2023 Acura Mdx
The Verdict
The 2023 Acura Mdx has 45 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (16 complaints) and transmission (13 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 33% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2013 has 33% fewer complaints
View the 2013 Acura Mdx dashboard →
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.
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
| Year | Body | Brakes | Electrical | Engine | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 50 | 2 | 20 | 28 | 124 |
| 2002 | 31 | 5 | 28 | 27 | 130 |
| 2003 | 21 | 9 | 54 | 30 | 97 |
| 2004 | 22 | 10 | 31 | 45 | 63 |
| 2005 | 27 | 14 | 43 | 17 | 79 |
| 2006 | 16 | 7 | 18 | 11 | 35 |
| 2007 | 30 | 0 | 46 | 16 | 7 |
| 2008 | 26 | 6 | 10 | 5 | 2 |
| 2009 | 16 | 0 | 19 | 11 | 6 |
| 2010 | 16 | 2 | 11 | 11 | 5 |
| 2011 | 19 | 2 | 12 | 32 | 5 |
| 2012 | 19 | 2 | 18 | 25 | 12 |
| 2013 | 8 | 0 | 10 | 11 | 1 |
| 2014 | 63 | 18 | 32 | 34 | 24 |
| 2015 | 26 | 6 | 19 | 8 | 12 |
| 2016 | 68 | 11 | 29 | 188 | 81 |
| 2017 | 58 | 17 | 26 | 109 | 50 |
| 2018 | 53 | 7 | 18 | 76 | 13 |
| 2019 | 50 | 8 | 22 | 94 | 15 |
| 2020 | 62 | 11 | 28 | 111 | 13 |
| 2022 | 50 | 17 | 12 | 13 | 69 |
| 2023 | 16 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 13 |
| 2024 | 17 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 2 |
| 2025 | 21 | 5 | 13 | 72 | 1 |
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Complaints
We purchased this 2023 Acura MDX less than a year ago and are under the 4 year 48,000 mile extended warranty, but also purchased warrantees to cover both the interior and exterior of the vehicle to have a worry-free experience for the entire life of the loan on the vehicle at the strong recommendation by the GM of the dealership. We had the vehicle serviced for an oil change on XXX and had no issues with the vehicle and nothing came up on their inspection while servicing. A week went by and we had a rain storm over the weekend and my wife noticed that the floor of the driver side was wet and then noticed the passenger side front was damp as well. She called the dealership to report it and brought the vehicle in right away to see what's going on. We were told that the cost of repair would be $3,450 to replace the rug and clear the drain house and make sure it no longer leaks. We were told they could clean and dry out the rug if wanted to go the least expensive route and would be about $2,000. We were told that because it was caused by external factors (rain and debris) that caused the drain hose to back up and cause water to leak into the car in multiple spots and would not be covered under ANY of the warrantees and would have to be paid out of pocket. After a bunch of discussions and back and forth we were told that we could submit it to our car insurance to help with some of the out of pocket coverage. We did not own the car last fall for enough debris to be in the drains, it is september weather (just officially fall) and only rained out as it does in [XXX]. We have other cars with sunroofs and neighbors with sunroofs with no problems. This repair should not be out of pocket and should be paid at the expense of Acura dealership and not by the owners who have spent thousands on fees, payments, warranty coverage, etc. We do not have the money to pay for this damage and now weeks have gone by with no resolve and are now also concerned with mold issues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
My vehicle developed a leak at the seal between the transfer case and transmission. I was informed that, due to the original design, this seal cannot be replaced independently. The leak can result in the loss of gear oil and transmission fluid, further transmission damage, and a loss of power to the rear wheels. Repairs involve significant expense, including replacement of damaged components, seals, and both fluids. There were no apparent warning signs other than oil puddles beneath the vehicle. Two extended warranty companies inspected the vehicle and denied coverage, stating that the manufacturer should be responsible for addressing the issue. The vehicle was taken to John Eagle Acura in Houston, Texas, for repairs involving replacement of the transmission and transfer case, along with all associated fluids and seals. I understand that this dealership has repaired other vehicles with the same issue and that similar cases have been reported nationwide. I am concerned that this may be a recurring design-related problem with potential safety implications, particularly because of the possible loss of power to the rear wheels without adequate warning. I request that the manufacturer investigate this issue, review these reported failures, and take responsibility for the necessary repairs.
