NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 45 owner complaints for the 2010 Acura MDX. Most complaints involve engine (11) and electrical system (9). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR ACURA 2010 MDX VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN OCTOBER 7, 2009 AND NOVEMBER 14, 2009. A BOLT USED TO ATTACH AN INTERIOR TRIM PIECE TO EITHER THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S SIDE A-PILLAR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED DURING MANUFACTURING.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each MDX model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 224 |
| 2002 | 222 |
| 2003 | 212 |
| 2004 | 171 |
| 2005 | 180 |
| 2006 | 87 |
| 2007 | 99 |
| 2008 | 49 |
| 2009 | 52 |
| 2010 | 45 |
| 2011 | 70 |
| 2012 | 76 |
| 2013 | 30 |
| 2014 | 172 |
| 2015 | 71 |
| 2016 | 377 |
| 2017 | 260 |
| 2018 | 169 |
| 2019 | 190 |
| 2020 | 226 |
| 2022 | 158 |
| 2023 | 43 |
| 2024 | 41 |
| 2025 | 112 |
| 2026 | 9 |
“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.”
“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 ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY TO TRY TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT (STILL NO SHOULDER ON MY SIDE AND I COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS) AND MY DAUGHTER THOUGHT TO TURN ON HER CELL FLASHLIGHT WHICH GAVE ME ENOUGH LIGHT TO COAST ONTO THE OPPOSITE SHOULDER FACING AGAINST TRAFFIC. OUR CAR WAS COMPLETELY DEAD AND WE ALSO HAD NO EMERGENCY LIGHTS. WE QUICKLY GOT OUT OUR CAMPING LANTERN AND WRAPPED OUR REFLECTIVE SAFETY ROPE AROUND THE CAR AND LUCKILY HAD CELLPHONE RECEPTION AND CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE. IT TOOK A CHP OFFICER OVER AN HOUR TO SHINE LIGHTS ON THE CAR AND…”
“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 contact was referred by the manufacturer to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 184,000.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MDX 4WD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L · All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | $4,400 | 494 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 45 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (11), electrical system (9), structure (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2010 Acura MDX at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).