What are the recalls on the Acura MDX?

Recalls on the Acura MDX are issued model-year and VIN-specific, covering issues from safety airbags to fuel systems and electronic controls. This article provides a current snapshot, plus practical guidance on how to verify recalls for your exact vehicle. Information is up to date as of today, but recall status can change over time, so owners should check official sources regularly.

How to check recalls for your MDX

To verify for your MDX, follow these steps:

• Locate your vehicle's VIN. It’s usually found on the driver's side dashboard near the windshield or on the driver’s door jamb.


• Visit the NHTSA recall search tool and enter your VIN to see any open recalls specific to your vehicle.


• Check Acura’s official owner portal or contact a local dealership to confirm recall status tied to your VIN.


• Sign up for recall alerts from NHTSA or Acura to receive updates if new recalls are announced for your vehicle.


• If a recall is identified, schedule a free repair with an authorized dealer as soon as possible.

Remember: recall repairs are provided at no cost to the vehicle owner, and dealerships are obligated to perform the fix once a recall affects your VIN.

What recall categories have affected the MDX

Recall campaigns for the MDX typically fall into a few broad categories. The exact campaigns and the vehicles affected depend on the model year and VIN, but the most common issues seen in MDX recalls include airbag safety, fuel system integrity, and electronic or control-system updates.

• Airbag inflator recalls (often tied to Takata airbag campaigns): replacements or modifications to airbag modules to prevent rupture or non-deployment in a crash.


• Fuel system recalls: issues with fuel delivery components such as pumps or lines that could cause engine stalling or failure to start.


• Electrical and control-system recalls: software updates or component replacements for modules governing transmission, ABS, or engine control to address malfunctioning behavior.


• Seating and safety belt components: recalls related to seat belt pretensioners, anchors, or related seating hardware affecting occupant protection.


• Other driveline or braking-related components: campaigns addressing brakes, steering, or related hardware to ensure safe operation.

These categories reflect typical MDX recall patterns; the exact list for your vehicle can only be determined by checking your VIN against official databases. If you own an MDX, you should routinely verify recall status, especially if you notice unusual symptoms or if a notice arrives in the mail or by email.

Notable considerations and resources

Official sources provide the most reliable information. For MDX owners, the primary references are the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall database and Acura’s own owner resources. The databases can be searched by VIN for precise, current information, including whether a recall is active and where to get service.

Summary

In short, recalls for the Acura MDX vary widely by model year and VIN. The most common issues historically have involved airbags, fuel systems, and electronic control modules. To stay up to date, check your VIN on NHTSA's database and through Acura's owner portal, and contact your dealer if a recall is indicated. Recalls are free repairs, and timely action helps ensure occupant safety.

What years of Acura MDX to avoid?

You should generally avoid the 2001, 2003, 2004, 2010, and 2014 Acura MDX models due to recurring issues with their transmissions and other systems. Additionally, some 2016–2020 models with the 9-speed transmission had shift issues. Years to consider for better reliability are 2007–2009 and 2017 and later. 
Years to avoid

• 2001, 2003, 2004: These years are frequently mentioned for transmission problems. 
• 2010: This year is cited for transmission issues and potential oil burning problems. 
• 2014: Cited for transmission problems and user-unfriendly infotainment systems. 
• 2016–2020: Models from this range, especially those with the 9-speed transmission, can have shifting issues. 

Years to consider

• 2007–2009: These are noted as being among the more reliable models in the second generation. 
• 2017 and later: These models are generally considered more reliable, with improved technology and performance. 
• 2022 and newer: The new generation is showing positive early reliability and has an improved 10-speed transmission. 

What is the most common problem with the Acura MDX?

Common Problems:

• Transmission failure: Early MDX models had issues with automatic transmission failure, leading to costly replacements.
• Steering rack issues: Some vehicles experienced steering rack and pump failure, which led to a loss of power steering.

What is the class action lawsuit for the Acura MDX?

There are several past and ongoing class-action lawsuits related to Acura MDX models, primarily concerning an alleged acceleration defect in 2016-2020 models that can cause hesitation, stalling, or unexpected deceleration. Other lawsuits have addressed issues with exploding sunroofs, faulty hands-free systems, and the auto-idle stop feature, which are mentioned in relation to Acura and Honda vehicles, including some MDX models. 
Acceleration and stalling defect

• Affected models: 2016-2020 Acura MDX and RDX vehicles. 
• Alleged issue: A software-related defect in the engine and transmission control modules that can cause unintended deceleration, hesitation, sudden stalling, and abrupt shifts into neutral, creating a safety risk. 
• Lawsuit status: This is an ongoing lawsuit, Clark, et al. v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., et al., filed in the Central District of California. 
• Desired outcome: Compensation and a court order for Honda to notify owners and issue a recall for affected vehicles. 

Other potential class action lawsuits

• Exploding sunroofs: A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of owners of 2015-2021 Honda and Acura vehicles with sunroofs due to the alleged propensity of the glass to shatter. 
• Hands-free system defect: A class-action settlement has been reached for certain 2004-2008 Acura TL, 2005-2008 Acura MDX, and 2007-2009 Acura RDX models regarding a defective hands-free link system. 
• Auto-idle stop defect: A lawsuit alleges that the auto-idle stop feature in certain Honda and Acura vehicles can cause the engine to stall unexpectedly at hazardous locations. A related settlement has been reached for certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX and 2016-2020 MDX models, which includes a warranty extension for specific issues. 

What to do if you are affected

• Check the status of relevant lawsuits: Review the specific details of each lawsuit to see if your vehicle and situation qualify.
• Consult with a legal professional: If you believe your vehicle is affected, contact a lawyer specializing in class-action lawsuits or lemon law to discuss your options.
• Be cautious about time-sensitive claims: Some class-action settlements have strict deadlines for filing claims or opting out. 
• Check for recalls: Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website or the Acura website to check for any official recalls on your specific model. 
• Gather documentation: Keep all relevant records, such as repair orders, purchase documents, and maintenance records. 

Are there any recalls on the Acura MDX?

Recent Acura MDX recalls include a lighting issue affecting model years 2014-2020, a brake pedal pivot pin problem on 2023-2025 models, and a software error causing potential engine stalls in some 2022-2025 Type-S models. Other recalls have involved older models for engine connecting rod bearing defects (2016-2020) and previous lighting issues that require a second fix.
 
Recent recalls

• Lighting failure (2014-2020 MDX): Moisture can enter the tailgate lid light assembly, causing exterior and interior lights to fail. Dealers will install a fuse harness and repair seals as needed. 
• Brake pedal issue (2023-2025 MDX): The brake pedal pivot pin may not be secured properly, causing the pedal to shift. Dealers will fix the pin to prevent the pedal from moving. 
• Engine stall (2022-2025 MDX Type-S): A software error in the fuel injection control unit may cause the engine to stall or lose power. 
• Center display (2025 MDX): A software issue can cause the center information display and reverse camera to show a black screen. 

Older recall issues

• Engine connecting rod bearings (2016-2020 MDX): A manufacturing defect can lead to engine failure. Flow Acura and Flow Acura of Wilmington note that this can be a critical issue. 
• Lighting failure (2014-2019 MDX): This was an earlier recall, but some vehicles may need a second repair because the initial fix was not sufficient. 

What to do

• Check your VIN: Use the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website to check if your specific vehicle has any open recalls. 
• Contact a dealer: Schedule an appointment with an authorized Acura dealer to have any open recalls inspected and repaired, free of charge.