ProblemsAcura › 2010 MDX

2010 Acura MDX Problems & Owner Complaints

45 NHTSA owner complaints
6 crash 4 fire 8 injury

Age-normalised, this year draws ~2.6 complaints per year on the road — ranking 13 of 14 Acura MDX years we track (1 = most complaints per year).

Thinking about buying a specific Acura MDX?

This page shows problems reported across all 2010 Acura MDXs. Before you buy that one car, enter its VIN: get a free open-recall check, then unlock the full $19 safety report: every complaint, safety ratings & a downloadable PDF for that exact vehicle.

Checking a specific 2010 Acura MDX? Enter its VIN

Free recall check · optional $19 full safety report before you buy

What owners report

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2010 Acura MDX, cited in 11 of 45 filed complaints (24%).

Electrical System is next (9 complaints, 20%), followed by Steering (6), Structure (6), Power Train (5).

Across all complaints, 6 report a crash, 4 report a fire, 8 report injuries.

The most safety-critical cluster is Structure: 1 crash, 4 injury report(s).

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2010 Acura MDX, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 45.

Engine 11 2 fire

“My wife went to the grocery store and turned the car off. And upon doing so the car started smoking and she opened the hood and it was on fire. She opened the hood and put out the fire.”
NHTSA complaint #11557109, 2023 · fire

“I WANTED TO REPORT A RECENT INCIDENT ON AUG 23RD IN WHICH THE ENGINE OF MY MDX CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 7:30 PM. I HAD TO PULL THE CAR OVER AND DIALED 911. SUBSEQUENTLY THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT USING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. ALL OF THIS HAPPENED WITHIN THE SPACE OF 2 MINUTES WITH NO APPARENT REASON. THE CAR WAS TOWED BY THE POLICE AND PLACED IN AN IMPOUND LOT. MY INSURANCE COMPANY GEICO AFTER EXAMINING THE DAMAGE INFORMED ME THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOTALED DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. THE ENGINE WAS PARTIALLY CHEWED OFF DUE TO THE FIRE. THE CONCERNS I HAV…”
NHTSA complaint #10633536, 2014 · fire

“Car has repeatedly stalled in oncoming traffic over the last 4 months.”
NHTSA complaint #11420938, 2021

Electrical System 9 2 fire

“My wife went to the grocery store and turned the car off. And upon doing so the car started smoking and she opened the hood and it was on fire. She opened the hood and put out the fire.”
NHTSA complaint #11557109, 2023 · fire

“I WANTED TO REPORT A RECENT INCIDENT ON AUG 23RD IN WHICH THE ENGINE OF MY MDX CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 7:30 PM. I HAD TO PULL THE CAR OVER AND DIALED 911. SUBSEQUENTLY THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT USING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. ALL OF THIS HAPPENED WITHIN THE SPACE OF 2 MINUTES WITH NO APPARENT REASON. THE CAR WAS TOWED BY THE POLICE AND PLACED IN AN IMPOUND LOT. MY INSURANCE COMPANY GEICO AFTER EXAMINING THE DAMAGE INFORMED ME THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOTALED DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. THE ENGINE WAS PARTIALLY CHEWED OFF DUE TO THE FIRE. THE CONCERNS I HAV…”
NHTSA complaint #10633536, 2014 · fire

“VEHICLE: 2010 ACURA MDX. I WAS ON HWY 395 AT NIGHT AND THE CHECK BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. WE RECENTLY REPLACED THE BATTERY AND I FELT IT SAFE TO DRIVE TO THE NEXT TOWN TO HAVE THE BATTERY CHECKED BEFORE CONTINUING. WITHIN ABOUT 50 MILES, ALL OF THE OTHER WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON IN SUCCESSION. THERE WAS NO SHOULDER OR AREA TO PULL ON THIS SECTION OF HIGHWAY NEAR MONO LAKE AND WITHIN 30 SECONDS THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND ALL THE LIGHTS WENT OUT. I TRIED TO TURN ON THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS AND THEY WOULDN'T WORK. I COULDN'T SEE THE ROAD AND WAS GOING TO RAM THE SIDE OF THE CAR INTO THE RAILING…”
NHTSA complaint #11388720, 2020

