2015 Acura MDX Complaints
Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA
71
Total
5
Crashes
2
Fires
9
Injuries
0
Deaths
Most Reported Components
Owner Complaint Reports
Showing 25 of 71 reports, crash, fire and injury reports first, then the most recently filed. The full set is on NHTSA.gov.
SUSPENSION — Filed 09/24/2026
I am reporting a manufacturer's failure to provide a safe remedy for recall 26V365000 (Rear Subframe Corrosion) on my 2015 Acura MDX. Acura Client Relations explicitly stated they cannot confirm if my vehicle is safe or unsafe to drive without an inspection by an authorized Acura dealer. Despite admitting they cannot confirm its safety, they completely refused to provide towing accommodations or a safe local inspection option. I live in [XXX], and the nearest Acura dealership is over 3 hours away. Acura is requiring me to drive a vehicle that they themselves refuse to certify as safe for a 3+ hour highway trip just to receive a legally mandated safety inspection. This is an immediate public safety hazard and a failure to execute a recall remedy I have also filed a formal consumer safety complaint regarding this matter with the North Dakota Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
ENGINE — Filed 07/10/2026
My 2015 AcuraMDX engine seized while driving creating an unsafe condition as it occurred on a busy roadway. I suspect a rod bearing failure. It has been reported to Honda. The same parts listed in the 2015 RDX recall are used in my MDX but the 2015 is not part of the recall. My engine had a knock and had taken it for inspection at an independent Honda specialist. I had learned that the recall covers the 2015 model year for the Acura TLX, the official recall documentation only includes the 2016–2020 model years for the Acura MDX. There were no check engine lights prior to the stall and seizure of the engine.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 02/20/2026
I saw previous warning when I pulled my credit report on Experian, but I am not seeing any recalls currently. My driver side taillight is malfunctioning. It appears there is a problem with the seal which is allowing water to get inside the assembly, causing it to short out. I realize this vehicle is a 2015 but thought I would mention in case this is still an issue under recall.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 02/21/2026
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2015 Acura MDX. It was later discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 82,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 167,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 11/16/2025
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2015 Acura MDX. The contact stated that upon retrieving the Carfax report of the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 105,000, and the mileage on the Carfax report was 215,000 in July 2025. The MVA was contacted and referred the contact to the Police Department, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 06/17/2025
All of a sudden the brakes are automatically applied with collision avoidance amber coming on dash heads up display while I am on freeway approximate speed 30-40 mph with no apparent vehicle in front.this has also happened at lower speeds in local driving roads.Braking is pretty severe and dangerous could be rear ended by other vehicles ..This is a Collision mitigating system falsely coming on with no vehicle in front very dangerous.It has happened about 3 times intermittently. Taking in vehicle to local Acura dealer on 24 th June 2025 for check up
EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 03/12/2025
The contact owns a 2015 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the tailgate lid lights did not function as intended. The contact was pulled over by the local Police and was informed that the taillights were not operating. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with failed tailgate lid lights. The contact was informed that the tailgate lid lights needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised that the manufacturer had denied the repair under warranty or unknown recall repairs. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced by the dealer, and the previous dealer performed a recall repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V256000(Exterior Lighting); however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The manufacturer denied the repair under warranty because of the failed recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.
ENGINE — Filed 11/11/2024
The contact owns a 2015 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact pulled over onto the shoulder of the roadway. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. In addition, the contact stated that the engine had been repaired by the dealer less than a month before the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,700.
STRUCTURE — Filed 01/14/2025
Paint peeling on roof (white diamond pearl paint).
