2023 Acura MDX Type S Owner Complaints

While making a left turn from an on-ramp, I heard a loud crunch from the drivetrain and experienced a momentary loss of power. Immediately afterward, the front tires began spinning under acceleration. I realized the vehicle was no longer sending power to the rear wheels and had effectively lost its all-wheel-drive capability. The instrument display continued to indicate that power was being sent to the rear wheels even though the rear wheels were not receiving power. This gave an inaccurate indication of the vehicle’s operating condition. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized Acura dealer. The dealer confirmed that the splines between the transmission and the front power takeoff unit had stripped. The transmission/front differential assembly and power takeoff unit were replaced under warranty at approximately 52,280 miles. The dealer stated that this is a problem they have been seeing on the MDX Type S and also commented on the number of revisions that have been made to the power takeoff unit. The replacement unit installed was part number 29000-61E-070. The failure created a safety concern because it caused a momentary loss of propulsion while turning into traffic, followed by unexpected front-wheel spin and loss of all-wheel drive. There were no warning lights or advance warning before the loud crunch and loss of power. The failed components were replaced by the dealer; whether they remain available for inspection is unknown.

NHTSA ID

11751644

Incident

Jul 7, 2026

The contact owns a 2023 ACURA MDX. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 45 MPH an abnormal sound was emitted from underneath the vehicle, and the vehicles steering was being pulled to the right, no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was advised that that the PTU/PTO was faulty as metal shavings were found in the transfer case and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.

NHTSA ID

11750629

Incident

Jul 1, 2025

Mileage

50,000 mi

There was a loud noise from under the car, and the car suddenly started to experience wheel spin. It's AWD and should not be spinning the tires. Suddenly losing AWD is dangerous when you expect the car to perform like an AWD car. Dealership said the transmission spline is stripped and needs replaced under warranty. Car has currently been at the dealership for 50 days. There is no known ETA on replacement parts. No warnings on anything, the car's power distribution meter still shows power going to the rear wheels even though it is not. I believe there is already an active investigation into this issue.

NHTSA ID

11738699

Incident

Mar 28, 2026

While making a left turn into a parking lot my car exhibited a loud bang noise. It felt as if the car had been hit from the rear. While applying the gas the car jerked and popped in the rear. I had the car towed to a dealership where I was informed the transfer case had " Destroyed itself". The gears broke apart internally. I was also informed that the transmission power take off was destroyed.The car only has 87000 miles on it and has been serviced at recommended intervals. The dealership quoted 19000.00 dollars to repair. The car was out of Acura"s powertrain warranty. I had a third party warranty that I used to repair the car. I was 5 hours away from home when this occurred. I was without a car for 4 weeks. I believe that this is a manufacture problem and is dangerous. There were no warning lights before or after the event. The car has been repaired. I have a video of the dealerships diagnosis of the transfer case and transmission failure.

NHTSA ID

11700964

Incident

Oct 9, 2025

Transfer case became defective and fluids started mixing in with it and in the result of all of that I needed a new transmission as well

NHTSA ID

11682637

Incident

Aug 22, 2025