2011 Acura MDX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
70 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
66,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 44 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 28 of 70 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 5.7% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 5.7% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 4.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 2.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 28 |
| Power Train | 7 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
Engine: 28; Power Train: 7; Unknown Or Other: 7; Air Bags: 6; Electrical System: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Exterior Lighting: 3; Structure:Body: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 10 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 11 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 11; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 26 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 5 |
2011: 5; 2012: 4; 2013: 3; 2014: 4; 2015: 5; 2016: 2; 2017: 9; 2018: 4; 2019: 8; 2020: 9; 2021: 3; 2022: 4; 2023: 4; 2024: 1; 2025: 5
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10425235 · 2011-09-13 (September 13, 2011)
WHILE LEAVING A PARKING LOT AND COMING TO A STOP PRIOR TO ENTERING TRAFFIC, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD WHILE BRAKING. THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 ADDITIONAL TIMES SINCE THAT INITIAL EPISODE. CONCURRENTLY, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SHIFT ROUGHLY. I EXPERIENCED "MICRO LURCHES" WHILE ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING; UNDER 40MPH. THESE LURCHES WHILE SHIFTING ARE NOT PRESENT WHEN SPEEDS EXCEED 55 MPH. THE ACURA DEALER INITIALLY INDICATED THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS AS NO COMPUTER ANOMALIES WERE DETECTED. AFTER MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS, ACURA SENT A TECHNICIAN TO INVE…
Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10425235 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10759260 · 2015-08-25 (August 25, 2015)
WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING OR TRANSMISSION IS MAKING NOISES, LIKE WHINING, DRONING, OR HUMMING. I HAD THE FRONT HUBS AND BEARINGS REPLACED WITH NEW OEM HUBS AND BEARINGS. THE NOISE HAS CONTINUED!!!
Owner-reported narrative. 50,148 miles reported. Look up ODI 10759260 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10479686 · 2012-10-10 (October 10, 2012)
ON AN UNOBSTRUCTED ROAD NO TRAFFIC IN FRONT THE VEHICLE WILL APPLY BRAKES, ACTIVATE SEAT BELT RESTRAINS AND SIGNAL THAT AN OBJECT IS IN FRONT WHEN THERE IS NOTHING. IT IS TRIGGERED BY ROAD REPAIRS STEEL PLATES. DEALER SERVICE WAS ABLE TO REPRODUCE BUT CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL AS PER MFG TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIRST VEHICLE WITH COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM THE OTHER VEHICLE DOES NOT GETS THESE ERROR MESSAGES UNDER WET OR ICY/SNOW CONDITIONS THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 16,114 miles reported. Look up ODI 10479686 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10423859 · 2011-09-06 (September 6, 2011)
I LEASE A 20111 ACURA SUV MDX VEHICLE FROM THE KAREN BRADLEY DEALERSHIP IN WOOD BRIDGE VIRGINIA ON THE 15 JULY 2011. AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE, WHILE DRIVING ON MY WAY HOME I FELT VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL FELT LOOSE. I CALLED THE SALES PERSON TO REPORT THE MATTER HE TOLD ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN THE NEXT DAY 16 JULY 2011 TEST DRIVE ANOTHER NEW MDX AND COMPARE IT TO MINE, I DID SO AND IT DID NOT HAVE ANY VIBRATION NOR WAS THE STEERING WHEEL LOOOSE. THE SERVICE PERSON CHECKED THE TIRE PRESSURE ON MY VEHICLE AND…
Owner-reported narrative. 45 miles reported. Look up ODI 10423859 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10471333 · 2012-08-17 (August 17, 2012)
I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN A PICK UP TRUCK HIT MY CAR FROM BEHIND. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT AND MY SEAT WAS POSITIONED AT AN APPROPRIATE DISTANCE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER MY HEAD FIRST HIT THE HEADREST FROM THE INITIAL IMPACT, MY HEAD FLEW FORWARD AND HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAD A BUMP ON MY FOREHEAD AND A HEADACHE AFTERWARD (FOLLOWED BY A BLACK EYE THE NEXT DAY). FORTUNATELY, A CAT SCAN CONFIRMED THAT MY INJURY WAS NOT SERIOUS. BECAUSE I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT WHETHER MY SEATBELT WAS WORKING OR NOT, I TOOK MY ACURA TO MY…
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10471333 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10609615 · 2014-07-10 (July 10, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10609615 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10980513 · 2017-04-25 (April 25, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE MORE THAN ONCE AND PROVIDED NO SPECIFIC DIAGNOSIS OTHER THAN INDICATING THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE DUE TO THE BATTERY AND BATTERY CABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE TO DETERMINE IF THEY COULD PROVIDE A REPAIR SOLUTION TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10980513 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11686570 · 2025-09-11 (September 11, 2025)
The hazard warning switch on my 2011 Acura MDX Technology & Entertainment Package VIN [XXX] sticks. It is due to a manufacturing defect and not because of normal wear and tear. That is a safety concern because when it is pressed and sticks, such as when giving the right of way to an emergency vehicle, or in bad weather, it not possible to make it unstuck while driving, and requires a screwdriver to pry it back to unstuck position, and if that option is not available then the stuck hazard switch will drain the battery when the vehicle is shut d…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11686570 at NHTSA ↗