2022 Acura MDX

Began to notice a knocking noise from lower engine compartment in late May 2026. No warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms. Dealer (Zimbrick Acura, Middleton WI) confirmed on 06/30/26 that noise was coming from transmission assembly. Dealer identified that the transmission was leaking fluid from the output shaft seal, and upon disassembly identified that the interfacing splines between the transmission and the rear wheel drive power take off unit (PTU) were failing. Dealer ultimately replaced transmission and PTU. This is the same issue as described in a previous petition (no. 11712885) but was identified prior to complete loss of all-wheel drive.

Reported

Jul 2026

Incident date

Jun 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Humming noise from drivetrain. Took vehicle to Acura dealer and was diagnosed as: Loss of all wheel drive due to interfacing spline failure between transmission and transfer case resulting in only front wheel drive. Found open investigation NHTSA with other vehicles experiencing the same failure. DP26001

Reported

Jul 2026

Incident date

Jul 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The car made a clunk sound while driving and wouldn't accelerate. After coming to a stop and trying to take off, the car still had difficulty accelerating. After turning the car off and back on everything appeared fine. The loss of acceleration was unexpected and there were no warning lights or indication of an issue. The lack of ability to accelerate along with the clunk sound caused unnecessary safety risks by not allowing the car to maneuver out of danger and disrupting the flow of traffic unexpectedly. The car then began leaking oil. The Acura dealership noted that the oil was transmission and power transfer unit oil and the car no longer has all wheel drive but only front wheel drive. The loss of all wheel drive without any indication or warning is a serious safety issue because it affects all aspects of drivability (handling, acceleration, traction). They said over time the splines of the power transfer unit input shaft rust and then sheer off which causes metal to damage the transmission seal and power transfer unit seal. The service manager said this was a known issue due to bad engineering and there is no way to prevent it. The vehicle is unchanged since the incident and can be inspected.

Reported

Jul 2026

Incident date

Jun 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The contact owns a 2022 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, there was an abnormal vibration coming from the front passenger’s side of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The abnormal vibration persisted, and there was a grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the power transfer case spline had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall, and the vehicle was not under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

Reported

Jul 2026

Incident date

Apr 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Transfer case splines completely sheared off. No warning lights, nothing. Car is operating in in a 2 wheel drive configuration. Now need new Transmission, new transfer case, new differential. Can provide dealer videos detailing situation if requested.

Reported

Jul 2026

Incident date

Jun 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The contact owns a 2022 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving at various speeds exceeding 30 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended upon depression of the accelerator pedal; however, the RPMs increased. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. No further information was available. The failure mileage was 60,000.

Reported

Jul 2026

Incident date

Jul 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

My transfer case and transmission splines stripped out as I was leaving a parking lot on a rainy day... i heard a bang... went to dealer, they confirmed drive shift to rear wheels not turning. Today July 3rd 2026, my MDX-2022 With 92k miles is at the Acura dealer... I fortunately have an Acura Precision warranty.... which will cover my repair...

Reported

Jul 2026

Incident date

Jun 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The malfunction was both rear drains from the sunroof were clogged and possibly kinked. The dealership might still have the components but did not give us access to them. The clog caused the water to enter the vehicle and accumulate. In addition to wet carpeting, an electrical component shorted and failed damaging the Infotainment system. If this had happened during vehicle operation with water moving around, electrical systems could suddenly fail while driving. The vehicle was inspected by the insurance adjustor but was deemed a maintenance issue even though there exist no maintenance instructions or dealership directives for maintenance or inspections. Owner maintenance would not be possible as special tools would be needed without which damage to the drain lines might occur. There was no warning, messaging, or instructions that maintenance was necessary for this item or that it could fail. The first sign was the sound of sloshing water in the vehicle during driving and the failure of the infotainment system. As a remedy, the dealership insisted on replacing the drain lines rather than cleaning them out, which implies that either the dealership was creating extra work for themselves or the drain line could not easily be cleaned.