Steering 6 1 crash 1 fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 ACURA MDX. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, AN ABNORMAL CRANKING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED SPARKS COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. ON THE THIRD ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,200. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.”
NHTSA complaint #10992272, 2017 · fire

“WHILE MAKING LEFT TURN INTO A ROAD AT A SIGNAL TRAVELING AT 30 MPH - 35 MPH IN MOTION, ENGINE RUNNING - ALL OF A SUDDEN VEHICLE STEERING LOCKED AND COULDN'T STRAIGHTEN AGAIN. MY WIFE ENDED UP CRASHING INTO A ROAD DIVIDER LUCKILY IT WAS AROUND 10:30 PM IN THE NIGHT AND DIDN'T HAVE VEHICLES EITHER ONCOMING OR BEHIND. SHE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED AGAIN, VEHICLE ACTED NORMAL. SHE PULLED OVER TO THE CURB FOR SAFETY. DEALERS REPORTED THEY COULDN'T REPRODUCE THIS ISSUE. BUT DEALER SAID CONTROL ARM WAS VISIBLY BENT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED WITHOUT LINKING REASON FOR THE MAIN ISSUE. I SPOKE…”
NHTSA complaint #10808739, 2015 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PRODUCED A LOUD RUBBING NOISE AND SHOOK VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE ROAD SHOULDER. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ACURA PEABODY (233 ANDOVER ST, PEABODY, MA 01960, (978) 532-9110) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE TEST COULD NOT READ THE CODES. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURES. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE TIRE NEEDED TO BE TORQUED THEY ALSO ROT…”
NHTSA complaint #11195787, 2019

Structure 6 1 crash 4 injury

“This is in reference to Acura Service Bulletin 14-032, Rear Side Body Plug is missing. Both my right and left side body plugs were missing, causing myself and family to experience symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning for at least a year. I had the exhaust system checked by Acura and and independent garage and they found no issues. I would not have know about the cause if I had not found it in a chat thread in an Acura online community. All owners need to be notified. THIS SHOULD BE A MANDATORY SAFETY RECALL for Acura MDX for 2010-2013.”
NHTSA complaint #11595518, 2024 · 4 injury(ies)

“ON 2 DIFFERENT TIMES MY VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. THE FIRST TIME WAS ON OR ABOUT MAY 24, 2011. I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE OF AN APARTMENT COMPLEX. IT WAS AROUND 5:30 PM. I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY (BETWEEN 2-3 MPH) AS THERE WAS A CONSTRUCTION CREW WORKING DIRECTLY BEHIND THE PARKING SPACE IN WHICH I WAS GOING TO PARK. I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN INTO THE PARKING SPACE. AS I PROCEEDED INTO THE PARKING SPACE MY LEFT FOOT WAS ON THE FLOOR AND MY RIGHT FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, ALTERNATING BETWEEN BRAKING AND IDLING. I WAS NOT USING THE ACCELERATOR, JUST THE B…”
NHTSA complaint #10553749, 2012 · crash

“The contact owns a 2010 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while attempting to open the door, the contact’s grandson exited the vehicle, and the door closed independently. The contact stated that his daughter had experienced the door closing independently onto her right hand while exiting the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was diagnosed over the phone by the dealer, and the contact was informed that the door check strap needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The…”
NHTSA complaint #11673735, 2022

Power Train 5

“SO my car had a torque converter recall at some point i was not notified of it to get it fixed. as such i drove it across the us and ended up making the transmission slip so bad that it would not go into gear anymore. since this i have taken it a dealership where the recall was performed after the fat and now they want me to buy a new transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #11655948, 2025

“Massive consumption of oil2 qts every 1000 miles”
NHTSA complaint #11583911, 2019

