YearToAvoid

2018 Acura MDX Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

50/100

#8 most-complained of 15 MDX years

The 2018 Acura MDX has 165 NHTSA complaints, 10 recalls, and a complaint index of 50, ranking 8th worst out of 15 model years. It carries a Caution verdict, with Engine (39%) and Fuel System (30%) as the top reported problem areas.

Complaints
165
Recalls
10
Crashes / fires
3 / 4
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
22
19 city / 27 hwy

Top 2018 Acura MDX problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine64 (39%)
  2. Fuel System50 (30%)
  3. Electrical System29 (18%)
  4. Collision Avoidance & Cameras23 (14%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain23 (14%)
  6. Other19 (12%)
  7. Lane Departure17 (10%)
  8. Brakes11 (7%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers8 (5%)
  10. Structure & Body7 (4%)

What owners report

  • Owners describe sudden engine compartment fires with smoke and flames while the vehicle was parked or idling, in some cases fully engulfing the vehicle.
  • Some drivers report the automatic braking system engaging unexpectedly on downhill or residential roads, bringing the MDX to a sudden stop with no obstacle present.
  • Steering wheel vibration between 58-62 mph was reported starting around 500 miles and worsening with mileage, persisting even after tire rotation.
  • Owners report windshield distortion where straight lines like curbs or fences appear bent, causing visual discomfort.
  • One owner described the starter failing during auto start/stop while stopped in traffic, leaving the vehicle unable to shift to neutral or restart.
  • A sudden abrupt stop while accelerating from an idle led to a rear-end collision in one reported case at high mileage.
2018 Acura MDX complaints: complaints filed per quarter262017 Q42018 Q42019 Q42021 Q22022 Q32023 Q42024 Q42025 Q4
262 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2017 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2024 Q4 (26).

2018 Acura MDX recalls

10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 10 recalls for the 2018 Acura MDX →

2018 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.

2018 compared with other MDX years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2016Avoid93374722
2017Caution71255822
2018Caution501651022
2019Caution64188922.5
2020Avoid79221822.5

All Acura MDX years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Acura MDX reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2018 MDX a complaint index of 50 and a Caution verdict, ranking 8th worst out of 15 MDX model years. It has more reported complaints than earlier years like 2010-2013 but fewer than 2016, 2020, 2022, or 2025.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Acura MDX?
Engine issues make up 39% of complaints and Fuel System issues make up 30%, based on NHTSA data. Electrical System problems account for 18% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 12,000 miles.
Does the 2018 Acura MDX have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 10 recalls tied to the 2018 MDX, covering areas including Engine, Fuel System, Electrical System, Airbags, and Structure & Body. None of these are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2018 MDX compare to other MDX years?
The 2018 MDX has a complaint index of 50, better than 2016 (93), 2020 (79), 2022 (86), and 2025 (100), all rated Avoid, but worse than 2015 or 2023, both rated Good.
What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Acura MDX?
EPA rates the 2018 MDX at 22 MPG combined (19 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,650.

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.