This page covers 1 recall, 72 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 Acura MDX.
18 mpg combined
13.1 L/100km
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The most consistent complaint pattern across 2012 Acura MDX owners centers on the engine and powertrain. The dominant engine issue is excessive oil consumption, owners frequently report the low oil warning light triggering well before the next scheduled oil change, with some describing the need to add multiple quarts between services and no visible external leaks to explain the loss. Several owners say this has been an ongoing issue spanning years. On the powertrain side, owners report transmission-related concerns, though these are described less uniformly. The airbag system draws a smaller but notable cluster of complaints, most tied to the passenger seat occupant sensor triggering unexpectedly or misclassifying seat occupancy. The oil consumption pattern is the clearest recurring theme, with owners consistently describing the problem as progressive and present even after dealership evaluations.
72
Total Complaints
4
Crash-Related
3
Fire-Related
2
With Injuries
By System
The 2012 Acura MDX has 3 recalls, the most serious being defective front airbag inflators on both the driver and passenger sides that can explode and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin, causing serious injury or death.
The airbag inflator issue affects both sides of the front seat and represents the same well-known defect type: the inflator ruptures rather than deploying normally, turning the module itself into a hazard. There is also a fuel system recall involving a faulty valve inside the fuel tank that can allow fuel to leak out, creating a fire risk if the leaking fuel contacts an ignition source.
At a glance
What can fail
The vent shut-float valve case inside the fuel tank may have been manufactured incorrectly and could fail, allowing fuel to leak from the tank.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the fuel tank assembly and replace it if necessary.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
