2022 Acura MDX

On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2019-2022 Honda Passport, and 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The repair outlined in the service bulletins is a two-stage countermeasure to remedy the issue. The first stage is a Programmed Fuel Injection (“PGM-FI”) software update. The second stage is only deployed if the software update fails to remedy the issue. The second stage, depending on the model and model year, consists of replacement of the starter assembly, starter relays, and a valve adjustment. Additionally, Honda extended the warranty coverage to 10 years with unlimited mileage for vehicles requiring the second stage component replacement. ODI continues to receive complaints of the AIS failure to restart, with many complainants alleging the campaign countermeasures had been completed.NHTSA has reviewed Honda's Information Request Letter responses involving warranty claims, lawsuits, and consumer complaints in addition to ODI's own data. This Engineering Analysis is being opened to further consider the potential safety defect, including gathering additional data regarding Honda’s service campaign efficacy. ODI is additionally expanding the scope to encompass all vehicles addressed in Honda’s service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009 as well as newer model year vehicles, which are substantially similar to the vehicles covered by the service campaign. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has completed its review of a Petition dated January 9, 2026, requesting an investigation into the loss of the optional all-wheel drive capability in model year (MY) 2021-2023 Acura TLX and MY 2022-2023 Acura MDX vehicles. The Petition alleges failures in the interfacing splines between the front wheel drive transaxle and the rear wheel drive power take off unit. Failure of these splines prevents the transfer of drive power to the rear axle, making the vehicle front wheel drive only. The Petition further alleges that this failure reduces vehicle directional control. Most traditional AWD systems utilize mechanical and passive measures. These systems have the tendency to distribute torque along the path of least resistance, such as a wheel that has lost contact with the ground or is on a low friction surface such as ice. To compensate for this, many manufacturers use the brake system to redirect torque to the wheels with more traction.  However, in this style of AWD system, a failed drive shaft or similar disconnection prior to the brakes often results in drive power being lost to the disconnected component. The consequence of this loss is the inability to maintain speed with surrounding traffic which increases the risks of collisions and injuries to the vehicle occupants. The Subject Vehicles are built upon a platform that was designed primarily as Front Wheel Drive (FWD). The SH-AWD system functions more as a performance enhancement feature rather than a stability feature. Even if the SH-AWD is nonoperational, the vehicles retain full mobility via FWD. In addition, the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) remains functional, ensuring directional stability through traditional engine and brake-based traction control. Although the condition raised by the Petitioner may degrade the vehicle’s performance characteristics, there is insufficient information to indicate a potential unreasonable safety risk. ODI reviewed 62 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) and several EWR Field Reports alleging the loss of SH-AWD and its impact on the driving dynamics of the subject vehicles. During its analysis, ODI determined that the failure is localized to the mechanical interface between the FWD transaxle and the PTU. Specifically, the failure is the shearing or stripping of the interfacing splined shafts between the FWD transaxle and the PTU, resulting in a permanent loss of torque transfer to the rear of the vehicle. Upon reviewing the technical details of SH-AWD, ODI has found that this failure does not result in any loss of motive power or lead to a loss of vehicle control. Several complaints indicated that the operators were unaware of the mechanical fault until encountering a low friction surface or the condition was identified by a technician during routine maintenance. The SH-AWD system lacks any form of direct feedback for monitoring real time torque transfer to the rear wheels. Therefore, the system will continue to display information indicating power is being supplied to the rear wheels even when power is actually only supplied to the front wheels. ODI’s review did not identify sufficient evidence to indicate that the misinformation has presented a safety issue in the field. ODI did not identify any reports of loss of motive power or vehicle control that could be attributed to the loss of SH-AWD. ODI is not aware of any crashes involving the Subject Vehicles that resulted from the loss of SH-AWD. After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the Petitioner, consumer complaint information in NHTSA’s databases, and other relevant information already in possession of the Agency, NHTSA has not found sufficient evidence to indicate that the loss of AWD as alleged by the Petitioner is likely to present a safety related defect that would warrant a formal investigation. After full consideration of the available information, and in view of NHTSA’s enforcement priorities, the Petition is denied.  A denial report will be posted in the Federal Register.  The closing of the petition does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.  The Petition can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11712885.

front differential leaking oil/transmission fluid. only front wheels are driving car. no warning lights from car. Independent repair shop diagnosed as a failed front differential due to stripped internal splines inside the differential leading to a leak.

