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Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2015 Acura MDXRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 71 owner complaints for the 2015 Acura MDX. Most complaints involve electrical system (15) and power train (12). The EPA rates it 21–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21–23mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
8campaigns
Latest Jun 2026
Owner complaints
71
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,350est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

8 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Structure: frame and members

Remedy pending

American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.

StructureReported Jun 5, 2026NHTSA 26V365000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid light assembly and wiring harness, which can cause the interior and exterior lights to fail, including the lid lights, position lights, license plate lights and taillights.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 18, 2025NHTSA 25V259000

Fuel system

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Dec 19, 2023NHTSA 23V858000
See all 8 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

71 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2014 – Sep 2026
  1. Electrical system15
  2. Power train12
  3. Structure8
  4. Steering8
  5. Engine7
  6. Exterior lighting6
  7. Service brakes6
  8. Suspension4
  9. Air bags4

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

By model year

Complaints for each MDX model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2001224
2002222
2003212
2004171
2005180
200687
200799
200849
200952
201045
201170
201276
201330
2014172
201571
2016378
2017261
2018169
2019193
2020228
2022162
202344
202441
2025117
20269
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
9
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

15 reports1 fire
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2015 Acura MDX. It was later discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 82,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 167,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 23, 2026Electrical systemODI 11720021

Power train

12 reports1 crash
“TRANSMISSION SLIPS,AND HESITATES TO SHIFT NORMALLY AND THEN GOES NORMAL AGAIN. VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WHEN THIS OCCURED ,IT HAPPENED WHILE CRUSING AT 35 MPH, AND AT 50 MPH, STREET ,AND HIGHWAY. I HAVE TAKEN IT INTO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES TO FIND THE ISSUE AND ANYWAYS END UP WITH NO ANSWERS, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND MULTIPLE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUES WITH THEIR VEHICLE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH 25,000 MILES AND IT NOW HAS 125,000 PROBLEM HAS NOT GOTTEN BETTER OR WORSE HAS BEEN THE SAME. THE BRAKE WARNING ALSO POPS UP RANDOMLY WHEN NO OTHER CARS ARE NEAR.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 12, 2022Power train, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11464338

Structure

8 reports1 fire
“I WAS DRIVING 80 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD GARNISH FLEW OFF THE CAR. AFTER INSPECTION, IT APPEARS THE CLIPS THAT HOLD THE GARNISH ON WERE BROKEN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 9, 2020StructureODI 11320641
All 2015 MDX problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
MDX 2WD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202823$3,350390
MDX 4WD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
182721$3,700418
  • MDX 2WD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    20 city · 28 hwy · $3,350/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • MDX 4WD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 27 hwy · $3,700/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Acura MDX SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.4%
Overall
5 / 5
Acura MDX SUV FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.4%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 9110Vehicle 9109
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2015 MDX questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Acura MDX have?

8 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 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.

What are the most common 2015 Acura MDX problems?

Owners filed 71 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (15), power train (12), structure (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Acura MDX get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Acura MDX at 21–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2015 Acura MDX?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Acura MDX 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026