UsedScore

2019 Acura MDX: Use caution

Owners filed 67 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Acura MDX in its first five years on the road, about 129 for every 100,000 sold: 1.5× the rate of a typical MDX year. That's above average, so use caution.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is the electrical system (34% of complaints, median 19,000 miles).

Complaint index
1.5×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical MDX year
Rank
9th of 13
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
67
first five years; 129 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
9
campaigns
3rd generation, 2014–2020 · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2017–2020 Acura MDX (facelift)

Photo: 2017–2020 Acura MDX (facelift) · Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Electrical34% · 23 complaints · median 19,000 miles
  2. Engine27% · 18 complaints · median 13,000 miles
  3. Powertrain18% · 12 complaints
  4. Fuel and propulsion10% · 7 complaints
  5. Brakes7% · 5 complaints · median 4,000 miles
  6. Speed control9% · 6 complaints
  7. Visibility12% · 8 complaints · median 0 miles
  8. Body and structure3% · 2 complaints
  9. Wheels and tires4% · 3 complaints
  10. Driver assistance6% · 4 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

Electrical

Owners describe their MDX suddenly stalling, shifting to neutral, or losing display and climate functions, often at intersections or highway speeds. Dealers frequently cannot reproduce or permanently fix the problem despite battery swaps, software updates, and recall repairs.

Warning signs:
Owners report dashboard warning lights (electrical, brake, emissions, transmission), screen blackouts, unresponsive touchscreen, or a burning smell before or during the failure.
What shops did:
Dealers often could not duplicate the failure, sometimes replacing the battery, updating software, or performing recall-related repairs without resolving the issue.
Mileage:
most between 10,000 and 40,000 miles, among 10 complaints that give it

“Upon releasing the brake, the car should re-start, instead the car does not start. The car jumps out of the drive gear into neutral on the transmission.”

“Infotainment system experiences periodic failures causing inability to control climate/temperature controls, communications, navigation, and vehicle settings including safety settings.”

Engine

Owners of this MDX report the engine stalling, losing power, or knocking, often tied to recall parts being on backorder. Some describe being stranded in traffic or having major engine repairs, with dealers sometimes unable to fix or even duplicate the problem.

Warning signs:
Many report warning lights, engine knocking or rattling, rough running, a gas smell, or the vehicle going into limp mode or neutral before losing power.
What shops did:
Dealers often could not duplicate the failure, replaced timing belts, cylinder heads, or engines, or told owners recall parts were not yet available.
Mileage:
most between 15,000 and 60,000 miles, among 17 complaints that give it

“the timing belt had "jumped time" causing the engine management system to set multiple misfire codes”

“the vehicle was making an abnormal engine noise, which continued until the failure”

Powertrain

Owners describe their 2019 MDX losing power, stalling, or shifting into neutral or park unexpectedly, often with rough or jerky transmission behavior. Many say this happened suddenly while driving, sometimes in traffic, and dealers were not always able to fix or fully explain the problem.

Warning signs:
Owners report warning lights, limp mode, whining or banging noises, rough shifting, and sudden loss of power before or during the failure.
What shops did:
Dealers sometimes diagnosed transmission failure and quoted costly replacements, performed software or recall updates, or in some cases could not find any cause.
Mileage:
most between 20,000 and 60,000 miles, among 7 complaints that give it

“began running very roughly, slowing rather abruptly. The check engine light began flashing, and several warning messages were displayed”

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

Recalls (9)

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›
  • NHTSA 26V365000June 2026880,514 vehicles

    Suspension: rear · Structure: frame and members

    American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.

    Risk: Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 26V332000May 202698,892 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.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 25V259000April 2025152,800 vehicles

    Interior lighting · Exterior lighting

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid light assembly and wiring harness, which can cause the interior and exterior lights to fail, including the lid lights, position lights, license plate lights and taillights.

    Risk: Vehicle lights that fail to illuminate can decrease visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect the wiring and install a fuse harness, replace the lid light, and repair the body dust sealer, as necessary, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 23V858000December 20232,490,460 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

    Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 23V751000November 2023248,999 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.

    Risk: A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 21V215000March 2021624,552 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

    Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 19V298000April 201993,946 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura MDX and Honda Pilot vehicles and 2019 Acura RLX, RLX Sport Hybrid, TLX and Honda Odyssey and Ridgeline vehicles. The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt.

    Risk: Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.

    Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected timing belt free of charge.

  • NHTSA 19V256000March 2019322,897 vehicles

    Exterior lighting · Exterior lighting: tail lights

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Acura MDX and 2017-2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid lights, possibly causing a loss of the tailgate lid lights and the taillights.

    Risk: Loss of the taillights reduces the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of crash.

    Fix: Acura will notify owners, and dealers will modify the tailgate lid lights and install updated gaskets and a wiring sub-harness or will replace both tailgate lid lights.

  • NHTSA 18V777000November 201864,785 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Acura MDX, 2017-2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda HR-V and Honda Odyssey, and 2016 Honda HR-V vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating, causing gas pockets to form, reducing brake performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

    Risk: A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Owners will be notified, and Honda or Acura dealers will bleed the brakes, free of charge.

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 138 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2019 MDX. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • ONL6T603102023 · March 2023 · Warranty extensionWarranty Extension reimbursement form for engine idle stop repairs made before the warranty extension notice date.
  • ONL6T603102023-3 · March 2023 · Warranty extensionUnder certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart.
  • B23-002 · July 2025Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or low cranking torque.
  • B24-022 · February 2025The AWD warning light is on with one or more AWD DTCs having been set due to water intrusion into the electric oil pump motor connector area corrodes the terminals.
  • ONL6AX05292024 · May 2024Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engaging, the vehicle may not automatically restart.
  • B24040A · May 2024Service News - Due to On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) regulation change starting with 2019 vehicles, American Honda’s Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) On-Board Diagnostic monitors…
  • B23-035 · January 2024The MIL comes on during vehicle operation due to variations in the purge control solenoid valve spring, the valve wears unevenly and intermittently sticks.
  • BTI&05252023902 · May 2023Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

All 2019 MDX bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2019 Acura MDX reliable?
Owners filed 67 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Acura MDX in its first five years on the road, about 129 for every 100,000 sold: 1.5× the rate of a typical MDX year. That's above average, so use caution. 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 2019 MDX problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve the electrical system (34%), the engine (27%) and the powertrain (transmission and drivetrain) (18%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2019 Acura MDX been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2019 Acura MDX, the most recent in June 2026 (suspension). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 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 2019 Acura MDX on NHTSA.gov · How we rate