YearToAvoid

2014 Acura MDX Transmission & Powertrain Problems

Owners filed 26 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2014 Acura MDX, 15% of all complaints that year, with a median failure mileage of 27,500. NHTSA recall 13V571000 covers loose drive shaft bolts on AWD models built May 6, 2013 through October 14, 2013.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
26
15% of 170
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
27,500 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Vehicle unexpectedly rolled or lurched while parked or shifting into park, in one case rolling downhill into another vehicle.
  • Engine revved on its own to what felt like full throttle while in reverse with the brake pedal held down, reported as a repeated issue on the same vehicle.
  • Transmission hesitates or stutters when accelerating from a stop, especially at low speeds around 20 mph, described as a constant rather than one-time problem.
  • Torque converter produces a rattling noise during acceleration near 40 mph and 60 mph, with dealer fluid flushes and software updates failing to resolve it.
  • Vehicle exhibited a hesitation or near-stall feeling when accelerating after slowing down, particularly noticeable during turns.
  • Drive shaft attaching bolts on AWD models were reported loose, matching the condition addressed by NHTSA recall 13V571000.

When 2014 Acura MDX transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 5, 2013, latest Apr 26, 2025.

2014 Acura MDX transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month2Nov 2013Jun 2014Apr 2015Sep 2016Mar 2018Oct 2019Apr 2021Nov 2024
26 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2013 to Apr 2025; peak Oct 2018 (2).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2014 Acura MDX

  1. NHTSA 13V571000Nov 14, 2013Transmission & Powertrain19,197 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission

    American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Acura MDX AWD vehicles manufactured May 6, 2013, through October 14, 2013. The bolts that attach the drive shaft to the automatic transmission transfer assembly may not have been properly tightened. As a result, the bolts could loosen possibly allowing the shaft to detach.

    Risk: If the drive shaft detaches while driving it could cause excessive noise and possibly damage the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the drive shaft attaching bolts as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on July 3, 2014. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009 or visit their website at www.recalls.honda.com. Honda's recall number is JC8.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by MDX model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20105 (11%)
  2. 20118 (11%)
  3. 201213 (17%)
  4. 20134 (14%)
  5. 201426 (15%)
  6. 201512 (17%)
  7. 2016111 (30%)
  8. 201764 (25%)
  9. 201823 (14%)
  10. 201931 (16%)
  11. 202021 (10%)
  12. 202264 (42%)
  13. 202310 (26%)
  14. 20242 (5%)
  15. 20254 (4%)

Frequently asked questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2014 Acura MDX have?
NHTSA lists 26 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2014 Acura MDX, which is 15% of the 170 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a transmission recall on the 2014 Acura MDX?
Yes. Recall 13V571000 covers 2014 Acura MDX AWD vehicles built May 6, 2013 through October 14, 2013, for drive shaft bolts attaching to the automatic transmission that could loosen; dealers inspect and tighten them free of charge.
At what mileage do 2014 MDX transmission problems usually appear?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 27,500 miles for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2014 MDX.
Did the transmission issues cause any crashes?
NHTSA records 3 crashes tied to Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2014 MDX, with no reported fires or injuries.
How does 2014 compare to other MDX years for transmission complaints?
The 2014 MDX's 26 complaints (15% share) are lower than 2016's 111 complaints (30% share) and 2017's 64 complaints (25% share), suggesting 2014 is not the worst year for this issue among MDX model years.

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.