Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Acura MDX problems

Owners filed 30 complaints about the 2013 Acura MDX with NHTSA between Jun 2013 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is engine (9).

Complaints
30
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine9
  2. Electrical system8
  3. Power train4
  4. Exterior lighting3
  5. Vehicle speed control3
  6. Steering3
  7. Forward collision avoidance2
  8. Fuel system, gasoline1
  9. Fuel/propulsion system1
  10. Air bags1
  11. Seats1
  12. Visibility/wiper1
  13. Engine and engine cooling1
  14. Seat belts1

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 Oct 27, 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
20132
20144
20153
20164
20171
20181
20191
20201
20214
20223
20232
20240
20252
20262

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

9 reports1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 24, 2023Power train, EngineODI 11523749

Electrical system

8 reports3 fires
“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 manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 158,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 7, 2023Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11554069

Power train

4 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 9, 2021Power train, EngineODI 11424043

Exterior lighting

3 reports
“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 out the cars at evenings for fear of proper and reliable lighting in the car.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 14, 2026Exterior lighting, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11744051

Vehicle speed control

3 reports
“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 BECAUSE THE 2013 MDX HAD 6700 MILE AND WARRANTY WAS UP......”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 4, 2016Power train, Vehicle speed control, Unknown or otherODI 10882413

Steering

3 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 11, 2015SteeringODI 10693695
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026

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