Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2018 Acura MDXRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls and 169 owner complaints for the 2018 Acura MDX. Most complaints involve engine (35) and electrical system (28). The EPA rates it 21–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
21–23mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
10campaigns
Latest Jun 2026
Owner complaints
169
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$3,350est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

10 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

Air bags: front passenger

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

Air bagsReported May 22, 2026NHTSA 26V332000

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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

169 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2017 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine35
  2. Electrical system28
  3. Fuel/propulsion system28
  4. Forward collision avoidance23
  5. Fuel system, gasoline23
  6. Power train23
  7. Engine and engine cooling19
  8. Lane departure18
  9. Vehicle speed control14

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
3
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
3
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

Engine

35 reports1 crash2 fires
“Transmission failed and light appeared. Speed reduced from 30 to 15. Acura stated they had to reset computer system and claimed when they started the car no lights shown and was able to reverse car. I was unable to reverse car, struggled and tugged feeling in the car. This is the 2nd time and they always repeat same solution no lights appeared and to reset system.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 10, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11749662

Electrical system

28 reports1 crash2 fires
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Acura MDX on August 26, 2026. While registering the vehicle, the contact was informed that the previous title indicated that the odometer was reported at 277,000. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 77,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2026Electrical systemODI 11769279

Fuel/propulsion system

28 reports1 crash2 fires
“I had a recall done by local Acura dealer, Miami Doral Acura, where they replaced parts that connected the engine to the car, they are like rods. I recently took the car to a mechanic because I needed to change the timing belt components and he advised me that one of the rods that were replaced failed. This means that the engine was attached by only one rod, the other rod was cut, not connected. I called Acura today reporting the issue with the recall, they gave me a case number 16125924, advising me that some one would get back to me. The same mechanic also advised me that the high pressure fuel pump was not working properly and that my car could stall while driving it and he advised that it would be dangerous to drive it without replacing it. The part he quoted me was around $700. I looked for recalls for this car with this fuel pump issue and found that Acura only recalled some VIN numbers and my car is not one of the VIN numbers recalled. I believe Acura has not recalled all cars involved with the pressure pump. I find it hard to believe that they are not aware of this issue affecting more of the 2018 MDX model. The recall with the rods failed just a year…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 26, 2026Suspension, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11713484
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S9)
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 FWD
Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, SIDI; Stop-Start · Front-Wheel Drive
202723$3,350390
MDX AWD
Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, SIDI; Stop-Start · All-Wheel Drive
192622$3,500404
MDX FWD
Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, SIDI · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$3,500404
MDX AWD
Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, SIDI · All-Wheel Drive
182621$3,700424
  • MDX FWD
    Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, SIDI; Stop-Start
    20 city · 27 hwy · $3,350/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • MDX AWD
    Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, SIDI; Stop-Start
    19 city · 26 hwy · $3,500/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • MDX FWD
    Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, SIDI
    19 city · 27 hwy · $3,500/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • MDX AWD
    Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, SIDI
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,700/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
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 12644Vehicle 12643
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

2018 MDX questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Acura MDX have?

10 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 2018 Acura MDX problems?

Owners filed 169 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (35), electrical system (28), fuel/propulsion system (28). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2018 Acura MDX get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Acura MDX at 21–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2018 Acura MDX?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2018 Acura MDX 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026