Problems · NHTSA complaints

2019 Acura MDX problems

Owners filed 190 complaints about the 2019 Acura MDX with NHTSA between Feb 2019 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (48).

Complaints
190
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine48
  2. Electrical system41
  3. Power train31
  4. Engine and engine cooling30
  5. Forward collision avoidance22
  6. Fuel system, gasoline22
  7. Fuel/propulsion system21
  8. Lane departure14
  9. Vehicle speed control10
  10. Service brakes9
  11. Visibility/wiper7
  12. Exterior lighting5
  13. Steering5
  14. Seats3

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
201916
202011
20215
202220
202315
202467
202527
202629

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

48 reports1 fire
“Dec. 16, 2025, took Acura into the dealership because Check Engine light kept coming on. They did a full inspection and said I needed to have the purge valve replaced and that it was nearing time to have other services: transmission service, front transfer case, rear differential, brake fluid, timing belt, spark plugs, fuel service. Took the diagnostic to my brother who is a mechanic and he started the work starting with the purge valve. He had already done spark plugs with oil change in Oct. 2026. Fast forward to Apr. 2026 my car starts making a weird knocking sound upon accelerating. My brother was in hospital at this time so I didn't want to stress him so I just stopped driving it. I had the other stuff done at shop he recommended but the knocking sound didn't stop. Brother told me to get it diagnosed again. Now Sept. 2026, they said I need a whole new engine, and that Acura would not cover it! What!? They felt so badly they didn't even charge me for the diagnostic. I took it to two other shops just to see if there was anything else that could be done but they all told me the same thing. It's a 2019 how on earth could it need a new engine. I've gotten ALL…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 7, 2026EngineODI 11769561

Electrical system

41 reports1 crash1 fire
“the camera system located above the rear view mirror failed and caused a warning light for the lkas system. adaptive cruise control, lane keeping did not work because of it. the unit had to be replaced. this seems to be a fairly common issue with this mdx version, based on forums”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 17, 2026Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Lane departureODI 11764964

Power train

31 reports1 crash
“While driving, the vehicle experienced a sudden internal mechanical and electronic transmission failure. Without warning, the vehicle shifted itself directly into Park while navigating the busy intersection of [XXX] and [XXX]. This caused a complete loss of propulsion and left the vehicle entirely immobilized in the middle of a high-speed junction. The vehicle could not be moved, creating an immediate, severe highway safety hazard that required an emergency 911 police response to manage traffic and protect the vehicle from being rear-ended. The dealership scan tool later pulled diagnostic code P0730 (Incorrect Gear Ratio) along with multiple clutch performance failures (P07A4, P07A2, P07A8).”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 24, 2026Power train, Electrical systemODI 11746202

Engine and engine cooling

30 reports1 fire2 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2019 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while at a stoplight with the Auto START/STOP feature activated, the vehicle failed to restart after releasing the brake pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to be restarted approximately 5 minutes later. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Action Number: EA25004 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); and related the failure to the action number. The failure mileage was 1,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2025Engine and engine coolingODI 11694677

Forward collision avoidance

22 reports1 crash
“The subject 2019 Acura MDX model includes the tech package which adds several safety features that function through a windshield mounted camara/radar. The system has malfunctioned and none of the safety features are working. The dash displays the following messages: Collision Mitigation System Problem Adaptive Cruise Control Problem Lane Keeping Asist Problem Road Departure Mitigation System Problem automatic headlight system problem At the bottom of the dash, I see Brake System, Crash Warning and Lane Departure lights on as well. Acura is charging $2,319 to replace this unit in addition to a $270 diagnostic fee. This issue is widely reported as a significant issue in several model years for the MDX and should be part of a safety recall. The Acura technician acknowledged this issue is common. I should add this is the second major electronic issue with this MDX within the last several months. The prior issue was multiple system failure warnings that Acura determined were caused by a faulty wiring harness at a $1,604 cost, plus a $255 diagnostic fee. Please note I am the original owner of the vehicle and it has never been in a collision. Additionally, the system…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 26, 2026Forward collision avoidance, Lane departureODI 11746803

Fuel system, gasoline

22 reports2 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2019 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to drive to the residence after the failure. An independent mechanic was contacted and attributed the failure to the fuel pump. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); but the vehicle was repaired under the recall approximately 2 years ago. The contact stated that the failure was caused by an improper recall repair. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with fuel pump failure. The contact was informed that the fuel pump replacement only had a 12-month warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 21, 2026Fuel system, gasolineODI 11758558
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.