YearToAvoid

2022 Acura MDX Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

86/100

#3 most-complained of 15 MDX years

The 2022 Acura MDX ranks 3rd worst of 15 model years, with a Complaint Index of 86 and 152 NHTSA complaints. Transmission & Powertrain problems make up 42% of complaints, at a median 97,000 miles, earning it an "Avoid" verdict relative to other MDX years.

Complaints
152
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
6 / 2
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
21
19 city / 25 hwy

Top 2022 Acura MDX problems

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

  1. Transmission & Powertrain64 (42%)
  2. Other22 (14%)
  3. Electrical System20 (13%)
  4. Steering19 (13%)
  5. Brakes18 (12%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras17 (11%)
  7. Engine15 (10%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires11 (7%)
  9. Lane Departure7 (5%)
  10. Structure & Body7 (5%)

What owners report

  • Transmission suddenly stops accelerating on the highway, sometimes with a dashboard warning before the car slows on its own.
  • Vehicle jerks and revs high while failing to move past a slow speed shortly after driving off the dealer lot.
  • Transmission errors appear intermittently, paired with a false brake fault warning, even though dealers call it normal.
  • Brakes stick or fail to respond during low-speed driving, in one case failing to stop the vehicle at an intersection.
  • Brake rotors produce loud screeching noise that dealers dismiss as normal despite the vehicle feeling unsafe to drive.
  • Steering wheel locks unexpectedly while driving, forcing the vehicle out of its lane.
2022 Acura MDX complaints: complaints filed per month21Jun 2021Mar 2022Mar 2023Nov 2023Aug 2024Mar 2025Oct 2025Apr 2026
213 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2021 to Sep 2026; peak Apr 2026 (21).

2022 Acura MDX recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. NHTSA 24V064000Feb 1, 2024Airbags750,114 vehicles

    Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.

    Risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.

2022 Acura MDX fuel economy and fuel cost

City
19 MPG
Highway
25 MPG
Combined
21 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,800
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.

2022 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
2019Caution64188922.5
2020Avoid79221822.5
2022Avoid86152221
2023Good3639221
2024Good4339221

All Acura MDX years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2022 Acura MDX reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2022 MDX has a Complaint Index of 86 and ranks 3rd worst among 15 MDX model years, so it carries an "Avoid" verdict relative to other years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2022 Acura MDX?
Transmission & Powertrain issues are the top problem area, accounting for 42% of the 152 complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 97,000 miles.
Does the 2022 Acura MDX have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2022 MDX, both involving airbags and seat weight sensors; neither is a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2022 MDX compare to other Acura MDX years?
With a Complaint Index of 86, the 2022 MDX is worse than most other years, though the 2016 (index 93) and 2025 (index 100) MDX years score even higher.
What is the fuel economy of the 2022 Acura MDX?
The 2022 MDX gets an EPA combined rating of 21 mpg (19 city / 25 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,800.

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.