2026 Acura MDX Owner Complaints

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

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

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

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

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

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