YearToAvoid

2017 Acura MDX Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 64 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2017 Acura MDX, 25% of its 255 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 37,000. No related recall is on file for this issue.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
64
25% of 255
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
37,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the 9-speed transmission lurching or jerking when shifting into park, drive, or reverse, especially on a slope.
  • Some describe the transmission shifting hard into first and second gear, and occasionally failing to engage third gear, causing the engine to rev without the car moving.
  • Several owners report the transmission slipping or getting stuck in a gear on the freeway, coasting as if in neutral with no response from the pedal.
  • Multiple reports describe the transmission dropping into neutral unexpectedly, sometimes paired with dashboard warnings for stability control, airbags, or 'stop driving' messages.
  • Owners describe sudden deceleration while trying to accelerate at highway speeds, lasting several seconds before the vehicle responds.
  • Some report the transmission hesitating for a few seconds before choosing a gear when accelerating quickly, including in emergency situations.

When 2017 Acura MDX transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 21, 2017, latest Aug 24, 2026.

2017 Acura MDX transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per quarter52017 Q22018 Q42020 Q42022 Q12023 Q22024 Q42026 Q1
64 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2017 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2023 Q2 (5).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2017 Acura MDX

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

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 common are transmission problems in the 2017 Acura MDX?
NHTSA lists 64 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2017 MDX, which is 25% of the 255 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2017 Acura MDX transmission?
No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for the 2017 MDX Transmission & Powertrain complaints.
At what mileage do 2017 Acura MDX transmission problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 37,000 miles.
Did the 2017 MDX transmission issues cause crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data shows 0 crashes and 0 injuries linked to the Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2017 MDX.

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.