What are the most common problems on the 2013 Acura MDX?

NHTSA has 29 owner complaint(s) on record for the 2013 Acura MDX. Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2013 Acura MDX, cited in 9 of 29 filed complaints (31%).

Problems › Acura › 2013 MDX

2013 Acura MDX Problems & Owner Complaints

29 NHTSA owner complaints

3 fire

Age-normalised, this year draws ~2.1 complaints per year on the road — ranking 14 of 14 Acura MDX years we track (1 = most complaints per year).

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What owners report

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2013 Acura MDX, cited in 9 of 29 filed complaints (31%).

Electrical System is next (8 complaints, 28%), followed by Power Train (4), Exterior Lighting (3), Steering (3).

Across all complaints, 3 report a fire.

The most safety-critical cluster is Electrical System: 3 fire report(s).

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2013 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 29.

Engine 9 1 fire

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
NHTSA complaint #10680786, 2015 · fire

“I changed the oil in my car with synthetic 4k miles ago. About 1k miles ago I started getting an error that said low oil level. I went back into the lube shop to see what was going on, they said there was no leakage or issues there but there was hardly any oil in my car and that it was probably burning oil. I searched for issues with my 2013 MDX burning oil and an issue in 2019 with clogged oil control rings came up but said that the warranty extension would only be good to 2021. I found out this will be $5k to fix. I was never alerted of this issue and would like to submit a complaint about n…”
NHTSA complaint #11492600, 2022

“I have a 2013 Acura MDX with an estimated 87k miles. Over the past 3 months, the engine will cut off while I'm driving and the steering wheel and brakes lock up. This has happened about 5 times in a three-month period. There are no warning lamps on my dashboard and no codes appeared during the diagnostic tests. My mechanic is unable to reproduce the issue. I have two young sons and am terrified of driving them in the MDX. The engine failure happens very randomly as it's cut off while driving at varying speeds.”
NHTSA complaint #11424043, 2021

Electrical System 8 3 fire

“The contact owns a 2013 Acura MDX. The contact stated that he was about to drive the vehicle when he noticed the front passenger-side headlight was flickering. The contact stated he decided not to drive the vehicle. The contact stated when he looked at the vehicle again he noticed the vehicle was on fire from the passenger side headlight. The contact stated a fire report was filed and the contact was informed that the fire origin was due to an electrical malfunction. There were no injuries reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufactur…”
NHTSA complaint #11554069, 2023 · fire

“Internal vehicle fire started around front passenger seat and burned for an unknown amount time before it extinguished on its own while vehicle was off and parked. Fire department was contacted upon fire discovery and they confirmed it was out, could be electrically related, and disconnected my battery Vehicle is available for inspection for the time being (pending insurance). If I or any passenger was in the vehicle they could've been seriously injured or died. There were no warning lamps or issues of any prior problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11439625, 2021 · fire

Unknown Or Other 5 1 fire

“PROBLEM WITH JUDDER FROM THE TORQUE CONVERTER LOCK-UP CLUTCH/UPDATE THE PGM-FI ORA/T SOFTWARE AND FLUSH THE ATF. ACURA SENT SERVICE BULLETIN 16-062 ON 09/28/2018 JUST FOR 8 YEARS/80,000 MILES I HAVE A 2103 ACURA MDX WITH 103,102 MILES WITH THE SAME BULLETIN ISSUE, THEY WANT ME TO PAY CLOSE TO $500.00 FOR AN ISSUE THAT THEY READY KNOW WITH OUT DOING A DIAGNOSTIC ON MY VEHICLE.”
NHTSA complaint #11364818, 2020

“AS I PULLED THE CAR INTO THE PARKING LOT SLOWLY AND WAS ABOUT TO PUT IT IN PARK I REALISED THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND JERKED UP ON THE CURB/WALKWAY. AS THERE WAS NO PLACE FOR ME TO MANOUVER I TRIED TO TURN IT TO THE LEFT AND HIT A WALL TO STOP THE CAR. DURING THIS WHOLE PROCESS THE ENGINE NEVER STOPPED.”
NHTSA complaint #10970361, 2017

