YearToAvoid

2020 Acura MDX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2020 Acura MDX has a Complaint Index of 89, the third-worst of 20 model years covered, earning an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 221 complaints, 8 recalls, and 4 crashes, with Engine problems making up half of all complaints.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
89/100
#3 of 20 MDX years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
221
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
8
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
4
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2013
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
22.5
19.5 city / 26.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Top 2020 Acura MDX problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine111 (50%)
  2. Electrical System45 (20%)
  3. Other39 (18%)
  4. Collision Avoidance & Cameras37 (17%)
  5. Fuel System23 (10%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain21 (10%)
  7. Lane Departure19 (9%)
  8. Brakes15 (7%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (3%)
  10. Airbags5 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report sudden or unintended acceleration, including one case where the vehicle drove over a curb into a tree.
  • Some describe the accelerator pedal failing to respond at low speeds before warning lights appeared and the drive button had to be pressed repeatedly.
  • Adaptive cruise control has been reported to brake abruptly for vehicles in adjacent lanes with no vehicle actually in the travel path.
  • Several owners noticed windshield distortion near the A-pillars that makes objects appear curved.
  • One owner reported the brake pedal going soft while stopped, followed by the vehicle rolling forward and colliding with another car.
  • Moisture entering the tail light assembly has been reported to cause light failure, similar to an existing recall on earlier MDX model years.
2020 Acura MDX complaints: complaints filed per quarter212021 Q12021 Q42022 Q32023 Q22024 Q12024 Q42025 Q32026 Q2
221 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2021 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2025 Q3 (21).

2020 Acura MDX recalls

8 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 8 recalls for the 2020 Acura MDX →

2020 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.

2020 compared with other MDX years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2018Caution631651022
2019Caution74188922.5
2020Avoid89221822.5
2022Avoid84152221
2023Good4239221

All Acura MDX years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Acura MDX reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2020 MDX a Complaint Index of 89, the third-worst among 20 model years of the MDX, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other MDX years.
What is the most common problem with the 2020 Acura MDX?
Engine complaints make up half of all reports (111 of 221), with a median mileage at failure of 51,150 miles.
Does the 2020 Acura MDX have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2020 MDX, covering areas including the fuel pump, brake booster tie rod, engine connecting rod, airbags, and tailgate wiring.
How does the 2020 MDX compare to other MDX years?
With a Complaint Index of 89, the 2020 MDX ranks worse than most other MDX years; only 2016 (95) and 2025 (100) score higher, while years like 2013 (0) and 2008 (5) score far lower.
What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Acura MDX?
EPA rates the 2020 MDX at 22.5 mpg combined (19.5 city / 26.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550.

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.