2019 Acura MDX Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2019 Acura MDX, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine7629.2%
- Fuel system4316.5%
- Electrical4115.8%
- Powertrain (other)3111.9%
- Driver assistance2911.2%
- Visibility93.5%
- Brakes93.5%
- Steering51.9%
- Exterior lighting51.9%
- Interior & seats31.2%
- Other / unspecified31.2%
- Suspension20.8%
- Body & structure20.8%
- Airbags10.4%
- Tires & wheels10.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
issue occurring with automatic start/stop function. car stalls on occasion trying to restart, goes into neutral, even though battery is new and in good condition. hard to replicate and occurs randomly. car has to be turned off and on again. this is the 4th time this has happened over the course of 3 years. seems to be happening to others based on forums as well.
I am reporting a recurring safety issue following the Acura rod bearing recall repair on my 2019 Acura MDX SH-AWD. The original recall resulted in catastrophic engine failure and Acura replaced the long block assembly. Since that repair, the vehicle has repeatedly failed and returned to the dealership multiple times for the same issue pattern. Symptoms include: * “Emissions System Problem” warning * SH-AWD, brake, and traction control warnings * strong raw gasoline odor * vehicle becoming undriveable/no-start Timeline: * Recall repair completed with long block replacement * Vehicle failed again the next day * Dealer repaired vehicle * Vehicle failed again about one month later * Dealer repaired vehicle again * Vehicle failed a third time about one week later during normal commuting The recurring failures are accompanied by a strong gasoline smell, creating concern about fire risk and vehicle safety. I regularly transport children in this vehicle and no longer have confidence in the safety or reliability of the recall repair. The dealership has continued repairing the vehicle and providing loaners, indicating the issue is related to the original recall repair, but the underlying problem has still not been resolved despite multiple repair attempts. I am submitting this report because the recall repair has not resulted in safe and reliable vehicle operation.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
issue occurring with automatic start/stop function. car stalls on occasion trying to restart, goes into neutral, even though battery is new and in good condition. hard to replicate and occurs randomly. car has to be turned off and on again. this is the 4th time this has happened over the course of 3 years. seems to be happening to others based on forums as well.
The contact owns a 2019 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to drive to the residence after the failure. An independent mechanic was contacted and attributed the failure to the fuel pump. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); but the vehicle was repaired under the recall approximately 2 years ago. The contact stated that the failure was caused by an improper recall repair. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with fuel pump failure. The contact was informed that the fuel pump replacement only had a 12-month warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
the camera system located above the rear view mirror failed and caused a warning light for the lkas system. adaptive cruise control, lane keeping did not work because of it. the unit had to be replaced. this seems to be a fairly common issue with this mdx version, based on forums
Alarm randomly goes off dash lights up on its own and kills the battery Was told it’s the keyless module
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
While driving, the vehicle experienced a sudden internal mechanical and electronic transmission failure. Without warning, the vehicle shifted itself directly into Park while navigating the busy intersection of [XXX] and [XXX]. This caused a complete loss of propulsion and left the vehicle entirely immobilized in the middle of a high-speed junction. The vehicle could not be moved, creating an immediate, severe highway safety hazard that required an emergency 911 police response to manage traffic and protect the vehicle from being rear-ended. The dealership scan tool later pulled diagnostic code P0730 (Incorrect Gear Ratio) along with multiple clutch performance failures (P07A4, P07A2, P07A8). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2019 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended and to exceed 5 MPH. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact did not agree with the diagnosis. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,692.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
the camera system located above the rear view mirror failed and caused a warning light for the lkas system. adaptive cruise control, lane keeping did not work because of it. the unit had to be replaced. this seems to be a fairly common issue with this mdx version, based on forums
The subject 2019 Acura MDX model includes the tech package which adds several safety features that function through a windshield mounted camara/radar. The system has malfunctioned and none of the safety features are working. The dash displays the following messages: Collision Mitigation System Problem Adaptive Cruise Control Problem Lane Keeping Asist Problem Road Departure Mitigation System Problem automatic headlight system problem At the bottom of the dash, I see Brake System, Crash Warning and Lane Departure lights on as well. Acura is charging $2,319 to replace this unit in addition to a $270 diagnostic fee. This issue is widely reported as a significant issue in several model years for the MDX and should be part of a safety recall. The Acura technician acknowledged this issue is common. I should add this is the second major electronic issue with this MDX within the last several months. The prior issue was multiple system failure warnings that Acura determined were caused by a faulty wiring harness at a $1,604 cost, plus a $255 diagnostic fee. Please note I am the original owner of the vehicle and it has never been in a collision. Additionally, the system has recently mistakenly activated the brakes at very low speed and warned against collisions with other vehicles traveling in the opposite direction while on a curve.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
We just got into the vehicle and was driving down the road when the sunroof exploded. Nothing hit it and nobody was around us when it happened. I about went off the road. Didn't know what happened. Very scary that a sunroof can just explode on its own with nothing hitting it.