Power Train 4

“The 2013 Acura MDX has a problem with the pistons in the engine which causes excessive oil consumption. This was the subject matter of a class action suit described in the website entitled Acura Oil Consumption Settlement. This defect should be subject to a recall and American Honda should be required to repair or replace the pistons.”
NHTSA complaint #11523749, 2019

“TORQUE CONVERTER PROBLEM...... I BOUGHT A USED 2012 MDX WITH 4300 MILES 5 MONTHS LATER I HAD THIS ISSUE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A ACURA DEALER AND THEY FIXED IT BUT I DID FEEL SAFE SO I TRADED IT IN FOR A NEWER MODEL THINKING IT WOULD BE BETTER...LONG BEHOLD THE 2013 MDX I GOT DID THE SAME THING 5 MONTH LATER. THE DEALER NEVER TOLD ME AFTER BRING THE FIRST CAR BACK THAT THIS WAS AN ISSUE WITH THESE CARS. AND SOLD ME A SECOND ONE , WHICH BY THE WAY I LOSS $8000 ON THE FIRST CAR FOR TRADING IT IN SO SOON.I ONLY TRADED IT IN BECAUSE I DID FEEL SAFE AND I TOLD THEM THAT..LUCKY I BOUGHT WARRANTY BECAUS…”
NHTSA complaint #10882413, 2016

Exterior Lighting 3

“The car is giving external right head light issue. The light turns off suddenly at night which we need to turn on again after 2 minutes. This happens frequently and we have to turn on the lights very often. The dealer examined the issue and he expressed regret in repairing the vehicle and estimated price of $2.500.The Service Manager though stated that the issue is same as it pertains to the rear lighting issue for Acura 2014 to 2020 Models. We paid $100 just to examine the lighting issue to the dealer. We are senior citizens at advanced stage and it is becoming increasingly difficult to take…”
NHTSA complaint #11744051, 2026

“BACKUP CAMERA HAS EXTREMELY POOR PERFORMANCE IN LOW LIGHT OR NIGHT TIME SETTINGS IF THERE IS NO OTHER AMBIENT LIGHT LIKE STREET LIGHTS. REVERSE LIGHTS ARE NOT SUFFICIENT TO BE ABLE TO SEE OBSTACLES OR DANGERS IN THE BACKUP MONITOR. BODY PANELS PRODUCE A BLIND SPOT REQUIRING THE BACKUP CAMERA TO SEE BEHIND YOU. THE BACKUP CAMERA HAS SHIFTED ANGLE SLIGHTLY CAUSING THE MARKINGS INTENDED TO ALLOW BACKUP INTO PARKING SPACES TO BE OFF CENTER AND GUIDE THE VEHICLE TO AN INAPPROPRIATE PARKING ANGLE. THIS LOW LIGHT PERFORMANCE ISSUE HAS BEEN KNOWN TO OWNERS FOR SOME TIME, IN LIGHT OF ACURA'S NEW RECALL…”
NHTSA complaint #11132688, 2018

“EMERGENCY FLASHERS WERE STUCK IN THE ON POSITION. WE HAD PULLED OVER BRIEFLY ON THE FREEWAY AND TURNED ON THE HAZARD FLASHERS. SHORTLY THEREAFTER WE WANTED TO RESUME DRIVING BUT THE FLASHERS WOULD NOT TURN OFF FOR A COUPLE MINUTES, SO WE DID NOT WANT TO DRIVE. THE SWITCH DID NOT RESPOND, DURING A COUPLE MINUTES OF PRESSING THE SWITCH. UNKNOWN WHY THE SWITCH BECAME STUCK OR HOW IT BECAME UNSTUCK.”
NHTSA complaint #10731925, 2015

Steering 3

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL MOVED UPWARDS INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,200.”
NHTSA complaint #10693695, 2015

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONTROL NEEDED TO BE REBOOTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,800. UPDATED 12/01/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STAED A NON-ACURA DEALER IDENTIFED THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY AS DEFECTIVE. UPDATED 01/20/15”
NHTSA complaint #10640928, 2014

“THE VEHICLE SHOWS ALL TROUBLE CODES, VSA STABILITY, TRAILER STABILITY, ALL WHEEL DRIVE, ENGINE SYSTEM. ERROR. ONCE CODE COMES ON LOSS OF POWER AND STABILITY CONTROL. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10515905, 2013

