Problems · NHTSA complaints

2012 Acura MDX problems

Owners filed 76 complaints about the 2012 Acura MDX with NHTSA between Jan 2013 and Jul 2026. The most-cited component is engine (23).

Complaints
76
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine23
  2. Electrical system13
  3. Power train13
  4. Air bags9
  5. Structure5
  6. Fuel/propulsion system4
  7. Engine and engine cooling2
  8. Visibility/wiper2
  9. Steering2
  10. Vehicle speed control2
  11. Service brakes2
  12. Equipment adaptive/mobility2
  13. Back over prevention2
  14. Exterior lighting2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20136
20143
20152
20167
20177
201811
201910
202010
20214
20226
20230
20241
20255
20264

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

23 reports2 fires
“I have a 2012 MDX and it burns an extreme amount of oil. We took our MDX back to the dealership where we purchased it and had the oil issue fixed. Or so we thought. The problem was supposed to be fixed 3 months ago but the car is still burning a lot of oil. We have to add oil every 2 weeks. We did not drive the car much after "getting the oil issue repaired" so we did not realize that the problem still exists. Acura should know how to repair this issue and there should be a recall for this excessive oil consumption. Acura is a luxury brand but they are not taking care of their customers. Also the paint is peeling off our MDX badly. We had a couple of paint touch up jobs but it just keeps getting worst. I am embarrassed driving this car with the continuing paint peeling off. We cannot keep shelling out money to get this vehicle repainted. There should be a recall for the paint peeling also. I had a Honda and the Honda had a lot less issues and cost a lot less. We will not purchase another Acura unless Acura does right by their customers and put recalls out and fix the oil consumption and paint peeling issues.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 16, 2026Structure, EngineODI 11750952

Electrical system

13 reports2 fires
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 126,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 159,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 22, 2025Electrical systemODI 11656007

Power train

13 reports
“The engine consistently consumes too much oil between service events. The low oil light comes on. I had this problem for over 8 years and the dealership said it was not a problem until now and they want me to pay for it. The oil control rings have been clogged since 2016 and progressively gotten worse. The clogged rings cause restriction of oil to return to the crankcase. This causes a decrease in available oil and may cause overheating that could lead to engine fire. Acura should fix the oil control rings to function properly. They have identified this in the past, through a service bulletin (19-006). I have performed 97% of my oil changes at Acura dealerships.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 24, 2024Power train, EngineODI 11567583

Air bags

9 reports2 crashes
“The airbag light is on I went to have the airbag replaced. I was told I couldn't get my airbag replaced because it was a CANADIAN vehicle and they couldn't get the part etc. to replace it. So I have a Canadian vehicle that was not disclosed to me at the time of purchase. What can I do to resolve this issue? I purchased the Suv from Walt Sweeny 6315 Harrison Avenue Cincinnati Ohio 45247Auto Center 877- 300-3930. I spoke with the owner once and other person. No resolution has come about yet.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 15, 2021Air bagsODI 11424905

Structure

5 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. AUTONATION ACURA OF STEVENS CREEK (4747 STEVENS CREEK BLVD, SANTA CLARA, CA 95051) DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRE HOLDING THE SPARE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, INCLUDING THE SPARE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE PARTS NOT BEING SUPPLIED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 2, 2018Structure, TiresODI 11105200

Fuel/propulsion system

4 reports
“our car eats a ton of oil and the piston rings failed, we owe a lot on it and I'm told there is no help for this issue even though there used to be because we are outside the guidelines in terms of mileage and purchase date. our car has 156k its a 2012 MDX. VIN [XXX] . Just checking with everyone everywhere to make sure I've exhausted all resources as it will take 13,000 to fix and we owe 12,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 21, 2026Unknown or other, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11739318
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.