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2010 Acura Mdx

The Verdict

89 Smooth Ride

The 2010 Acura Mdx has 45 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (16 complaints) and electrical (11 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 89/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Acura Mdx, consider the 2013 model year which has 35% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2013 has 35% fewer complaints

View the 2013 Acura Mdx dashboard →

89

Klunk Score: Smooth Ride

This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 1

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

10V002000 AIR BAGS

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR ACURA 2010 MDX VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN OCTOBER 7, 2009 AND NOVEMBER 14, 2009. A BOLT USED TO ATTACH AN INTERIOR TRIM PIECE TO EITHER THE DRIVER'S OR PAS...

Risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH RESULTING IN SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, THE TRIM PIECE MAY NOT REMAIN PROPERLY SECURED TO THE A-PILLAR, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND/OR FRONT SEAT P...

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE INTERIOR TRIM PIECE OF THE A-PILLAR AND IF A BOLT IS MISSING IT WILL BE INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. FOUR VEHICLES WERE PURCHASED BEFORE THE STOP-SALE WAS ISSUED AND ALL THE ...

Reported Apr 1, 2010

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
20015022028124
20023152827129
2003219543097
20042210314563
20052714431779
2006167181135
200730046167
20082661052
200915018116
201016211115
201119212325
2012192182412
20138010101
20146218323223
201525619712
201664112517681
201750162410450
2018467177313
2019488199115
202059112610013
20224717111344
2023128627
20241410552
20251434450

By Category

Body
16
Electrical
11
Engine
11
Transmission
5
Brakes
2

By Severity

1
20
2
13
3
2
4
10

Worst Problems

Compare Against

See how the 2010 Acura Mdx stacks up against rivals.

Complaints

Body 2

The contact owns a 2010 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while attempting to open the door, the contact’s grandson exited the vehicle, and the door closed independently. The contact stated that his daughter had experienced the door closing independently onto her right hand while exiting the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was diagnosed over the phone by the dealer, and the contact was informed that the door check strap needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred by the manufacturer to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 184,000.

12mo ago
Transmission 1

SO my car had a torque converter recall at some point i was not notified of it to get it fixed. as such i drove it across the us and ended up making the transmission slip so bad that it would not go into gear anymore. since this i have taken it a dealership where the recall was performed after the fat and now they want me to buy a new transmission.

15mo ago
Body 4

The contact's wife owned a 2010 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while parked in his garage, the passenger's low beam headlamp was removed after it stopped illuminating. The contact observed then observed the driver's low beam heal lamp blinking. The contact stated after 10 minutes, he and his family observed a smokey odor in the house and retreated to the garage to inspect the origin of the odor. The contact then observed flames emanating from the passenger headlamp. The fire spread and within 45 minutes the entire house was engulfed in flames and the vehicle remained trapped under a collapsed roof. The fire was extinguished by the Fire Department and a police report was filed. The Fire Inspector determined that the fire originated from the vehicle. There were no injuries. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 240,000.

22mo ago
Body 3

This is in reference to Acura Service Bulletin 14-032, Rear Side Body Plug is missing. Both my right and left side body plugs were missing, causing myself and family to experience symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning for at least a year. I had the exhaust system checked by Acura and and independent garage and they found no issues. I would not have know about the cause if I had not found it in a chat thread in an Acura online community. All owners need to be notified. THIS SHOULD BE A MANDATORY SAFETY RECALL for Acura MDX for 2010-2013.

25mo ago
Transmission 1

Massive consumption of oil2 qts every 1000 miles

27mo ago
Body 1

THE OIL ISSUE. WE BOUGHT A 2010 ACURA MDX FROM ANOTHER PERSON, UNAWARE THAT NO MATTER HOW MUCH OIL YOU PUT IN IT, IT DOES NOT LAST VERY LONG. I TRAVEL 60 MILES/DAY BETWEEN WORK AND PICK-UP KIDS AND HOME. THE OIL LASTS MAYBE 2 DAYS SAYS EMPTY AND WE NEVER NEED TO ADD MUCH FOR IT TO BE FULL. WE HAVE A TOYOTA SEQUOIA THAT IS BIGGER AND WE HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS ISSUE. HAD A HONDA DIDN'T HAVE THIS ISSUE, AND HAD A FEW PICK-UPS WITH OUT THIS ISSUE. ALL OLDER THAN THE ACURA.. THIS IS EXPENSIVE AND WHAT CAN WE DO TO FIX THIS??

