2014 Acura MDX: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
170 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
22,706 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2014 model year. Data snapshot: . 114 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 38 of 170 complaints (22.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 42 | 24.7% |
| Braking behavior | 41 | 24.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 22 | 12.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 4.7% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 3.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering | 38 |
| Electrical System | 26 |
| Engine | 26 |
| Power Train | 26 |
| Service Brakes | 26 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 19 |
| Exterior Lighting | 13 |
| Unknown Or Other | 13 |
Steering: 38; Electrical System: 26; Engine: 26; Power Train: 26; Service Brakes: 26; Vehicle Speed Control: 19; Exterior Lighting: 13; Unknown Or Other: 13
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 58 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 26 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 13 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 58; 25,000 to 49,999: 26; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 4
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (58). 56 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 | 3 |
| 2014 | 41 |
| 2015 | 24 |
| 2016 | 17 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 18 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 7 |
2013: 3; 2014: 41; 2015: 24; 2016: 17; 2017: 8; 2018: 9; 2019: 18; 2020: 10; 2021: 5; 2022: 5; 2023: 3; 2024: 11; 2025: 9; 2026: 7
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 42 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 41 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 22 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 10550957 · 2013-11-05 (November 5, 2013)
YESTERDAY, AFTER BACKING UP, STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, SHIFTED INTO "PARK" WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY REVVED UP TO WHAT SOUNDED LIKE FULL THROTTLE! I PUSHED THE IGNITION BUTTON TO STOP THE ENGINE. AFTER THIS ONE INCIDENT, THE CAR HAS FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,359 miles reported. Look up ODI 10550957 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10553668 · 2013-11-25 (November 25, 2013)
WHEN COMING TO A SUDDEN STOP THE BRAKE LIGHT WILL FLASH ON THE DASHBOARD ACCOMPANIED BY A BEEPING SOUND FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 SECONDS. I HAVE BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERS SHIP IN METAIRIE LOUISIANA AND AM TOLD THAT THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 4 TIMES INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE LAST 3 MONTHS. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS FAILING OR THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10553668 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10555793 · 2013-12-12 (December 12, 2013)
MY BRAND NEW MDX HAS HAD ISSUES WITH MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS APPEARING ON THE VEHICLE WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE. THIS INCLUDES CHECK ENGINE WARNING, LANE DEPARTURE WARNING FAILURE, POWER STEERING ISSUE AND POSSIBLY ADDITIONAL WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE DID THIS THE FIRST TIME WHEN I TOOK DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE AND AT THAT TIME, WAS RESOLVED BY FIXING A LOOSE PLUG. THEN IT DID IT AGAIN WHEN I WAS SUPPOSED TO PICK UP MY VEHICLE FOR A COUPLE MINOR TRIM REPAIRS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2014. THE VEHICLE IS STILL WITH SERVICE AND THEY HAVE YET TO FIGURE…
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10555793 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10558058 · 2014-01-01 (January 1, 2014)
THE INCLUDED INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM, WHICH IS NOW PREDOMINANTLY CONTROLLED BY A TOUCHSCREEN, IS INCREDIBLY SLOW, LAGGY, AND DANGEROUS TO OPERATE. THERE ARE MULTIPLE, ONGOING FAILURES WITH THIS SYSTEM - EVERY TIME I ENTER THE VEHICLE. AS HONDA/ACURA HAS REMOVED OR REPLACED PRIMARY-OPERATION BUTTONS (32 OUT OF 41, BY THEIR COUNT), THE MANDATE TO USE THE OTHER OPERATIONAL SYSTEM (TOUCHSCREEN AND JOG-DIAL) HAS INCREASED THE RISK OF SAFETY INCIDENTS, EXACERBATED BY A SLOW USER INTERFACE RESPONSE AND OFTEN-FAILING VOICE CONTROL SYSTEM. MY VEHICLE…
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10558058 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10558147 · 2014-01-02 (January 2, 2014)
9 DEC. 2014 BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS TO ALLOW STARTING OF VEHICLE. AFTER JAMMING FOOT AGAINST THE "FROZEN" BRAKE PEDAL MULTIPLE TIMES PEDAL DEPRESSED ENOUGH TO ALLOW VEHICLE START. NO FURTHER ISSUES THAT DAY. 10 DEC. 2014 SECOND OCCURRENCE OF EXACT ISSUE AS DESCRIBED ABOVE. 24 DEC. 2014 WHILE DRIVING APPROX. 20 MPH ON AN ICE COVERED ROAD, ATTEMPTED TO APPLY BRAKES IN ORDER TO RETARD VEHICLE SPEED WHILE DESCENDING SLIGHT HILL, BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS. AFTER MULTIPLE JAMMING OF FOOT AGAINST BRAKE PEDAL, PEDAL FINALLY DEPRES…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,050 miles reported. Look up ODI 10558147 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10558344 · 2014-01-03 (January 3, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, ANOTHER VEHICLE SLIGHTLY BUMPED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND CAUSED IT TO ROLL AWAY IN REVERSE AND DOWN A HILL. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE THEN CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10558344 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10559440 · 2014-01-11 (January 11, 2014)