My 2023 Acura MDX has developed a windshield washer system failure affecting both the front and rear washers. The system is clogged and is no longer able to spray washer fluid properly. I found a documented case involving 2022-and-newer Acura MDX vehicles showing what appears to be the same failure mode: coating on the washer-fluid reservoir can become gel-like, enter the washer system, and clog the filter, pump, lines, and/or nozzles. Video reference: [XXX] The symptoms shown are essentially the same as those on my vehicle. I also found an American Honda service communication concerning the 2022 Acura MDX that specifically requested dealer feedback on vehicles with an inoperative or weak washer-fluid system and asked whether the washer tank and/or filter was clogged. This raises concern that the problem may be recurring across multiple model years and may be related to the washer-system design or materials rather than normal wear. I am submitting this complaint so NHTSA can evaluate whether this represents a broader safety-related defect affecting Acura MDX vehicles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
These are OE tires on my 2023 Acura MDX. At 22,000 miles a rotating thumping sound was heard and also felt in the steering wheel. The tires were inspected by my Acura dealer on three separate service calls to diagnose. On the 3rd visit the problem was confirmed and determined to be severe flat spots on all 4 tires. Due to the flat spots, these tires are unbalanced and give off a vibration throughout the vehicle and steering wheel. The Acura dealer photographed the tires and filed a claim with Bridgestone. The claim was denied 11 weeks later. This unbalanced condition should be considered a safety issue, especially at high speed where a blow out is possible.
Was exiting I275 onto Westbound Route 32 when the brakes were unexpectedly applied by the vehicle’s safety system. No vehicles were in front or beside me. Very alarming when it happened. This also happed two other times at slower speeds.
2023 ACURA MDX TYPE S. 28k miles. While merging onto highway, I sped up and at 25 mph, I heard a loud metal clunk from underneath the car. Car still drove and functioned as a two wheel drive instead of AWD. Went in for service and was told that the transmission and Power train Unit would need to be replaced and will be replaced under powertrain warranty by Acura.
Was driving arround corner and felt a shudder like I had run over something, the felt front tires loosing traction and car jerked into next lane. Took to dealer and they diagnosed a failure of output shaft from transmission to awd transfer case, currently at dealer getting transmission awd assembly replaced.
My 2023 MDX Type S is currently at Mungenast St Louis Acura. Transfer Case and Transmission are both being replaced at roughly 56,000 miles. I made a turn and heard a loud noise. Because I was under acceleration my car was hard to control when it happened. Scared me and immediately let off the gas.
The contact owns a 2023 ACURA MDX. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 45 MPH an abnormal sound was emitted from underneath the vehicle, and the vehicles steering was being pulled to the right, no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was advised that that the PTU/PTO was faulty as metal shavings were found in the transfer case and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds over a bumpy road surface or a pothole, there was an abnormal metallic sound coming from underneath the passenger’s side of the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where a technician informed the contact that the sound was common after 50,000 miles. The contact was later informed that the cause of the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but the assigned case manager failed to help. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
There was a loud noise from under the car, and the car suddenly started to experience wheel spin. It's AWD and should not be spinning the tires. Suddenly losing AWD is dangerous when you expect the car to perform like an AWD car. Dealership said the transmission spline is stripped and needs replaced under warranty. Car has currently been at the dealership for 50 days. There is no known ETA on replacement parts. No warnings on anything, the car's power distribution meter still shows power going to the rear wheels even though it is not. I believe there is already an active investigation into this issue.
2023 Acura MDX Sport looses AWD randomly and vehicle becomes only FWD. This has happened many times now and I have taken it to the dealership but they claim they can’t recreate it and would not do anything further unless I change rear end fluid.. I paid for the service but still have the problem. This is getting dangerous as it is unexpected and alters the expected performance of the vehicle in critical turning situations which has led to two close calls of a broad side accident when turning and loosing AWD. There appears to be many more reports of this exact issue, I’m officially adding my name to the list.
