2023 Acura MDX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2023 Acura MDX has a complaint index of 42, ranked 12th of 20 model years, and carries a Good verdict. NHTSA lists 39 complaints, 2 recalls, and 2 crashes for this year, with Transmission & Powertrain the top problem area at 26% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 42/100
- #12 of 20 MDX years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 39
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2023 Acura MDX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain10 (26%)
- Brakes8 (21%)
- Electrical System8 (21%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras7 (18%)
- Other6 (15%)
- Engine4 (10%)
- Steering4 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (10%)
- Structure & Body3 (8%)
- Fuel System1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brake pedal reportedly turns spongy and can sink to the floorboard, requiring repeated tow-ins for brake reservoir repairs.
- Electrical warning lights for AWD, lane keeping, adaptive cruise, and automatic emergency braking sometimes flash together and force a vehicle restart to clear.
- Some owners describe sudden loss of power steering along with multiple dash warning lights after driving over rough surfaces like train tracks.
- The automatic braking system has engaged unexpectedly at low speed with no obstacle present, bringing the vehicle to a near stop.
- A rear parking sensor failure was reported shortly after purchase, with a long wait for a replacement part.
- A high-pitched whistling noise was reported in the 57-63 mph range that a dealer described as normal.
2023 Acura MDX recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- NHTSA 25V391000Jun 12, 2025Brakes259,033 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Acura TLX, 2023-2025 Acura MDX, and 2023-2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin was not secured properly, which can cause the pedal to shift out of position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: A brake pedal that shifts out of position can prevent the driver from applying the brakes as intended, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pedal assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are FLX and XLY.
2023 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.
2023 compared with other MDX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2023 Acura MDX reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a complaint index of 42 for the 2023 MDX, giving it a Good verdict relative to other MDX model years. It ranks 12th worst out of 20 years tracked, with 39 complaints and 2 recalls.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2023 Acura MDX?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues make up the largest share of complaints at 26%, followed by Brakes and Electrical System issues, each at 21%.
- Does the 2023 Acura MDX have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2023 MDX: one for airbag seat weight sensors and one for a brake pedal pivot pin that was not secured properly. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2023 Acura MDX compare to other MDX years?
- With a complaint index of 42, the 2023 MDX rates better than years like 2016 (95, Avoid), 2020 (89, Avoid), and 2025 (100, Avoid), placing it among the better MDX model years.