Problems · NHTSA complaints
2018 Acura MDX problems
Owners filed 169 complaints about the 2018 Acura MDX with NHTSA between Dec 2017 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (35).
Complaints
169
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine35
- Electrical system28
- Fuel/propulsion system28
- Forward collision avoidance23
- Fuel system, gasoline23
- Power train23
- Engine and engine cooling19
- Lane departure18
- Vehicle speed control14
- Service brakes8
- Exterior lighting5
- Visibility/wiper5
- Seats4
- Visibility3
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
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
9
13
3
4
12
16
47
34
30
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 13 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2024 | 47 |
| 2025 | 34 |
| 2026 | 30 |
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.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
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.”
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.”
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…”
Forward collision avoidance
23 reports
“The car has started with an auto high beam, lane assist, lane departure, crash mitigation, adaptive cruise lights coming on one after the other noting there are issues with the systems and they are disabled. Code is U3000 using a scanner noting Multipurpose Camera Unit Internal Electronic Failure. Sometimes the code will clear, and sometimes not. If it clears an entire drive cycle may be completed just fine, sometimes it pops back up before even moving the car and sometimes during the drive. This is a safety concern as these systems not working or stopping working mid drive and affect safety. The repair for this is not clear and a failure of a safety system should not be occurring on cars without an inmediate and covered fix. The average car on the road is over 12 years old so this failure is occurring on cars well newer than the average car and compromising safety of the driver and surrounding cars especially features intended to prevent crashes that drivers rely heavily on. The fact it can stop working mid drive is a huge hazard since one may be relying on a system and it suddenly fails (like adaptive cruise control) and cause a crash. Please investigate his…”
Fuel system, gasoline
23 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2018 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power but was able to restart. On another occasion, while the contact's husband was driving 10 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power in the middle of the highway. The vehicle was unable to restart, and the contact's husband had to push the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a service center, where it was diagnosed with fuel pump failure. The contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by telephone. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.”
Power train
23 reports
“I want to say that the engine or transmission is faulty. Sometimes while at a complete stop, the car will not advance and tries to stall or lose power. It takes about 2 or 3 seconds to finally go after I push the accelerator pedal almost 3/4 throttle. No it has not been reproduced at the dealer. I took it May of 2024 for the engine recall repair. They said that the repairs should fix the problem but it has maybe even worsened. No warning lamps appear when the problems happen.”
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.