YearToAvoid

2010 Acura ZDX Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

75/100

#2 most-complained of 5 ZDX years

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

The 2010 Acura ZDX has 9 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 75, and 10 recalls, ranking it 2nd worst of 5 model years tracked. Airbags dominate at 67% of complaints, with median mileage of 71,750 at failure.

Complaints
9
Recalls
10
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
19
16 city / 23 hwy

Top 2010 Acura ZDX problems

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

  1. Airbags6 (67%)
  2. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (22%)
  3. Brakes1 (11%)
  4. Engine1 (11%)
  5. Other1 (11%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the steering wheel airbag partially deployed while parking, releasing a gray substance and causing a crash into a wall.
  • Owners describe a thumping noise and wobbly, unstable handling over small potholes or bumps, tied to a leaking strut assembly.
  • Owners report receiving Takata airbag recall notices but being told replacement parts were unavailable for an extended period.
  • Owners describe repeated recall letters for the same airbag campaign without resolution, raising safety concerns while driving.
  • Owners report brake and active damper system problems requiring strut replacement, with disputes over extended warranty coverage.
2010 Acura ZDX complaints: complaints filed per month2Sep 2015Dec 2015Jul 2016Aug 2016Jul 2017Oct 2017Jan 2018Jun 2019
11 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2015 to Jun 2019; peak Aug 2016 (2).

2010 Acura ZDX recalls

10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 19V502000Jun 27, 2019Airbags9,555 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.

  2. NHTSA 19V500000Jun 27, 2019Airbags1,558 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.

  3. NHTSA 19V378000May 16, 2019Airbags19,138 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

    Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.

See all 10 recalls for the 2010 Acura ZDX →

2010 Acura ZDX fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16 MPG
Highway
23 MPG
Combined
19 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,200
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.

2010 compared with other ZDX years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020102011201220132024
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Avoid7591019
2011No verdict502819
2012No verdict251819

All Acura ZDX years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Acura ZDX reliable?
NHTSA lists 9 complaints and 10 recalls for the 2010 ZDX, giving it a complaint index of 75 and a rank of 2nd worst among the 5 model years with data, with a verdict of Avoid relative to other ZDX years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2010 Acura ZDX?
Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 67% of complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 94,000 miles.
Does the 2010 Acura ZDX have an airbag recall?
Yes. NHTSA records list multiple airbag recall campaigns affecting the 2010 ZDX, including Takata inflator replacements, totaling 10 recalls for this model year.
How many complaints does NHTSA have for the 2010 Acura ZDX?
NHTSA lists 9 complaints for the 2010 Acura ZDX, including 1 crash and 2 injuries, with no reported fires or deaths.
What is the fuel economy of the 2010 Acura ZDX?
The 2010 ZDX gets 19 mpg combined (16 city / 23 highway) per EPA data, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200.

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.