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 08/26/2024
For the last 50k miles we've taken our Acura MDX to the dealership for regular oil changes. Almost every visit results in a bad battery. We've had the dealership replace a side mirror due to the electrical and several batteries as well. They've kept it for several days diagnosing issues but haven't to this day found out what's wrong with it. Now my back taillight stopped working, we bought another one and replaced it for it to work for a couple months and stop working again. Now we've taken it to another place for diagnosing, they have said the inter taillight assembly and wiring needs replaced. Seems like this has been the issue the entire 6 yrs we've been complaining. The dealership says they took care of the problem already, clearly this is a safety issue when driving at night especially. Having a taillight that works off and on is not my idea of safe or "fixed" according to the dealership.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 08/14/2024
Acura issued Warranty Extension TSB 19-029 on 2014-2016 MDX with white diamond pearl paint. The extension covers the roof and rear door. My roof began peeling in or around 2022 and the roof was repainted without issue. The rear door just showed signs of the defect in August 2024, and the issue is clearly the same manufacturer defect as identified in the document, however, Acura is unwilling to correct the defect due to the warranty period now being expired.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 04/19/2019
The contact owns a 2015 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, he observed condensation in both taillights and the taillights did not illuminate as intended. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the lid light needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred with the right taillights. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,163.
STRUCTURE — Filed 09/01/2023
See attached letter for complaint
ENGINE — Filed 02/04/2024
The contact owned a 2015 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while exiting the car wash parking lot, the vehicle was in neutral. The contact entered the vehicle. The contact attempted to shift the gear into drive, however the gear shifter was inoperable and did not move. The contact stated the vehicle independently accelerated and was unstoppable. The vehicle crossed a busy parking lot, the vehicle went up two embankments, crashed into a lamp pool, and then into a tree before coming to a complete stop. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. All the air bags deployed. The contact sustained several injuries and received medical attention at the local hospital. The vehicle was deemed as a total loss. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 10/24/2023
Tail lights (rear running lights) don’t work, when break light and turn lights work
VISIBILITY — Filed 06/12/2023
The sun/moon roof glass on our 2015 Acura MDX spontaneously shattered while my wife was driving down a major thoroughfare in our area. If the inside cover below the glass had been open, my wife could have been seriously injured by falling shards of glass. Furthermore, she could have been easily distracted and involved in an accident by the loud, exploding sound of the glass shattering. An inspection by myself and the dealer service department determined no external force or object caused the glass to shatter. It happened spontaneously. Nevertheless, the dealer's assessment is that the shattering was not caused by a manufacturing defect. When I contacted Acura Owner Support, I was told no other incidents of this kind have been reported even though I pointed out the the representative that a Class Action lawsuit has been filed against Acura for this very same issue.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 09/17/2022
transmission torque converter shudder during 20 to 45 mph.
POWER TRAIN,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 11/30/2018
TRANSMISSION SLIPS,AND HESITATES TO SHIFT NORMALLY AND THEN GOES NORMAL AGAIN. VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WHEN THIS OCCURED ,IT HAPPENED WHILE CRUSING AT 35 MPH, AND AT 50 MPH, STREET ,AND HIGHWAY. I HAVE TAKEN IT INTO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES TO FIND THE ISSUE AND ANYWAYS END UP WITH NO ANSWERS, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND MULTIPLE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUES WITH THEIR VEHICLE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH 25,000 MILES AND IT NOW HAS 125,000 PROBLEM HAS NOT GOTTEN BETTER OR WORSE HAS BEEN THE SAME. THE BRAKE WARNING ALSO POPS UP RANDOMLY WHEN NO OTHER CARS ARE NEAR.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE — Filed 02/15/2018
