CSR

Acura · NHTSA safety record

2015 Acura MDX

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 71 safety complaints about the 2015 Acura MDX with the US government. Of those, 5 describe a crash, 2 mention a fire, 9 people were injured and no death is recorded. 8 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 15 complaints, 21% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 23,000 miles, the median across the 51 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers October 2014 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

71 complaints on file

71

Complaints

5

Describe a crash

2

Mention fire

9

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15 · 21%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 14 · 20%
POWER TRAIN 12 · 17%
STEERING 8 · 11%
STRUCTURE 8 · 11%
ENGINE 7 · 10%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 6 · 8%
SERVICE BRAKES 6 · 8%
AIR BAGS 4 · 6%
SUSPENSION 4 · 6%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 2 · 3%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2 · 3%
0 8 15

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 71.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2015 at 15.

16 12 8 4
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2014 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2015 Acura MDX, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test SUV AWD SUV FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 16.4% 16.4%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

8 on file

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

26V365000 · June 4, 2026

The defect
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.
The risk
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.
The 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.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 880,514 vehicles across all model years covered

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

25V259000 · April 17, 2025

The defect
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.
The risk
Vehicle lights that fail to illuminate can decrease visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 152,800 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

23V858000 · December 18, 2023

The defect
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.
The risk
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 2,490,460 vehicles across all model years covered

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

19V256000 · March 28, 2019

The defect
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.
The risk
Loss of the taillights reduces the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
The 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.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 322,897 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

16V417000 · June 9, 2016

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura MDX 2WD and MDX 4WD vehicles, 2016 Acura MDX 4WD vehicles, 2015-2016 Honda Odyssey vehicles, and 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD and 4WD vehicles. The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that were manufactured with insufficient welds which may separate and allow fuel to leak out.
The risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
The remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tanks, free of charge. Owners may contact Honda/Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. The recall began on July 29, 2016. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA9 (Honda vehicles) and KB0 (Acura vehicles).

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 39 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

15V417000 · July 1, 2015

The defect
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.
The risk
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.
The 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.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 106,439 vehicles across all model years covered

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: CRASH IMMINENT BRAKING

15V301000 · May 20, 2015

The defect
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.
The risk
If the CMBS unexpectedly applies emergency braking force while driving, there is an increased risk of a crash.
The 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.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 19,502 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS

14V639000 · October 10, 2014

The defect
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.
The risk
A seatbelt that does not function increases the risk of injury in a crash.
The 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.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 43,481 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

3 injured · crash · towed · 12,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE HEADREST DETACHED FROM THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE THREE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM NECK AND BACK INJURIES. THE PASSENGER WAS PREGNANT AND THE EXTENT OF HER INJURIES WERE UNKNOWN. THE REAR PASSENGER INJURED HIS SHOULDER, BACK, AND NECK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA complaint 10870341. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

2 injured · crash · 2,000 miles

UPON ENTERING A T-INTERSECTION WITH A STOP SIGN AT THE END OF OUR STREET THE BRAKES OF A 2015 ACURA MDX SH AWD WITH ONLY 2000 MILES WOULD NOT ENGAGE. WE WERE TRAVELING AT 50MPH AND DECREASED OUR SPEED TO 30MPH AS WE WERE COASTING, BUT COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE BRAKES WERE PUMPED TWICE AS WE DECELERATED (SO REST ASSURED THE GAS PEDAL WAS NOT BEING PRESSED BY MISTAKE), BUT TO NO AVAIL AND WITH NO WHERE TO GO AND NOT ENOUGH TIME TO DO MUCH MORE WE COLLIDED WITH A SEMI TRUCK. IT WAS A HORRIFIC ACCIDENT THAT TOTALED OUR CAR AS THE SECOND TRAILER TIRES RAN OVER OUR HOOD AS HE WAS DRIVING AT 60MPH. LUCKILY DUE TO HIS HIGH SPEED OUR VEHICLE WAS THROWN AND WE LANDED UPRIGHT AND ALL

NHTSA complaint 10678942, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

1 injured · crash · towed · 141,000 miles

The contact owned a 2015 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while exiting the car wash parking lot, the vehicle was in neutral. The contact entered the vehicle. The contact attempted to shift the gear into drive, however the gear shifter was inoperable and did not move. The contact stated the vehicle independently accelerated and was unstoppable. The vehicle crossed a busy parking lot, the vehicle went up two embankments, crashed into a lamp pool, and then into a tree before coming to a complete stop. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. All the air bags deployed. The contact sustained several injuries and received medical attention at the local

NHTSA complaint 11571677, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash

2015 ACURA MDX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED DURING COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT.*JB

NHTSA complaint 10860763. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
I am reporting a manufacturer's failure to provide a safe remedy for recall 26V365000 (Rear Subframe Corrosion) on my 2015 Acura MDX. Acura Client Relations explicitly stated they cannot confirm if my vehicle is safe or unsafe to drive without an inspection by an authorized Acura dealer. Despite admitting they cannot confirm its safety, they completely refused to provide towing accommodations or a safe local inspection option. I live in [XXX], and the nearest Acura dealership is over 3 hours away. Acura is requiring me to drive a vehicle that they themselves refuse to certify as safe for a 3+ hour highway trip just to receive a legally mandated safety inspection. This is an immediate public

NHTSA complaint 11766680, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
My 2015 AcuraMDX engine seized while driving creating an unsafe condition as it occurred on a busy roadway. I suspect a rod bearing failure. It has been reported to Honda. The same parts listed in the 2015 RDX recall are used in my MDX but the 2015 is not part of the recall. My engine had a knock and had taken it for inspection at an independent Honda specialist. I had learned that the recall covers the 2015 model year for the Acura TLX, the official recall documentation only includes the 2016–2020 model years for the Acura MDX. There were no check engine lights prior to the stall and seizure of the engine.

NHTSA complaint 11750652. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I saw previous warning when I pulled my credit report on Experian, but I am not seeing any recalls currently. My driver side taillight is malfunctioning. It appears there is a problem with the seal which is allowing water to get inside the assembly, causing it to short out. I realize this vehicle is a 2015 but thought I would mention in case this is still an issue under recall.

NHTSA complaint 11728195. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

167,000 miles

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2015 Acura MDX. It was later discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 82,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 167,000.

NHTSA complaint 11720021. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

215,000 miles

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2015 Acura MDX. The contact stated that upon retrieving the Carfax report of the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 105,000, and the mileage on the Carfax report was 215,000 in July 2025. The MVA was contacted and referred the contact to the Police Department, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance.

NHTSA complaint 11700325. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
All of a sudden the brakes are automatically applied with collision avoidance amber coming on dash heads up display while I am on freeway approximate speed 30-40 mph with no apparent vehicle in front.this has also happened at lower speeds in local driving roads.Braking is pretty severe and dangerous could be rear ended by other vehicles ..This is a Collision mitigating system falsely coming on with no vehicle in front very dangerous.It has happened about 3 times intermittently. Taking in vehicle to local Acura dealer on 24 th June 2025 for check up

NHTSA complaint 11667443. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Acura MDX

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 7 1 —
2025 107 3 —
2024 40 2 —
2023 39 2 —
2022 153 2 —
2020 221 8 —
2019 188 9 —
2018 168 10 —
2017 256 8 —
2016 374 7 —
2014 170 8 —
2013 30 1 —
2012 76 1 —
2011 70 0 —
2010 45 1 —

Other 2015 Acura models

RDX 412 TLX 342 ILX 19 RLX 11

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Acura on this site — 73 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst