RoadVitals

2026 Acura MDX

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
6
Latest Jul 13, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest May 21, 2026
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2026 Acura MDX, most frequently naming the driver assistance, electrical and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 7 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Driver assistance342.9%
  • Electrical228.6%
  • Engine114.3%
  • Powertrain (other)114.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
26V332000

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

May 21, 2026
98,892 units potentially affected
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
The risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number Refer to CommentsView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 13, 2026

I am writing to formally escalate an unresolved matter regarding my 2026 Acura MDX Technology, purchased on XXX, from Piazza Acura of [XXX]. As a loyal Acura customer of over nine years and currently on my fourth lease, this experience is both unexpected and unacceptable. Since shortly after purchase, the vehicle has exhibited persistent and unresolved performance issues, most notably harsh and inconsistent gear shifting and a pronounced vibration in the accelerator pedal. Despite multiple service visits and significant time invested, these concerns remain unresolved. I have repeatedly been advised that these conditions are “normal characteristics” of the vehicle due to adaptive transmission behavior—an explanation that is inconsistent with my prior ownership experience across multiple MDX models (2017, 2020, and 2023) and does not align with reasonable expectations for a vehicle in this class. To be clear, the vehicle in its current condition fails to meet reasonable standards of quality, reliability, and merchantability for a $62,000+ luxury vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle did not exhibit these issues during pre-purchase test drives, indicating these conditions are neither inherent nor acceptable. The service history is summarized below: April 18, 2026 – Piazza Acura of Ardmore Issues: Installation of a sport heated steering wheel (contractually owed), slow acceleration, harsh shifting, vibration in the accelerator pedal, GPS inoperable Service time: 1 day April 24, 2026 – Piazza Acura of Ardmore Issues: Installation of the correct heated steering wheel, continued transmission and vibration in the accelerator pedal concerns Service time: 6 days May 11, 2026 – Elite Acura (NJ) Issue: Accelerator pedal vibration Service time: ~1.5 hours June 15, 2026 – Piazza Acura of Ardmore Issues: Ongoing vibration in the accelerator pedal, Blind Spot Information System problem warning Service time: 2+ days (ongoing) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11750166
Incident
Apr 9, 2026
Electrical
Filed Jul 3, 2026

The blind spot monitor becomes inoperable when you leave the car in an open area with sun and warm weather on the car. If you take the car and place it in a garage or during nighttime the monitors will come back on. This problem was brought to the dealer, Gettel Acura, [XXX] in XXX. They replaced a Chip and told me it was fixed. It has not been fixed and the inoperable monitor makes it dangerous, especially on the interstate highway. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11748188
Incident
Apr 20, 2026
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jan 1, 2026

Google on-board gives a persistent error that the MMI and car driving technology firmware cannot be completed. Service center says it’s known and they can’t do anything. The car is supposed to have voice control over vehicle temperature and functionality — it does not. It frequently will not automatically connect to a wireless Apple Car Play or Google Auto connection. Firmware is also supposed to communicate w car speed, etc. to make Acura Assist driving more safe.

NHTSA ID
11708181
Incident
Nov 15, 2025
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 19, 2025

2026 Acura MDX with Acura Factory A Spec issued plastic floor mats. Accelerator pedal gets stuck behind the floor mat resulting in uncontrolled wide open throttle. Had to physically put my foot behind the pedal and pull pedal away from floor. Afterwards tried a few times to repeat the issue, 3/5 times was able to reproduce stuck pedal. Top of the drivers plastic floor mats, right side, has a U cut out for the accelerator pedal. This needs to be trimmed another 1/2” or more to stop the issue. Could result in severe or fatal consequences.

NHTSA ID
11700349
Incident
Nov 10, 2025
Engine
Filed Nov 11, 2025

2026 Acura MDX with 3.5 L V6 (J35Y-series) experienced connecting-rod bearing failure and total engine loss at 1,920 miles. Vehicle currently at dealer. Appears identical to failures under NHTSA PE25-008 (2016-2020 models)

NHTSA ID
11698786
Incident
Oct 21, 2025
Filed Jul 28, 2025

I have experienced the vehicle not unlocking when the key fob is near(in my pocket) the vehicle and my hand is touching the door handles. The vehicle is designed to unlock when the key fob is in close proximity while hands are on the handle. This is a safety/security concern because in an emergency, the vehicle does not function as it is intended to.

NHTSA ID
11676602
Incident
Jul 21, 2025

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

BTI&05122026901

ENGINE

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2024-2026 MDXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P0441 (EVAP System Purge Flow Malfunction) stored. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

BTI&04292026901

ENGINE

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2024-2026 MDXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P0441 (EVAP System Purge Flow Malfunction) stored. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

BTI&04202026901

ENGINE; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2024-2026 MDXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P0441 (EVAP System Purge Flow Malfunction) stored. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

BBTS30565

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Tech Line Summary - The vehicle's infotainment system displays previously viewed SMS messages upon each ignition cycle, when the customer's Android phone is connected via Bluetooth.

BB28518

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Over The Air System Updates - Vehicles equipped with the System Updates application are capable of downloading and installing Over the Air System updates (OTA). A connection to a Wi-Fi network is needed to perform the update over the air. System updates contain upgrades that fix operational errors and/or provide a variety of enhancements, which adds new functionality. Information about the various software releases can be found in this document.

B28518

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Over the Air System Update - System updates contain upgrades that fix operational errors and/or provide a variety of enhancements, which adds new functionality. Information about the various software releases can be found in this document.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Acura MDX by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026Viewing610—
2025783161.4
2024372161.0
2023362260.1
20221402265.0
2021001—
20202108366.3
20191839365.6
201816210367.8
20172498369.8
20163647368.4
2015708057.7
20141699056.1
2013291043.8
2012761047.6
2011700042.9
2010451047.7
2009520046.0
2008491040.0
2007991039.1
20068711562.8
200518013561.7
200417110462.8
200320613561.6
20022044154.6
20012244154.1

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.