The contact owns a 2019 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving or while the vehicle was parked, during inclement weather, there was water seeping through the sunroof of the vehicle. The floor in the front of the vehicle had been accumulating water. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
Under normal driving conditions warning lights for "electric parking brake" and "emissions system problem" came on the dashboard and the 'brake' light began flashing. No change in performance. Auto parts store diagnostic indicated EVAP valve as the possible problem code, along with two other unrelated codes - none connected to brakes or emissions. The 12-volt battery tested strong. Drove another 100 miles with lights still on, but the 'brake' light would turn off after about 5 mins of highway driving/no braking. The next day the warning lights continued. After normal city driving I shut the car off, waited 30 seconds, pushed the start button twice (accessory mode) and held the brake pedal down while pulling up on the brake release button for 10 seconds. Started the car without any error messages.
Turned on my car last night and many lights appeared including emissions system problem, electronic brake problem and SH-AWD malfunctioning. All the lights came on at once. According to forums, this is happening with many Acura RDX, MDX models and manufacturer does not have a clear way to repair or resolve the issue. My car has had all the routine maintenance and is scheduled for the 2 recalls to be repaired next week.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
Loud clunking noise when steering, possibly the rack and pinion. Control arms and struts have been replaced.
Two recalls outstanding from November 2023. Parts not available to fix the problems until April 2025.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
The taillights on this vehicle are defective. I have already had one taillight replaced and now the other side needs to be replaced. These taillights are $300 each for parts only.
The headlight assemblies to my vehicle have become defective. The headlight assembly, both right and left, has moisture intrusion within the headlight assembly, creating condensation build-up inside the housing. This issue also caused the headlights to become white and hazy in appearance. I was advised by the dealer that this would lead to failure with the lighting and would have to be replaced. I purchased a certified used vehicle with Tustin Acura in August of 2022 and also purchased an extended warranty for piece of mind. In the 2 1/2 years that I have owned the vehicle, I have added about 25k miles and have always garaged the vehicle. When the issue was reviewed by the dealer, they refused to cover the problem under warranty and requested that I reach out to American Honda for further assistance. I did that but was denied and told the issue was caused by "outside influence," but provided no explanation as to what this meant. To me it felt like I was being blamed for clearly a defective issue. A Google search of this issues revealed to me that this was a common issue with 2019 Acura MDX vehicles. To replace the headlights would be a cost to me of nearly $3,000. it seems almost ridiculous to pay for clearly defective equipment. I fear that my inability to afford this great expense with lead to headlight failure that could result in a collision if this failure were to occur at night.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2019 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the driver’s and passenger’s side front seats shifted unexpectedly. The contact stated that there was an abnormal popping sound coming from the center of the seat backrest, which was felt in the seat. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was notified of the issue and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
The drivers seat is lose and can be felt and heard making noise when driving, even at low speeds. It shifts back and forth upon acceleration and deceleration. Ive had a mechanic look at it and determine it is in fact shifting around while driving, which is extremely unsafe. Upon further research found that many othet Acura/Honda users have had the same issue especially in the MDX model mentioned here. Its even been reported by dealers in brand new, still in the showroom MDX. It is clearly not a wear and tear issue and needs a recall to be addressed.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
Factory wheels on Acura MDX cracking at low mileage under normal driving conditions. Structural failure concern.
