Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2020 Acura MDX submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 37 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.
The 25 most recent of 37, in the owner's own words
My cruise control, automatic lane changing indicator light indicator, brake indicator light, high beam light indicator lights all keep coming off and on. Researching it on YouTube states that it’s the camera on my windshield getting too hot and it’s a known issue. It’s $1800 To fix but others have stated they get fixed and it doesn’t resolve the problem. Asking for your help.
During the summer of 2025, the auto idle engine railed to restart while at a stop light. We had to shut off and restart the car. We took it to the car dealer and they did some sort of software update. It happened again in January 2026 while at a stop light off a highway exit ramp. We took it to a different dealer because we were living in a different city at the time. In their computer system, they could see the repair that had been done. They did some sort of other update and submitted it as a warranty repair for Acura (which the other dealer had not done). They noted there was one other repair that could be done, but Acura would not allow them to do both at once and this update usually fixed it. However, it happened again in February 2026. The engine did not restart from auto idle, this time at a stop light toward the beginning of an eight hour road trip back home. Fortunately, turning off the engine and starting it back up worked. We took it back to the second dealer and they did the additional repair authorized by Acura and submitted as a warranty repair. Three incidents of the auto-idle not restarting the engine in less than a year is not acceptable. The car is unrealiable.
The following issues occur on a 2020 Acura MDX with low 50k miles, maintenance was done regular whenever a maintenance schedule appear. For the past few years after purchasing the vehicle we started getting a non-start engine with the key fobs and automatic side mirrors did not open or close when parked. Brand new batteries were replace for the key fob and later the Car Battery and the issue occurs intermittently, this was brought to the attention of the dealership and each time (documented) that they were not able to reproduce when they turned off the vehicle, this was mid 2024 06-13-2024 and sporadically continues till this year 2026. The dealership did not test or trace the electrical system as they were told to reproduce the issue first as it will happen at that moment. A new recent event 2025 has also occur and was brought to the dealerships attention, a warning message indicating - Electric Parking Brake Problem follow by a Emissions System Problem will appear. This was also "reset" by the dealership and indicated it was safe to drive but event reoccurs every few months. A 2nd opinion to another mechanic indicated it can be the emergency brake system to be faulty and driving the vehicle when the message appears may cause an immediate stop, advised us to have the dealership reach out to the manufacture. No word from either for the past year. Any open recall for my VIN was done once we were notified and a New Car Battery replaced and new batteries in key fobs - issue continues. Please assist Thank you
Intermitted Flashing Dash Lights, Headlights, and Car Alarms. Steering wheel moving up and down. Looks like the same issue as Service Bulleting 21-055.
Electric parking break and emissions light keep popping up. They says it’s the catalytic converter many people having the same issue
There was an active recall on this car from Acura for the auto start system malfunctioning. When the car auto stops at a signal or stop sign it does not turn back on sometimes. We took the car to Acura 3 times for the same issue and they keep saying that it is fixed but the recall was never fixed. This is highly dangerous in traffic situations when the car does not turn back on when you take your foot off the brake.
The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while at a stoplight, the vehicle shut off and failed to immediately restart after releasing the brake pedal. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the starter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed of the NHTSA Action Number: EA25004 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the investigation. The failure mileage was 20,000.
On Aug 8th at 3:32pm (81F and sunny), I stopped at a red light with the auto idle engine feature on. When I lifted my foot off the brake to drive the car, the car shifted into neutral and completely shut down and would not restart immediately. I attempted approximately 8 times to restart the car for 3 minutes before it successfully restarted. This poses a significant safety hazard for myself, my children, and others on the road. This is the 6th time this has happened and I have previously filed a NHTSA report # 11533671 with the same issue. Acura has been unable to diagnose and recreate the problem and is refusing to do any further work. It has been brought into their dealership on 3 separate occasions (July 2023, September 2024, August 2025). Prior to this occurring, there were no warning symbols, the car started fine without issue, and the battery has been checked and confirmed in working order.
I own a 2020 Acura MDX. On two separate occasions, the Auto Engine Idle Stop system failed to operate while depressing the accelerator pedal while at a stop. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle shuts off and the I had to manually restart the vehicle after the failure. I have not contacted the dealer yet but based on what I have found here I am not the only one that this is happening too. It is awful to be stopped in rush hour traffic and having people honking at me and potentially be the cause of an accident. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000 and 38,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact stated that on three separate occasions, the Auto Engine Idle Stop system failed to operate while depressing the accelerator pedal while at a stop. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle shut off and the contact had to manually restart the vehicle after the failure. The contact called and informed the dealer of the failure. The contact was then referred to the manufacturer for assistance with the repair. The contact was provided a case number and referred to the dealer to order the part for the repair. The contact made multiple attempts to reach the dealer but had not received a response. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.
I am writing to formally express my concern regarding a recurring issue with the Auto Start/Stop feature in my 2020 Acura MDX. This feature, which is intended to improve fuel efficiency, has instead caused unexpected and unsafe engine shutoffs while the vehicle is in operation. On multiple occasions, the vehicle has failed to restart promptly after the engine shuts off at a stoplight or in traffic, creating a serious safety hazard. The delay or failure to restart can leave the car temporarily disabled in active traffic, placing both myself and other drivers at risk.
