2019 Acura MDX: complaints, problems and recalls

WHILE DRIVING APPROX. 40 MPH AND SLOWING TO TURN INTO GAS STATION, THE CAR COMPLETELY TURNED OFF. I WAS UNABLE TO PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL OR GET OFF OF ROAD. TOW TRUCK CALLED AND HAD TO BE DRUG ONTO FLATBED. GARAGE REPLACED BATTERY AND STILL UNABLE TO START. NEEDED TO REPLACE TIMING BELT, TENSIONER PULLEY, WATER PUMP, ENGINE SHORT BLOCK AND HEADS. CAR WITH ONLY 4088 MILES, NO S/S OF ISSUE PRIOR TO INCIDENT, ETC. GARAGE NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED ISSUE, BEST GUESS IS MANUFACTURE DEFECT IN TIMING BELT. I ASKED TO END LEASE OR FOR NEW VEHICLE, BUT ACURA DENI…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,088 miles reported. Look up ODI 11182028 at NHTSA ↗

WINDSHIELD DISTORTION NEAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT PILLARS CAUSING OBJECTS TO BE PERCEIVED INCORRECTLY ALONG WITH MOMENTARY DISORIENTATION WHEN TRYING TO DETERMINE THE ACTUAL POSITION OF OBJECTS WHEN ROUNDING CURVES OR BENDS IN THE ROAD. MAJOR CONCERN IS FOR OBJECTS SUCH AS, OTHER VEHICLES, KIDS, ADULTS, ANIMALS NOT BEING PERCEIVED PROPERLY AND IN TIME TO AVOID A COLLISION.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11183121 at NHTSA ↗

I PURCHASED A 2019 ACURA MDX TWO DAYS AGO AND NOTICED TODAY THAT THERE IS OPTICAL DISTORTION ON FRONT WINDSHIELD. CLEARLY THE DISTORTIONS AFFECT MY VISIBILITY. THE OBJECTS THROUGH DISTORTED WINDSHIELD APPEAR BENT/CURVED. I FEEL DIZZINESS AND NAUSEA FROM THE OBJECT DISTORTIONS. I WOULDN'T PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE IF I KNEW MDX HAS THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM FOR LONG TIME. SAFETY IS MY TOP PRIORITY SINCE I HAVE THREE CHILDREN.

Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11191287 at NHTSA ↗

RECENTLY PURCHASED A NEW 2019 MDX AND THE FRONT WINDSHIELD IS SEVERELY DISTORTED. THIS IS OCCURRING ALONG A WIDE BAND NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE PILLARS. OBJECTS SUCH AS VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS APPEAR WAVY AND SEVERELY DISTORTED WHILE DRIVING. IT IS VERY EVIDENT WHEN TURNING OR AT BENDS IN ROADS THAT REQUIRE LOOKING ACROSS THE VEHICLE. IT ALSO CAUSES DIFFICULTIES WHILE AT AN INTERSECTION AND CHECKING FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WHEN DRIVING AND LOOKING THROUGH THESE PORTIONS OF THE WINDSHIELD IT CAUSES BLURRED PERCEPTION, MOMENTAR…

Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 11204904 at NHTSA ↗

THEIR INFLATABLE SEALANT DOES NOT WORK. WE WERE ON THE ROAD AND HAD A FLAT, PULLED OVER GOT THE COMPRESSOR OUT HOOKED TO FLAT ALL THAT HAPPENED WAS AIR BLOWING OUT THE HOLE IN THE TIRE. BY THE GRACE OF GOD A MAN STOPPED AND HE WAS A TIRE REPAIR MAN THAT WAS GOING TO ACALL ON A BIG TRUCK TIRE PROBLEM HE PATCHED OUR TIRE AND INFLATED IT AND WE WERE ON OUR WAY HOME. WHAT IF HE DID NOT COME ALONG, WE WERE IN AN AREA WITH POOR PHONE RECEPTION, MY WIFE FINALLY GOT WITH ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY WERE GOING TO SEND SOMEONE TO TOW IT TO CLOSEST DEALE…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11205446 at NHTSA ↗

BREAKING LIGHT GOES ON AND THE BRAKE GETS STUCK AND MAKES A GRASPING NOISE LIKE SOMETHING IS GRINDING AND THE PEDAL IS STUCK DOWN.

Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11209628 at NHTSA ↗

THE ANTI COLLISION SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE AND IT'S PUTTING MY FAMILY AT RISK. IT SLAMS ON BREAKS BY ITSELF WITHOUT ANY OBSTACLE IN FRONT. IT STARTED HAPPENING MORE AND MORR FREQUENTLY. CALLED THE ACURA DEALRSHIP AND THEY CLAIM IT'S NORMAL AND THE CAR WOULD BREAK FOR ANY PERCEIVED OBSTACLE IN FRONT OF IT.

Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11209745 at NHTSA ↗

THE FRONT WINDSHIELD IS DISTORTED ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE, PILLAR AREAS. WHEN LOOKING THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AT THESE POINTS, THE GLASS IS EXTREMELY DISTORTED AND CAUSES NAUSEA. THIS PORTION OF THE GLASS IS UNAVOIDABLE AS YOU NEED TO VIEW THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD IN ORDER TO CHECK FOR PEDESTRIANS, VEHICLES, OR OTHER OBJECTS. IT APPEARS THIS IS A FLAW WITH MANY OF THE 2019 ACURA MDX'S AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED APPROPRIATELY.

Owner-reported narrative. 12 miles reported. Look up ODI 11222057 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2018-11-01 (November 1, 2018)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Acura MDX, 2017-2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda HR-V and Honda Odyssey, and 2016 Honda HR-V vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating, causing gas pockets to form, reducing brake performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Consequence: A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Owners will be notified, and Honda or Acura dealers will bleed the brakes, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are C31 and L30.

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.

Reported: 2019-04-12 (April 12, 2019)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura MDX and Honda Pilot vehicles and 2019 Acura RLX, RLX Sport Hybrid, TLX and Honda Odyssey and Ridgeline vehicles. The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt.

Consequence: Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected timing belt free of charge. Vehicles receiving a replacement timing belt will also have the engine inspected and any damaged components will be replaced for free. The recall began June 7, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is L4M. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is Z4L.

Reported: 2021-03-25 (March 25, 2021)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure 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: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.

Reported: 2023-11-13 (November 13, 2023)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.

Consequence: A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-December 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early April 2024, 2019 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-May 2024, 2020 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-June 2024, and 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed January 27, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XG1 and GG0.

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.

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.

Reported: 2026-05-21 (May 21, 2026)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

Consequence: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

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.