“I HAVE BEEN A PROUDLY HONDA/ACURA CUSTOMER FOR LAST 20 YEARS. IN NOVEMBER, MY WIFE ACURA MDX 2010 WHICH HAS TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED EVERY 9000 MILES / 1 YEAR AND LESS THAN 50000 MILES ON ODOMETER SUDDENLY HAD STRONG SHUDDER/VIBRATION ( LIKE ANOTHER IS HITTING BEHIND OR THE CAR ITSELF IS RUNNING OVER THE BIG ROCK) AND IT WAS STRUGGLING TO GO OVER 40 MPH WHEN PRESSING ON GAS PADDLE. THE ISSUE WAS NOT REPRODUCIBLE AT DEALER AFTER WE TURNED OFF AND ON THE ENGINE. TODAY ON DECEMBER 17 2015, THE ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN AND WE WERE ABLE TO SHOW TO THE TECHNICIAN AT SOUTH COAST ACURA AND THE…”
NHTSA complaint #10811150, 2015

Unknown Or Other 5 1 crash

“MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A STATE ROAD. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN FROM THE LEFT LANE THE KEY BLADE SEPARATED FROM THE KEY FOB AND FELL TO THE FLOOR. THE KEY FOB HAS A ENGINE IMMOBILIZER AND WHEN IT FELL THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. WITH NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN PROPERLY WHICH CAUSED IT TO GO STRAIGHT INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE RIGHT TURN LANE. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT OF THE KEY DESIGN. THE KEY BLADE POPS OPEN FROM THE FOB AND GETS LOOSE AS TIME GOES BY. THE MANUFACTURER'S POSITION IS THIS IN NOT A DEFECT BUT NORMAL WEAR. A $50,000 VEHICLE LESS…”
NHTSA complaint #10873194, 2016 · crash

“THE OIL ISSUE. WE BOUGHT A 2010 ACURA MDX FROM ANOTHER PERSON, UNAWARE THAT NO MATTER HOW MUCH OIL YOU PUT IN IT, IT DOES NOT LAST VERY LONG. I TRAVEL 60 MILES/DAY BETWEEN WORK AND PICK-UP KIDS AND HOME. THE OIL LASTS MAYBE 2 DAYS SAYS EMPTY AND WE NEVER NEED TO ADD MUCH FOR IT TO BE FULL. WE HAVE A TOYOTA SEQUOIA THAT IS BIGGER AND WE HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS ISSUE. HAD A HONDA DIDN'T HAVE THIS ISSUE, AND HAD A FEW PICK-UPS WITH OUT THIS ISSUE. ALL OLDER THAN THE ACURA.. THIS IS EXPENSIVE AND WHAT CAN WE DO TO FIX THIS??”
NHTSA complaint #11560634, 2023

“Backup camera doesn’t function. This is a know. Problem in Honda and 1.2 M car has been recalled few days back. However there is no recall for MDX though same issue exist. If you check Acura MDX forum there are number of people complaining about back up camera and harness wire having issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11529438, 2021

Before you buy this car, see its exact open recalls + full $19 report Enter the VIN of the 2010 Acura MDX you're looking at, free recall check first

Seat Belts 4 2 crash 2 injury

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING 65MPH CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF HER VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD HER IN, AND HER FACE HIT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CAUSING LACERATIONS TO HER EYES AND TWISTING OF HER BACK. THE AMBULANCE TOOK HER TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.”
NHTSA complaint #10317024, 2010 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“CPSC: 2010 ACURA MDX: CONSUMER STATED THE CHILD CHOKED ON THE HANGING STRAP FROM THE CEILING WHICH CAUSED HIM TO BE HOSPITALIZED. *SS”
NHTSA complaint #10838343, 2016 · 1 injury(ies)

