2012 Acura MDX: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
76 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
62,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 46 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 23 of 76 complaints (30.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 11.8% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 5.3% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 5.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 2.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.6% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.3% |
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 | 23 |
| Electrical System | 12 |
| Power Train | 12 |
| Unknown Or Other | 10 |
| Air Bags | 9 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Structure:Body | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
Engine: 23; Electrical System: 12; Power Train: 12; Unknown Or Other: 10; Air Bags: 9; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Structure:Body: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 15 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 11 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 15; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 3
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 30 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 |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2013: 6; 2014: 3; 2015: 2; 2016: 7; 2017: 7; 2018: 11; 2019: 10; 2020: 10; 2021: 4; 2022: 6; 2024: 1; 2025: 5; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 9 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10495028 · 2013-01-29 (January 29, 2013)
THE REAR BACK UP CAMERA DOES NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE BRIGHTNESS AT NIGHT. WITH THE SCREEN BRIGHTNESS SET TO MAX, I AM UNABLE TO DISCERN OBJECTS BEHIND ON THE SCREEN AT NIGHT ESPECIALLY IN RAIN. THE CAMERA LENS IS CLEAN. THIS IS SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE COMPARED TO MY PRIOR 2008 ACURA MDX, AND COMPARED TO OTHER VEHICLES THAT I OWN AND HAVE DRIVEN WITH SIMILAR CAMERAS. THE DEALER SAYS THAT IT IS A FREQUENT COMPLAINT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10495028 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10499759 · 2013-02-23 (February 23, 2013)
HONDA ACURA MDX, THE VEHICLE PROVIDES A BACKUP CAMERA TO DISPLAY THE REAR VIEW WHEN THE VEHICLE BACKS UP. HOWEVER THE CAMERA SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK AT NIGHT UNDER STREET LIGHT. THE DRIVER BARELY SEES ANYTHING AT REAR THROUGH THE VIDEO DISPLAY EVEN IT IS SET AT NIGHT MODE AND IT IS TURNED TO MAX. BRIGHT LEVEL. I ALMOST HIT A CHILD WHEN I TRIED TO BACKUP THE CAR WITH THE REAR VIEW THOUGH THE CAMERA AND I THOUGHT IT WAS CLEAR BUT IT IS NOT. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS AND IT COULD KILL A CHILD. ACURA SHOULD NEVER INSTALL SUCH POOR QUALITY CAMERAS …
Owner-reported narrative. 7,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10499759 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10500178 · 2013-02-26 (February 26, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO RESPOND. A FEW MOMENTS LATER, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE WOULD EMIT A CLICKING SOUND WHEN IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILUR…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10500178 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10503611 · 2013-03-19 (March 19, 2013)
I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL SIDE STREET AT ABOUT 15 MPH WHEN I HEARD A SNAP AND SUDDENLY MY CAR SWERVED INTO A PARKED CAR CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT FENDER OF MY CAR AND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR FENDER OF THE PARKED CAR. I HAD A WITNESS, A BYSTANDER, WHO ALSO SAID HE HEARD A SNAP BEFORE MY CAR SWERVED. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO AN ACURA DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS LATER INFORMED THAT THE CAR HAD A BROKEN TIE ROD. I DID NOT HIT ANY POT HOLES. THE ROADS WERE CLEAR AND MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN TOWED BEFORE. IT IS 6 MONTHS OLD WITH 6000 MILES. …
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10503611 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10533591 · 2013-08-05 (August 5, 2013)
I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2012 ACURA MDX (1 YEAR AND 2 WEEKS OLD). IT HAVE ONLY 7000 MILES ON IT RIGHT NOW. THE POWER DRIVER SEAT IS NOT WORKING AND ALSO, THE MEMORY #1 AND #2. THE SEAT IT ALL THE WAY UP POSITION CLOSE TO STEERING WHEEL IT HARD FOR ME TO DRIVE. I WORK ANN ARBOR, MI THE ACURA DEALER ARE IN TROY, MI. IT MORE THAN ONE HOUR DRIVE ONE WAY. IF I TAKE MY ACURA MDX TO THE DEALER, I HAVE TO TAKE TIME OFF FROM WORK WHICH I DO NOT TO .................. WHY IT COST MONEY ....................... I'M NOT HAPPY. I OWN HONDA ACCORD 10 Y…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10533591 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10547132 · 2013-10-07 (October 7, 2013)
MY 2012 MDX SUFFERS FROM A TORQUE CONVERTER RUMBLING SOUND AND VIBRATION COMMON TO THE MDX SERIES. AS YOU ACCELERATE THE NOISE AND VIBRATION CAN BE FELT ALMOST LIKE A BEARING NOISE WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE A LOCKUP OR FAILURE POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO ANY DRIVERS OR PEDESTRIANS. THE DEALERS ARE SAYING THAT THIS NOISE IS INDIGENOUS TO THE INHERENT HISTORY OF THE VEHICLE . FACT: SO I'M NOT ALONE IN THIS AND I KNOW ANY VIBRATIONS IN THAT AREA WILL DEFINITELY LESSEN THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE AND COST THE CAR OWNERS ! GOD FORBID ! THERE …
Owner-reported narrative. 15,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10547132 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10562992 · 2014-02-05 (February 5, 2014)
I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL SIDE STREET AT ABOUT 20 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND SWERVED INTO A PARKED CAR CAUSING MODERATE DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER SIDE REAR FENDER OF THE PARKED CAR. MY CAR SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE - TO THE PASSENGER SIDE ON THE FRONT. ALSO, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF AND ROLLED A LITTLE AWAY BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND PARKED IT. EVEN WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ON, THE CAR WAS ROLLING A LITTLE TILL A BYSTANDER PUT A COUPLE OF BLOCKS UNDER THE REAR TIRES TO STOP THE CAR. THE ROAD W…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10562992 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10644344 · 2014-10-13 (October 13, 2014)
LIKE MOST TREADS THAT I COME ACROSS ON BLOGS, I ALSO HAVE NOTICE A STRONG SMELL EXHAUST FUMES UNDER HEAVY ACCELERATION INSIDE THE CABIN. THE SMELL FOR THE FUMES ARE NAUSEATING AND OF COURSE POSSE A REAL HEALTH RISK IN MY OPINION. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED BUT STILL UNDER WARRANTY. MODEL: ADVANCED *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10644344 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
12V063000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
Reported: 2012-02-17 (February 17, 2012)
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 PILOT AND ACURA MDX VEHICLES. THE VENT SHUT FLOAT (VSF) VALVE CASE IN THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY DOES NOT MEET THE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS.
Consequence: AS A RESULT, FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE TANK, INCREASING THE RISK OF FIRE.
Remedy: HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VSF ASSEMBLY DATE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 13, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-999-1009.
NHTSA campaign record ↗