Which has more complaints, the Subaru Crosstrek or the Acura MDX?

The Acura MDX has more total complaints (2,466 vs 1,174) and more per model year (123 vs 84), but totals are not normalized for sales, so this isn't a direct reliability comparison.

Which model years should I avoid for each vehicle?

For the Crosstrek, avoid 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2024. For the MDX, avoid 2016, 2017, 2020, 2022, and 2025.

Which model gets better fuel economy?

The Crosstrek averages 28.8 MPG combined compared to the MDX's 19.8 MPG combined.

Does the Acura MDX have more recalls than the Crosstrek?

Yes. NHTSA lists 34 recall campaigns for the MDX across 20 model years versus 13 for the Crosstrek across 14 model years.

What are the top problem areas for each model?

Crosstrek owners most often report Visibility & Wipers issues (341 complaints, 29%), while MDX owners most often report Engine issues (853 complaints, 35%).

Subaru Crosstrek vs Acura MDX: Which Years to Avoid

Subaru Crosstrek logs 1,174 complaints and 13 recalls across 14 model years (84 per year), versus Acura MDX's 2,466 complaints and 34 recalls across 20 model years (123 per year). Crosstrek averages 28.8 MPG combined; MDX averages 19.8 MPG. Avoid 2018, 2019, 2021, 2024 for Crosstrek and 2016, 2017, 2020, 2022, 2025 for MDX.

Head to head

Subaru Crosstrek

Model years: 2012–2025 (14)
NHTSA complaints: 1,174
Per model year: 84
Recall campaigns: 13
Years to avoid: 2018, 2019, 2021, 2024
Best years: 2013, 2014, 2015
Top problem area: Visibility & Wipers
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 28.8
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 5.0 ★

Acura MDX

Model years: 2005–2025 (20)
NHTSA complaints: 2,466
Per model year: 123
Recall campaigns: 34
Years to avoid: 2016, 2017, 2020, 2022, 2025
Best years: 2012, 2013
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 19.8
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.9 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	Crosstrek				MDX
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2005	—	—	—	—	Caution	180	11	17
2006	—	—	—	—	Caution	87	9	17
2007	—	—	—	—	Good	99	0	17
2008	—	—	—	—	Good	49	0	17
2009	—	—	—	—	Good	52	0	17
2010	—	—	—	—	Good	45	1	18
2011	—	—	—	—	Good	70	0	18
2012	No verdict	2	0	—	Best	76	1	18
2013	Best	26	1	—	Best	29	1	18
2014	Best	16	1	—	Caution	170	8	22
2015	Best	17	1	—	Caution	71	8	22
2016	Caution	131	1	—	Avoid	374	7	22
2017	Good	94	1	27.5	Avoid	255	8	22
2018	Avoid	194	5	27	Caution	165	10	22
2019	Avoid	284	7	29	Caution	188	9	22.5
2020	Caution	69	0	30	Avoid	221	8	22.5
2021	Avoid	115	1	29.5	—	—	—	—
2022	Good	31	0	29	Avoid	152	2	21
2023	Good	34	0	29.5	Good	39	2	21
2024	Avoid	118	2	29	Caution	39	2	21
2025	Caution	43	0	29	Avoid	105	3	21

Complaint Index by year

Subaru Crosstrek

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Acura MDX

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

Which has more complaints, the Subaru Crosstrek or the Acura MDX?: The Acura MDX has more total complaints (2,466 vs 1,174) and more per model year (123 vs 84), but totals are not normalized for sales, so this isn't a direct reliability comparison.
Which model years should I avoid for each vehicle?: For the Crosstrek, avoid 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2024. For the MDX, avoid 2016, 2017, 2020, 2022, and 2025.
Which model gets better fuel economy?: The Crosstrek averages 28.8 MPG combined compared to the MDX's 19.8 MPG combined.
Does the Acura MDX have more recalls than the Crosstrek?: Yes. NHTSA lists 34 recall campaigns for the MDX across 20 model years versus 13 for the Crosstrek across 14 model years.
What are the top problem areas for each model?: Crosstrek owners most often report Visibility & Wipers issues (341 complaints, 29%), while MDX owners most often report Engine issues (853 complaints, 35%).