“ON 2 DIFFERENT TIMES MY VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. THE FIRST TIME WAS ON OR ABOUT MAY 24, 2011. I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE OF AN APARTMENT COMPLEX. IT WAS AROUND 5:30 PM. I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY (BETWEEN 2-3 MPH) AS THERE WAS A CONSTRUCTION CREW WORKING DIRECTLY BEHIND THE PARKING SPACE IN WHICH I WAS GOING TO PARK. I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN INTO THE PARKING SPACE. AS I PROCEEDED INTO THE PARKING SPACE MY LEFT FOOT WAS ON THE FLOOR AND MY RIGHT FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, ALTERNATING BETWEEN BRAKING AND IDLING. I WAS NOT USING THE ACCELERATOR, JUST THE B…”
NHTSA complaint #10553749, 2012 · crash

Air Bags 3 1 crash 2 injury

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED PINCHED NERVE DAMAGE TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BODY AND TWO BULGED DISCS IN THE BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT LEG AND A DISLOCATED DISC IN THE BACK THAT ALSO REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE BODY DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIE…”
NHTSA complaint #10944333, 2016 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“Never been in accident, Srs warning on dash, so took to Acura service dept in November of 2020, they confirmed it's the opds unit & the opds sensor inside seat, said it's not the seatbelts, & no airbags will deploy if in accident, they want to charge $1700+tax, we are poor & can not afford that or to buy another vehicle, our safety of our family with kids are at risk if in a accident because we can not afford the charge to replace the parts”
NHTSA complaint #11424713, 2020

“TAKATA INFLATORS DEAR NHTSA, I HAVE THE FOLLOWING QUESTION THAT I WAS HOPING YOU COULD ANSWER FOR ME: EVERY 2010 ACURA VEHICLE IS RECALLED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE MDX, HOW IS IT THAT THE MDX IS NOT ON THE LIST? DID THEY USE A DIFFERENT AIRBAG CONFIGURATION IN THE MDX THAT THEY DID NOT USE IN ALL OTHER MODELS, THAT DOES NOT SOUND LIKE IT WOULD BE COST EFFECTIVE FOR HONDA? MY WIFE'S 2010 TL WAS ONLY RECENTLY ADDED TO THE LIST (~3 MONTHS AGO), SO I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED TO SEE THE MDX APPEAR ON THE LIST NEXT MONTH. I AM INQUIRING BECAUSE, QUITE FRANKLY, I DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE…”
NHTSA complaint #10884440, 2016

Service Brakes 3 1 crash

“I WAS DRIVING AND PRIOR TO HITTING MY BRAKES, SEVERAL ALERT MESSAGES POPPED UP AND A VOICE STARTED READING THEM OUT. THE MESSAGES ARE STILL SAVED ON THE ACURA'S COMPUTER, BUT SINCE THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP RIGHT NOW, I DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO RECALL THEM EXACTLY. THE ONLY ONE I REMEMBER SAID THAT THE VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST AND TCS MAY NOT OPERATE AND IT TRIED TO DIRECT ME TO FIND THE NEAREST ACURA DEALERSHIP. THERE WAS ALSO A MESSAGE ABOUT ABS. WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKES, THERE WAS MINIMAL RESISTANCE, AND THE CAR DIDN'T STOP WHATSOEVER. IT DIDN'T SKID OR SLIDE, THERE WAS NO BRAKE PRESSURE AT ALL.…”
NHTSA complaint #10490208, 2012 · crash

“I AM WRITING WITH RESPECT TO A DEFECT IN A 2010 ACURA MDX (VEHICLE ID #: [XXX]) THAT I PREVIOUSLY LEASED. ON AUGUST 27, 2012, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING SAID VEHICLE ON THE MERRITT PARKWAY IN CT. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND MY WIFE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND COULD NOT BRING THE CAR TO A STOP AND EVENTUALLY THE CAR ROLLED TO A STOP. MY WIFE WAS TERRIFIED BY THE INCIDENT AND CALLED 9-1-1. AFTER WAITING A WHILE, THE CAR WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER WHERE WE HAD LEASED THE AUTOMOBILE. THE DEALER RAN…”
NHTSA complaint #10485847, 2012