Reported

Jun 2026

Incident date

Jun 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Component or system failure: AWD - All wheel drive failure, dealership stated the transcase is leaking causing the failure. Safety: this has impacted the vehicles traction, especially on wet roads Reproduced: the dealer found the issue and reproduced it Inspected: yes, by the dealer Warning lamps or messages: None 2022 MDX Advance

Reported

Jun 2026

Incident date

Jun 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Noticed fluid was leaking from bottom of car. Took to dealership and they found the transmission output shaft was twisted leading to destruction of transmission seals leading to fluid leak. They recommend full replacement of the transmission and transfer case. It appears NHTSA is already investing this known problem for the 2022 mdx where the transfer case fails and the vehicle loses its AWD function and becomes a FWD car.

Reported

Jun 2026

Incident date

Jun 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

MY VEHICLE 2022 ACURA TYPE S HAS A TRANSMISSION SYSTEM PROBLEM, BLIND SPOT INFO PROBLEM, AND A ALL WHEEL DRIVE PROBLEM THAT ONLY MY FRONT WHEE;S MAY BE POWERED. IT LOOKS LIKE THE TRANSFER CASE MAYBE FAILING. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 25,000 MILES ON IT AND IS ABOUT TO BE OUT OF WARRANTY

Reported

Jun 2026

Incident date

Jun 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

My 2022 Acura AWD MDX with 95795 miles lost the power to the rear wheels. The spline between the transmission and the transfer case stripped. The transmission and transfer case had to be replaced for $14,442.37. I had Assurant for extended warranty, and they reluctantly paid most of the repair. The shop said this was the first non-turbo (sport) model they have heard of breaking. I believe there are several complaints filed about this issue. I'm retired and travel a fair amount in the mountains.

Reported

Jun 2026

Incident date

Apr 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

I accelerated from a complete stop and heard a loud bang from the transmission at 10 mph. No warning lights came on, but car now only operating in front wheel drive mode instead of AWD. Front wheels will spin under hard accelerating confirming loss of power to rear wheels. Local mechanic confirmed issue by putting vehicle on lift and showing rear drive shaft spins freely. This is a know issues for this vehicle and NHTSA has open investigation into splines connecting transmission to transfer case sheering off under load. Investigation Number 11712885.. This should result in a recall for Acura at no cost to customer.

Reported

Jun 2026

Incident date

Jun 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Driveshaft spinning freely no power transfer , vehicle is currently all-wheel-drive condition indicate severe connections between transmission and transfer case . both components are damaged vehicle need replacement of transmission and transfer case . Serviced at McGrath Acura Morton mGrove, Illinois. 06/19/26

Reported

Jun 2026

Incident date

Jun 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

My power steering has went out while I was driving at least 4 times in the past year. I contacted the dealer each time they say they've never heard of this happening. I took it in they couldn't replicate the issue so no fix although the codes were stored. All the warning lights came on braking, steering, lane departure, lane keeping, parking etc. It happened again today each time by 1 year old was in the car. They say if it happens while the dealership is open bring it. But it's always happened after hours. I was able to stop car each time turn off then back on and its fine. I even replaced the battery last year thinking that would fix the issue and it didn't. I'm not sure what else to do but I don't feel safe driving the car with my baby in it anymore. I deleted the pictures by mistake but I found where a rdx had the same issue I'll attach the codes that came up.

Reported

Jun 2026

Incident date

Jun 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Design flow at the CORROSION BUILT UPAT SENSOR CONNECTOR. Water gets in and corrodes connector. Causing over $8000 in repairs for the following: COMPLETE FLOOR WIRE HARNESS EXTENDING TO STROKE SENSORS- CORROSION BUILT UPAT SENSOR CONNECTOR CAUSING FAULT IN FLOOR HARNESS.

