VehicleVerdict

2017 Acura MDX problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2017 Acura MDX carries two red flags at once: 370 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 3.0× the MDX norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Engine failure). It is one of the MDX years to avoid. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 93 reports (25% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

370

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

3

Investigations · 2 open

12

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2017 compare to other MDX years?

MDX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted510 complaints2001: 266 complaints2002: 242 complaints2003: 259 complaints2004: 243 complaints2005: 244 complaints2006: 121 complaints2007: 126 complaints2008: 62 complaints2009: 74 complaints2010: 63 complaints2011: 87 complaints2012: 97 complaints2013: 46 complaints2014: 247 complaints2015: 97 complaints2016: 510 complaints2017: 370 complaints2018: 268 complaints2019: 304 complaints2020: 342 complaints2021: 0 complaints2022: 191 complaints2023: 52 complaints2024: 61 complaints2025: 112 complaints2026: 6 complaints
MDX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all MDX years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Acura MDX problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine9325%
Transmission6317%
Driver Assistance5415%
Electrical System4211%
Other298%
Brakes226%
Speed Control216%
Fuel System185%
Body & Structure82%
Tires & Wheels62%
Lighting41%
Seats31%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Seat Belts21%
Airbags21%
Steering10%

Does the 2017 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.

26V332000AirbagsMay 21, 2026 · 98,892 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

Consequence

Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 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.

23V751000EngineNovember 13, 2023 · 248,999 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.

Consequence

A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-December 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early April 2024, 2019 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-May 2024, 2020 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-June 2024, and 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed January 27, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XG1 and GG0.

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.

19V060000Fuel SystemJanuary 29, 2019 · 437,032 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine. Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance.

Consequence

Reduced fuel pump performance can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the fuel injection engine control unit (FI-ECU) software and, if necessary, replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019. Owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's recall number for this recall is P3W. Honda's recall number for this recall is N3X.

18V777000BrakesNovember 1, 2018 · 64,785 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Acura MDX, 2017-2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda HR-V and Honda Odyssey, and 2016 Honda HR-V vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating, causing gas pockets to form, reducing brake performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Consequence

A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Owners will be notified, and Honda or Acura dealers will bleed the brakes, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are C31 and L30.

Open NHTSA investigations

PE25008

Engine failure

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 414 reports of connecting rod bearing failures in the 3.5L V6 engine used in the following vehicles: Model Years (MY) 2018-2020 Acura TLX, MY2016-2020 Acura MDX, MY2016-2020 Honda Pilot, MY2018-2020 Honda Odyssey, and MY2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline.  The subject engine failures were analyzed as part of a Recall Query (RQ24013).  It was determined that these engine failures are outside the scope of Honda Recall 23V-751. Further, evidence gathered in conjunction with RQ24013 does not suggest this failure is caused by the same crankshaft manufacturing defect that is addressed by Honda in Recall 23V-751.  Based on analysis of data from RQ24013, NHTSA has closed that investigation. The significant number of reports of engine failure in vehicles outside the scope of RQ24013 presents a potential safety risk that warrants further investigation.  ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to further evaluate the scope and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related issues.  To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

EA25004

No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages

On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2019-2022 Honda Passport, and 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The repair outlined in the service bulletins is a two-stage countermeasure to remedy the issue. The first stage is a Programmed Fuel Injection (“PGM-FI”) software update. The second stage is only deployed if the software update fails to remedy the issue. The second stage, depending on the model and model year, consists of replacement of the starter assembly, starter relays, and a valve adjustment. Additionally, Honda extended the warranty coverage to 10 years with unlimited mileage for vehicles requiring the second stage component replacement. ODI continues to receive complaints of the AIS failure to restart, with many complainants alleging the campaign countermeasures had been completed.NHTSA has reviewed Honda's Information Request Letter responses involving warranty claims, lawsuits, and consumer complaints in addition to ODI's own data. This Engineering Analysis is being opened to further consider the potential safety defect, including gathering additional data regarding Honda’s service campaign efficacy. ODI is additionally expanding the scope to encompass all vehicles addressed in Honda’s service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009 as well as newer model year vehicles, which are substantially similar to the vehicles covered by the service campaign. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch and gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 1, 2020

“We purchased vehicle in Sept 2020. The vehicle has always had a rough jerk or rough shift when initially moving at stop lights or any stop and as vehicle is accelerated and to shifting to next gear. It is not a smooth transmission shift from initial start to first few gears. Just seems that at any…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 10, 2020

“WHILE DRIVING ON NORMAL ROAD WITH NO OTHER CARS AROUND, THE EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM/FORWARD COLLISION ACTIVATED AND IMMEDIATELY STOPPED MY CAR WITH NO DANGER PRESENT. THIS RESULTED IN THE CAR BEHIND ME SWERVE TO AVOID HITTING ME IN THE REAR. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON THE DASH OR NO AUDIBLE WARNING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · April 1, 2021

“I OWN A 2017 ACURA MDX. THE VIN IS [XXX]. ON SUNDAY JANUARY 13, 2019 MY WIFE WAS PULLING INTO OUR DRIVE WAY WHEN SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHE GOT OUR KIDS OUT OF THE CAR JUST BEFORE THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES. IT?S AMAZING NO ONE WAS HURT. THE CAR, HOWEVER, IS COMPLETELY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 13, 2019 · fire

“CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I WAS INSIDE OF THE CAR WITH MY THREE KIDS, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING, THE CAR STARTED SMOKING, WE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND EVERYBODY RAN OUT OF THE CAR AND THE CAR CAUGHT UP IN FLAMES, WE HEARD AN EXPLOSION, THE POLICE OFFICERS AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 6, 2018 · fire

2017 Acura MDX — common questions

Is the 2017 Acura MDX reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 370 complaints put the 2017 model at #2 of 26 MDX years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the MDX years to avoid.

What are the most common 2017 MDX problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (93 complaints), transmission (63 complaints), driver assistance (54 complaints).

Does the 2017 Acura MDX have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Acura MDX. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2017 Acura MDX under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — 2 investigations remain open (Engine failure). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

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 2017 Acura MDX?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2017 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.