The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving in Comfort Mode at approximately 40 MPH and attempting to accelerate to change lanes, the vehicle stalled for several minutes before accelerating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle hesitated to start intermittently, and the failure was more frequent over time. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the battery had failed. The battery was replaced, and the vehicle was remedied under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V031000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Electrical System). The failure reoccurred. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, and the contact stated that the vehicle was shaking abnormally while accelerating; however, the dealer had not diagnosed the vehicle a second time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,193.
When using the a/c while the Auto Idle Stop is engaged, the engine will shut off and not restart. This issue does not happen immediately, at the first cycle of being activated, it's after 3 or more cycles of the AIS being in use, like driving in stop and go traffic for instance. The issue reminds me of a low/dying battery when it happens. Now when I turn off the A/C, the car starts right up like normal. Also if I don't use the A/C, the AIS cycles like normal, like in traffic, l'll have no problems with its performance.
Start n stop button not working right shuts off and hard to start
The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact stated while coming to a complete stop, the vehicle started to stall. The contact stated that after the vehicle came to a stop, the vehicle would not turn on until after several seconds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was stalling more frequently and was taking longer to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with alternator failure. The independent mechanic could not find any other cause for the failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
1.17.25 My check engine light came on with the following lights: Emissions System Problem Electric Parking Brake Problem
The vehicle stalled and was unable to start again, Called AAA , they jump started but when I went to dealership they said it wasn't the battery. The car electrical electric system was flashing. The breaks won't release. This is not the first time. My car is currently in Acura service for 5 days and they can't figure out what the problem is. My friends car also has had similar issues. I have a video of the flashing indicators. The car has only 33k miles.
Twice so far my car just turned itself off while stopped in traffic at a stoplight. It would not turn on immediately. Traffic built behind me, steering was locked, brakes not working. After sitting a minute or so it would start again and then the steering would then work, gas accelerator, brakes would all then start to work again. It was scary and unsafe. This needs a recall!!!
My vehicle stalled and the engine cut while I was waiting at a stop light. The engine auto shut-off feature was active at the time of the incident. While sitting a the red light the auto engine feature shut the engine down, which is normal to reserve the use of fuel while at a stop light. When I took my foot off the brake, the vehicle should have restarted. but instead, the vehicle went into N (neutral) and the engine did not restart. I was sitting in the middle of traffic with cars behind me, so I put the emergency signal on, I then put it in P (park) and started the vehicle. This is the second time this has happened. The first time I thought I touched the neutral button by mistake. There were no injuries, but I'm concerned that this could cause a crash in the future,.
I came to a stop at a stop sign. The start/stop feature activated and the engine shut off. When I lifted my foot off the brake, the engine did not restart (as it's supposed to), and then vehicle automatically shifted itself into neutral (without any of my doing). I put the emergency flashers on to alert other motorists, hoping to avoid a rear-end collision as I was stopped in the middle of an intersection in rush hour traffic. At this time, the battery light illuminated. The engine light illluminated as well. I had to forcefully and unusually push the brakew pedal towards the floor as the vehicle was drifting backwards. At this time, the vehicle would not shift into park. Then "PARK" illuminated, so I attempted to reapply the brake hoping that when I let up from the brake the car would start again (like the usual procedure). The vehicle then shifted into park, but the engine had not restarted. I pressed the on/off red button to follow normal procedures for turning the vehicle off. With my foot remaining on the brake, I pressed the off/on red button to start the engine as usual and the engine finally restarted. Afraid for the safety for myself and other motorists, I put the vehicle into drive and I pushed the button to stop the stop/start system from engaging. No codes generated during this. This is a safety issue for several reasons. First, I was stuck in the middle of a busy intersection where a large volume of cars travel through each day. It was rush hour, so the roads couldn't be more filled. Someone coming around the corner who might not have been prepared to stop could have hit me. Likewise, I could have been hit while in the intersection. Secondly, once the vehicle failed to turn back on, the Washington Grove (Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services - MCFRS) was responding to a vehicular file nearby on I-270 and had I not have been able to move in time, some of their vehicles likely wouldn't have made it through because my vehicle was blocking the lane.
When the vehicle is idle, for instance at a light, it will shut down. It idles a little, goes into neutral and shuts completely down having to be restarted. I always turn off the automatic start on the vehicle after I start it, so it is not that. It has also done it while driving. It is very unsafe to be driving in traffic and have your vehicle shut down with no warning. Please advise on what actions should be taken to correct this issue.
The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate from a stop light, the engine did not restart after releasing the brake pedal. While attempting the restart the vehicle, the brake pedal was very hard while depressed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was previously repaired at the local dealer and a software update was performed but the failure persisted. No further information was available. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 6,000.
I've experienced stop and stall issues with my vehicle three times and the Acura dealership said they couldn't locate but kept my vehicle for a few days and said it was the battery. I have a new battery but same issue occurred two more times. There is definitely an electrical problem with this vehicle's system. The radio randomly stops working, no sound or buttons stop at any given time and also heat/air buttons switch by themselves. Shift paddles sometimes does not slow down vehicle, in most cases it accelerates.
The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the vehicle stalled and shifted into neutral. After shifting to the park, the vehicle was restarted and operated normally. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on numerous occasions while accelerating from a stop or while decelerating to a stop. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on multiple occasions and software updates had been performed, the battery and starter were replaced, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact stated that upon coming to a complete stop, the vehicle suddenly stalled. After which, the contact became aware that the vehicle briefly failed to detect that the key was present, preventing the vehicle from restarting. After a while, the vehicle was able to detect that the key was present, and the vehicle started. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 10,000.
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
Data on this page last refreshed .