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2018 Acura Mdx

The Verdict

63 Solid Pick

The 2018 Acura Mdx has 156 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (73 complaints) and body (46 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 63/100, it earns a "Solid Pick" rating. If you're shopping for a Acura Mdx, consider the 2013 model year which has 81% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2013 has 81% fewer complaints

View the 2013 Acura Mdx dashboard →

63

Klunk Score: Solid Pick

Fewer complaints than most vehicles. Generally dependable, but check the top problems below.

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 2

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

19V298000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura MDX and Honda Pilot vehicles and 2019 Acura RLX, RLX Sport Hybrid, TLX and Honda Odyssey and Ridgeline vehicles. The timing be...

Risk

Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected timing belt free of charge. Vehicles receiving a replacement timing belt will also have the engine inspected...

Reported Dec 4, 2019

18V221000 SEATS

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018 Honda Pilot and Ridgeline vehicles and 2018 Acura MDX vehicles. The front driver and passenger powered seats in the Honda vehicles and th...

Risk

In the event of a crash, if the seat does not remain secured to the floor, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver seat frame assembly in Acura MDX vehicles, and replace the driver and front passenger seat slide rail frames in Honda Pilot and Ridgeli...

Reported May 4, 2018

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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

Engine
73
Body
46
Electrical
17
Transmission
13
Brakes
7

By Severity

1
75
2
75
4
6

Worst Problems

Compare Against

See how the 2018 Acura Mdx stacks up against rivals.

Complaints

Transmission 2

Driving my Acura MDX on the highway, I hear a noticeable engine whine as I accelerate, and it rises in pitch when I take my foot off the accelerator.

12d ago
Body 2

The forward facing camera in the windshield went out causing all these systems to stop working and dash light up like a christmas tree. I cant even use normal cruise control. Dealer wants $1700 to replace it. From what I am reading online this is a very common problem and Acura even superseeded the part. Was that due to failures? I have yet to get this repaired as it is so expensive but i would really like these safety features. 36160-TZ6-A36

17d ago
Body 2

ACC and LKAS light come on and blink non-stop in sequence

26d ago
Body 2

The multipurpose camera on my 2018 Acura MDX intermittently fails and stores DTC U3000-49. When the failure occurs, multiple AcuraWatch/Honda Sensing safety systems become unavailable, including Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), and Road Departure Mitigation (RDM). The vehicle displays numerous safety-related warning messages on the dashboard. The issue is intermittent and appears to occur randomly. In many cases, the warnings disappear after the vehicle is shut off and immediately restarted. This behavior can be observed in the attached video, where the warnings clear following a restart at approximately 1:08 into the recording. The vehicle retains its original factory-installed windshield and related components. The windshield has never been replaced, modified, or damaged, eliminating a common cause of camera calibration or alignment issues. I contacted Acura Client Relations and opened case number 16409871 regarding this issue. Acura declined to acknowledge the problem as a manufacturing defect and did not offer coverage for diagnosis or repair. Because the multipurpose camera is a critical safety component responsible for advanced driver assistance and collision avoidance functions, its intermittent failure raises significant safety concerns. The fact that the issue temporarily clears after a restart suggests a potential defect in the camera hardware, software, or related vehicle systems rather than normal wear and tear. I understand that other Acura and Honda owners have reported similar multipurpose camera failures. Given the safety implications of losing collision mitigation, lane-keeping, and driver assistance features while operating the vehicle, I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate whether this condition constitutes a safety-related defect and whether a broader pattern exists among affected vehicles.

1mo ago
Body 2

The contact owns 2018 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, there was a loud banging noise coming from the sunroof. The contact mention she pulled to the right side of the road and discovered it was shattered. An Independent mechanic or A dealer were not contacted. The contact mention she called her insurance company, and they working with a company through Safe lite. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and they opened a case . The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.

1mo ago
Engine 2

Rob bearing recall was performed on a 2018 Acura MDX at around 78,000 miles. After a long ordeal with Acura because the recall had not yet been extended to the 2018 MDX's yet, Honda agreed to replace the motor. The new replacement motor has already seized again with only 30,000 miles. Dealer has taken motor apart and confirmed it is the same rod bearing issue as the recall. So the new motor that was replaced must have the same issue. After further investigation, it also appears that the Acura dealership that replaced the motor, did not tighten or replace many bolts during the repair. I have attached pictures of missing frame bolts, engine bolts, and the spun rod bearings.

2mo ago
Body 1

Front camera stopped working at 65 000 miles. Seems to be a faulty part as many Hondas and Acuras have the same problem and the dealer wants over $2000 to replace a $700 part that sounds like less than 45 minutes to replace.