THE 2014 MDX IS NOW EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR THAT IS SPLIT VERTICALLY INTO TWO PIECES ONE LARGER AND ONE SMALLER. THE SMALLER MIRROR CREATES THE ILLUSION THAT A PASSING CAR IS CRASHING INTO YOUR VEHICLE. IT IS QUITE DISCONCERTING TO A DRIVER. BOTH MYSELF AND MY SON HAVE HAD THIS EXPERIENCE. IT CAUSES A DRIVER TO REACT TO A DANGER THAT DOES NOT EXIST. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10559440 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10563537 · 2014-02-08 (February 8, 2014)
BRAKE PEDAL GETS REALLY STIFFEN UP AND CAR WON'T START UNLESS I DEPRESS THE BRAKE REALLY REALLY HARD. SEEMS LIKE FAULTY BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN LEFT SITTING FOR AWHILE. HAPPENING FREQUENTLY NOW. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10563537 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
8 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
13V571000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 2013-11-14 (November 14, 2013)
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Acura MDX AWD vehicles manufactured May 6, 2013, through October 14, 2013. The bolts that attach the drive shaft to the automatic transmission transfer assembly may not have been properly tightened. As a result, the bolts could loosen possibly allowing the shaft to detach.
Consequence: If the drive shaft detaches while driving it could cause excessive noise and possibly damage the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the drive shaft attaching bolts as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on July 3, 2014. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009 or visit their website at www.recalls.honda.com. Honda's recall number is JC8.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V639000 · Seat Belts
Reported: 2014-10-10 (October 10, 2014)
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to August 25, 2014, and 2014 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured November 5, 2012, to November 25, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the driver and front passenger seat belt may not extend or retract in low temperatures.
Consequence: A seatbelt that does not function increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Honda has notified owners, and dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belts, free of charge. The recall began in November 2014. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's number for this recall is JK7 for the MKX, and JK8 for the RLX.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V301000 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Crash Imminent Braking
Reported: 2015-05-20 (May 20, 2015)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX 2WD and AWD, RLX and 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid vehicles. In certain driving conditions, the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) may incorrectly interpret certain roadside objects such as metal fences or metal guardrails as obstacles and unexpectedly apply the brakes.
Consequence: If the CMBS unexpectedly applies emergency braking force while driving, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the CMBS software, free of charge. The recall began on July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's numbers for this recall is JQ4, JQ5 and JQ6.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V417000 · Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
Reported: 2015-07-01 (July 1, 2015)
American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX and MDX AWD vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to December 16, 2014. The affected vehicles have air conditioning compressor clutch drive bolts that may not have received the proper anti-corrosion coating.
Consequence: If a bolt was not coated, it may corrode and break as a result. If the bolt breaks, the compressor clutch plate may separate from the vehicle, possibly becoming a road hazard.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air conditioning compressor clutch drive bolt and install a new clutch plate if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 7, 2015. Owners may contact Acura client relations at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's number for this recall is JQ7.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V256000 · Exterior Lighting | Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights
Reported: 2019-03-28 (March 28, 2019)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Acura MDX and 2017-2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid lights, possibly causing a loss of the tailgate lid lights and the taillights.
Consequence: Loss of the taillights reduces the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Acura will notify owners, and dealers will modify the tailgate lid lights and install updated gaskets and a wiring sub-harness or will replace both tailgate lid lights. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is M49.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V858000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2023-12-18 (December 18, 2023)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V259000 · Interior Lighting | Exterior Lighting
Reported: 2025-04-17 (April 17, 2025)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid light assembly and wiring harness, which can cause the interior and exterior lights to fail, including the lid lights, position lights, license plate lights and taillights.
Consequence: Vehicle lights that fail to illuminate can decrease visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wiring and install a fuse harness, replace the lid light, and repair the body dust sealer, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 30, 2025. Owners may contact Acura's customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Acura's number for this recall is FLI. Vehicles included in this recall that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 19V-256 will need to have the new remedy completed.
NHTSA campaign record ↗26V365000 · Suspension:Rear | Structure:Frame And Members
Reported: 2026-06-04 (June 4, 2026)
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
Consequence: Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.
NHTSA campaign record ↗