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2012 Acura Mdx

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Acura Mdx do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 101.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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
Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2016
Engine

THE ENGINE OIL ON THIS MODELS BURNS OUT VERY QUICKLY. I HAVE NOTICED THAT I GET INDICATOR TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL IN ABOUT EVERY 6000 MILES EVEN THOUGH I USE SYNTHETIC OIL WHICH HAS THE LIFE SPAM OF UP TO 12000 MILES. I USE MY CAR FOR NORMAL DRIVE FROM HOME TO WORK AND LEISURE.

NHTSA ODI #10917272

200 miles · Jul 16, 2016
Electrical SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

WHEN DRIVING USING ACC, THE VEHICLE BRAKES (NOT CONSISTENTLY) WHEN APPROACHING A LARGE TRUCK IN THE LANE NEXT TO LANE I AM DRIVING IN. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE NEW AND HAS BEEN REPORTED AT LEAST 10 TIMES TO DEALER AND THEY SAY THEY CAN'T REPRODUCE THE ISSUE. GAS MILEAGE IS 12MPG IN TOWN AND 19MPG ON FREEWAY, STICKER WAS 16/23. …

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WHEN DRIVING USING ACC, THE VEHICLE BRAKES (NOT CONSISTENTLY) WHEN APPROACHING A LARGE TRUCK IN THE LANE NEXT TO LANE I AM DRIVING IN. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE NEW AND HAS BEEN REPORTED AT LEAST 10 TIMES TO DEALER AND THEY SAY THEY CAN'T REPRODUCE THE ISSUE. GAS MILEAGE IS 12MPG IN TOWN AND 19MPG ON FREEWAY, STICKER WAS 16/23. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SINCE NEW AND THEY DRIVE THE CAR AND SAY THEY ARE GETTING CORRECT MILEAGE, THEN THEY TOLD ME THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE ROTORS NEEDED GRINDING. I WAS ASSURED BY THE SERVICE WRITER THAT MY MILEAGE WOULD BE MUCH BETTER, WITH A WINK OF AN EYE. I LEFT THE NEXT DAY FOR 600 MILE DRIVE AND MY MILEAGE WAS 20MGP IN TOWN AND 27MPG ON FREEWAY, THIS LASTED FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS. TEMPERATURE GUAGE FOR OUTSIDE TEMP HAS NEVER WORKED. ON HOT DAYS IT WILL READ 64 WHEN IT IS 105 OUTSIDE. I AM TOLD I HAVE TO DRIVE AT LEAST 20MPH FOR THIRTY SECONDS FOR THE TEMP TO INCREASE EACH DEGREE. ABSURD, HOWEVER, EVEN THIS TACTIC DOES NOT WORK.

NHTSA ODI #10885234

Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2016
Visibility/wiper

THE REAR BACK-UP CAMERA ON THIS MODEL OF VEHICLE PROVIDES A VERY POOR IMAGE AT NIGHT CREATING A CLEAR SAFETY HAZARD. THE IMAGE THAT APPEARS ON THE SCREEN IS ALMOST NOT DISCERNIBLE AND VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE OUT ANY IMAGES. WE ALSO OWN A 2010 ACURA TSX THAT HAS A BACK UP CAMERA WHICH WORKS VERY WELL AT NIGHT. ONE WOULD…

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THE REAR BACK-UP CAMERA ON THIS MODEL OF VEHICLE PROVIDES A VERY POOR IMAGE AT NIGHT CREATING A CLEAR SAFETY HAZARD. THE IMAGE THAT APPEARS ON THE SCREEN IS ALMOST NOT DISCERNIBLE AND VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE OUT ANY IMAGES. WE ALSO OWN A 2010 ACURA TSX THAT HAS A BACK UP CAMERA WHICH WORKS VERY WELL AT NIGHT. ONE WOULD THINK THAT A NEWER AND HIGHER END VEHICLE WOULD OFFER AT THE VERY LEAST A COMPARABLE QUALITY CAMERA. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHICH HAS NOTED SIMILAR CONCERNS FROM OTHER CUSTOMERS BUT THEY NOTE THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE INFERIOR QUALITY OF THE CAMERA AND ASSOCIATED LIGHTING PLACE ANY DRIVER RELYING ON IT IN A DANGEROUS POSITION. THIS SITUATION SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED TO ENSURE NO ACCIDENTS OCCUR AS A RESULT OF THE INFERIOR BACK UP CAMERA.

NHTSA ODI #10882103

51,000 miles · Mar 30, 2016
Electrical System

MY WIFE, WHO HAD BEEN DRIVING, EXITED THE SUV TO GO SHOPPING, LEAVING ME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. UNAWARE, SHE PRESSSED THE "LOCK" BUTTON ON THE KEY REMOTE AS SHE WALKED AWAY.. AFTER A MOMENT, I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN MY CAR DOOR, WHICH TRIGGERED THE PANIC ALARM. THE ISSUE WAS THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHICH COUYLD …

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MY WIFE, WHO HAD BEEN DRIVING, EXITED THE SUV TO GO SHOPPING, LEAVING ME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. UNAWARE, SHE PRESSSED THE "LOCK" BUTTON ON THE KEY REMOTE AS SHE WALKED AWAY.. AFTER A MOMENT, I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN MY CAR DOOR, WHICH TRIGGERED THE PANIC ALARM. THE ISSUE WAS THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHICH COUYLD HAVE RESULTED IN A DANGEROUS EVENT HAD THE CAR BEEN ON FIRE. IT WAS LATER SHOWN TO ME A MANUAL LOCK/UNLOCK SWIITCH THAT I COULD HAVE OPERATED. BUILDINGS HAVE EXITS THAT REQUIRE NO EXPERIENCE TO USE IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. WHY CANNOT A VEHICLE BE EXITEDHURRIEDLY, EVEN THOUGH THE PANIC ALARM WILL BE ACTIVATED IN THAT TYPE OF AN EMERGENCY?

