10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 3,429 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
My 2018 Acura MDX received an Auto Engine Software update a couple months ago. I took it in "Acura of Johnston" in Iowa due to a recall notice I received that indicated engine could stall when trying to accelerate or may not restart. After the the software update I was told this should fix the problem and they would only replace the mechanical parts if the software failed; Starter Motor Assembly along with the Power Relay Assembly. I left the dealership and later that day the message "Auto Engine Idle Stop System Problem" flashed periodically. I called the dealership and spoke to the Service Department. He explained that wasnt a problem, as it is probably due to outside temperature and the update now has 13 different variables and should be okay. (I didn't buy it) he told me to contact them if it continued. In the past 2 weeks starting towards the end of December 2023 the "Auto Engine Idle Stop System Problem" message flashes several times during driving with a chine. I called the dealership and they tried to explain away it was due to temperature. I pushed back and reminded him what he told me previously. He then put me on hold and came back and said to bring the car in. I did contact Acura customer care and explained what happened and told them I read the original technician guide that stated if the software didn't take they would need to replace the parts. I asked this is covered correct" The representative said no because my care has a "Rebuild Title" and it would be at your cost. I reminded them that their recall stated this as a Safety Issue. She stated they were only extending the warranty to non "Rebuild Title Owners". I again asked, "Despite this being a safety recall by your own company"" She said yes and parts to fix would be my expense. My VIN is [XXX] and has other recalls outstanding and when I asked about those I wasn't re-assured those would be covered INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Des Moines, IA, USA
This is my first luxury car. Ever since I bought the car in 2019, I noticed that sometimes when I press on the gas pedal, it takes a little time for the car to move. I just assumed it was normal. Never owned an Acura before. Two weeks ago and a week ago, I also got into a car accident. The first time was when I was entering the freeway. I see the cars on the freeway coming from my left side. They were far enough form me enter the freeway safely. I pressed the gas pedal to speed up so I could enter the freeway. I pressed on the gas pedal. Nothing happens. The car didn't respond. I pressed again and this time it moved. By the time my car moved and pick up speed, the oncoming cars were right behind my left side. I had to brake and moved to the right side to avoid an accident. The 2nd time, I was at a stop sign. I pressed the gas pedal. Again, the accelerator did not kick in. The car behind me honked at me. It took a couple of seconds for my car to pick up its speed.
- Atwater, CA, USA
The vehicle has experienced an acceleration hesitation issue on a number of occasions. When I depress the accelerator from a stop and take my foot off the brake the vehicle does not respond. If I take my foot off the accelerator then depress it again all the way to the floor the vehicle after 3 or 4 seconds will lunge forward. In an intersection this "stall" may cause a collision with another vehicle. This has happened on a number of occasions but fortunately no accidents yet. I have taken the car to the dealer on no less than three times for this issue and been advised that no repair is necessary and that it was simply "a characteristics to this vehicle model and no repairs are needed."
- Jupiter, FL, USA
When driving at highway speeds, intermittently and unpredictably, the throttle control will become unresponsive and RPMs will drop to minimum levels. This causes the vehicle to rapidly decelerate, creating an incredibly dangerous situation. When this occurs, the gas pedal becomes unresponsive and has no control over the RPMs or speed of the vehicle. This has happened approximately 6 times and each time has resulted in trailing vehicles to have to perform evasive maneuvers to avoid hitting our car from behind. We have brought the car in to an Acura service center on 2 occasions with no resolution, even though the service advisor has stated that she has received this complaint on numerous occasions from owners of this model and year vehicle.
- Mooresville, NC, USA
My vehicle was parked under my car port immediately after returning from the grocery store. As I was unloading the car I saw and smelled smoke which then erupted into a fire coming from the engine compartment. We called 911 and when the fd arrived the car was totally engulfed as was my building. Suspect fuel line leak. Insurance company investigating. Fd says Acura MDX was cause of fire. Dangerous situation as no prior indicators from vehicle, recalls, etc.. photos available if needed. If gone unnoticed, entire structure could have been lost.
- Kingwood, TX, USA
Early this morning I was cleaning snow on the roof of my car with a snow brush. When I finished I proceed to seat in the driver seat to drive off to work and I didn't realize I had glass on my seat and I sat on it. I looked up and noticed my sunroof glass was shattered with a hole in the middle of the glass. The outside temperature was in the high 20's and I used the same snow removal brush on the same car last year!