Reported

Jun 2026

Incident date

May 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

MDX back sunroof drains cracked causing the car to flood. The water came into the back hatch and also damaged the amp to the speaker system. All of the Carpet had to be pulled out of the car. This car is only four years old. Luckily, I caught it because my whole back hatch was full of water, but this could’ve caused mold and serious health problems. I have found 100’s of reviews on many different online portals stating this is a common problem with a 22 to 25 MDX. I just bought this car a year and a half ago used and I have to now put another $5500 into it. I did buy the extended warranty, but they are saying this is not included in that. From what I’m seeing on Acura MDX group pages this is an extremely common problem that’s costing people a lot of money. There is no way apart should be breaking this easily in a car that’s four years old, especially a luxury car such as the MDX advance.

Reported

Jun 2026

Incident date

May 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The component system that has failed is the Front Diff/Transmission area. Driveshaft spinning freely in park with rotations to rear wheel. I was driving home and heard a noise that sounded like something broke. Immediately pulled over and had Vehicle towed. I had my kids and husband in the vehicle with me. I'm glad we weren't driving on the highway. The vehicle was brought to Friendly Acura in Middletown, NY. They were able to diagnose the problem. I had an aftermarket warranty (Endurance Warranty Co.) awesome refused to pay for my vehicle starting it was a "pre-existing" condition. When I tried to explain to them this was not the case, they still wouldn't approve my claim after my vehicle was at Acura for 5 weeks and having 2 of their inspectors come out. Due to the amount of the repair (approximately $15,000), I am unable to pay for this repair. I had Acura out my vehicle back together and the vehicle is currently sitting in my drive way. There were no warning lights at any time prior, during or after failure of components.

Reported

Jun 2026

Incident date

Apr 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

I was driving down the highway and a passerby notified me that my car was smoking. There were no indicators on the car notifying me of any issue. We pulled over and saw the car was leaking oil heavily. When taken to the dealership, they notified us that there was a leak in the transfer/transmission case and the whole transfer case would need to be replaced. The car is well maintained and had been recently serviced and no issues came up. It's very scary that there were no indicators of issues on the dashboard and my family and I could have been endangered while driving on our family vacation. Acura knows of this transfer case issue and has had to replace many of them in recent MDXs. This is a safety issue that needs to be investigated immediately.

Reported

Jun 2026

Incident date

May 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The vehicle's all wheel drive system has malfunctioned at 77,000 miles with a known all wheel drive system issue. Because we are 7k beyond the power train warranty, Acura is not wanting to cover the repair even though this is a known issue.

Reported

Jun 2026

Incident date

Jun 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Reporting an additional case in support of ongoing defect petition investigation DP26001. 2022 Acura MDX Type S SH-AWD, currently at 63,700 miles. While driving and making a turn, I heard a grinding noise with no warning lights illuminated. I stopped immediately and shut off the engine but noticed no abnormality. I restarted the vehicle and drove with no further issues or noises. Later, during a scheduled oil change, I discovered that the area between the transmission and PTU was covered in oil. The Acura dealership diagnosed a bad PTU seal and replaced the PTU under powertrain warranty, but completely disregarded my concern regarding investigation DP26001 and the known issue with stripped splines. The leak was repaired, but several weeks later while driving in the rain, the vehicle felt very unstable during acceleration on wet pavement. I raised the vehicle on a lift and engaged drive to inspect AWD function. The rear wheels were not spinning while the front wheels were, and the driveshaft was also stationary. When I brought this to the dealership’s attention, they stated this is normal SH-AWD behavior — however, I have personally observed all four wheels spinning under identical conditions in another Acura of the same model and configuration. I am confident the transmission-to-PTU splines are stripped and am escalating this to Acura corporate for further investigation.

Reported

Jun 2026

Incident date

Mar 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Under medium acceleration vehicle shuddered a lot. Currently it’s only driven by the front wheels and it will torque steer a lot. I’m assuming my splines are stripped to transfer case. Thankfully, I am under warranty and I’m going to get this repaired.

