RoadVitals

2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
1
Latest Sep 13, 2018
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Mar 28, 2019
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid, most frequently naming the visibility category. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 21 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Visibility1100.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
19V256000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

Mar 28, 2019
322,897 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: Loss of the taillights reduces the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
The 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.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number M49View on NHTSA.gov
18V777000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

Nov 1, 2018
64,785 units potentially affected
The 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."
The risk: A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number C31, L30View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP22005ClosedDefect Petition

Pedestrian alert sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023
Closed Aug 7, 2023

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEMLed to recall 22V063000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Visibility
Filed Sep 13, 2018

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW, IN LATE MARCH 2018; I BELIEVE WE TOOK DELIVERY ON MARCH 29, 2018. WE HAVE HAD AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE MEMORY POSITIONING OF THE STEERING WHEEL. OUR VEHICLE HAS THE ADVANCED PACKAGE. INTERMITTENTLY, THE SEAT WILL GO TO THE MEMORIZED POSITION, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WILL STAY IN THE POSITION FOR EXITING THE VEHICLE. THAT POSITION IS IN THE HIGHEST POSITION THE STEERING WHEEL CAN BE PLACED IN. WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE AT BAKERSFIELD ACURA FOUR SEPARATE TIMES TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. BAKERSFIELD ACURA HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS AT THEIR FACILITY. THEIR SERVICE WRITER, OMAR, ACTUALLY WITNESSED THE MALFUNCTION WHEN I DROPPED THE VEHICLE ON JULY 16, 2018. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH ACURA CLIENT RELATIONS, CASE NUMBER 08936387. ACURA REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE. I HAVE EXPLAINED THAT THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL STAYS IN THE HIGHEST POSITION, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE OVER THE STEERING WHEEL, BLOCKING OUR VISION OF THE ROAD. MY WIFE AND I JUST GET IN THE VEHICLE, START IT UP AND TAKE OFF. NORMALLY, IT IS NOT UNTIL WE ARE DRIVING THAT WE NOTICE THE ISSUE. AT THAT POINT, WE ARE FUMBLING AROUND TRYING TO LOCATE THE LEVER TO MANUALLY ADJUST THE STEERING WHEEL. AT 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THAT IS VERY DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS. A SPLIT SECOND OF DISTRACTED DRIVING CAN CAUSE A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. TIFFANY AT ACURA CLIENT RELATIONS, AND DAVID, THE SERVICE MANAGER AT BAKERSFIELD ACURA HAVE BOTH ADMITTED THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT CONTEND IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN BOTH DRIVER ONE AND DRIVER TWO KEYS ARE PRESENT. APPARENTLY, THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF CORRECTING THE MALFUNCTION. TO BE CLEAR, IT HAPPENS WHEN ONLY ONE KEY IS PRESENT AS WELL AS WHEN BOTH KEYS ARE PRESENT.

NHTSA ID
11129399
Incident
Mar 29, 2018
Mileage
25 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B25-003

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Service Bulletin - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one or both of the inner taillights not to work.

B25-003

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Service Bulletin - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one or both of the inner taillights not to work.

ONL6L806042025 Letter

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Owner Notification Letter - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one or both of the inner taillights not to work.

ONL6L806042025 Form

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Owner Notification Letter - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one or both of the inner taillights not to work.

B25-003

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Service Bulletin - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one or both of the inner taillights not to work.

B19-019

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Service Bulletin - Recall update for 2014 - 2019 MDX and 2017 - 2019 MDX Hybrid Sport models. An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one or all of the taillights not to work. Honda updated the inspection procedure to replace both inner taillights if one or both inner taillights do not come on.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Acura MDX Sport Hybrid by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2020511—
2019821—
2018Viewing121—
2017831—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.