- Wappingers Falls, NY, USA
I am having continual issues with the infotainment system (radio, air conditioning, navigation, etc.). the issues have continued to worsen over time during my short time of ownership. The issues include, the entire operating system freezing, the navigation screen not alternating between daytime and nighttime backgrounds (which causes vision issues in the evenings - it is currently stuck on day which is bright), the back-up camera staying on while driving the vehicle forward (this includes almost up to 2 miles at one point), the system completely turning off while driving and not turning back on, and the system trying to rebook conitnuously while driving multiple times and not able to reboot. There have now been two times where I need to pull off the road, turn the car off, and turn it back on to get the infotainment system back on and to be able to function. I have been told by the dealership and Acura client relations I would still have to wait for the ota. No other options or resolutions are available or being offered. I have made requests to the dealership and directly to Acura client relations to have the system replaced as it has become a safety issue. Acura client relations stated they would not offer that as an option. While my car was being looked at previously, I was given another Acura MDX on two occassions and did not have the same issues I am experiencing with the MDX that I own. I asked to be escalated to the next level of leadership and I was informed that even if my escalation request were to be reviewed, the manager has the right whether or not they would respond. This was inappropriate as it is discouraging consumers in trying have their concerns heard. At this point, american Honda motor co. D/B/a Acura C/O Acura is now avoiding consumers trying to get these issues resolved.
- Charlotte, NC, USA
Issue 1: ====== vehicle is in parked position in drive way and was locked. The side view mirrors are set to close upon hitting the lock button. During cold weather the side view mirrors and the driver side window glass froze (the mirrors wont open up, the driver side window glass does not roll down). Upon several instances when this is issue is observed there is no visible snow/frost outside (the outside of the car is dry). I am assuming the water that got collected may be overnight or previous day rain/snow is getting frozen in the shells of the side view mirror, and the seams of the window glass pane.. unfortunately and there is no way to roll the window manually or open the mirrors manually. Had to wait for few hours before the mirrors could actually open up and the glass door would start rolling down. Issue 2: ====== the phone is associated to the car as a paired bluetooth device, as well as an android phone. When playing songs via phone via bluetooth in car, the bluetooth connection would not resume after you stop the car exit the car, lock the car (while the songs are being played) and come back after some time unlock the car and restart the car. I have to stop and restart the bluetooth on my phone for the Acura to recognize my phone as a media player, however the car recognize my phone as a phone for making calls etc.. this happens to phone as a media player only... issue 2: ====== when two drivers are using the car, the need for readjustment of the rear view mirror once a day causes the mirror to break loose.
- Fairfax, VA, USA
The backup camera stayed on even when the vehicle was in forward motion - the continuous rear view on display screen was a driving distraction while disabling other features.
- Frisco, TX, USA
Front passenger misalignment allowing rain water to seep inside the vehicle. This was a new vehicle purchase. It was only discoverable when a front seat passenger was riding in the new vehicle while it was raining. The leak was ongoing for an unspecified time, from the time the vehicle left the manufacturer, Honda until the time the dealership took delivery of the vehicle, radley Acura, falls church, va. Honda North America has admitted that it was a factory defect and do not not want to do a buy back. Honda claims the repairs form leaks entering a vehicle for an unspecified period correct moisture entering a vehicle for an unspecified period. Honda does not provide an explanation on how the moisture will impact the electronics in the vehicle or correct mold growth. Honda nor the dealer have been cooperative or responsive to the concerns of the buyer. When the new vehicle was delivered, it had approximately 20 miles on it. The purchase price of the vehicle was $42,000. Buyers made a down payment of $24,000. Radley Acura is in possession of the vehicle. Honda & radley have not been responsive and feel that the purchasers do not have an alternative but to accept a defective new vehicle that leaks when it rains. Radley claims they have corrected the misaligned passenger door. Purchasers have no confidence in the vehicle because of safety concerns. How has the moister affected the electrical system? Honda has admitted that it was a manufacturers defect that cause this problem. There is no dispute that water and moisture entered into the vehicle for an unspecified time. Buyers expected to purchase a new vehicle where water moisture & rain water had not been entering a new vehicle for an undeterminable time.
- Chevy Chase, MD, USA
Starter failed with auto start/stop while stopped in traffic. Since engine wouldn't start, car shifted to park automatically and can not shift to neutral with the engine off and unable to start. The battery was fine and could go into aux mode, but still won't shift to neutral. Aside from quality issues related to starter, significant safety design flaw.
- Marietta, GA, USA
- Middle River, MD, USA