Reported

May 2026

Incident date

May 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

My wife has felt for quite some time that the traction on our 2022 Acura MDX is lacking. She first attributed it to tires, but after replacing them in November of 2024 she said that the issue was still present. She mentioned it to the Service Advisor at Bloomington Acura but we don't recall the exact timing of that and don't have a record of it. In February of 2026, while driving in snowy conditions we arrived at a vacation property. In driving up the driveway, the MDX got stuck. We got out of the car to try to push it and noticed that the rear wheels weren't rotating (I would expect them to on an AWD vehicle when the front wheels spin). We were able to put wood pieces under the front tires and get the vehicle up the driveway. We reported it to the dealer, who told us that if there were no warning lights there was no issue. We asked if they could test it because AWD wasn't working. We didn't get far but asked during a recent oil change if they could test the AWD. We had to push for that but they did test. They indicated that the rear drive rotated freely, indicating that "splines" between the transmission and transfer case had failed and it would cost $14,000 to repair (our MDX is now beyond the mileage threshold of the power train warranty. I then researched and learned that this issue is under NHTSA investigation DP26001. Customers don't have a reasonable way to know that AWD isn't working; we have brought it up previously with no way of "proving" that it isn't working (no warning lights). We believe that Acura should extend the power train warranty and repair our vehicle. The dealer let us know that they have another customer with the same issue right now. I don't believe that dealers file reports to NHTSA and imagine this issue is bigger than the number of complaints filed. AWD isn't needed by many, but it affects our safety in snowy conditions.

Reported

May 2026

Incident date

Feb 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

My 2022 MDX purchased new in 2021 experienced an unexpected loss of AWD functionality at 5 years old with 77000 miles when the splines of the transfer case sheared with the transmission. The failure reverted the car to FWD and became very easy to lose traction in anything but ideal road conditions. There were no signs of this failure. No warning lights, no indication on the AWD power distribution monitor, and no sounds or other indications. I rigorously followed all maintenance schedules and performed all regularly scheduled maintenance at the Acura dealership. There have been numerous times when I am attempting to accelerate from a stop while turning onto a busy road where the unexpected loss in traction resulted in me nearly causing an accident. I took in my vehicle for service on 5/22/26 and they confirmed the issue is the transfer case spline failure as noted by many other Acura SH-AWD vehicles with the active NHTSA investigation. I would like to add my complaint to that filing and highlight the insidious danger that comes with the failure when the vehicle suddenly does not perform as expected. Given that my vehicle was barely behind the powertrain warranty period when the failure occured, I am now expected to cover an enormous bill that covers the replacement of the transmission and transfer case.

Reported

May 2026

Incident date

Mar 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

When about to make a left turn since oncoming traffic on to highway I hit the gas quickly after stopping and heard a loud bang. Drove till I got off the highway at a red light I hit the gas and noticed the front wheels was spinning and realized it wasn't a awd. Took it the dealer and they realzied the driveshaft was spinning by hand.

Reported

May 2026

Incident date

Dec 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

I am submitting this complaint regarding my 2022 Acura MDX Advance, currently with 71,007 miles. After completing the standard transmission fluid service around the 60,000-mile maintenance interval, I began noticing abnormal drivetrain/transmission behavior that was not present before. At times, the vehicle feels as if the transmission is slipping, hesitating, or failing to transfer power smoothly. Acceleration can feel delayed, uneven, or weaker than normal, and on some occasions the vehicle seems to surge or accelerate slightly in a way that does not feel consistent with normal pedal input. This is a safety concern because the vehicle may not respond predictably when accelerating from a stop, merging, passing, or driving at highway speeds. A delay, slip, surge, or loss of expected acceleration could increase the risk of a crash, especially in traffic. The symptoms appear to involve the transmission, drivetrain, torque converter, transfer case, software calibration, or related components, but I am requesting a proper investigation to determine the actual cause. My concern is that this issue could worsen or affect other 2022 Acura MDX vehicles if it reflects a broader defect. I am requesting that NHTSA document this complaint and review whether 2022 Acura MDX models may have a safety-related issue that can cause slipping, hesitation, surging, delayed acceleration, or loss of expected power after normal maintenance. Acura should evaluate whether owners need inspection, repair, software updates, or other corrective action.

