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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2012 Acura ZDXRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 1 owner complaint for the 2012 Acura ZDX. Most complaints involve power train (1) and engine (1). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
8campaigns
Latest Jun 2019
Owner complaints
1
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$4,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

8 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V502000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V500000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

Air bagsReported May 16, 2019NHTSA 19V378000
See all 8 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2014 – Oct 2014
  1. Power train1
  2. Engine1

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 ZDX model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20109
20112
20121
202459
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

1 report
“WHEN THE ZDX IS PARKED OVERNIGHT AND USED THE NEXT DAY, THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE DESPITE THE ENGINE STARTING AND SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. ALL INDICATORS CONVEY THE CAR IS SHIFTED, WHEN GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THE ENGINE REVS AND ROARS LIKE THE CAR IS IN NEUTRAL WHEN IT'S NOT! ONLY AFTER SHIFTING THE CAR BACK AND FORTH INTO PARK ABOUT 2-3TIMES AT ABOUT 5 SEC INTERVALS DOES THE CAR DRIVE LIKE NORMAL. ONCE THE CAR IS GOING FOR THE DAY NO FURTHER ISSUES ARE HAD UNTIL THE NEXT DAY OR DAY AFTER IT'S BEEN RESTING OVERNIGHT. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2014Power train, EngineODI 10644919

Engine

1 report
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.7L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
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 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
ZDX 4WD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L · All-Wheel Drive
162319$4,200468
  • ZDX 4WD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $4,200/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Acura ZDX SUV 4WD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
13.0%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 6103
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

2012 ZDX questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Acura ZDX have?

8 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 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 2012 Acura ZDX problems?

Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (1), engine (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Acura ZDX get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Acura ZDX at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2012 Acura ZDX?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2012 Acura ZDX 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026