I WAS IN A DRIVE THROUGH WAS ASKED TO PULL FORWARD AND PARK AT CURB AS I BRAKED MY VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN STRIKING THE CURB AND DAMAGING MY LEFT FRONT WHEEL AT THE TIME OF THE FALSE ACCELERATION I WAS IN DRIVE IDELING FORWARD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
Clunking or Looseness in the Outer Tie Rod. The issue is related to TSB-B23-019 Bulletin. The exact same issue is occurring that has happened with years 2022-2023. I have had at the dealership to fix the issue and they never mentioned the outer tie rod cotter pin or castle nut loosening.
SINCE TAKING DELIVERY OF MY 2019 ACURA MDX I STARTED TO NOTICE A CLICKING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING AND BRAKING. THE ISSUE CAN BE HEARD ALSO WHILE MAKING A TURN. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY REPLACED THE LEFT STRUT BUT THE ISSUE DID NOT GET FIXED. THIS IS A BRAND NEW VEHICLE AND SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES. THIS CLICKING NOISE IS ANNOYING AND EMBARRASSING TO BE DRIVING A NEW VEHICLE THAT MAKES CLICKING NOISES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
Rear tail gate lift motors are overheating and won't open rear hatch. The motors will lift the gait for about 5 or 6 openings, then the gate will not lift at all. The vehicle has to sit overnight for the system to "cool down". Once it cools down, the tailgate will operate the next date, but will operate only once. The car has to once again, sit overnight, in order to lift the tailgate 1 time. If the motors of the gate are overheating, this is a safety potential fire issue. At this time I am being told the motors are on back order, and I have no manual override in this vehicle to lift the tailgate hatch. If the same motors are being put back in the vehicle, without any modifications, this will not suffice.
THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE SPONTANEOUSLY IN THE PARKING AREA. WE CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE BRIGADE TOOK ABOUT AN HOUR TO GET THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL. WE HAD GONE TO CHICKFILA (ABOUT 6 MILES TOTAL DISTANCE) AND THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR MAYBE 5 MINUTES WHEN WE SAW A FIRE ENGULF THE FRONT PORTION. I PUT WATER ON IT WHILE WAITING FOR 991 RESPONSE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
While driving at 25 miles an hour on a smooth curving road out of a housing area my wife who was driving and my grand daughter in the front passenger seat heard a loud boom that sounded like somthing hit the roof. My grand daughter looked into the back passenger area and said she saw a large buldge in the headliner near the back window on the drivers side. My wife continued driving saftly to the nearest parking lot and parked the vehicle, she got out and inspected the roof and found no dammage of any kind. she opened the back window tail gate and saw a large fist size buldge in the headliner near the open area on the drivers side. She had no idea what happened. There were no waring lights or indicators that indicated a problem and she drove home and showed it to me. When I saw it I thought it was a rear window or curtian air bag that tried to deploy but did not break through the headlinner. I have called the dealer and scheduled an appointment to check it out on thur March 26 at 09:00 2026. I verified that there are no indicators or warning lights that indicate a problem. The service department said it should be safe to drive until then.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
Continental Crosscontact LX Sport 265/45R20 104H Tires have about 33,275 miles on them (rotated regularly) and one of the tires has a huge bump in the tread. The belt has separated from the sidewall. From what I've read, there are recalls on this tire, but not for this particular date that these tires were made. With it being on the front, it makes the steering wheel shake and I'm scared to drive it anywhere except to the tire store.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .