Acura MDX Years to Avoid

Why 2016 and 2022 made the avoid list

2016 Acura MDX

AvoidTop issue: powertrain · 52% of complaints · median 28,000 miles

Owners describe brakes that intermittently fail to stop or feel soft, engines that stall or lose power with failed rod bearings, and a 9-speed transmission that hesitates, jerks or shifts into neutral. Many say dealer fixes, software updates or replacements didn't resolve their problems.

Full 2016 report ›

2022 Acura MDX

AvoidTop issue: powertrain · 48% of complaints · median 97,000 miles

Owners describe splines between the transmission and transfer case shearing, causing loss of all-wheel drive, fluid leaks and sometimes sudden power loss, often without warning lights. Others report phantom braking or unresponsive brakes and sudden electrical warnings with lost power steering or braking assist.

Full 2022 report ›

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints on NHTSA's site and checked against them; the counts and mileages come from our data.

Best Acura MDX years to buy

2008 Acura MDX

Best betTop issue: brakes · 24% of complaints

Owners filed 17 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 MDX in its first five years, about 35 for every 100,000 sold: 0.3× the rate of a typical MDX year. 24% of them involve the brakes.

Full 2008 report ›

2009 Acura MDX

Best betTop issue: seats and belts · 20% of complaints

Owners filed 15 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 MDX in its first five years, about 43 for every 100,000 sold: 0.5× the rate of a typical MDX year. 20% of them involve the seats and seat belts.

Full 2009 report ›

2010 Acura MDX

Best betTop issue: seats and belts · 15% of complaints

Owners filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 MDX in its first five years, about 30 for every 100,000 sold: 0.5× the rate of a typical MDX year. 15% of them involve the seats and seat belts.

Full 2010 report ›

2012 Acura MDX

Best betTop issue: electrical · 33% of complaints · median 7,000 miles

Owners filed 15 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 MDX in its first five years, about 31 for every 100,000 sold: 0.3× the rate of a typical MDX year. 33% of them involve the electrical system, at a median of 7,000 miles.

Full 2012 report ›

2013 Acura MDX

Best betTop issue: engine · 29% of complaints

Owners filed 14 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 MDX in its first five years, about 27 for every 100,000 sold: 0.3× the rate of a typical MDX year. 29% of them involve the engine.

Full 2013 report ›

A best bet drew 0.6× the complaint rate of a typical MDX year or less in its first five years on the road. How we rate

1. Powertrain27% of complaints · 279 complaints · median 5,000–97,000 miles by year · worst years: 2016, 2017 and 2022
2. Electrical23% of complaints · 239 complaints · median 6,000–31,000 miles by year · worst years: 2014, 2016 and 2019
3. Engine22% of complaints · 227 complaints · median 5,000–36,000 miles by year · worst years: 2016, 2019 and 2020
4. Brakes13% of complaints · 139 complaints · median 4,000–41,000 miles by year · worst years: 2014, 2016 and 2022
5. Speed control9% of complaints · 91 complaints · median 10,000–20,000 miles by year · worst years: 2014, 2016 and 2017

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA in each model year's first five years on the road, all years combined. A complaint can name more than one area. Worst years are the rated years with the most complaints about that area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

Questions owners ask

Which Acura MDX years should you avoid?

Counting complaints owners filed with NHTSA in each year's first five years on the road, per vehicle sold, the 2016 and 2022 MDX drew the most: each more than twice the rate of a typical MDX year, spread across more than one problem area. The 2014, 2017, 2019 and 2020 also ran above average; use caution with them.

What is the best year for a used Acura MDX?

The best bets are the 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013 MDX, which drew far fewer complaints per vehicle sold than a typical MDX year. The 2013 drew the fewest for its time on the road (0.3× the rate of a typical MDX year). Years from 2023 on haven't had five years on the road, so they aren't rated yet.

What is the most common problem with the Acura MDX?

Across every year, the problem area owners report most is the powertrain (transmission and drivetrain) (27% of complaints), followed by the electrical system (23%) and the engine (22%). A complaint can name more than one area.

Has the Acura MDX been recalled?

Yes. NHTSA lists 25 recall campaigns covering MDX model years 2008 to 2026, the most recent in October 2026. Enter a vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether its repairs were done.