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Vehicle Speed Control 3

“HAVING PROBLEMS WITH DELAYED ACCELERATION MAINLY WHEN I ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC. WHILE DRIVING MAINLY ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR WILL RANDOMLY AND RHYTHMICALLY START ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING BETWEEN 1500-2000RPMS”
NHTSA complaint #10818247, 2016

Forward Collision Avoidance 2

“During driving, Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) will activate and "BRAKE" light will blink, indicating that you should apply brakes. This happened multiple times. Finally the CMBS warning light came on permanently. I took my car to Acura Dealership for repairs. They informed me that it was a software issue and update of the software should resolve this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11475781, 2022

Air Bags 1

“Warning message appeared 1/17/25. Inspected by Price Acura service department 1/20/25. Checked online recall for airbags. Multiple airbag recalls are mentioned for Acura, including my make and model. This vehicle has approximately 92,000 miles and I am the original owner. Would like to know if this $1800 charge would be covered under recalls already listed as this is apparently a problem existing in many other similar vehicles.”
NHTSA complaint #11637389, 2025

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 1

Engine And Engine Cooling 1

“I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE, THE IGNITION ON, WHEN IT SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN AND DECELERATED. I MANAGED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ONTO MY STREET, ALTHOUGH THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTARTED IT WITH NO PROBLEM. I DID HAVE A SMALL WALLET (DIMENSIONS WERE @ 4IN BY 5IN, WEIGHT @ 3 OZ) ATTACHED TO THE KEY WHILE IT WAS IN THE IGNITION. I CONTACTED THE ACURA DEALERSHIP THE SAME DAY AND WAS TOLD BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT HE WAS UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH OR RECALL ON THE IGNITIO…”
NHTSA complaint #10627877, 2014

Equipment 1

“BACK-UP CAMERA VIDEO / NAVIGATION MODULE, AND STEREO / CLOCK SCREENS REMAINED BLANK AFTER STARTING ENGINE, PLACING CAR IN REVERSE GEAR AND MOVING SLOWLY DOWN DRIVEWAY IN AN APPROXIMATE TIME FRAME OF 3-4 MINUTES. ALL SCREENS CONTINUED TO BE BLANK AFTER EXITING DRIVEWAY, STOPPING, THEN PLACING CAR IN DRIVE AND TRAVELING 5-7 MPH ON STREET. STOPPED VEHICLE AT STOP SIGN AFTER TRAVELING 200 YARDS. RE-ENGAGED REVERSE, THEN DRIVE GEARS WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. BOTH SCREENS FINALLY ACTIVATED, SHOWING CORRECT TIME AND BLUETOOTH CONNECTION STATUS ON STEREO SCREEN, AS WELL AS REAR CAMERA VIDEO PICTURE ON NAV M…”
NHTSA complaint #10532687, 2013

Fuel/Propulsion System 1

Seat Belts 1

“MY 4 YEAR OLD WAS IN A BOOSTER SEAT IN THE BACK SO SEAT BELT WAS ON HIM. WHEN WE WENT TO UNBUCKLE THE SEATBELT IT LOCKED. WE ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIMES TO UNLOCK IT, WE TESTED ALL THE OTHER SEATBELTS WHICH DID LOCK AND UNLOCK. WE COULD NOT GET IT UNLOCKED AND HAD TO GO INTO A LOCAL RESTAURANT AND BORROW SCISSORS TO GET HIM OUT. WE TRIED FOR 15 MINS AT LEAST TO GET THE SEAT BELT UNLOCKED AND EVERY TIME IT SEEMED TO GET TIGHTER. MY 4 YEAR OLD HAD NIGHTMARES THAT EVENING ABOUT THE SEAT BELTS AND RED MARKS ON HIS SHOULDER. IT IS SCARY TO THINK WE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET HIM OUT IN AN EMER…”
NHTSA complaint #10604829, 2014

Seats 1 1 fire

Visibility/Wiper 1

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 2013 Acura MDX draws about 2.1 complaints per year on the road, ranking 14 of 14 among the Acura MDX model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

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