2017 Acura MDX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2017 Acura MDX has a complaint index of 79, ranking 5th worst of 20 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. Owners most often reported engine problems (44% of complaints), followed by transmission and electrical issues, with 8 recalls issued.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 79/100
- #5 of 20 MDX years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 255
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 8
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2017 Acura MDX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine112 (44%)
- Transmission & Powertrain64 (25%)
- Electrical System50 (20%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras34 (13%)
- Other30 (12%)
- Brakes23 (9%)
- Fuel System19 (7%)
- Lane Departure19 (7%)
- Structure & Body12 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Automatic braking system warns of a collision but does not fully engage, or the warning indicator stays lit after braking.
- Vehicle unexpectedly lunges forward while shifting into reverse in low-speed parking situations.
- Owners describe sudden acceleration with no clear cause while driving at low speed.
- Smoke and fire reported coming from under the hood while parking, destroying the vehicle in one case.
- Electrical system malfunctions repeatedly, showing instrument panel errors and disabling cruise control and lane-assist features.
- Transmission runs rough and jerks with a P0730 error code, affecting gear shifting.
2017 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 26V332000May 21, 2026Airbags98,892 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 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.
2017 Acura MDX fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,650
- 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.
2017 compared with other MDX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Acura MDX reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2017 MDX has a complaint index of 79, the 5th highest (worst) among the 20 model years with data, and it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other MDX years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2017 Acura MDX?
- Engine complaints make up 44% of all reports (112 complaints), followed by transmission and powertrain issues at 25% and electrical system issues at 20%, according to NHTSA data.
- Does the 2017 Acura MDX have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2017 MDX, covering components including the engine, brakes, fuel system, electrical system, airbags, and structure and body.
- At what mileage do 2017 Acura MDX problems typically show up?
- Median mileage at failure was 36,000 miles overall, but engine problems showed a median of 76,000 miles while brake-related complaints showed a median of 10,843 miles.
- How does the 2017 Acura MDX compare to other MDX years?
- The 2017 model's complaint index of 79 is higher than most other years, though not as high as 2016 (95) or 2025 (100), which are also rated Avoid.