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 ACURA MDX. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING DOWN AN INCLINE APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED YET THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE CONTACT VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND TRAVELED OVER A CURB. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE ENGAGED AND BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE ENGINE WAS THEN TURNED OFF TO ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE A ROAD TEST AND AN INSPECTION WERE PERFORMED. IN ADDITION, PHOTOGRAPHS WERE TAKEN OF THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETECT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE.…”
NHTSA complaint #10392152, 2011

Exterior Lighting 2 1 crash

“ON 2 DIFFERENT TIMES MY VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. THE FIRST TIME WAS ON OR ABOUT MAY 24, 2011. I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE OF AN APARTMENT COMPLEX. IT WAS AROUND 5:30 PM. I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY (BETWEEN 2-3 MPH) AS THERE WAS A CONSTRUCTION CREW WORKING DIRECTLY BEHIND THE PARKING SPACE IN WHICH I WAS GOING TO PARK. I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN INTO THE PARKING SPACE. AS I PROCEEDED INTO THE PARKING SPACE MY LEFT FOOT WAS ON THE FLOOR AND MY RIGHT FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, ALTERNATING BETWEEN BRAKING AND IDLING. I WAS NOT USING THE ACCELERATOR, JUST THE B…”
NHTSA complaint #10553749, 2012 · crash

“ACURA'S MDX HAS INSUFFICIENT BACK-UP LIGHTING, WHICH MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SAFELY BACK UP AT NIGHT. IT ALSO RENDERS THE BACK-UP CAMERA USELESS. THE ACURA SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS UNABLE TO ADVICE ON A SOLUTION; AS THEY TELL YOU TO MOVE THE NAVIGATION DIAL TO BRIGHTEN THE LIGHT, BUT THAT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THIS PROBLEM ONLY EXISTS IF THERE IS NO ADDITIONAL STREET LIGHTING THAT COULD ASSIST WITH ILLUMINATING THE AREA BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THEREFORE, DRIVERS WHO LIVE IN A WELL-LIT COMMUNITY (CITY) MAY NOT NOTICE THE PROBLEM. BUT BACKING UP ON A COUNTRY ROAD,…”
NHTSA complaint #10640238, 2011

Fuel/Propulsion System 2 1 fire

“My wife went to the grocery store and turned the car off. And upon doing so the car started smoking and she opened the hood and it was on fire. She opened the hood and put out the fire.”
NHTSA complaint #11557109, 2023 · fire

“EXHAUST ENTERING CABIN WHILE UNDER ACCELERATION OR UNDER LOAD. THE EXHAUST ENTERED CABIN ESPECIALLY WHEN THE HVAC SYSTEM WAS IN "RECIRC" THE DEALER AND ACURA WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM AFTER MULTIPLE VISITS. I DOCUMENTED THAT CARBON MONOXIDE WAS BUILDING UP INSIDE TO ALARMING LEVELS USING A REAL-TIME INDUSTRIAL GAS DETECTOR LEVELS EXCEEDING 160PPM WHILE PULLING A ~3000 LBS BOAT ON THE INTERSTATE WITH A SLIGHT HEAD WIND. (BEING MEASURED FROM FRONT SEAT/ I HAVE VIDEO RECORDINGS OF THIS AND OTHER DOCUMENTATION SHOWING THE BUILDUP AFTER NORMAL ACCELERATION ENTERING INTERSTATE ETC. THE ACTUA…”
NHTSA complaint #10478446, 2012

Latches/Locks/Linkages 2

“The contact owns a 2010 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while attempting to open the door, the contact’s grandson exited the vehicle, and the door closed independently. The contact stated that his daughter had experienced the door closing independently onto her right hand while exiting the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was diagnosed over the phone by the dealer, and the contact was informed that the door check strap needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The…”
NHTSA complaint #11673735, 2022

“PARTIALLY CLOSED DRIVERS DOOR ON SEAT BELT. OPENED DOOR REMOVED SEAT BELT. THEN AFTER DRIVING HOME I WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR WITH OR WITHOUT THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS NOR FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OR WITH A KEY. HAD TO CLIMB OUT OF THE CAR OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE OR OUT THE WINDOW. THIS SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AND A SAFETY CONCERN IF NEEDING TO EXIT THE CAR SWIFTLY. *JS”
NHTSA complaint #10661657, 2014