Reported

May 2026

Incident date

May 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

My car was purchased from Impex Auto Greensboro, Nc one owner with 71,000. The car fax never stated any major accidents or damage. March 2026 after having my car for 1.5 years I now need a new transmission that costs $15k. I filed a Goodwill claim with Acura since all warranty’s have expired and I did not purchase an extension. The claim was denied and I’m responsible for the repair of a 4 year old car’s transmission.

Reported

May 2026

Incident date

Apr 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

I am writing to report a severe manufacturing defect and safety hazard on my vehicle. The interior door panel trim has completely delaminated and peeled away from the door structure, creating an exposed, razor-sharp edge right near the door handle/window switches. This is a major safety hazard ("Safety Hazard") that poses a severe laceration risk ("Severe Laceration Risk") to any passenger or child attempting to open the door or touch the door panel. I have clear photo documentation of this sharp metal/plastic piece protruding dangerously out. I would like to request Acura Client Relations to look into this manufacturing defect immediately and provide a resolution/goodwill repair before a severe injury occurs. Please contact me via email to review the photos. Thank you.

Reported

May 2026

Incident date

May 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

I own a 2022 Acura MDX SH-AWD with approximately 85,000 miles. The issue began suddenly while driving around 5 mph when two loud bangs were heard from the rear drivetrain/transfer case area. After the initial incident, the vehicle was driven home, and the problem became consistently noticeable during any acceleration from a stop or low speed. The drivetrain would clunk/slip during acceleration and exhibited abnormal engagement behavior. Due to concern about causing further drivetrain damage or a potential safety issue, the vehicle was subsequently towed to an Acura dealer for diagnosis. The Acura dealer confirmed that both the transfer case and transmission require replacement due to “worn teeth on splines.” The repair estimate specifically states: “REPLACE TRANSFER CASE AND TRANSMISSION DUE TO WORN TEETH ON SPLINES.” Estimated repair cost is approximately $11,400. I have photographs and repair documentation related to the failure. This failure created a potential safety concern because the drivetrain was no longer operating normally and produced loud clunking/slipping during acceleration from stops and low speeds. A drivetrain or power transfer failure could increase the risk of loss of propulsion or inability to accelerate normally into traffic. The issue was reproduced and confirmed by the Acura dealer. The vehicle has been regularly maintained, including drivetrain fluid services, through Acura/Honda service facilities. There were no warning lights, dashboard messages, or electronic indications before or after the failure event. The only indication was the loud banging noise from the drivetrain/transfer case area and the resulting abnormal drivetrain behavior during acceleration. The service manager also indicated they had seen several similar cases involving this issue.

Reported

May 2026

Incident date

May 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The contact owns a 2022 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the all-wheel drive (AWD) system became inoperable. The contact stated that when attempting to engage the AWD function, the system failed to operate and the vehicle would transition into four-wheel drive operation. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for further assistance and advised the contact not to contact the manufacturer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

Reported

May 2026

Incident date

May 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Iam having numerous problems with the start stop function of my 2022 MDX. See attached letter and documentation for full details. I also attached the documentation from my dealership for the repair order history. There have been numerous of times that this problem occurred that I didn't bring it in for service. The dealership acknowledges that there is a problem, but they are unable to correct. They also have told me that they know of this problem with the Acura MDX, but there is still no recall.

Reported

Apr 2026

Incident date

Dec 1969

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

—The floor harness has failed due to poor design & location of the harness as it creates a trap for moisture. —Yes, this component is available for inspection upon request. —The safety of myself was in moderate jeopardy due to the air struts malfunctioning. —Yes, the problem has been reproduced by a dealer. —To my knowledge, the vehicle or component has NOT been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representative or others. —Yes, there were warning lamps & error messages appearing on the daahboard. These error messages & warning lamps would appear anywhere from 15-30 minutes after vehicle was in motion.

