Acura MDX Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the Acura MDX years to avoid are 2016, 2017, 2020, 2022, and 2025, with complaint indexes of 95, 79, 89, 84, and 100 respectively. The 2012 and 2013 model years rate Best, with complaint indexes of 21 and 0.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2016Avoid 2017Avoid 2020Avoid 2022Avoid 2025Best 2012Best 2013
- Model years
- 20
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 2,466
- Recall campaigns
- 34
- Crashes reported
- 101
- Fires reported
- 39
- Top problem area
- Engine
MDX Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Acura MDX problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Caution | 58 | 180 | 15 | 1 | 11 | Transmission & Powertrain | 17 | — |
| 2006 | Caution | 16 | 87 | 10 | 0 | 9 | Transmission & Powertrain | 17 | — |
| 2007 | Good | 11 | 99 | 2 | 2 | 0 | Electrical System | 17 | — |
| 2008 | Good | 5 | 49 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Structure & Body | 17 | — |
| 2009 | Good | 37 | 52 | 4 | 1 | 0 | Electrical System | 17 | — |
| 2010 | Good | 32 | 45 | 6 | 4 | 1 | Electrical System | 18 | — |
| 2011 | Good | 26 | 70 | 4 | 1 | 0 | Engine | 18 | 5★ |
| 2012 | Best | 21 | 76 | 4 | 3 | 1 | Engine | 18 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Best | 0 | 29 | 0 | 3 | 1 | Engine | 18 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 68 | 170 | 10 | 3 | 8 | Engine | 22 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 47 | 71 | 5 | 2 | 8 | Electrical System | 22 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Avoid | 95 | 374 | 10 | 5 | 7 | Engine | 22 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Avoid | 79 | 255 | 7 | 4 | 8 | Engine | 22 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 63 | 165 | 3 | 4 | 10 | Engine | 22 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Caution | 74 | 188 | 4 | 3 | 9 | Engine | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Avoid | 89 | 221 | 4 | 0 | 8 | Engine | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Avoid | 84 | 152 | 6 | 2 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | 21 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Good | 42 | 39 | 2 | 0 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | 21 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Caution | 53 | 39 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 21 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Avoid | 100 | 105 | 2 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 21 | 5★ |
MDX years to avoid: what went wrong
2025 Acura MDX Index 100 · 105 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2025 MDX has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, from 105 complaints despite being new on the road. Engine complaints make up 60% (63 cases, median mileage 14,000) and electrical issues 46% (48 cases, median mileage 15,700). Owners report airbags not deploying in a crash, driver-assist systems failing along with a stuck steering wheel and accelerator, an overly soft brake pedal, and a tire losing air within weeks of purchase. The year has 3 recall campaigns, covering seat weight sensors, a brake pedal pivot pin, and a touchscreen that can go blank and disable the rearview camera.
2016 Acura MDX Index 95 · 374 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2016 MDX has a complaint index of 95 across 374 complaints, the second-worst of any year. Engine problems make up 49% of complaints (182 cases, median mileage 52,000), and transmission and powertrain issues make up another 30% (111 cases, median mileage 31,001). Owners report a steering control arm snapping while driving at low speed, an engine fire after smelling smoke through the heater, and brake pedals failing to respond during a turn. The year carries 7 recall campaigns, including a rear subframe reinforcement, a tailgate wiring fix, and a fuel pump module replacement.
2016 engine problems →2016 transmission & powertrain problems →2016 electrical system problems →
2020 Acura MDX Index 89 · 221 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2020 MDX carries a complaint index of 89 from 221 complaints. Engine problems dominate at 50% (111 cases, median mileage 51,150), with electrical issues at 20% (45 cases, median mileage 25,000) and collision-avoidance system complaints at 17% (37 cases, median mileage 19,725). Owners report a soft brake pedal that failed to stop the vehicle, unintended acceleration into a curb and tree, and phantom braking from the adaptive cruise control. The year has 8 recall campaigns, including the rear subframe fix and seat weight sensor replacement.
2020 engine problems →2020 electrical system problems →2020 collision avoidance & cameras problems →
2022 Acura MDX Index 84 · 152 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2022 MDX has a complaint index of 84 from 152 complaints. Transmission and powertrain complaints lead at 42% (64 cases, median mileage 97,000), followed by electrical issues at 13% (20 cases, median mileage 42,579) and steering at 13% (19 cases). Owners describe airbags failing to deploy in a crash, a vehicle that failed to stop and crashed into a house after a gear shift, an engine fire near the front wheel well, and a steering wheel that locked while driving. Only 2 recall campaigns apply, both for seat weight sensors.
2022 transmission & powertrain problems →2022 electrical system problems →2022 steering problems →
2017 Acura MDX Index 79 · 255 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2017 MDX has a complaint index of 79 from 255 complaints. Engine issues account for 44% (112 cases, median mileage 76,000) and transmission and powertrain issues 25% (64 cases, median mileage 37,000). Owners describe the automatic braking system triggering false collision warnings, unintended acceleration events, and an engine fire that destroyed the vehicle and a neighboring car. This year has 8 recall campaigns, covering the rear subframe, seat weight sensors, and tailgate lighting wiring.
2017 engine problems →2017 transmission & powertrain problems →2017 electrical system problems →
Most common Acura MDX problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Engine853 (35%)
- Transmission & Powertrain542 (22%)
- Electrical System513 (21%)
- Other320 (13%)
- Brakes211 (9%)
- Fuel System211 (9%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras170 (7%)
- Steering140 (6%)
- Structure & Body140 (6%)
- Airbags121 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What Acura MDX years should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the years with the highest complaint indexes are 2016, 2017, 2020, 2022, and 2025, with index values of 95, 79, 89, 84, and 100.
- What are the best Acura MDX model years?
- The 2012 and 2013 MDX rate Best, with complaint indexes of 21 and 0, the lowest of any model year covered.
- Is the Acura MDX reliable overall?
- Across 20 model years and 2,466 total complaints, reliability varies widely by year. Engine problems account for 35% of all complaints and transmission and powertrain issues for 22%, so checking the specific model year matters.
- Does the Acura MDX have recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 34 recall campaigns across MDX model years, including rear subframe reinforcement, tailgate wiring, fuel pump, seat weight sensor, and brake pedal pivot pin campaigns.
- Which Acura MDX year has the worst complaint record?
- The 2025 MDX has the highest complaint index at 100, driven largely by engine complaints (60% of its 105 complaints) and electrical issues (46%).