31mo ago
Engine 4

My wife went to the grocery store and turned the car off. And upon doing so the car started smoking and she opened the hood and it was on fire. She opened the hood and put out the fire.

32mo ago
Body 1

Backup camera doesn’t function. This is a know. Problem in Honda and 1.2 M car has been recalled few days back. However there is no recall for MDX though same issue exist. If you check Acura MDX forum there are number of people complaining about back up camera and harness wire having issue.

37mo ago
Electrical 1

Never been in accident, Srs warning on dash, so took to Acura service dept in November of 2020, they confirmed it's the opds unit & the opds sensor inside seat, said it's not the seatbelts, & no airbags will deploy if in accident, they want to charge $1700+tax, we are poor & can not afford that or to buy another vehicle, our safety of our family with kids are at risk if in a accident because we can not afford the charge to replace the parts

61mo ago
Engine 1

Car has repeatedly stalled in oncoming traffic over the last 4 months.

62mo ago
Electrical 1

VEHICLE: 2010 ACURA MDX. I WAS ON HWY 395 AT NIGHT AND THE CHECK BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. WE RECENTLY REPLACED THE BATTERY AND I FELT IT SAFE TO DRIVE TO THE NEXT TOWN TO HAVE THE BATTERY CHECKED BEFORE CONTINUING. WITHIN ABOUT 50 MILES, ALL OF THE OTHER WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON IN SUCCESSION. THERE WAS NO SHOULDER OR AREA TO PULL ON THIS SECTION OF HIGHWAY NEAR MONO LAKE AND WITHIN 30 SECONDS THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND ALL THE LIGHTS WENT OUT. I TRIED TO TURN ON THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS AND THEY WOULDN'T WORK. I COULDN'T SEE THE ROAD AND WAS GOING TO RAM THE SIDE OF THE CAR INTO THE RAILING ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY TO TRY TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT (STILL NO SHOULDER ON MY SIDE AND I COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS) AND MY DAUGHTER THOUGHT TO TURN ON HER CELL FLASHLIGHT WHICH GAVE ME ENOUGH LIGHT TO COAST ONTO THE OPPOSITE SHOULDER FACING AGAINST TRAFFIC. OUR CAR WAS COMPLETELY DEAD AND WE ALSO HAD NO EMERGENCY LIGHTS. WE QUICKLY GOT OUT OUR CAMPING LANTERN AND WRAPPED OUR REFLECTIVE SAFETY ROPE AROUND THE CAR AND LUCKILY HAD CELLPHONE RECEPTION AND CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE. IT TOOK A CHP OFFICER OVER AN HOUR TO SHINE LIGHTS ON THE CAR AND ANOTHER 90 MINUTES FOR A TOW TRUCK TO ARRIVE. WE WERE TOWED TO MAMMOTH LAKES WHERE WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS THE BATTERY WHICH THEY REPLACED WHEN THEY OPENED IN TWO DAYS. PULLING OUT OF THE REPAIR SHOP, WE GOT A CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM LIGHT AND TURNED AROUND FINDING OUT IT WAS ACTUALLY THE ALTERNATOR WHICH WAS REPLACED THE NEXT DAY. MY CONCERNS ARE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN A CHARGING SYSTEM ALERT AND WHEN THE BATTERY DIED WE HAD NOTHING, NO POWER, HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS, OR EMERGENCY FLASHERS. IF WE WERE UNABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF OF THE HIGHWAY, I'M CERTAIN THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A BAD OUTCOME FOR US AND WHOMEVER WOULD HAVE SLAMMED INTO OUR CAR IN THE DARK.

66mo ago
Engine 2

MY VEHICLE STARTED TO BURN A LOT OF OIL I TOOK IT TO ACURA AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS INDEED BURNING A LOT OF OIL AND THAT THERE IS A RECALL FROM ACURA, BUT BECAUSE THERE ARE 215,000 MILES ON MY CAR THEY ARE NOT WANTING TO COVER IT. EVEN THOUGH I WAS NEVER TOLD OF THE RECALL AND BECAUSE OF A MECHANICAL ISSUE ON THEIR PART I SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST. IT'S NOT FAIR AT ALL.

