YearToAvoid

2019 Acura MDX Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

64/100

#6 most-complained of 15 MDX years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2019 Acura MDX has a Complaint Index of 64, ranking 6th worst out of 15 model years and earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 188 complaints, 9 recalls, and 3 fires, with Engine issues the top problem area at 44% of complaints.

Complaints
188
Recalls
9
Crashes / fires
4 / 3
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
22.5
19.5 city / 26.5 hwy

Top 2019 Acura MDX problems

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

  1. Engine82 (44%)
  2. Electrical System45 (24%)
  3. Fuel System43 (23%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain31 (16%)
  5. Other25 (13%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras21 (11%)
  7. Lane Departure13 (7%)
  8. Brakes9 (5%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers9 (5%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (3%)

What owners report

  • Owners report sudden unintended acceleration where the vehicle sped up on its own after braking, in one case reaching high speed near 40 mph before the driver could stop it.
  • Some vehicles reportedly caught fire spontaneously while parked, including one incident that occurred just minutes after a short drive.
  • Drivers describe brake pedals failing to respond at low speed, resulting in collisions with fixed objects.
  • Owners report the engine shutting off unexpectedly while driving, including one case at low mileage that required replacement of the timing belt, water pump, and engine block.
  • Several owners describe severe windshield distortion near the front pillars that makes objects appear wavy or bent, causing disorientation and nausea.
  • Some report the transmission unexpectedly shifting to neutral after releasing the brake during idle stop-start operation, leading to a rear-end collision.
2019 Acura MDX complaints: complaints filed per quarter382019 Q12020 Q12021 Q32022 Q32023 Q32024 Q32025 Q32026 Q3
295 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2019 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2024 Q2 (38).

2019 Acura MDX recalls

9 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 9 recalls for the 2019 Acura MDX →

2019 Acura MDX fuel economy and fuel cost

City
19.5 MPG
Highway
26.5 MPG
Combined
22.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,550
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.

2019 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
2017Caution71255822
2018Caution501651022
2019Caution64188922.5
2020Avoid79221822.5
2022Avoid86152221

All Acura MDX years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Acura MDX reliable?
Compared to other MDX model years, the 2019 ranks 6th worst out of 15 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 64 and a Caution verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
What is the biggest problem with the 2019 Acura MDX?
Engine problems are the top complaint area, making up 44% of the 82 engine-related complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 32,500 miles.
Does the 2019 Acura MDX have recalls?
NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2019 MDX, covering the engine timing belt, fuel pump, tailgate lid lights, airbag seat weight sensors, and a rear subframe reinforcement.
Should I avoid the 2019 Acura MDX?
The 2019 MDX carries a Caution verdict, not the worst year, but it has more reported problems than years like 2015 or 2023, which are rated Good.
Are there fire risks with the 2019 Acura MDX?
NHTSA lists 3 fires among the 188 complaints for the 2019 MDX, including reports tied to engine cooling issues covered under recall 23V751000.

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.