Seats 2

“EXCESSIVE OIL USE. 2 QUARTS EVERY 1500 MILES. VSA CHECK TRAILER ASSIST CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON OFTEN.”
NHTSA complaint #11063792, 2014

“AFTER PURCHASING MY 2012 ACURA MDX BACK IN APRIL 2012 JUST A FEW WEEKS LATER OF THIS DATE MY VEHICLE PRESENTED AN ISSUE WITH THE DRIVER CAR SEAT MOTOR, AS IN NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND SAFELY ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE THE HEIGHT OF THE SEAT TO MY NEEDS. AS SOON AS THIS HAPPENED I CALLED IT IN AND WAS REQUESTED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR. FEW MONTHS WENT BY UNTIL THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED AND HERE I AM UNABLE TO SIT SAFELY AND PROPERLY DUE TO THE SEAT BASE NOT WORKING AGAIN. FOR THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE WAS CALLED IN AND BROUGHT IN FOR A SUPPOSED NEW/ORIGINAL PART CHANGE. THE SERVICE DEPT MA…”
NHTSA complaint #10745698, 2012

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 1

“EXCESSIVE OIL USE. 2 QUARTS EVERY 1500 MILES. VSA CHECK TRAILER ASSIST CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON OFTEN.”
NHTSA complaint #11063792, 2014

Suspension 1

“RECEIVED A NOV 2016 LETTER FROM ACURA HQ. TORRANCE , CA THAT THERE WAS A WARRANTY EXTENSION ON 2007-2013 ACURA MDX WITH FRONT & REAR ACTIVE DAMPERS, MAY HAVE HARD TO DETECT LEAKS ESPECIALLY ON FRONT SUSPENSION. I HAD PURCHASED MY ONE OWNER 2010 MDX ADVANCE OVER A YEAR BEFORE, BUT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE FOUND THE REAR COULD NOT BE ALIGNED PROPERLY...THIS AFTER 3-4 ALIGNMENTS & NOTICED MY NEW MICHELIN TIRES WERE WEARING NOTCHED. WELL UPON FINDING OUT ABOUT THE ABOVE DEFECT & ALSO FINDING THE PRICE TO REPLACE THESE 4 ELECTONIC MAGNETIC SHOCKS WERE IN THE $2500 BALLPARK FOR PARTS, PLU…”
NHTSA complaint #11170113, 2019

Visibility 1 1 fire

“The contact's wife owned a 2010 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while parked in his garage, the passenger's low beam headlamp was removed after it stopped illuminating. The contact observed then observed the driver's low beam heal lamp blinking. The contact stated after 10 minutes, he and his family observed a smokey odor in the house and retreated to the garage to inspect the origin of the odor. The contact then observed flames emanating from the passenger headlamp. The fire spread and within 45 minutes the entire house was engulfed in flames and the vehicle remained trapped under a colla…”
NHTSA complaint #11615437, 2024 · fire

How we read this (methodology)

How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2010 Acura MDX draws about 2.6 complaints per year on the road, ranking 13 of 14 among the Acura MDX model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

Before you buy this Acura MDX

Don't buy on the strength of a problems page alone. Check the exact VIN of the car you're looking at. The open recalls are free, and the full $19 safety report pulls every complaint, safety rating and a downloadable PDF for that one vehicle.

Related

Data source: U.S. NHTSA (nhtsa.gov). SaveVIN surfaces public recall data and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.

SaveVIN

Free vehicle recall & safety reports using public U.S. NHTSA data.

Uses public U.S. NHTSA data SaveVIN is an independent service, not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to NHTSA, the U.S. government, or any vehicle manufacturer.
For official recall notices, check nhtsa.gov/recalls and register your vehicle with its manufacturer. SaveVIN alerts are best-effort and do not replace official notices.