UsedScore

2011 Acura MDX: Solid

Owners filed 20 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Acura MDX in its first five years on the road, about 45 for every 100,000 sold: 0.9× the rate of a typical MDX year. That's close to a typical year.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is the powertrain (transmission and drivetrain) (20% of complaints).

Complaint index
0.9×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical MDX year
Rank
6th of 14
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
20
first five years; 45 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
0
campaigns
2nd generation, 2007–2013 · Updated November 9, 2026 · How we rate
2010 Acura MDX (facelift)

Photo: 2010 Acura MDX (facelift) · IFCAR, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Powertrain20% · 4 complaints
  2. Electrical15% · 3 complaints
  3. Engine10% · 2 complaints
  4. Seats and belts10% · 2 complaints
  5. Brakes10% · 2 complaints
  6. Fuel and propulsion15% · 3 complaints
  7. Body and structure5% · 1 complaints
  8. Speed control15% · 3 complaints
  9. Steering5% · 1 complaints
  10. Wheels and tires5% · 1 complaints

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Engine

Many owners report their MDX engines burn through oil far faster than expected, sometimes needing a quart added every 1,000 miles or less. Some also describe knocking noises, warning lights, or reduced power, and say dealers offered mixed responses ranging from warranty repairs to calling the consumption normal.

Warning signs:
Owners report an oil-level or check-engine light, knocking or rattling noises, burning odors, vibration, and gradual loss of power before oil needed topping off.
What shops did:
Some dealers ran oil consumption tests, called the consumption normal, or included owners in a warranty extension for repairs; others could not resolve the issue or said coverage had expired.
Mileage:
most between 60,000 and 115,000 miles, among 15 complaints that give it

“The vehicle started consuming oil around 80,000 miles. At 90,000 miles the engine was consuming 1 quart every 1,000 miles”

“The oil indicator light has come on repeatedly. Also, the 'check emissions system' has also displayed after driving on the freeway.”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

Recalls

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2011 Acura MDX.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

Acura sent NHTSA 59 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2011 MDX. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • DOR-M3J3F-07 · June 2020These SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters.
  • B19-006 · August 2019The oil control rings may become clogged with carbon deposits.
  • ONL6C502142019 · February 2019Owner Notification Letter - On certain 2009-14 Acura vehicles equipped with the 3.7L V6 engine, the oil control rings may become clogged with carbon deposits during normal engine operation.
  • B18010F · January 2018Some clients may complain that the Low Oil Pressure indicator comes on, requiring engine oil to be added, while others who routinely check the oil level as recommended in their owner?s manual may…
  • BTS160705 · August 2017Techline summary article - Some clients may complain that the Low Oil Pressure indicator comes on, requiring engine oil to be added, while others who routinely check the oil level as recommended in…
  • BPAS11022016902 · November 2016Dealer messages - american honda (ahm) is investigating certain 2010-2013 mdxs, 2011-2012 rls, 2009-2014 shawd tls & 2010-2013 zdxs with a client complaint of higher than expected engine oil…
  • Service Bulletin · October 2014The steering wheel vibrates or there is a moan from under the hood while turning at slow speeds.
  • SB-10-09-2013 · October 2013Acura: an investigation is being conducted, on some vehicles, regarding an immediate engine shut off after an intermittent engine start which is caused by the immobilizer system.

All 2011 MDX bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2011 Acura MDX reliable?
Owners filed 20 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Acura MDX in its first five years on the road, about 45 for every 100,000 sold: 0.9× the rate of a typical MDX year. That's close to a typical year. Ratings compare MDX years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2011 MDX problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve the powertrain (transmission and drivetrain) (20%), the electrical system (15%) and the engine (10%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2011 Acura MDX been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2011 Acura MDX.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of November 9, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Acura. The 2011 Acura MDX on NHTSA.gov · How we rate