2015 Acura MDX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2015 Acura MDX has a Complaint Index of 47, ranks 11th worst of 20 model years, and carries a Caution verdict capped by 8 recall campaigns despite a moderate complaint level. Electrical System problems are the top complaint area with 19 reports.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 47/100
- #11 of 20 MDX years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 71
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 8
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 9
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19 city / 27.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
Top 2015 Acura MDX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System19 (27%)
- Other16 (23%)
- Transmission & Powertrain12 (17%)
- Structure & Body10 (14%)
- Engine9 (13%)
- Steering8 (11%)
- Brakes6 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (7%)
- Airbags4 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in rear-end and other collisions, sometimes with the headrest detaching from the seat.
- The transmission or gear selector reportedly let the vehicle roll or move unexpectedly, including rolling backward after the engine was shut off in drive and rolling forward from a parked incline.
- Owners describe the gear shifter becoming inoperable, with the vehicle accelerating on its own after being placed in neutral.
- Sunroofs and moonroofs reportedly shattered or exploded spontaneously while driving or parking, showering glass into the cabin.
- Sun visors detached or dropped unexpectedly, blocking the driver's view of the road.
- Brakes reportedly failed to engage at low mileage, requiring pumping to slow the vehicle during a low-speed stop.
2015 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.
2015 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.
2015 compared with other MDX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Acura MDX reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2015 MDX a Complaint Index of 47 and a Caution verdict, ranking 11th worst among 20 model years of the MDX. The verdict is capped at Caution mainly because of 8 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit, not the complaint volume alone.
- What is the top problem area for the 2015 Acura MDX?
- Electrical System complaints are the largest category, with 19 reports making up 27% of all complaints, and a median failure mileage of 35,163 miles.
- Does the 2015 Acura MDX have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2015 MDX, covering areas including Structure & Body, Electrical System, Fuel System, Collision Avoidance & Cameras, and Seat Belts.
- How does the 2015 MDX compare to other MDX years?
- The 2015 MDX's Complaint Index of 47 is worse than years like 2012 and 2013 (Best verdicts, index 21 and 0) but better than 2016, 2017, 2020, 2022, and 2025, which carry Avoid verdicts with indexes from 79 to 100.
- What mileage do 2015 Acura MDX problems typically appear at?
- The median mileage at failure across all complaints is 23,000 miles, though Electrical System issues had a higher median of 35,163 miles and Brakes issues showed a lower median of 8,530 miles.