Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD · 2 NHTSA variants

2026 Acura MDXRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 9 owner complaints for the 2026 Acura MDX. Most complaints involve electrical system (3) and engine (2). The EPA rates it 19–22 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–22mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest May 2026
Owner complaints
9
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

9 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2025 – Oct 2026
  1. Electrical system3
  2. Engine2
  3. Lane departure2
  4. Visibility1
  5. Power train1
  6. Forward collision avoidance1
  7. Vehicle speed control1
  8. Other / unknown3

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
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

3 reports
“On October 1, 2026 at approximately 5:45am, while driving my 2026 Acura MDX, I stopped at a red traffic light on a busy street. The vehicle's Auto Idle Stop system shut the engine off as designed. When the light turned green and I attempted to proceed, the engine failed to restart. The vehicle became disabled in an active traffic lane in the dark and I was unable to move it for several minutes. I attempted to restart the vehicle multiple times. It took several attempts to fully the shut the vehicle down and restart it before I was able to actually restart the car and resume driving. Because the vehicle was unexpectedly immobilized in traffic when surrounding vehicles began moving, I was placed at significant risk of being struck from behind or involved in a serious collision -- particularly because it was dark and all my lights were off while attempting to restart the car. My best assessment is that the failure involved the Auto Idle Stop / Restart system, starter system, electrical system or related control components. The exact cause is unknown at this time. The vehicle and all related components remain available for inspection upon request -- at least until…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 4, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11768794

Engine

2 reports
“2026 Acura MDX with 3.5 L V6 (J35Y-series) experienced connecting-rod bearing failure and total engine loss at 1,920 miles. Vehicle currently at dealer. Appears identical to failures under NHTSA PE25-008 (2016-2020 models)”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 11, 2025EngineODI 11698786

Lane departure

2 reports
“Blind spot warning system stops working when the it is hot outside or inside of the vehicle”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 6, 2026Lane departureODI 11762463
Send 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, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S10)
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 (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192622$3,600411
MDX AWD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
192521$3,800423
MDX AWD Type-S
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
172119$4,200474
  • MDX FWD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $3,600/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • MDX AWD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 25 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • MDX AWD Type-S
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    17 city · 21 hwy · $4,200/yr
    19
    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 N/A AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
14.0%
Overall
5 / 5
ACURA MDX SUV N/A FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 20892Vehicle 20891
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

2026 MDX questions

How many recalls does the 2026 Acura MDX have?

1 safety recall 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 2026 Acura MDX problems?

Owners filed 9 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (3), engine (2), lane departure (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2026 Acura MDX get?

The EPA rates the 2026 Acura MDX at 19–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2026 Acura MDX?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2026 Acura MDX 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026