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Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2020 Acura MDXRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 226 owner complaints for the 2020 Acura MDX. Most complaints involve engine (86) and electrical system (41). 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 · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
8campaigns
Latest Jun 2026
Owner complaints
226
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$3,450est.
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 4, 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 21, 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 17, 2025NHTSA 25V259000
See all 8 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

226 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2021 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine86
  2. Electrical system41
  3. Forward collision avoidance37
  4. Power train21
  5. Engine and engine cooling19
  6. Lane departure19
  7. Fuel/propulsion system15
  8. Vehicle speed control14
  9. Service brakes14

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
2016377
2017260
2018169
2019190
2020226
2022158
202343
202441
2025112
20269
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

86 reports
“While stopped at a stop light the auto restart feature engaged and shut the engine off. When the light turned green and I released the brake pedal the engine did not restart and the battery warning light illuminated. As cars were honking I activated my hazards, had to place the car in park and shut off/restart the vehicle. Luckily it restarted and I was able to proceed home. It activated again while stopped to get mail at mailbox and restarted with no issue. Mileage is 42668. Recall 23-001 PGMfi performed 8/2023. Battery replaced 12/2024.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 25, 2026EngineODI 11773527

Electrical system

41 reports1 crash
“My 2020 Acura MDX fails to restart after the Auto Idle Stop system shuts off the engine at stops. The vehicle stalls and will not restart in active traffic, including busy intersections and high-speed roads. This began about three years ago and now happens every day, leaving my family stranded in live traffic lanes at risk of a collision. On [XXX], the engine shut off and would not restart in the middle of the [XXX], with traffic moving around me at about 40 mph. Capitol Acura in San Jose diagnosed a failing starter motor and ordered a replacement under repair order [XXX]. The part has been on backorder since, with no delivery date. I escalated to American Honda / Acura Client Relations on October 13, 2026 (case [XXX]). On [XXX], Acura replied only that it is "still reviewing" my request. No loaner or alternate vehicle has been provided, and no repair timeline has been given. I am concerned this is a defect affecting other MDX owners: a starter that fails under frequent Auto Idle Stop cycling, combined with a parts shortage that leaves unsafe vehicles on the road. I request that NHTSA review this issue for a possible investigation or recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 22, 2026Electrical system, EngineODI 11772865

Forward collision avoidance

37 reports
“LKAS, forward collision, high beam all alerts are going off and have been told it's a camera system that gets over heated. This is not a easy fix and needs to be recalled to clear up the codes and alerts.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 13, 2026Lane departure, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11763916
All 2020 MDX problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 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 Oct 27, 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 · Front-Wheel Drive
202723$3,450387
MDX AWD
Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
192622$3,600404
MDX AWD A-SPEC
Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
192521$3,800415
  • MDX FWD
    Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    20 city · 27 hwy · $3,450/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • MDX AWD
    Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $3,600/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • MDX AWD A-SPEC
    Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 25 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 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 Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 14491Vehicle 14488
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

2020 MDX questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Acura MDX have?

8 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 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 2020 Acura MDX problems?

Owners filed 226 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (86), electrical system (41), forward collision avoidance (37). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Acura MDX get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Acura MDX at 21–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Acura MDX?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Acura MDX 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026