2020 Acura MDX Engine Problems
NHTSA lists 111 engine complaints for the 2020 Acura MDX, 50% of all complaints filed for the year, with a median failure mileage of 51,150 miles. A related recall (23V751000) covers a connecting-rod manufacturing defect that can damage the engine.
- Engine complaints
- 111
- 50% of 221
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 51,150 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Owners report sudden loss of power or engine shutdown while driving at normal or highway speed, sometimes requiring the car to coast to the shoulder.
- Multiple owners describe the Auto Idle Stop feature failing to restart the engine after stopping at a light or intersection, leaving the vehicle stuck in traffic until manually restarted.
- Some drivers report the vehicle shifting into neutral unexpectedly while stopped with auto idle stop engaged, accompanied by check engine lights.
- A few complaints describe hesitation or failure to respond when the accelerator pedal is pressed at low speeds, requiring repeated attempts before the vehicle moves.
- One owner reported unintended acceleration while parking that led to a crash into a tree.
- Another owner described the engine losing power intermittently during acceleration with no warning lights displayed.
When 2020 Acura MDX engine complaints were filed
First complaint Jan 11, 2021, latest Sep 14, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2020 Acura MDX
- NHTSA 23V751000Nov 13, 2023Engine248,999 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
Risk: A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-December 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early April 2024, 2019 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-May 2024, 2020 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-June 2024, and 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed January 27, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XG1 and GG0.
Engine complaints by MDX model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many engine complaints does the 2020 Acura MDX have?
- NHTSA lists 111 engine-related complaints for the 2020 Acura MDX, which is 50% of all 221 complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there an engine recall for the 2020 Acura MDX?
- Yes. Recall 23V751000 covers a manufacturing error in the connecting rod on certain 2016-2020 Acura MDX and related Honda/Acura models; dealers inspect and repair or replace the engine as needed.
- At what mileage do 2020 MDX engine problems usually show up?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine complaints on the 2020 MDX is 51,150 miles.
- Do the engine problems cause crashes?
- NHTSA data shows 2 crashes and 0 fires linked to engine complaints on the 2020 Acura MDX, with no injuries reported.