VehicleVerdict

2015 Acura MDX problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2015 Acura MDX is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 8 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 97 owner complaints run below the MDX median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Complainants reported 12 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (15), other (15), and transmission (12), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

97

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

0

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2015 compare to other MDX years?

See all MDX years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Acura MDX problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other1515%
Electrical System1515%
Transmission1212%
Body & Structure88%
Steering88%
Lighting66%
Engine66%
Brakes66%
Visibility & Wipers44%
Airbags44%
Suspension33%
Fuel System22%
Driver Assistance22%
Speed Control22%
Seats22%
Tires & Wheels11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%

Does the 2015 Acura MDX have recalls?

8 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V365000SuspensionJune 4, 2026 · 880,514 units

Defect

American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.

Consequence

Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.

25V259000LightingApril 17, 2025 · 152,800 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid light assembly and wiring harness, which can cause the interior and exterior lights to fail, including the lid lights, position lights, license plate lights and taillights.

Consequence

Vehicle lights that fail to illuminate can decrease visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the wiring and install a fuse harness, replace the lid light, and repair the body dust sealer, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 30, 2025. Owners may contact Acura's customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Acura's number for this recall is FLI. Vehicles included in this recall that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 19V-256 will need to have the new remedy completed.

23V858000Fuel SystemDecember 18, 2023 · 2,490,460 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

19V256000LightingMarch 28, 2019 · 322,897 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Acura MDX and 2017-2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid lights, possibly causing a loss of the tailgate lid lights and the taillights.

Consequence

Loss of the taillights reduces the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy

Acura will notify owners, and dealers will modify the tailgate lid lights and install updated gaskets and a wiring sub-harness or will replace both tailgate lid lights. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is M49.

16V417000Fuel SystemJune 9, 2016 · 39 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura MDX 2WD and MDX 4WD vehicles, 2016 Acura MDX 4WD vehicles, 2015-2016 Honda Odyssey vehicles, and 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD and 4WD vehicles. The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that were manufactured with insufficient welds which may separate and allow fuel to leak out.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tanks, free of charge. Owners may contact Honda/Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. The recall began on July 29, 2016. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA9 (Honda vehicles) and KB0 (Acura vehicles).

15V417000Climate Control (A/C & Heat)July 1, 2015 · 106,439 units

Defect

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX and MDX AWD vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to December 16, 2014. The affected vehicles have air conditioning compressor clutch drive bolts that may not have received the proper anti-corrosion coating.

Consequence

If a bolt was not coated, it may corrode and break as a result. If the bolt breaks, the compressor clutch plate may separate from the vehicle, possibly becoming a road hazard.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air conditioning compressor clutch drive bolt and install a new clutch plate if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 7, 2015. Owners may contact Acura client relations at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's number for this recall is JQ7.

15V301000Driver AssistanceMay 20, 2015 · 19,502 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX 2WD and AWD, RLX and 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid vehicles. In certain driving conditions, the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) may incorrectly interpret certain roadside objects such as metal fences or metal guardrails as obstacles and unexpectedly apply the brakes.

Consequence

If the CMBS unexpectedly applies emergency braking force while driving, there is an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the CMBS software, free of charge. The recall began on July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's numbers for this recall is JQ4, JQ5 and JQ6.

14V639000Seat BeltsOctober 10, 2014 · 43,481 units

Defect

American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to August 25, 2014, and 2014 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured November 5, 2012, to November 25, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the driver and front passenger seat belt may not extend or retract in low temperatures.

Consequence

A seatbelt that does not function increases the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy

Honda has notified owners, and dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belts, free of charge. The recall began in November 2014. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's number for this recall is JK7 for the MKX, and JK8 for the RLX.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (MORNING TRAFFIC MOVING AT SPEED LIMIT - 65-70 MPH) I SMELLED SMOKE. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THIS THERE WAS A THUD AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE, LDW AND OTHER LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, ALONG WITH AUDIBLE ALARM SOUND. SMOKE WAS NOW VISIBLE, COMING FROM THE ENGINE (UNDER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 18, 2016 · fire

VEHICLE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS THROUGHOUT THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, WHICH THE DEALERSHIP WAS VISITED FOR REPEATEDLY. THESE PROBLEMS OCCURRED WHEN THE WEATHER WAS VERY COLD, USUALLY BELOW ZERO (F), AND INVOLVED MULTIPLE DISFUNCTIONAL SENSORS ALL DISPLAYING INOPERATIVE. WHEN THESE SENSORS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 15, 2018 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 ACURA MDX. AFTER PARKING ON AN INCLINE, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A GARAGE WALL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED TWO FRACTURED RIBS AND CONTUSIONS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 18, 2016 · crash

1. ENGINE EMMISION PROBLEM INDIACTOR - ACURA MAINTANANCE PERSONAL TOLD ME THAT THE WARNING IS BECAUSE OF THE CATALYST SYSTEM EFFICIENCY IS BELOW THRESHOLD NUMBERS AND THEY GOING ADJUST THE SOFTWARE TO INCREASE THE THRESHOLD AND I SHOULD PAY FOR THE UPDATE. 2. STEERING COLUMN SCREECHES OR SQUEALS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 3, 2019

VEHICLE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS THROUGHOUT THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, WHICH THE DEALERSHIP WAS VISITED FOR REPEATEDLY. THESE PROBLEMS OCCURRED WHEN THE WEATHER WAS VERY COLD, USUALLY BELOW ZERO (F), AND INVOLVED MULTIPLE DISFUNCTIONAL SENSORS ALL DISPLAYING INOPERATIVE. WHEN THESE SENSORS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 15, 2018 · fire

2015 Acura MDX — common questions

Is the 2015 Acura MDX reliable?

It is close to typical for the MDX: 97 NHTSA complaints, 8 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2015 MDX problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (15 complaints), other (15 complaints), transmission (12 complaints).

Does the 2015 Acura MDX have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 Acura MDX. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Acura MDX years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the MDX years to avoid are 2016, 2017, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2001, 2003, 2014, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2022, 2006, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2021. The cleanest record among MDX years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2015 Acura MDX?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2015 Acura MDX earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.