76mo ago
Engine 2

THE ENGINE IS CONSUMING A LOT OF OIL, THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THE PISTON RINGS NEEDS TO BE CHANGE BUT THE WARRANTY OR THE RECALL FOR THAT HAVE BEEN EXPIRED AND WOULDN'T ALLOW ME TO CHANGE THAT WITH THE DEALERSHIP

81mo ago
Body 1

WHENEVER THERE IS A HEAVY RAIN PRACTICALLY EVERY CODE FLASHES ON THE DASHBOARD. I'VE ALREADY HAD THE ACURA DEALER SUPPOSEDLY FIX THIS PROBLEM AT A COST OF $499.52, A YEAR AGO. IT HAPPENED AGAIN TWO WEEKS AGO AFTER A HEAVY RAINSTORM BUT THE NEXT DAY EVERYTHING WAS BACK TO NORMAL. HAPPENED AGAIN 2 DAYS AGO, AGAIN THERE WAS A HEAVY RAIN STORM. BASED ON ONLINE COMPLAINTS WATER SEEMS TO BE GETTING INTO THE DRIVER KICK PANEL FUSE BLOCK AREA AND IS CAUSING RUST. I WOULD THINK THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT.

84mo ago
Engine 1

ENGINE HAS QUIT SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING ON 3 OR 4 OCCASIONS. HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RESTART BY TURNING IGNITION SWITCH TO OFF (WHICH REQUIRES VEHICLE TO BE PUT INTO PARK) THEN TURNED BACK TO START. LATEST INCIDENT WAS ON A DIVIDED CITY STREET YESTERDAY WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT JUST PAST A RAILROAD CROSSING; VEHICLE BEHIND ME HAD STOPPED ON THE RAILROAD TRACK. AS THE TRAFFIC LIGHT CHANGED TO GREEN A TRAIN WAS APPROACHING...WITH CROSSING GATES COMING DOWN AND RED LIGHTS FLASHING. THAT'S WHEN MY ENGINE JUST SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING. DRIVER BEHIND ME STARTED FRANTICALLY BLOWING HIS HORN. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND DRIVE AWAY WHICH ALLOWED THE CAR BEHIND ME TO GET OFF THE TRACK. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IN THE AREA WAS 80 DEGREES PER NWS. I HAVE WONDERED IF MY VEHICLE'S BLUETOOTH COULD BE AFFECTING THE ENGINE IGNITION OR COMPUTER IN SOME WAY SO AS TO CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SUDDENLY STOP. SO, SOME WEEKS AGO I TURNED THE VEHICLE'S BLUETOOTH OFF. I HAD NO MORE ENGINE STOPPAGES UNTIL YESTERDAY WHEN THE RAILROAD CROSSING GATES AND RED LIGHTS ACTIVATED CLOSE BY. NOW WONDERING IF THERE COULD BE SOME TYPE OF RADIO WAVE OR ELECTRICAL TRIGGER INVOLVED IN THIS ENGINE STOPPAGE PROBLEM.

85mo ago
Transmission 2

BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT. IT STARTED HAVING ISSUES SOON AFTER PURCHASE. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TREATED ME AS IF I WAS A CRAZY FEMALE DRIVER. WAS TOLD THAT OUR PURCHASE INCLUDED OIL CHANGES FOR THE FIRST YEAR AND A 100,000 MILE WARRANTY, WHICH THEY CONVENIENTLY COULDN'T FIND AND WE MOVED SO I CAN'T FIND OUR PAPERWORK. ISSUE HAS ONLY GOTTEN WORSE OVER THE YEARS. IT ACTS LIKE IT DOESN'T KNOW WHICH GEAR IT WANTS TO BE IN. IT CAUSES A SHUDDER FEELING LIKE YOU ARE DRIVING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS. AFTER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I FIND THAT THE TRANSMISSION, TORQUE CONVERTER, AND TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR YEARS IN THE MDXS, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. ACCORDING TO THE RECALL LETTER THAT ACURA SENT OUT TO OTHER PEOPLE, THEY CALL IT A TRANSMISSION JUDDER. I AM CALLING A NEW DEALERSHIP FOR AN APPOINTMENT AND PLAN ON MAKING A MECHANIC RIDE WITH ME TO PROVE WHAT'S GOING ON. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. YOUR SYSTEM WANTS ME TO ENTER A DATE FOR THEN THIS HAPPENED. IT BEGAN IN OCTOBER OF 2009, HAS BEEN ONGOING, AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE. THE CAR HAD 21 MILES ON IT WHEN I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT. NOW IT HAS 120,000+. THE ISSUES BEING ON ACCELERATION AND CONTINUES UNTIL AT LEAST 60MPH, EVEN AT HIGHER SPEEDS IF I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR IN TRAFFIC OR TRY TO GO UP A HILL UNTIL THE NEXT GEAR KICKS IN BECAUSE IT IS SLUGGISH WHEN YOU PRESS THE ACCELERATOR DOWN EVEN TO THE FLOORBOARD.

