2014 Acura MDX Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
57/100
#7 most-complained of 15 MDX years
The 2014 Acura MDX has a Complaint Index of 57 and ranks 7th worst out of 15 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA logged 170 complaints, 8 recalls, 10 crashes, 3 fires, and 9 injuries for this year.
- Complaints
- 170
- Recalls
- 8
- Crashes / fires
- 10 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19 city / 27.5 hwy
Top 2014 Acura MDX problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine41 (24%)
- Electrical System39 (23%)
- Steering38 (22%)
- Brakes30 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain26 (15%)
- Other18 (11%)
- Structure & Body16 (9%)
- Fuel System10 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report the vehicle unexpectedly lurching forward while parking or entering a garage, with the brake pedal failing to stop it.
- Some drivers describe the engine revving to what feels like full throttle after shifting into park with the brake pressed.
- Reports describe smoke or flames coming from the front passenger side vents or dashboard area, sometimes while driving.
- One owner described the vehicle rolling backward down a hill on its own after being bumped by another car while parked.
- A driver reported sliding on a snowy road and crashing into a guardrail, with only the passenger-side airbags deploying despite a front driver-side impact.
2014 Acura MDX recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V365000Jun 4, 2026Structure & Body880,514 vehicles
Structure:frame and members
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
Risk: Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.
- NHTSA 25V259000Apr 17, 2025Electrical System152,800 vehicles
Interior lighting
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid light assembly and wiring harness, which can cause the interior and exterior lights to fail, including the lid lights, position lights, license plate lights and taillights.
Risk: Vehicle lights that fail to illuminate can decrease visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wiring and install a fuse harness, replace the lid light, and repair the body dust sealer, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 30, 2025. Owners may contact Acura's customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Acura's number for this recall is FLI. Vehicles included in this recall that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 19V-256 will need to have the new remedy completed.
- NHTSA 23V858000Dec 18, 2023Fuel System2,490,460 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
2014 Acura MDX fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 27.5 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,625
- 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.
2014 compared with other MDX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Acura MDX reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2014 MDX a Complaint Index of 57, ranking it 7th worst out of 15 model years, so it carries a Caution verdict relative to other MDX years. It has 170 complaints and 8 recalls on file.
- What is the top problem area for the 2014 Acura MDX?
- Engine issues are the top problem area, accounting for 41 complaints, or 24% of all complaints for this year, with a median failure mileage of 13,000 miles.
- Does the 2014 Acura MDX have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2014 MDX, covering areas including electrical wiring, fuel pumps, seat belts, transmission drive shaft bolts, and collision mitigation braking software. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2014 MDX compare to other MDX years?
- The 2014 model's Complaint Index of 57 is worse than 2010-2013 and 2015 (indexes of 0-29, rated Best or Good), but better than 2016, 2020, 2022, and 2025, which are rated Avoid with indexes of 79-100.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2014 Acura MDX?
- The 2014 MDX is EPA-rated at 22 mpg combined (19 city / 27.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,625.