Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
150–25K
625–50K
550–75K
1175–100K
6100–150K
4150K+
47 reports with mileage · 29 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports3 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
76 reports
107,000 miles · Oct 30, 2018
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR MY RPMS FLUCTUATE AND MY CAR CAN'T SEEM TO GET INTO GEAR. IT IS ALL OVER THE PLACE AND VERY SCARY AT TIMES. IT SEEMS TO BE SOMETHING WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND ALSO A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD NOT BE THE CONSUMERS PROBLEM. ACURA SHOULD BE LIVING UP TO THERE NAME BY FIXING THIS PROBLEM. ACURAS SHOULD NE…
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WHILE DRIVING MY CAR MY RPMS FLUCTUATE AND MY CAR CAN'T SEEM TO GET INTO GEAR. IT IS ALL OVER THE PLACE AND VERY SCARY AT TIMES. IT SEEMS TO BE SOMETHING WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND ALSO A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD NOT BE THE CONSUMERS PROBLEM. ACURA SHOULD BE LIVING UP TO THERE NAME BY FIXING THIS PROBLEM. ACURAS SHOULD NEVER HAVE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THATS WHY MY HUSBAND AND I ARE LOYAL CUSTOMERS. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTING.
NHTSA ODI #11144197
1,002,025 miles · Oct 27, 2018
Air Bags
CHECK AIR BAG SYSTEM KEEPS COMING ON.
NHTSA ODI #11143087
1,002 miles · Oct 27, 2018
Air Bags
I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON THE DASH BOARD, SAYING CHECK AIR BAG SYSTEM. THIS HAPPENS EVERYDAY WHEN DRIVING.
NHTSA ODI #11143084
73,000 miles · Oct 14, 2018
Unknown Or Other
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY WHEN MY SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES BY ME AND I WAS NOT DRIVING UNDER AN OVERPASS
NHTSA ODI #11140235
78,000 miles · Aug 20, 2018
Power Train
TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS BETWEEN 15-55 MPH. MOST SEVERE AT APPROX 35-40 MPH BETWEEN 1500-2000 RPM. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BY ACURA/AMERICAN HONDA AS EVIDENCED BY SERVICE BULLETIN 16-044.
NHTSA ODI #11121145
15,000 miles · Jul 2, 2018
StructureTires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. AUTONATION ACURA OF STEVENS CREEK (4747 STEVENS CREEK BLVD, SANTA CLARA, CA 95051) DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRE HOLDING THE SPARE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, INCLUDING THE SPARE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE PARTS NO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. AUTONATION ACURA OF STEVENS CREEK (4747 STEVENS CREEK BLVD, SANTA CLARA, CA 95051) DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRE HOLDING THE SPARE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, INCLUDING THE SPARE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE PARTS NOT BEING SUPPLIED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.
NHTSA ODI #11105200
78,000 miles · Mar 23, 2018
Engine
MOTOR IS CONSUMING 1.5 TO 2.5 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 1000 MILES. THERE ARE NO LEAKS AND ACURA HAS REPLACED THE PISTON AND RINGS ONCE BUT THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED AND ACURA IS NOW CLAIMING THIS NORMAL FOR THE VEHICLES.
NHTSA ODI #11081042
Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2018
Air BagsCrashInjury
I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT LAST WEEK AND TOTALED MY MDX. I RAN INTO A PILLAR IN A PARKING STRUCTURE PRETTY HARD. THE FRONT OF MY CAR IS ALL DAMAGED BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAD CONCUSSION AS A RESULT OF THIS ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAR WAS PRONOUNCED AS A TOTAL LOSS.
NHTSA ODI #11080717
Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2018
Air BagsCrashInjury
I WAS IN A SERIOUS HEAD ON COLISION AND THE AIRBAGS IN THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DEPLOY DESPITE MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR. I SUSTAINED INJURY REQUIRING HOSPITALIZATION IN COLLISION.
NHTSA ODI #11072815
Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2018
Unknown Or Other
TAKATA RECALL - THE ACURA RECALL WEBSITE SAYS THERE IS A TAKATA RECALL, HOWEVER, YOUR DATABASE SAYS THERE ARE NOT RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE. THANKS
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 PILOT AND ACURA MDX VEHICLES. THE VENT SHUT FLOAT (VSF) VALVE CASE IN THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY DOES NOT MEET THE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AS A RESULT, FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE TANK, INCREASING THE RISK OF FIRE.
Remedy: HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VSF ASSEMBLY DATE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 13, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-999-1009.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2012 Acura Mdx Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year