NHTSA ODI #10852351

200 miles · Mar 7, 2016
Seat Belts

TESTING

NHTSA ODI #10840300

46,800 miles · Jun 17, 2015
Equipment Adaptive/mobilityService Brakes

COLLISION MITIGATION BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED AS CAR WAS DRIVEN ON CITY STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. STREET WAS DOWNHILL THEN TRANSITIONED TO UPHILL, WHICH IS THE POINT AT WHICH THE BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED ("BRAKE" WARNING DISPLAYED, SEATBELT TUGGED, AND CAR SLOWED). THERE WAS NO ACTUAL OBSTRUCTION IN FRONT OF THE CAR. IT WAS NO…

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COLLISION MITIGATION BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED AS CAR WAS DRIVEN ON CITY STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. STREET WAS DOWNHILL THEN TRANSITIONED TO UPHILL, WHICH IS THE POINT AT WHICH THE BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED ("BRAKE" WARNING DISPLAYED, SEATBELT TUGGED, AND CAR SLOWED). THERE WAS NO ACTUAL OBSTRUCTION IN FRONT OF THE CAR. IT WAS NOTED THAT THERE WERE TWO METAL CONSTRUCTION COVERS ON THE STREET IN FRONT OF CAR. AFTER CAR SLOWED WARNING STOPPED AND CAR FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10725676

4 miles · Apr 2, 2015
Back Over Prevention

THE REAR BACK UP CAMERA DOES NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE BRIGHTNESS AT NIGHT. WITH THE SCREEN BRIGHTNESS SET TO MAX, I AM UNABLE TO DISCERN OBJECTS BEHIND ON THE SCREEN AT NIGHT ESPECIALLY IN RAIN AND UNLIT ROAD. THE CAMERA LENS IS CLEAN. I HAVE OTHER HONDAS BUT NOT THIS PROBLEM. DEALERS KNOW THE PROBLEM, BUT NOT DOING ANYTHING…

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THE REAR BACK UP CAMERA DOES NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE BRIGHTNESS AT NIGHT. WITH THE SCREEN BRIGHTNESS SET TO MAX, I AM UNABLE TO DISCERN OBJECTS BEHIND ON THE SCREEN AT NIGHT ESPECIALLY IN RAIN AND UNLIT ROAD. THE CAMERA LENS IS CLEAN. I HAVE OTHER HONDAS BUT NOT THIS PROBLEM. DEALERS KNOW THE PROBLEM, BUT NOT DOING ANYTHING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10703427

2,000 miles · Nov 13, 2014
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE RPMS SUDDENLY INCREASED AS THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION AND FAILED TO SHIFT PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON MULTIPLE OCCASI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE RPMS SUDDENLY INCREASED AS THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION AND FAILED TO SHIFT PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

NHTSA ODI #10654770

39,000 miles · Oct 13, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling

LIKE MOST TREADS THAT I COME ACROSS ON BLOGS, I ALSO HAVE NOTICE A STRONG SMELL EXHAUST FUMES UNDER HEAVY ACCELERATION INSIDE THE CABIN. THE SMELL FOR THE FUMES ARE NAUSEATING AND OF COURSE POSSE A REAL HEALTH RISK IN MY OPINION. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED BUT STILL UNDER WARRANTY. MODEL: ADVANCED *TR

NHTSA ODI #10644344

Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2014
WheelsCrash

I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL SIDE STREET AT ABOUT 20 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND SWERVED INTO A PARKED CAR CAUSING MODERATE DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER SIDE REAR FENDER OF THE PARKED CAR. MY CAR SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE - TO THE PASSENGER SIDE ON THE FRONT. ALSO, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF AND ROLLED A LITTL…

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I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL SIDE STREET AT ABOUT 20 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND SWERVED INTO A PARKED CAR CAUSING MODERATE DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER SIDE REAR FENDER OF THE PARKED CAR. MY CAR SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE - TO THE PASSENGER SIDE ON THE FRONT. ALSO, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF AND ROLLED A LITTLE AWAY BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND PARKED IT. EVEN WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ON, THE CAR WAS ROLLING A LITTLE TILL A BYSTANDER PUT A COUPLE OF BLOCKS UNDER THE REAR TIRES TO STOP THE CAR. THE ROAD WAS CLEAR AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY POT HOLES OR BAD WEATHER. WE BOUGHT THE CAR IN SEP 2012 AND IT HAS ABOUT 13 - 14000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10562992

Official recalls

1

12V063000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Feb 17, 2012

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.