Reported

Apr 2026

Incident date

Mar 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Transfer case failure limiting all wheel drive system. Needs new transmission and transfer case at 83000 miles.

Reported

Apr 2026

Incident date

Apr 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Emissions System Failure Warning Power Shifting / Power Shifting See Dealer All Wheel Drive (AWD) Power may be reduced - see dealer

Reported

Apr 2026

Incident date

Apr 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

On April 17 2026 while driving my 2022 Acura MDX at very low speed in a parking lot, the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward without warning and surged into bushes before I could stop it. I did not mistake the gas for the brake pedal. This felt like a sudden unintended acceleration event. I was preparing to park in a stall and the vehicle lunged forward unexpectedly. I applied the brake, but the braking did not immediately stop the forward surge. Earlier, I experienced another unusual event in which the vehicle abruptly auto-braked, jerked, and made a warning sound while I was slowing for a red light. I noticed the car felt as if it was surging a bit on residential streets and was about to mention it during the next service. This incident has caused me to lose confidence in the safety of the vehicle. I contacted Niello Acura who has been very cooperative. I was told the issue would need to be duplicated or that they could only inspect it if a code had been stored once the car is repaired. The car is currently being repaired with close to 7,000 in front end damage. I am reporting this because a sudden unintended acceleration presents a serious safety risk and could easily have caused a more severe crash or injury. I did research on this issue and have found various reports of unintended accelerations in the Acura MDX forums from various years but was unable to find any recalls or outcomes with these reports My concern is this will be dismissed as "operator error" or a phantom incident that cannot be reproduced.

Reported

Apr 2026

Incident date

Apr 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

Crash

Issues with the sunroof frame. I've notice popping from the car roof Acura is aware of this issue they've put out a bulletin but only covering cars that have less than 50k miles and are under 4 years old. After researching I see a lot of people are having similar issues where the screws come lose and the sunroof frame breaks causing some sunroof to shatter.

Reported

Apr 2026

Incident date

Dec 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

RIGHT AND LEFT REAR STROKE SENSOR AND AFTER MARKET CONNECTOR WITH PIGTAILS FOUND CORROSION NEE REAR STROKE SENSOR CONNECTOR CAUSING DTC C1646-F0=== $872.13 right + $872.13 left They are using after market parts with this new Suspension system for Acuras MDX TYPE S. Any car wash or rain storm or snow storm this parts gets corrosion!

Reported

Apr 2026

Incident date

Apr 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Complete drivetrain failure while accelerating from a complete stop in the middle of a busy intersection. No warning lights or hazard messages were activated before or after the failure. The car made a massive clunking/banging sound and continued to clunk on acceleration. The car had to be towed to the dealership. My children were in the car with me, and we had just driven on the highway for 45 minutes before this failure. Luckily, my husband was behind me, and I activated hazards until I could pull over safely. It was jerking and clunking so badly that I was barely able to steer. It was terrifying since my two young children were in the car, and they were both screaming from the noise. I believe I would have been rear-ended if my husband had not been behind me due to the sudden jerk from the failure, as I was the first car in the left turn lane. This is not the first issue I have had with the transfer case in this vehicle. The affected transfer case and drive train were replaced only 7 months prior due to a faulty transfer case and a severe clunking sound. This vehicle has had repeated drivetrain failures without warning, resulting in loss of traction and control. The recent failure reflects a completely stripped spline connecting the transfer case and transmission. This will be the 4th transfer case this vehicle has had at only 64K miles. All recommended maintenance and care have been completed at the certified Acura dealership since the vehicle was purchased. Recently, the 60K services were completed just 3 months prior to the current failure. The vehicle is currently at the dealership for repairs under warranty, as it needs a new transmission and another transfer case. I have not yet received the documentation, as the car is not in my possession, but I will provide it once I receive it. See the attached documentation from the previous failure, dated 6/3/2025, to establish a pattern of catastrophic drivetrain failure.

