9.5
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 1,117 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.
On Aug 8th at 3:32pm (81F and sunny), I stopped at a red light with the auto idle engine feature on. When I lifted my foot off the brake to drive the car, the car shifted into neutral and completely shut down and would not restart immediately. I attempted approximately 8 times to restart the car for 3 minutes before it successfully restarted. This poses a significant safety hazard for myself, my children, and others on the road. This is the 6th time this has happened and I have previously filed a NHTSA report # 11533671 with the same issue. Acura has been unable to diagnose and recreate the problem and is refusing to do any further work. It has been brought into their dealership on 3 separate occasions (July 2023, September 2024, August 2025). Prior to this occurring, there were no warning symbols, the car started fine without issue, and the battery has been checked and confirmed in working order.
- Pine Brook, NJ, USA
I am writing to formally express my concern regarding a recurring issue with the Auto Start/Stop feature in my 2020 Acura MDX. This feature, which is intended to improve fuel efficiency, has instead caused unexpected and unsafe engine shutoffs while the vehicle is in operation. On multiple occasions, the vehicle has failed to restart promptly after the engine shuts off at a stoplight or in traffic, creating a serious safety hazard. The delay or failure to restart can leave the car temporarily disabled in active traffic, placing both myself and other drivers at risk.
- Mckees Rocks , PA, USA
My car has been going into neutral when in the autostop. The only way to get out of it is to turn it off and back on. It's incredibly dangerous. I almost got into a horrible accident. It happens suddenly and without warning.
- Cortlandt Manor, NY, USA
When using the a/c while the Auto Idle Stop is engaged, the engine will shut off and not restart. This issue does not happen immediately, at the first cycle of being activated, it's after 3 or more cycles of the AIS being in use, like driving in stop and go traffic for instance. The issue reminds me of a low/dying battery when it happens. Now when I turn off the A/C, the car starts right up like normal. Also if I don't use the A/C, the AIS cycles like normal, like in traffic, l'll have no problems with its performance.
- Houston, TX, USA
Auto Idle Mode - After we've stopped and released the brake to go forward, the car will then shift to neutral by itself instead of restarting to drive. This has happened frequently and is now starting to happen more often. This is a safety issue, especially if you're the last car in line and other cars are traveling 55-60 miles behind you on a major road and see a green light ahead. Each time this happens, we have to turn off the car and try to restart the car, and sometimes this has been iffy and we've had to repeat the process a couple of times. There were no warning lights of problems with any of car components. There have been similar reports of this occurring: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Williamsburg, VA, USA
upon turning right, the car lost power, degraded acceleration as if someone is holding and pulling the car to move forward. The traffic behind me expected me to cathup with the speed on the road but due to loss of power and engine hesitation i got honked and was luck to avoid a crash from behind on a busy road. Acura dealership in Dallas dont have parts since a very long time. They have pleant of new cars to sell but not repair.
- Frisco, TX, USA
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - Periodically After Auto Start Stop System activates (vehichle shuts down after stop). When the brake pedal is released and vehicle attempts to restart the engine stalls and is shifted into neutral. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk" - UNK Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center" - No, this is an intermittent issue, this has occurred a few times (6). Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others" - No, email sent to service department. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear" - Parking light, Brake system light, Oil pressure light, battery light.
- Quincy, MA, USA
While driving on the highway, at highway speeds, all dash lights came on and the vehicle immediately lost power coming to an abrupt stop. We were able to limp the car to the side of the road. It was ultimately determined that the car-??s fuel pump had gone out. The fuel pump was replaced by Acura, and covered under the initial manufactures warranty. However, it-??s rather suspicious that our car is not included in the recall given that the fuel pump failure is identical to the open recall for our same make and model.
- Madison, WI, USA
While driving, in the middle of the high way, the car shuts off and stops and when restarted it wouldn-??t go. Stopped, twice this month and three time total this year, on the Highway thank god no accident.
- Woodbridge , VA, USA
Periodically when accelerating the car (2020 Acura MDX) looses power. The car does not stall it just looses power. There have been times when we have had to pull over to avoid causing an accident. When it does occur there are no warning or signal displayed on the dash boards pre or post the incident. We have reported the issue to Acura but there has be no resolution to the issue.
- North Attleboro, MA, USA
I have experienced sudden acceleration problem numerous times( 5 to six times. The latest one was March 1,2021. The vehicle would accelerate (RPM rapidly ) suddenly when driving at low speeds(around 10 to 15mph to a quick almost 30mph without pressing the gas pedal) that always require me to break immediately to avoid any accidents. I had the vehicle checked thoroughly by a company sent expert last year(sometime Nov,2020) and they can't replicate the problem. Acura relations can't help me anymore. It made me google unintended acceleration MDX. The problem is for real. Had I known this problem, I wouldn't have leased this vehicle last Oct.31, 2019. Please help. Many thanks
- Winter Garden, FL, USA

- Plainfield, IL, USA