2022-2025 Acura MDX Reliability and Problems: 7.4/10

384 NHTSA complaints
5 recalls
2 fire reports
12 crash reports

Data covers 2 NHTSA model names

MDXMDX TYPE S

Reliability Score

7.4 / 10

Reliability score

About as many owner complaints as similar midsize SUVs

A score of 7.0 means as many complaints as similar vehicles. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain. Early evidence: under five years on the road.

Owners filed 72 powertrain complaints. A typical midsize SUV fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 84.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 0.8 points better in the typical case.

Breakdown

Complaints overall72 complaints against about 84 for similar vehicles

7.4

Last three years67 complaints against about 76 for similar vehicles

7.3

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced16 complaints against about 16 for similar vehicles

7.0

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating0 complaints against about 5 for similar vehicles

9.8

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is 7.0, as many complaints as similar vehicles. A line shows a number once similar vehicles would draw at least 5 of its complaints (20 for the last three years).

By model year

2022^*7.0
2023^*8.7
2024n/a
2025n/a

* Under five years on the road.

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

By engine

3.5L 6-cyl 8.0/10

About 80% fewer powertrain complaints than the 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, per vehicle built. (48 powertrain complaints, about 206,000 built)

3.0L 6-cyl turbo 4.6/10

About 5 times as many powertrain complaints as the 3.5L 6-cyl, per vehicle built. (23 powertrain complaints, about 20,000 built)

A complaint counts toward an engine only when its VIN names the engine. These are powertrain complaints only, so they are fewer than the engine-code counts further down, which take complaints of every kind. Each score is that engine on its own against similar vehicles, worked out the same way as the score above.

On the record · from NHTSA's files, not reviewed by hand

Engineering analysisEA25004

No restart after auto start/stop engages · opened 2025, open

Complaints by Engine Code

Every complaint of any kind (brakes, airbags, electrical and the rest) whose VIN names the engine, across all model years. The score above counts only engine, transmission and drivetrain complaints, so its figures for the same engine are smaller. Fire, injury and death figures count complaints that report one.

J35Y5

3.5L 6-cyl / 290 hp

305 complaints 76.2 per year Gasoline

2 fire reports

View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical

engine

transmission

other

safety systems

Same engine used in

ACURA MDX (2014-2020)

J30AD

3.0L 6-cyl Turbo / 355 hp

73 complaints 18.2 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission

suspension

electrical

safety systems

brakes

Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data

These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

Acura MDX Unidentified Engine

6 complaints 3.0 per year

View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission

engine

electrical

fuel system

Most Common MDX Problems, by Owner Complaints

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Acura MDX, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Transmission: 113 owner complaints

Electrical System: 96 owner complaints

Engine: 87 owner complaints

Safety Systems: 48 owner complaints

Brakes: 44 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2022-2025 Acura MDX

On a used 2022-2025 Acura MDX, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the transmission and drivetrain (113), the electrical system (96) and the engine (87). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-08. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 113 owner complaints on the 2022-2025 Acura MDX about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 96 owner complaints on the 2022-2025 Acura MDX about the electrical system.
Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 87 owner complaints on the 2022-2025 Acura MDX about the engine, all engines combined.
Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 48 owner complaints on the 2022-2025 Acura MDX about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 44 owner complaints on the 2022-2025 Acura MDX about the brakes.

Open the full inspection checklist for the 2022-2025 Acura MDX

Recalls (5)

26V332000May 21, 2026serious

Air Bags

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.

25V391000Jun 13, 2025serious

Service Brakes

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."

25V032000Jan 24, 2025serious

Back Over Prevention

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2025 Acura MDX vehicles. The touchscreen in the center console may go blank, resulting in the rearview camera image not displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

25V031000Jan 23, 2025serious

Fuel System

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Acura MDX Type-S, 2023-2025 Honda Pilot, and 2021-2025 Acura TLX Type-S vehicles. A software error in the fuel injection electronic control unit (FI-ECU) may cause an engine stall or a loss of power.

24V064000Feb 1, 2024serious

Air Bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall Not Rated

Frontal Crash

4/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

—

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard & Optional LDW: Standard & Optional

Overall ★★★★★ 5/5

Frontal Crash

4/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5 (15.1% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard & Optional LDW: Standard & Optional

Overall Not Rated

Frontal Crash

4/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

—

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard

Overall ★★★★★ 5/5

Frontal Crash

4/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5 (15.1% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard

Overall Not Rated

Frontal Crash

4/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

—

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard

Overall ★★★★★ 5/5

Frontal Crash

4/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5 (15.1% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard

Overall Not Rated

Frontal Crash

4/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

—

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard

Overall ★★★★★ 5/5

Frontal Crash

4/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5 (15.1% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard

All Generations

YD12001-2006 YD22007-2013 YD32014-2020 YD42022-2025

Alternatives in Midsize SUV

Lexus

2010-2023

9.8/10

2 engines / 185 complaints

5 engines / 979 complaints

3 engines / 40 complaints

Lexus

2010-2015

9.7/10

4 engines / 494 complaints

Lexus

2016-2022

9.6/10

3 engines / 476 complaints

3 engines / 450 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2022-2025 Acura MDX reliable?

The 2022-2025 Acura MDX has a Reliability score of 7.4 out of 10: about as many owner complaints as similar midsize SUVs of the same age. A score of 7.0 means as many owner complaints as similar vehicles. It has been on the road under five years, so the score can still move.

What are the most common 2022-2025 Acura MDX complaints?

Owners have filed 384 complaints with NHTSA about the 2022-2025 Acura MDX. The systems they name most often are the transmission, the electrical system and the engine.

Is the 2022-2025 Acura MDX a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 384 complaints with NHTSA about the 2022-2025 Acura MDX. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2022-2025 Acura MDX have?

NHTSA has 384 owner complaints on file for the 2022-2025 Acura MDX as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2022-2025 Acura MDX?

NHTSA lists 5 recalls covering some 2022-2025 Acura MDX vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Acura MDX?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the transmission, the electrical system and the engine, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the MDX?

The 2025 Acura MDX received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (15.1% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard & Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Standard & Optional. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 384 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-11-03.