Acura MDX Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Among Acura MDX model years 2010-2025, 2016, 2020, 2022, and 2025 stand out as Avoid years, with Complaint Index scores of 93, 79, 86, and 100 respectively — 2025 ranks worst overall. The 2010-2013 MDX years score lowest (Complaint Index 0-21) and are rated Best.
Avoid 2016Avoid 2020Avoid 2022Avoid 2025Best 2010Best 2011Best 2012Best 2013
- Model years
- 15
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 1,999
- Recall campaigns
- 22
- Crashes reported
- 68
- Fires reported
- 34
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Best | 14 | 45 | 6 | 4 | 1 | Electrical System | 18 | — |
| 2011 | Best | 21 | 70 | 4 | 1 | 0 | Engine | 18 | 5★ |
| 2012 | Best | 7 | 76 | 4 | 3 | 1 | Engine | 18 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Best | 0 | 29 | 0 | 3 | 1 | Engine | 18 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 57 | 170 | 10 | 3 | 8 | Engine | 22 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Good | 29 | 71 | 5 | 2 | 8 | Electrical System | 22 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Avoid | 93 | 374 | 10 | 5 | 7 | Engine | 22 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 71 | 255 | 7 | 4 | 8 | Engine | 22 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 50 | 165 | 3 | 4 | 10 | Engine | 22 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Caution | 64 | 188 | 4 | 3 | 9 | Engine | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Avoid | 79 | 221 | 4 | 0 | 8 | Engine | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Avoid | 86 | 152 | 6 | 2 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | 21 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Good | 36 | 39 | 2 | 0 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | 21 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Good | 43 | 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 a Complaint Index of 100, the highest of any year covered, despite only being on sale a short time and logging 105 complaints. Engine problems make up 60% of complaints with a median failure mileage of just 14,000, and electrical issues make up 46% at 15,700 miles. NHTSA lists 3 recalls, including a brake pedal pivot pin issue and a touchscreen/rearview camera display failure. Owners reported airbags not deploying in crashes, soft brake pedals, and driver-assist systems failing to operate correctly.
2016 Acura MDX Index 93 · 374 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2016 MDX drew 374 complaints, the highest total of any year, with a Complaint Index of 93. Engine problems made up 49% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 52,000. Transmission and powertrain issues followed at 30% of complaints, failing at a median of 31,001 miles. NHTSA lists 7 recalls for this year, including a rear subframe reinforcement campaign shared with related Honda models and a tailgate light wiring fix. Sample complaints describe airbags, brake response failures during low-speed maneuvers, and engine smoke or fire while driving.
2016 engine problems →2016 transmission & powertrain problems →2016 electrical system problems →
2022 Acura MDX Index 86 · 152 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2022 MDX received 152 complaints with a Complaint Index of 86. Transmission and powertrain problems dominated at 42% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 97,000 — the highest failure mileage among the avoid years. Electrical and steering issues each made up 13% of complaints. NHTSA lists 2 recalls, both tied to seat weight sensor airbag issues shared with other Honda/Acura models. Owners reported brakes failing to stop the vehicle after shifting from reverse to drive, engine fires while idling, and steering wheels locking unexpectedly.
2022 transmission & powertrain problems →2022 electrical system problems →2022 steering problems →
2020 Acura MDX Index 79 · 221 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2020 MDX logged 221 complaints and a Complaint Index of 79. Engine problems accounted for half of all complaints, with a median failure mileage of 51,150. Electrical system issues followed at 20%, failing near 25,000 miles, and collision avoidance/camera complaints made up 17%. NHTSA recorded 8 recalls, including the shared rear subframe campaign, a seat weight sensor airbag recall, and the tailgate light wiring issue. Owners described soft or unresponsive brake pedals, hesitation followed by unintended acceleration, and unexpected braking triggered by adaptive cruise control.
2020 engine problems →2020 electrical system problems →2020 collision avoidance & cameras problems →
Most common Acura MDX problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Engine774 (39%)
- Electrical System404 (20%)
- Transmission & Powertrain398 (20%)
- Other285 (14%)
- Fuel System207 (10%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras170 (9%)
- Brakes166 (8%)
- Steering113 (6%)
- Structure & Body110 (6%)
- Lane Departure93 (5%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Acura MDX should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2016, 2020, 2022, and 2025 Acura MDX years are rated Avoid, with Complaint Index scores of 93, 79, 86, and 100. The 2025 model year ranks worst overall out of all 15 years covered.
- What are the best Acura MDX years to buy?
- The 2010 through 2013 Acura MDX years are rated Best, with Complaint Index scores ranging from 0 to 21, the lowest of any years in the dataset.
- Is the 2016 Acura MDX reliable?
- The 2016 MDX has the highest complaint total of any year (374 complaints) and a Complaint Index of 93. Engine problems account for 49% of complaints, with failures at a median of 52,000 miles.
- Does the Acura MDX have engine problems?
- Engine issues are the top problem area across all years combined, making up 39% of the 1,999 total complaints logged for the MDX. Engine complaints are especially concentrated in the 2016, 2020, and 2025 model years.
- How many recalls does the Acura MDX have?
- NHTSA lists 22 recall campaigns across the 2010-2025 Acura MDX model years, covering issues such as airbags, brakes, electrical wiring, and structural subframe reinforcement.