Reported

Apr 2026

Incident date

Apr 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

I was at a stop light, when the lights turned green, I accelerated and heard a loud bang underneath the vehicle. The sound was so loud I thought I had been rear ended. I got out to inspect the vehicle and did not see any damages. I got back into the vehicle and put it in drive to get to the closed gas station. When I started driving, I heard clunking sounds underneath vehicle. I put on my hazards and drove slow. After about 50-100 ft the clunking sounds went away. No lights on the dash or anything. I then got vehicle towed to my father’s shop to inspect what was going or what happened due to not feeling safe driving. One of his employees looked up the cause of the noise and had found that the differential splines or transfer case would strip and cause a loud bang. Which happens on a lot of these acuras. He put vehicle on lift, and put it into drive. The front wheels would spin, but not the rear wheels. He said that indicates the transfer case is bad

Reported

Apr 2026

Incident date

Apr 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The AWD system failed and now its only FWD

Reported

Apr 2026

Incident date

Apr 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Experienced loss of all wheel drive with no notification, warning lights, etc. Vehicle is only in front wheel drive. Issue caused the vehicle to perform very poorly in inclement weather and myself, wife and children became stuck in the snow. The problem has been confirmed with Acura dealership. Currently it is in the shop awaiting further info.

Reported

Apr 2026

Incident date

Aug 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Asymmetrical wear on the front brakes. The outer pad wears out completely while the inner pad( with the brake wear sensor) shows almost no wear. The dealer (Park Place Acura, Plano Texas) brought this to my attention on November 3, 2025 saying only the front pads needed replacing but did not disclose the asymmetrical wear. I took the vehicle back to the Dealer January 15, 2026 for repair after discovering the asymmetrical pad wear and pointed that out to them. The brakes can completely wear to the backing plate on the outer pad while showing no wear issues with the brake sensor on the inner pad. This condition creates an unpredictable and uneven braking response that constitutes a safety defect, as the brake wear indicator system fails to alert the driver to actual brake wear on the outer pad. The brake wear sensor is designed assuming symmetrical pad wear. When wear is asymmetrical, the sensor fails to trigger a warning, leaving the driver unaware of a dangerous condition. The dealer has finally replaced the pads and rotors, symptoms of the problem but, has not addressed the underlying cause of the problem...the calipers. I have received the vehicle back from the dealer but did not sign a release and the issue remains open. The vehicle currently has approximately 29,400 miles. I have taken this issue to Acura corporate(Honda Motor Company) and they have it under review but keep delaying with no confirmed resolution. I sent a certified letter to American Honda Motor Company, Acura client relations on February 3, 2026 and they signed for it on February 11, 2026 and contacted me by email on March 11,2026. Acura took 28 days to respond to my certified letter and has provided no resolution timeline since.The vehicle was under the original manufacturers warranty at the time of this issue and notification.

Reported

Apr 2026

Incident date

Nov 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The component that malfunctioned was the transfer case, the vehicle was already repaired so an inspection isn't possible anymore. The vehicle behaved as normal until the accelerator was pressed enough to make the front wheels lose traction, in which the vehicle couldn't send power to the rear, because the transfer case was shredded up. When needing to accelerate quickly in traffic, the vehicle would completely spin up the front tires, not being able to put the power down. The dealer reproduced the problem, but initially stated that it was most likely due to the salt on the road (it was winter). As spring arrived, the problem still persisted, in which the dealer checked the transfer case and found it was shredded. They replaced the transmission and transfer case under warranty. There were no warning lights, but accelerating quickly would cause the car to spin up the front tires uncontrollably. In corners, this meant severe understeer that could be dangerous in the wrong circumstances.