VEHICLE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS THROUGHOUT THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, WHICH THE DEALERSHIP WAS VISITED FOR REPEATEDLY. THESE PROBLEMS OCCURRED WHEN THE WEATHER WAS VERY COLD, USUALLY BELOW ZERO (F), AND INVOLVED MULTIPLE DISFUNCTIONAL SENSORS ALL DISPLAYING INOPERATIVE. WHEN THESE SENSORS DISPLAYED ERRORS, THAT COMPONENT OF THE CAR WOULD NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY. (ONE TIME THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE COLLISION MITIGATING SYSTEM, AND THE BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED ON AN ICY ROAD AT FULL SPEED--ANOTHER THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AWD WHICH TURNED THE VEHICLE INTO A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION). DEALERSHIP DISCOVERED AFTER MULTIPLE VISITS, AND WHEN WE TOLD THEM WE WERE GOING TO TRY TO PURSUE A LEMON LAW PROTECTION ON THE VEHICLE, THAT IT WAS A POWER CONTROL MODULE THAT WAS BAD. THIS WAS REPLACED. VEHICLE RAN MOSTLY ERROR FREE FOR SOME TIME AFTER. ON THE MORNING OF 2/15/2018, THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED IN ORDER TO WARM UP. WHILE PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE SOMEWHERE BEHIND THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. WE PUT THE FIRE OUT USING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THANKFULLY, I WAS NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE AS I WOULD HAVE BEEN 5 MINUTES LATER, AS I HAD NO FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN THE CAR; AND ALSO THANKFULLY THERE WAS NOT GOING TO BE A PASSENGER IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING, AS THE FLASH WAS IMMEDIATE AND INTENSE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. FURTHER, IT DID NOT CATCH OUR HOUSE OR SHOP ON FIRE WHEN IT WENT, AS IT COULD HAVE. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. DOCUMENTATION OF NUMEROUS PROBLEMS (RECEIPTS OF VISITS TO DEALERSHIP) AND PHOTOS OF DAMAGE TO CAR AFTER FIRE ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 01/10/2018
I DRIVE A 2015 ACURA MDX, WHICH I BOUGHT BRAND NEW. IT IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH LIMITED MILEAGE. TWO DAYS AGO WHILE I WAS DRIVING RIGHT BEFORE I REACHED MY HOUSE, SUDDENLY THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION FROM MY LEFT SIDE. I STOPPED THE CAR AND FOUND THE LEFT SIDE MIRROR CASE COMPLETELY CRACKED WITH HOLES AND PIECES, HANGING BY THE WIRES THAT CONNECT IT TO THE REST OF THE UNIT. THIS IS A SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD SITUATED AT A CUL DE SAC. THERE WERE NO TRAFFIC, DEER, BIKERS, OR BIRDS AT THE TIME. I COULD NOT FIND ANY FALLING OBJECTS EXCEPT THE BROKEN PIECES FROM THE MIRROR CASE AND SOME LANDED 20 FEET AWAY. I AM SURE IT WAS NOT SHOT BY ANY GUN. IF I HAD NOT BEEN IN THE CAR WITH THE WINDOW CLOSED, I COULD HAVE EXPERIENCED SERIOUS INJURIES. IF SOMEONE HAPPENED TO BE NEAR THE MIRROR, THE PERSON'S FACE COULD HAVE BEEN BLOWN OFF. THE NEXT DAY I CALLED THE ACURA CLIENT RELATIONS AND I WAS TOLD THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT. HOWEVER, I CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND A LIST OF ACURA CONSUMERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT SIMILAR ISSUES SINCE 2006 AND ACURA HAD NEVER ADDRESSED THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND CONTINUES TO DISMISS OR DENY THE ISSUE (LINK: HTTP://WWW.MDXERS.ORG/FORUMS/14-PROBLEMS/25607-REAR-VIEW-MIRROR-LEAK-EXPLOSION-3.HTML). I AM NOW WORRIED ABOUT THE OTHER MIRROR MIGHT EXPLODE ONE DAY AND CAUSE SERIOUS SAFETY COMPLICATIONS.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE — Filed 10/18/2016