3mo ago
Engine 2

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Acura MDX. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 85,000. The contact stated that on the day of the purchase; after refueling the vehicle and then attempting to pull out of the gas station, the Emissions, check engine, and parking brake warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle to an auto repair shop, and had the vehicle scanned and then diagnosed, DTC: P0158 (Oxygen sensor Circuit High Voltage, DTC Severity 2 of 3, T0159 Oxygen sensor Circuit Slow Response (Bank2 and Sensor 2), and an Electric Parking Brake Failure were displayed. The scan indicated that the vehicle was subjected to odometer fraud. The contact reviewed the paperwork and received it at the time of sale and became aware that the mileage stickers, along with other indications that the documentations were false. The contact retrieved a Carfax Report and discovered that the actual mileage was 225,802. The contact reported the odometer fraud to the Police Department and was informed that the dealer was known for odometer fraud. The Police also informed the contact that there was a case and a warrant already issued.

3mo ago
Body 1

While driving the car, several warning lights turned on all at once, saying that the following components were disabled: Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic High Beams, and Collision Mitigation Braking System. Not being able to use these features is more dangerous, not to mention that the warning lights associated with their disabling are distracting (making it likely that, if a more serious warning was flashing, it would not be noticed by the driver) and cannot be turned off without an expensive replacement. Yes, the problem was confirmed by a trusted mechanic (the warning lights will not turn off so it's not hard to confirm), who indicated that the radar camera needed to be replaced. No, the component has not been inspected by others. There was no warning of the problem.

3mo ago
Body 1

Emission systems problem and parking brake problem lights came on simultaneously. Mechanic has not been able to figure out the problem Replaced vent valve

3mo ago
Body 1

Warning lights for Collision Mitigation System, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control. Lane Keeping Assistance, Auto High Beam. Features are now disabled causing safety issue. Dealer confirms issues and recommends repairs that have not not been solved by others online. Errors appeared before battery Failure in March 2026. Battery was replaced. Common complaint by many online. Need recall to fix.

3mo ago
Engine 2

I was merging into traffic on interstate. The car lagged as if it wasn't getting gas. I pulled over to get out of traffic. Scary situation. Please advise!

4mo ago
Brakes 2

Hello, My 2018 Acura MDX has moisture and water inside the inner tailgate (trunk) tail light assembly, which caused the light to stop working. I understand there is a recall affecting some 2014–2020 Acura MDX vehicles related to moisture entering the tailgate light assembly, and my vehicle appears to have the same issue. Recall link: [XXX] Last week I visited the Acura dealership(Acura Columbus) in Dublin, OH for a fuel pump recall service. During that visit, the technician also noticed the water inside the inner tail light but quoted about $750 for the repair. Although my VIN does not show this recall, my vehicle is experiencing the same problem described. Could you please review and advise if this may qualify for recall coverage or goodwill assistance? Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

4mo ago
Brakes 2

The Electric Parking brake system continuously fails (every 3-4 months)

4mo ago
Body 1

Front multipurpose camera is starting to fail intermittently. Multiple warnings pop up (LKAS, Auto High Beam, Forward Collision Warning)

5mo ago
Body 2

The paint on the tailgate chipped off

5mo ago
Engine 1

The contact owns a 2018 Acura MDX. The contact received a notification from Lyft regarding NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The dealer informed the contact that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

5mo ago
Body 1

factory paint chipping off at multiple locations at rear of car

5mo ago
Engine 2

I had a recall done by local Acura dealer, Miami Doral Acura, where they replaced parts that connected the engine to the car, they are like rods. I recently took the car to a mechanic because I needed to change the timing belt components and he advised me that one of the rods that were replaced failed. This means that the engine was attached by only one rod, the other rod was cut, not connected. I called Acura today reporting the issue with the recall, they gave me a case number 16125924, advising me that some one would get back to me. The same mechanic also advised me that the high pressure fuel pump was not working properly and that my car could stall while driving it and he advised that it would be dangerous to drive it without replacing it. The part he quoted me was around $700. I looked for recalls for this car with this fuel pump issue and found that Acura only recalled some VIN numbers and my car is not one of the VIN numbers recalled. I believe Acura has not recalled all cars involved with the pressure pump. I find it hard to believe that they are not aware of this issue affecting more of the 2018 MDX model. The recall with the rods failed just a year after they replaced them. I had the rod recall done in 1/25. I cannot drive the car until I have the mechanic replace the high pressure fuel pump and fix the problem with the engine rod recall. Acura needs to be heal accountable and compensate owners that are dealing with the same issue I am.

5mo ago
Engine 1

Vehicle experiences dangerous throttle delay from a stop. When making left-hand turns across traffic, pressing the accelerator results in no response for 1–2 seconds. Vehicle hesitates while exposed in intersection, creating risk of collision. Issue has been present since low mileage and not resolved by recall repairs.

6mo ago

156 total

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