NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The rear subframe can corrode at suspension attachment points, potentially causing rear suspension components to fail.
This page covers 12 recalls, 153 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2018 Acura MDX.
21–27 mpg combined
8.7–11.2 L/100km
Small 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. Ranges reflect the 5 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints about the 2018 Acura MDX cluster heavily around the fuel/propulsion system, engine, and powertrain. Owners frequently report engine-related failures, with several describing seized or failed motors, in some cases after a replacement engine had already been installed. Fuel and propulsion complaints often involve warning lights related to emissions systems appearing alongside other unrelated warnings, and mechanics reportedly struggling to isolate the root cause. Powertrain concerns overlap with these, sometimes appearing as multiple driver-assist systems going offline simultaneously, lane keeping, adaptive cruise, automatic high beams, and automatic emergency braking all dropping out at once. A smaller number of owners mention front camera failures at higher mileage. One isolated report describes a mileage discrepancy discovered at the time of purchase, which sits apart from the mechanical complaint pattern.
153
Total Complaints
3
Crash-Related
4
Fire-Related
2
With Injuries
By System
The 2018 Acura MDX has 12 recalls, the most serious involving an engine connecting rod bearing that can seize and cause the engine to stall or catch fire, and rear suspension control arms that can corrode and fail, causing sudden loss of handling control.
The rear suspension concern affects vehicles sold or registered in certain states where road salt is common, as the rear control arms can corrode to the point of failure. On the engine side, the timing belt's teeth can separate from the belt, also causing a stall. There is also a fuel pump concern that spans two separate recalls: particulates can clog the pump or the impeller can deform, either way causing the engine to stall while driving.
Two seat recalls overlap in consequence: the driver's powered seat may have been assembled with faulty rivets that can break in a crash, allowing the seat to pull free from the floor. Some vehicles with power passenger seats share this issue. A front passenger airbag sensor can misread the occupant and deploy the airbag when it should not, raising injury risk in a crash. The rear brake calipers can develop gas pockets that reduce stopping power. Rounding out the list, moisture can get into the tailgate lid light assembly and cause the taillights, license plate lights, and position lights to go dark, reducing the vehicle's visibility to other drivers at night.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear subframe can corrode at suspension attachment points, potentially causing rear suspension components to fail.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
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 →
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the rear subframe, install a reinforcement kit, and repair or replace components as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and create an electrical short, potentially causing airbags to deploy unexpectedly during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger seat weight sensor at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Moisture can seep into the tailgate lid light assembly and wiring, causing interior and exterior lights to stop working, including lid lights, position lights, license plate lights, and taillights.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the wiring, install a fuse harness, replace the lid light, and repair the body dust sealer as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail, potentially stopping fuel delivery to the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A manufacturing error may cause the connecting rod bearing in the engine to wear and seize, which damages the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the engine and repair or replace it as necessary at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt, which could cause the belt to fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace any affected timing belt at no cost. The engine will be inspected and any damaged components replaced for free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The timing belt's teeth may separate due to a manufacturing defect, which could cause the engine to stall.
What the fix does
Dealers will check your timing belt's lot number. If affected, they'll replace the belt and inspect your engine for damage.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Moisture can enter the tailgate lid lights, causing the tailgate lid lights and taillights to stop working.
What the fix does
Dealers will modify the tailgate lid lights, install updated gaskets and wiring, or replace both tailgate lid lights.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Fuel particles can build up inside the fuel pump, reducing how well it works.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the engine control software and replace the fuel pump if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Rear brake caliper pistons lack proper coating, allowing gas pockets to form and reduce braking power.
What the fix does
Dealer will bleed the brakes to restore proper brake function at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Front driver and/or passenger power seats may have improperly manufactured rivets holding the seat slide rails to the seat feet. In a crash, these rivets can break, causing the seat to separate from its base.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front seat frame assembly (both seats on Pilot; driver's seat on MDX).
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The powered front seats have rivets that were not manufactured correctly. In a crash, these rivets can break, causing the seats to come loose from the floor.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the seat frame assembly (driver seat in Acura MDX; driver and front passenger seats in Pilot and Ridgeline) at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