NHTSA ID

11775003

Incident

Oct 26, 2026

AWD system failed. Vehicle is only working in front wheel drive.

NHTSA ID

11774908

Incident

Oct 7, 2026

We purchased our 2022 Acura MDX with 7K miles on it. The transmission failed 2 years after it was purchased and required a full replacement. We knew there was an issue due to transmission fluid leaking from the vehicle. This was completed under warranty. It has been exactly 2 years since the full transmission replacement, and the dealer has just informed us the transmission is failing again and will require another FULL REPLACEMENT. Apparently there is a known issue with the transfer case splines on this model year, and the transfer case was not replaced by the dealer when they completed the first full transmission replacement.

NHTSA ID

11774744

Incident

Oct 26, 2026

My 2022 Acura MDX lost motive power due to a transmission and transfer case failure at 64,306 miles. The transmission first became jumpy shifting from 1st to 2nd gear, then began whining and self-correcting. The jerking worsened in stop-and-go traffic until the vehicle became stuck in low gear and at times lost all gears completely. On the drive to the dealer, it nearly would not go into gear at all, and I did not think it was going to make it. The dealer (Crown Acura, [XXX], repair order #XXX) found the transmission fluid level low and the transfer case fluid dark, indicating the two fluids had been mixing. Diagnostic codes present were described by the dealer as transmission failure codes. After removing the transfer case, the dealer found brown sludge and worn connections between the transfer case and transmission, and noted the vehicle was not far from the relatively common failure of the transfer case. Both the transmission and the transfer case were replaced, and the transmission control module was reprogrammed with a new module. The vehicle was in the shop for approximately six weeks. The repair was covered under the certified pre-owned powertrain warranty at no cost to me. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11774543

Incident

Sep 17, 2026

Vehicle had oil leak from transmission/transfer case area. Repair shop discovered splines worn where transmission driveshaft and transfer case meet. A common issue apparently. Caused vehicle to only work as a FWD instead of a FWD vehicle. Was advised transmission and transfer case need replaced a cost of 12-13k for a used pair.

NHTSA ID

11773512

Incident

Oct 20, 2026

Transmission Failed, Drive train spline is stripped, Safety basically vehicle would shake constanstly. It has been inspected by Acura of Berlin CT.

NHTSA ID

11771330

Incident

Jun 1, 2026

My less than 5 year old car had a leak coming from the center front of the car. Acura Service said the transfer case and transmission connection spindles were damaged and transmission seals are leaking. They recommended a replacement of both transmission and transfer case, at a cost of over $13,000, and that is after Acura Customer Service gave me a 10% discount on the repair.

NHTSA ID

11771251

Incident

Oct 12, 2026

My 2022 Acura MDX has transmission issues that started at 99,000 miles. After inspection as to why the drive shaft is spinning freely - they pulled the transfer case off and noticed that the teeth are worn down to almost flat, which is cause ing the transmission not to send power to the real wheels. This is consistent with multiple documented transmission - PTU spline failures on 2022-2023 Acura MDXs (reference NHSTA Investigation DP26-001).

NHTSA ID

11771041

Incident

Sep 3, 2026

Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. In other circumstances, vehicles may experience a slow crank or fail to start under hot ambient temperature conditions.

Dealer Message - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. In other circumstances, vehicles may experience a slow crank or fail to start under hot ambient temperature conditions. The customer should be able to restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pushing the ENGINE START/STOP button.

Tech Line Summary Article - Customers are complaining of a clicking noise from front of vehicle while turning at low speeds. This is a temporary solution to address the issue.

"Service Bulletin - A pop noise can occur from the rear roof area when turning into driveways, bumps, or on an incline due to, in some cases, the panoramic roof frame mounting bolts are unable to maintain the necessary clamp force. This can allow shifting, which may lead to a pop noise."

Tech Line Summary - Customers are complaining of a clicking noise from front of vehicle while turning at low speeds. This is a temporary solution to address the issue.

Service Bulletin - Customers are experiencing screeching, squeaking, rubbing, or scraping from the rear wheel area due to rocks are getting caught between the rear brake disk and splash guard.