is not working. Car would turn off with on push of ignition. -tailgate went haywire. When opening it just went up and down and halfway. Had to push it close Both issues went away, for now, after several restarts