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (MORNING TRAFFIC MOVING AT SPEED LIMIT - 65-70 MPH) I SMELLED SMOKE. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THIS THERE WAS A THUD AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE, LDW AND OTHER LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, ALONG WITH AUDIBLE ALARM SOUND. SMOKE WAS NOW VISIBLE, COMING FROM THE ENGINE (UNDER THE HOOD). I WAS ABLE TO MOVE FROM THE MIDDLE LANE TO THE RIGHT LANE/EXIT LANE AS I KNEW I NEEDED TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY. SINCE I WAS IN AN EXIT LANE THERE WAS NO REAL SHOULDER AND I STARTED DOWN THE EXIT RAMP. THE SMOKE WAS VERY STRONG AT THIS POINT. I WENT TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN ON THE EXIT RAMP AND TRY TO PULL THE CAR OVER BUT I HAD NO BRAKES. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR. I HAD LIMITED STEERING CONTROL AND WAS DRIVING ERRATICALLY TRYING TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE CAR WHILE ON THE EXIT RAMP. I TRIED TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK - NO EFFECT TO SLOW THE CAR. I TRIED TO POWER THE CAR OFF - DID NOT WORK. I HAD TO DEPRESS THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR. IT TOOK OVER 100 FEET TO STOP THE CAR (LUCKILY NO OTHER CARS ON THE EXIT RAMP) AT WHICH POINT I COULD PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AT THIS POINT THERE WAS SMOKE BILLOWING OUT OF THE ENGINE AREA, SMOKE COMING IN TO THE CAR. I CALLED 911 AND THEY RESPONDED IN ABOUT 5 MINUTES. AFTER I GOT A SAFE DISTANCE FROM THE CAR I COULD SEE FLAMES COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE. FROM THERE I COULD SEE THE FIRE START TO GROW IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ONCE THE FIRE DEPT ARRIVED IT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE CAR HAS BEEN DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THIS IS A VERY CONCERNING SITUATION AS THE CAR HAD A MAJOR, CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WITH ESSENTIALLY NO WARNING, INCLUDING COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING AND SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF STEERING, FOLLOWED BY A FIRE. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 12K MILES AND WAS ABOUT ONE YEAR OLD. NO ISSUES OR SERVICE OTHER THAN STANDARD MAINTENANCE.
POWER TRAIN — Filed 07/18/2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 ACURA MDX. AFTER PARKING ON AN INCLINE, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A GARAGE WALL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED TWO FRACTURED RIBS AND CONTUSIONS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. UPDATED 09/20/16 *BF UPDATED 09/26/16.8JB
AIR BAGS,SEATS — Filed 04/23/2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE HEADREST DETACHED FROM THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE THREE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM NECK AND BACK INJURIES. THE PASSENGER WAS PREGNANT AND THE EXTENT OF HER INJURIES WERE UNKNOWN. THE REAR PASSENGER INJURED HIS SHOULDER, BACK, AND NECK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
AIR BAGS — Filed 12/21/2015
2015 ACURA MDX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED DURING COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT.*JB
SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 12/19/2014
UPON ENTERING A T-INTERSECTION WITH A STOP SIGN AT THE END OF OUR STREET THE BRAKES OF A 2015 ACURA MDX SH AWD WITH ONLY 2000 MILES WOULD NOT ENGAGE. WE WERE TRAVELING AT 50MPH AND DECREASED OUR SPEED TO 30MPH AS WE WERE COASTING, BUT COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE BRAKES WERE PUMPED TWICE AS WE DECELERATED (SO REST ASSURED THE GAS PEDAL WAS NOT BEING PRESSED BY MISTAKE), BUT TO NO AVAIL AND WITH NO WHERE TO GO AND NOT ENOUGH TIME TO DO MUCH MORE WE COLLIDED WITH A SEMI TRUCK. IT WAS A HORRIFIC ACCIDENT THAT TOTALED OUR CAR AS THE SECOND TRAILER TIRES RAN OVER OUR HOOD AS HE WAS DRIVING AT 60MPH. LUCKILY DUE TO HIS HIGH SPEED OUR VEHICLE WAS THROWN AND WE LANDED UPRIGHT AND ALL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHICH IS THE ONLY REASON WE ARE ALL ALIVE. IT WAS A COLD DECEMBER MORNING WITH BELOW ZERO TEMPERATURES. I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE OTHER ACCOUNTS WHERE BRAKE PEDALS ARE NOT WORKING IN THE COLD OR WHERE DRIVERS ARE PUMPING BRAKES 4-5 TIMES TO GET THEM TO ENGAGE, OR DRIVERS ARE TURNING THEIR CAR OFF. WE SADLY DID NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF REACTION TIME. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN 4 DEATHS AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ACURA LOOK INTO THEIR PLETHORA OF BRAKE PROBLEMS FURTHER AS THIS IS A BRAND NEW VEHICLE COMING OFF OF A BRAKE REDESIGN DUE TO THE EARLIER MODEL RECALL. *TR
About This Data
Complaints are filed by vehicle owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). They represent individual consumer experiences and do not necessarily indicate a widespread defect.
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