YearToAvoid

2012 Acura MDX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2012 Acura MDX ranks 16th of 20 model years with a complaint index of 21, earning a 'Best' verdict relative to other MDX years. It has 76 complaints, 1 recall, and no deaths reported. Engine problems are the top concern, at 36% of complaints.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
21/100
#16 of 20 MDX years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
76
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
4
reported in complaints
Fires
3
Injuries
2
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2013
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
18
16 city / 21 hwy
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Top 2012 Acura MDX problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Some drivers report the vehicle swerving suddenly at low speed after hearing a snap in the steering, in one case hitting a parked car.
  • A front wheel reportedly came off while driving at low speed, causing the vehicle to veer off the road.
  • Owners describe airbags failing to deploy during head-on or frontal collisions, in some cases resulting in injury.
  • Some engines reportedly produced whistling or cracking sounds before smoking and catching fire, including one case at 82,000 miles.
  • Owners report the backup camera image being too dark to see objects at night, even at maximum brightness.
  • Drivers describe violent shaking, stalling, and a clicking engine sound at low speed, later diagnosed at dealerships as a transmission issue.
2012 Acura MDX complaints: complaints filed per quarter52013 Q12015 Q22017 Q22019 Q12020 Q22021 Q32025 Q1
76 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2013 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2018 Q1 (5).

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 reliable?
Compared to other MDX model years, the 2012 ranks well, placing 16th worst out of 20 years with a complaint index of 21 and a 'Best' verdict. It has fewer complaints (76) than many later MDX years.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Acura MDX?
NHTSA complaints show the Engine as the top problem area, making up 36% of complaints, followed by Electrical System and Transmission & Powertrain, each at 17%.
Does the 2012 Acura MDX have any recalls?
NHTSA lists one recall for the 2012 MDX, campaign 12V063000, involving a fuel tank vent shut float valve that did not meet design specifications. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
What year Acura MDX should I avoid instead of 2012?
Based on complaint index, years like 2016 (95), 2025 (100), 2017 (79), 2020 (89), and 2022 (84) carry 'Avoid' verdicts, much higher than the 2012 model's index of 21.
How many complaints and recalls does the 2012 MDX have?
NHTSA records 76 complaints and 1 recall for the 2012 Acura MDX, with 4 crashes, 3 fires, and 2 injuries reported.

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.