While driving my 2023 Acura MDX at approximately 40 mph in rainy conditions, the vehicle experienced a sudden catastrophic failure without any prior warning lights or dashboard messages. The vehicle abruptly decelerated and felt as though the drivetrain or wheels were binding / locking. The vehicle lost the ability to accelerate normally and became effectively inoperable in traffic. After stopping, the vehicle resisted rolling freely even when shifted into neutral and required towing to the dealership. The dealership has since informed me that the front transfer case / transfer box experienced a catastrophic internal failure. Root cause and failure sequence are still being diagnosed by the dealer. The sudden nature of the failure, lack of warning indicators, and apparent driveline lockup behavior created a significant safety hazard and increased risk of crash, particularly given the wet road conditions and speed at the time of the incident. There were several near misses with other cars putting me and my family at significant risk. The vehicle is currently at the dealership pending full diagnosis and repair.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Transfer case and yes, it is attached the vehicle. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? At this time there is a leak and the power is being redistributed which could lead to loss of power at any times. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yea both. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Manufacturer. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No. During a routine transmission service this was noticed that there was a leak, they did not fill the fluid in the vehicle up to monitor fluid levels.
The contact owns a 2023 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000.
A little over one year after purchase, I began receiving dashboard warnings related to the air suspension and braking systems. I scheduled service with the selling dealer (located over two hours from my home). By the time of my appointment, the rear of the vehicle was visibly unstable and bouncing during operation. Upon arrival at the dealership, while the technician was driving the vehicle into the service bay, the rear air suspension bag exploded. Once the vehicle was raised on the lift, the opposite rear suspension bag also exploded. I was informed by dealership personnel that had this occurred while I was driving – regardless of speed – it could likely have resulted in a crash. The stated cause of failure was severely corroded rear stroke sensors. Including that incident, I have had a total of 5 corroded stroke sensors replaced within an approximately one-year time frame. This appears to be a recurring and systemic defect rather than isolated component failure. The repeated corrosion of critical suspension components in a nearly new vehicle raises serious concerns about moisture intrusion, improper sealing, or design defect affecting safety-critical systems. This issue creates a significant risk of sudden suspension failure, loss of vehicle control, and potential crash. I am concerned that other owners may experience similar dangerous failures without warning.The vehicle has been serviced only at an authorized Acura dealership, and all repairs are documented. Exact dates of each repair: 4/10/25 – Both rear stroke sensors (mileage: 13,632), 9/24/25 – Left rear, 2/6/26 – Right front, 3/20/26 – Left rear, Current mileage: 25,160
Unable to stop the car. Luckily no accident. Brake pedal was very hard to press and car didn't stop. Brake pedal became normal again in few seconds (5- 7 sec). Inspected car. nothing was stuck under brake pedal.
1) I was struck by a vehicle that ran the stop sign at 50mph. After the impact my vehicle continued rolling forward and wouldn’t stop. I ended up a block away from the accident and my emergency brake, brake pedal and center console brake would not engage. My vehicle was stopped after a car pulled up infront of me for me to rear end it to stop. Vehicle is a total loss and sitting in a tow yard. 2) I was in the vehicle with my 3 children under 7 years of age. Our safety was put at risk because If the accident would’ve happened on a main street I could’ve rolled into on coming traffic. 3) Not yet, they have declared the car a total loss and have no interest in inspecting for damage repair. 4) No 5) No failures were detected nor happening prior to accident.
Transfercase fluid eaking observed at 38000 +- miles, this could lead to a binded transfercase thus damage transmission permanently
The transmission of this model car is very poorly programmed a low speeds. it is constantly jerking in and out of gears making it difficult to moderate speed. There is also a substantial delay between hitting the pedal and accelerating the vehicle. The issues with the transmission paired with the very delayed accelleration leads to very ineffective control of the vehicles speed, leading to what I believe is dangerous driving scenarios. Turning through inersections, braking at a light, accellerating out of the way of traffic, are all made much more difficult/unpredictible due to how unpredictible and inconsitent the transmission behaves. It feels impossible to 'learn' how it behaves. Here is a forumn of other users confirming similar issues: https://www.mdxers.org/threads/jerky-transmission.181658/ I believe this should be addressed via software update or recall as it i'm sure will lead to accidents/injuries.
45 total