YearToAvoid

2012 Acura MDX Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

21/100

#16 most-complained of 20 MDX years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2012 Acura MDX has 76 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 21 out of 100 — #16 highest of 20 MDX model years (verdict: Best). The most reported problem area is engine (27 complaints, 36% of the total). Complaints report 4 crashes, 3 fires, and 2 injuries.

Complaints
76
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
4 / 3
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
18
16 city / 21 hwy

Top 2012 Acura MDX problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine27 (36%)
  2. Electrical System13 (17%)
  3. Other13 (17%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain13 (17%)
  5. Airbags9 (12%)
  6. Structure & Body6 (8%)
  7. Fuel System4 (5%)
  8. Brakes3 (4%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (4%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers3 (4%)
2012 Acura MDX complaints: complaints filed per quarter72013 Q12015 Q22017 Q22019 Q12020 Q22021 Q32025 Q1
99 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2013 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2013 Q1 (7).

2012 Acura MDX recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 12V063000Feb 17, 2012Fuel System8,709 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly

    Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 pilot and acura mdx vehicles. The vent shut float (vsf) valve case in the fuel tank assembly does not meet the design specifications.

    Risk: As a result, fuel may leak from the tank, increasing the risk of fire.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners and dealers will inspect the vsf assembly date and, if necessary, replace the fuel tank assembly, free of charge. The safety recall began on march 13, 2012. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

2012 Acura MDX fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16 MPG
Highway
21 MPG
Combined
18 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,450
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2012 compared with other MDX years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Good3245118
2011Good2670018
2012Best2176118
2013Best029118
2014Caution68170822

All Acura MDX years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Acura MDX a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 Acura MDX ranks #16 of 20 among MDX model years (Complaint Index 21/100, verdict: Best). It has 76 complaints and 1 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Acura MDX?
The most reported problem areas are engine (27 complaints), electrical system (13 complaints), and transmission & powertrain (13 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 69,000 miles.
Does the 2012 Acura MDX have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2012 Acura MDX, most recently reported 2012, covering fuel system.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Acura MDX?
EPA rates the 2012 Acura MDX at 18 MPG combined (16 city / 21 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.