86mo ago
Engine 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PRODUCED A LOUD RUBBING NOISE AND SHOOK VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE ROAD SHOULDER. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ACURA PEABODY (233 ANDOVER ST, PEABODY, MA 01960, (978) 532-9110) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE TEST COULD NOT READ THE CODES. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURES. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE TIRE NEEDED TO BE TORQUED THEY ALSO ROTATED ALL THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND DID NOT ASSIST DUE TO THE EXPIRED WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000. *BF*JB

88mo ago
Body 1

RECEIVED A NOV 2016 LETTER FROM ACURA HQ. TORRANCE , CA THAT THERE WAS A WARRANTY EXTENSION ON 2007-2013 ACURA MDX WITH FRONT & REAR ACTIVE DAMPERS, MAY HAVE HARD TO DETECT LEAKS ESPECIALLY ON FRONT SUSPENSION. I HAD PURCHASED MY ONE OWNER 2010 MDX ADVANCE OVER A YEAR BEFORE, BUT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE FOUND THE REAR COULD NOT BE ALIGNED PROPERLY...THIS AFTER 3-4 ALIGNMENTS & NOTICED MY NEW MICHELIN TIRES WERE WEARING NOTCHED. WELL UPON FINDING OUT ABOUT THE ABOVE DEFECT & ALSO FINDING THE PRICE TO REPLACE THESE 4 ELECTONIC MAGNETIC SHOCKS WERE IN THE $2500 BALLPARK FOR PARTS, PLUS LABOR ADDITIONALLY, AS A 72 YR. OLD MARINE CORPS VETERAN W/LIMITED INCOME, I WAS IN A STATE OF SHOCK UPON FINDING FURTHER THAT ACURA REFUSED TO REPLACE THESE DIRECTLY SAFETY RELATED EXPENSIVE SHOCK ABSORBERS EVEN THOUGH THEY STATED IN LETTER THEY WOULD REPLACE EVEN WITH MULTIPLE PREVIOUS OWNERS. MY MILEAGE WAS JUST OVER THEIR IMPOSED LIMITATIONS & WOULD NOT BRING THE VEHICLE TO SAFETY STANDARDS EVEN THOUGH I ASKED & APPEALED AS A LONG TIME HONDA/ACURA CUSTOMER. SO THESE TOTALLY UNSAFE SUSPENSION PARTS ARE STILL ON MY ACURA. FURTHERMORE ON 1/6/19 I HIT A SLIGHT BUMP ON AN INTERSTATE HWY AT ABOUT THE 70MPH SPEED LIMIT. THE VEHICLE LOST CONTACT WITH ROADWAY APPARENTLY & UPON COMING BACK TO PAVEMENT, VEERED WILDLY INTO & OUT OF BOTH LANES OF INTERSTATE PLUS ALMOST TURNING OVER AS TIRES SEEMED TO "OUT OF CONTROL" GRAB PAVEMENT BUT ALMOST UNSTEERABLE. IN 56 YRS OF DRIVING, I'VE NEVER EVER HAD ANYTHING CLOSE TO THAT HAPPENING...SO ACURA I APPEAL TO YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING IN THIS MATTER PLUS FOR THOSE OTHER 7 YEARS OF ACTIVE DAMPER PROBLEMS OF MANUFACTURE DEFECT ORIGIN. WE NOTICE THE PART #'S ARE CHANGED, SO THERE HAS TO HAVE BEEN AN UPGRADE IN SOLVING THIS PROBLEM, WE TRUST. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROMPT ATTENTION TO THIS CRITICAL SAFETY MATTER.

91mo ago
Engine 1

EXCESSIVE OIL USE. 2 QUARTS EVERY 1500 MILES. VSA CHECK TRAILER ASSIST CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON OFTEN.

103mo ago
Engine 2

MY ACURA VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION AT LEVELS THAT REQUIRE THE ADDITION OF ENGINE OIL BETWEEN ACURA'S RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGE INTERVALS. WHEN PRESENTED THE CAR TO ACURA FOR REPAIR AI WAS INFORMED THAT ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION IS CONSIDERED NORMAL.

107mo ago

45 total

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