Problems · NHTSA complaints
2026 Acura MDX problems
Owners filed 9 complaints about the 2026 Acura MDX with NHTSA between Jul 2025 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (3).
Complaints
9
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system3
- Engine2
- Lane departure2
- Visibility1
- Power train1
- Forward collision avoidance1
- Vehicle speed control1
- Other / unknown3
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 Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
3
6
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 6 |
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
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…”
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)”
Lane departure
2 reports
“Blind spot warning system stops working when the it is hot outside or inside of the vehicle”
Visibility
1 report
“The contact owns a 2026 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH and adjusting the interior rearview mirror, the mirror detached and was hanging down. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the windshield and the interior rear-view mirror needed to be replaced. The contact declined to pay for the repair because the vehicle was brand new. The dealer repaired the rear-view mirror without replacing the windshield; however, the failure recurred approximately 8 months later. The dealer was notified by phone and informed the contact that there was no available appointment to repair the vehicle. The contact believed the failure was a factory defect. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone and a case was filed. The contact was awaiting a callback from the case manager. The failure mileage was approximately 1,800.”
Power train
1 report
“I am writing to formally escalate an unresolved matter regarding my 2026 Acura MDX Technology, purchased on XXX, from Piazza Acura of [XXX]. As a loyal Acura customer of over nine years and currently on my fourth lease, this experience is both unexpected and unacceptable. Since shortly after purchase, the vehicle has exhibited persistent and unresolved performance issues, most notably harsh and inconsistent gear shifting and a pronounced vibration in the accelerator pedal. Despite multiple service visits and significant time invested, these concerns remain unresolved. I have repeatedly been advised that these conditions are “normal characteristics” of the vehicle due to adaptive transmission behavior—an explanation that is inconsistent with my prior ownership experience across multiple MDX models (2017, 2020, and 2023) and does not align with reasonable expectations for a vehicle in this class. To be clear, the vehicle in its current condition fails to meet reasonable standards of quality, reliability, and merchantability for a $62,000+ luxury vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle did not exhibit these issues during pre-purchase test drives, indicating these…”
Forward collision avoidance
1 report
“Google on-board gives a persistent error that the MMI and car driving technology firmware cannot be completed. Service center says it’s known and they can’t do anything. The car is supposed to have voice control over vehicle temperature and functionality — it does not. It frequently will not automatically connect to a wireless Apple Car Play or Google Auto connection. Firmware is also supposed to communicate w car speed, etc. to make Acura Assist driving more safe.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.