RoadVitals

2012 Acura MDX Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints 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.
13
Latest Apr 22, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
17%
of 76 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2012 Acura MDX submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 13 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Electrical
Filed Apr 22, 2025

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 126,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 159,000.

NHTSA ID
11656007
Incident
Feb 10, 2025
Mileage
159,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jun 29, 2022

DONE everything Dealer suggested and still having problems with random misfires in 1,2 and 3 cylinders, changed spark plugs, fuel injectors, ignition coils and compression test and changed rear CAT. Still check engine light come on sometime then the SUV driving good, and sometimes it drive ruff, check engine light come on then go off then come back on with same codes: random misfire.

NHTSA ID
11471653
Incident
Nov 20, 2021
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Nov 2, 2020

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY MY CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. I REACHED MY DESTINATION AND TURNED OFF MY VEHICLE, I THEN RESTARTED MY VEHICLE AND THE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. I TOOK A PICTURE OF THE LIGHT FOR PROOF. STILL ON FOR 3 WEEKS NOW. I CHECKED AND MY VIN IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST FOR THE AIRBAG.

NHTSA ID
11372629
Incident
Oct 28, 2020
Mileage
202,236 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Mar 26, 2020
Fire reported

WINDSHIELD WIPER DOESN'T WORK, ELECTRONIC STEERING FAILED

NHTSA ID
11319352
Incident
Feb 27, 2020
Mileage
56,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 31, 2019
Fire reported

AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE, I PARKED IT, TURNED IT OFF AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE.

NHTSA ID
11292235
Incident
Dec 23, 2019
Mileage
106,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 30, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA MDX. AFTER CAMPING, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT RODENTS CHEWED ON SEVERAL WIRES. THE DEALER DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,900.

NHTSA ID
10948491
Incident
Jan 27, 2017
Mileage
48,900 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 3, 2017

POWER DOOR LOCKS WERE ALL DEFECTIVE, BECAME NON-RESPONSIVE TO TRANSMITTER AND DRIVER MASTER SWITCH IN YEAR 4. LOCKS ALSO BEGAN CYCLING OPEN AND CLOSED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. [MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD!] ALL 4 ACTUATORS HAD TO BE REPLACED OVER THE COURSE OF THREE TRIPS TO DEALER. I AM REPORTING ONLY THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE DATE AS THIS HAPPENED THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF 2017

NHTSA ID
10939152
Incident
Dec 28, 2016
Mileage
33,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 3, 2017

POWER DOOR LOCKS WERE ALL DEFECTIVE, BECAME NON-RESPONSIVE TO TRANSMITTER AND DRIVER MASTER SWITCH IN YEAR 4. LOCKS ALSO BEGAN CYCLING OPEN AND CLOSED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ALL 4 ACTUATORS HAD TO BE REPLACED OVER THE COURSE OF THREE TRIPS TO DEALER. I AM REPORTING ONLY THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE DATE AS THIS HAPPENED THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF 2017

NHTSA ID
10939148
Incident
Dec 27, 2016
Mileage
33,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jul 16, 2016

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 ID
10885234
Incident
Mar 19, 2012
Mileage
200 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 30, 2016

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 ID
10852351
Incident
Mar 28, 2016
Mileage
51,000 mi
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Aug 5, 2013

I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2012 ACURA MDX (1 YEAR AND 2 WEEKS OLD). IT HAVE ONLY 7000 MILES ON IT RIGHT NOW. THE POWER DRIVER SEAT IS NOT WORKING AND ALSO, THE MEMORY #1 AND #2. THE SEAT IT ALL THE WAY UP POSITION CLOSE TO STEERING WHEEL IT HARD FOR ME TO DRIVE. I WORK ANN ARBOR, MI THE ACURA DEALER ARE IN TROY, MI. IT MORE THAN ONE HOUR DRIVE ONE WAY. IF I TAKE MY ACURA MDX TO THE DEALER, I HAVE TO TAKE TIME OFF FROM WORK WHICH I DO NOT TO .................. WHY IT COST MONEY ....................... I'M NOT HAPPY. I OWN HONDA ACCORD 10 YEARS, ACURA 3.2 TL 8 YEARS, TOYOTA HIGHLANDER MORE THAN 5 YEARS NEVER HAVE ANY PROBLEMS LIKE THIS ONE ...................... NOW WHAT............... *TR

NHTSA ID
10533591
Incident
Aug 4, 2013
Mileage
7,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalExterior lighting+1 more
Filed Feb 23, 2013

HONDA ACURA MDX, THE VEHICLE PROVIDES A BACKUP CAMERA TO DISPLAY THE REAR VIEW WHEN THE VEHICLE BACKS UP. HOWEVER THE CAMERA SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK AT NIGHT UNDER STREET LIGHT. THE DRIVER BARELY SEES ANYTHING AT REAR THROUGH THE VIDEO DISPLAY EVEN IT IS SET AT NIGHT MODE AND IT IS TURNED TO MAX. BRIGHT LEVEL. I ALMOST HIT A CHILD WHEN I TRIED TO BACKUP THE CAR WITH THE REAR VIEW THOUGH THE CAMERA AND I THOUGHT IT WAS CLEAR BUT IT IS NOT. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS AND IT COULD KILL A CHILD. ACURA SHOULD NEVER INSTALL SUCH POOR QUALITY CAMERAS ON ITS HIGH END VEHICLES. OR ACURA SHOULD PUT A CLEAR WARNING MARK BESIDE THE DISPLAY WHICH WARNS DRIVER NEVER USE IT AT NIGHT. COMPARING TO THE OTHER BRAND REAR VIEW CAMERAS I NEVER HEARD SUCH STORIES THAT THEY ARE NOT BE ABLE TO WORK AT NIGHT. THERE ARE COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB AND MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. I HOPE ACURA WILL REPLACE THE CAMERA AND PREVENT IT FROM AN ACCIDENT REALLY HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10499759
Incident
Feb 22, 2013
Mileage
7,400 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jan 29, 2013

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. THE CAMERA LENS IS CLEAN. THIS IS SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE COMPARED TO MY PRIOR 2008 ACURA MDX, AND COMPARED TO OTHER VEHICLES THAT I OWN AND HAVE DRIVEN WITH SIMILAR CAMERAS. THE DEALER SAYS THAT IT IS A FREQUENT COMPLAINT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10495028
Incident
Nov 5, 2012
Mileage
1,000 mi

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.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .