Complaints about the 2018 Acura MDX peaked in 2024, with 47 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
SUV, gasoline, 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Dec 8, 2017 to Sep 30, 2026.
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V-365 | Jun 4, 2026 | Rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure | Structure | 880,514 | Part replacement |
| 26V-332 | May 21, 2026 | Front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash | Airbags | 98,892 | Part replacement |
| 25V-259 | Apr 17, 2025 | Moisture may enter the tailgate lid light assembly and wiring harness, which can cause the interior and exterior lights to fail, including the lid… | Lighting | 152,800 | Part replacement |
| 23V-858 | Dec 18, 2023 | Fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail | Fuel system | 2,490,460 | Part replacement |
| 23V-751 | Nov 13, 2023 | Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine | Engine and cooling | 248,999 | Part replacement |
| 19V-298 | Apr 12, 2019 | Timing belt teeth may separate from the belt | Engine and cooling | 93,946 | Part replacement |
| 19V-256 | Mar 28, 2019 | Moisture may enter the tailgate lid lights, possibly causing a loss of the tailgate lid lights and the taillights | Lighting | 322,897 | Part replacement |
| 19V-060 | Jan 29, 2019 | Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance | Fuel system | 437,032 | Software update |
| 18V-777 | Nov 1, 2018 | Rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating, causing gas pockets to form, reducing brake performance | Brakes | 64,785 | Not stated |
| 18V-221 | Apr 5, 2018 | Front driver and passenger powered seats in the Honda vehicles and the driver powered seats in the Acura vehicles may have been assembled with… | Seats | 5,810 | Part replacement |
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
168 complaints on file, page 1 of 9.
All the light light up
NHTSA complaint 11768154The contact owns a 2018 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power but was able to restart. On another occasion, while the contact's husband was driving 10 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power in the middle of the highway. The vehicle was unable to restart, and the contact's husband had to push the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a service center, where it was diagnosed with fuel pump failure. The contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by telephone. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.
NHTSA complaint 11767678Hi I'm very disappointed because my 2018 Acura MDX got stolen on 8/11/25.. Unbelievable because got stolen from my driveway and i had a keys ..also it was super quick because my neighbors camera recorded the moment.. I need some recompensation because it's unbelievable how weak security Acura MDX and tlx has because last Saturday my son's 2020 Acura tl got stolen from his house same thing he has car keys but Acura is gone do something ASAP
NHTSA complaint 11767600The vehicle was being driven and the dashboard was lit up with all the systems in error related to ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control)
NHTSA complaint 11764124driver seat rocking. Acura stated 2018 recall for this issue was vin number specific and does not include my vehicle however this is the issue with my driver seat. they advise repairs at my expense.
NHTSA complaint 11761364The contact owns a 2018 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and failed to exceed 35-60 MPH. The check engine warning light was flashing. The driver pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was restarted, reset, and operated as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the failure could not be duplicated, and the failure persisted. The contact's brother, a certified technician, advised the contact not to turn off the vehicle after the failure occurred to prevent the system from resetting. The contact followed the instructions, and the contact's brother retrieved DTC: P0304, indicating a cylinder 4 misfire. The vehicle was not repaired and would be taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
NHTSA complaint 11759230The car has started with an auto high beam, lane assist, lane departure, crash mitigation, adaptive cruise lights coming on one after the other noting there are issues with the systems and they are disabled. Code is U3000 using a scanner noting Multipurpose Camera Unit Internal Electronic Failure. Sometimes the code will clear, and sometimes not. If it clears an entire drive cycle may be completed just fine, sometimes it pops back up before even moving the car and sometimes during the drive. This is a safety concern as these systems not working or stopping working mid drive and affect safety. The repair for this is not clear and a failure of a safety system should not be occurring on cars without an inmediate and covered fix. The average car on the road is over 12 years old so this failure is occurring on cars well newer than the average car and compromising safety of the driver and surrounding cars especially features intended to prevent crashes that drivers rely heavily on. The fact it can stop working mid drive is a huge hazard since one may be relying on a system and it suddenly fails (like adaptive cruise control) and cause a crash. Please investigate his widespread issue and please fix it.
NHTSA complaint 11755732I am writing to report an urgent safety concern regarding my 2018 Acura MDX Tech SH-AWD. Upon starting the vehicle, all primary AcuraWatch driver-assist systems suffered a total failure. The center display continuously cycles through four warnings: Collision Mitigation System Problem Adaptive Cruise Control Problem Lane Keeping Assist Problem Road Departure Mitigation System Problem In addition, the Brake System, Crash Warning, and Lane Departure dash lights remain permanently illuminated. Diagnostic Findings An OBD-II diagnostic scan logged the following stored chassis code: DTC U3000-49: Internal Electronic Failure of Multipurpose Camera Unit / Millimeter Wave Radar I am aware of TSB #B23-008 regarding camera logic errors. However, clearing codes and software resets do not clear this persistent hardware failure within the monocular camera unit (Part # 36160-TZ6-A34). Safety & Request for Action The total shutdown of primary crash-prevention systems presents a clear safety hazard. Forcing owners to absorb $20,000+ out-of-pocket for camera replacement and mandatory dealer recalibration on a known hardware fault undermines Acura's commitment to safety and quality. Given NHTSA's oversight of active safety systems, I respectfully request: 1. Goodwill Repair: Acura/Honda assistance to replace and recalibrate the defective camera unit. 2. Quality Investigation: A broader review into premature failures of these Nidec monocular camera modules on 2017–2018 MDX vehicles. Thank you for your prompt attention to this critical issue. I look forward to your response. Sincerely,
NHTSA complaint 11752746SUPPLEMENTAL — REFERENCE ODI 11742372 Follow-up to ODI 11742372, 2018 Acura MDX, VIN 5J8YD3H33JL******. Intermittent multipurpose camera failure, DTC U3000-49, causing simultaneous loss of CMBS, ACC, LKAS, and RDM. The defect remains unresolved and I have been unable to obtain diagnosis or repair through Acura's authorized service network. Acura Client Relations case 16409871 was opened. Acura declined to acknowledge the failure as a manufacturing defect and offered no coverage for diagnosis or repair. I then attempted to schedule service with AutoNation Acura, an authorized service center. Over approximately one month I left more than 25 voicemails on both the reception and service department lines. I received no return call and no acknowledgment. I have been unable to secure a service appointment. On [DATE] I sent written correspondence to Acura Corporate Relations documenting the failed scheduling attempts, restating the safety nature of the failure, and requesting referral to an alternate authorized dealer. [No response as of this filing.] The effect is that a safety-critical driver assistance system has been intermittently non-functional since at least April 2, 2026, and the manufacturer has neither acknowledged the defect nor made its service network available to diagnose it. The vehicle remains in service. Failures occur without warning during normal operation, disabling collision mitigation braking, lane keeping, road departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control at once. The vehicle retains its original factory windshield, never replaced, modified, or damaged, eliminating a common cause of camera misalignment. Mileage is low for the model year. Other Acura and Honda owners report comparable camera failures with similar codes. I renew my request that NHTSA evaluate whether this constitutes a safety-related defect and whether a broader pattern exists across vehicles using the same camera module and AcuraWatch/Honda Sensing architecture.
NHTSA complaint 11751971Transmission failed and light appeared. Speed reduced from 30 to 15. Acura stated they had to reset computer system and claimed when they started the car no lights shown and was able to reverse car. I was unable to reverse car, struggled and tugged feeling in the car. This is the 2nd time and they always repeat same solution no lights appeared and to reset system.
NHTSA complaint 11749662Driving 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.
NHTSA complaint 11748532The 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
NHTSA complaint 11747656ACC and LKAS light come on and blink non-stop in sequence
NHTSA complaint 11745792The 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.
NHTSA complaint 11742372The 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.
NHTSA complaint 11740457Rob 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.
NHTSA complaint 11737502Front 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.
NHTSA complaint 11730579Odometer 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.
NHTSA complaint 11730103While 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.
NHTSA complaint 11730022Emission systems problem and parking brake problem lights came on simultaneously. Mechanic has not been able to figure out the problem Replaced vent valve
NHTSA complaint 11729168Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall; the 60 most recent are listed.