Reported

Mar 2026

Incident date

Dec 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

My vehicle stopped handling as it usually had and I at a significant decrease in traction and slid off the road and slammed into a road sign. No injuries but significant damage to the vehicle. It seemed as though the all-wheel drive was not working. No warning lamps and computer system indicated that all four wheels were getting power. Took it to dealer and they confirmed that the all-wheel drive system has failed. Splines in the transfer case stripped and transmission needs to be replaced

Reported

Mar 2026

Incident date

Mar 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

Crash

I am filing a complaint regarding my 2022 Acura MDX Type S with approximately 70,700 miles. The vehicle developed a suspension system warning, and upon inspection by an Acura dealership, I was informed that the suspension stroke sensor and floor wiring harness are corroded and require replacement. I was quoted approximately $12,000 for the repair. This failure is extremely concerning because the vehicle is only a few years old and this type of corrosion affecting a major wiring harness should not occur under normal operating conditions. The affected components are part of the suspension system, which directly impacts vehicle handling and safety. Due to the failure, the suspension system may not function properly, potentially affecting ride height, stability, and overall control of the vehicle. This raises safety concerns, especially at highway speeds or during emergency maneuvers. There was no prior warning of water intrusion or external damage that would reasonably explain this level of corrosion. This appears to be a premature failure of a critical electrical component. Acura has only offered minimal goodwill assistance, leaving the majority of this extremely costly repair as the responsibility of the owner. I am concerned that this may be a broader issue affecting other vehicles and that it could pose a safety risk if not addressed. I am requesting that this issue be investigated. Thank you.

Reported

Mar 2026

Incident date

Mar 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

MDX Type S with 63k miles. After performing diagnostic check there were several fault codes related to the vehicle's suspension system. Upon inspection, they identified issues with the ride height (stroke) sensors and wiring. The right rear, left rear, and right front sensors are affected. The right rear sensor has a broken pin, and part of that pin is stuck in the wiring connector. The left rear sensor also has a pin that is corroded. Additionally, the main wiring harness along the floor is corroded. This is due to poor location of wire harness in the Type S, and corrosion was due to salt exposure from icy roads. Dealership confirmed this was a known issue and had about a dozen of these replacements in the last few months.

Reported

Mar 2026

Incident date

Mar 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Vehicle has a service bulletin issued by NHTSA and Honda/Acura of North America refuses to acknowledge it or fix the problem. for 4 years. Service Bulletin 24-025

Reported

Mar 2026

Incident date

Mar 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

All Wheel Drive system failure. My vehicle's all wheel drive system failed during a snow storm, it reverted to Front wheel drive only.

Reported

Mar 2026

Incident date

Jan 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

In January of 2026, when driving under normal conditions, the 2022 Acura MDX made a loud clunking noise and power was temporarily disrupted. The vehicle had to be stopped on the side of the road as the clunking noise persisted. This occurred on a major highway and put the driver and passengers at risk as we had to quickly get to the shoulder. After inspecting the vehicle for any visible signs of damage we continued home without issues. Now, March of 2026, we took the car for routine service and was contacted by the dealership and informed the transfer case and transmission needed to be replaced. The dealership indicating they were in contact with Honda USA to see what they could do for us. A quick search of the Internet revealed NHTSA DP26001, so we now know this issue has occurred on many Acura MDX's of the same year. No warning lamps illuminated. We were unaware that the vehicle was running in 2erWD instead of 4WD. There were no warnings leading up to the event.

Reported

Mar 2026

Incident date

Jan 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Please add me to the compliant pool. My transfer case/transmission went out - 2022, 80,000 miles. March 6, 2026 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: DP26001 OPEN INVESTIGATION All wheel drive allegation NHTSA Action Number: DP26001 Components: POWER TRAIN Opened From: March 6, 2026 – Present Summary The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a Petition dated January 9, 2026, requesting an investigation into the loss of the optional all-wheel drive capability in model year (MY) 2021-2023 Acura TLX and MY 2022-2023 Acura MDX vehicles. The Petition contends that the interfacing splines between the transmission and the rear wheel drive power take off unit are failing. Failure of these splines prevents the transfer of drive power to the rear axle, making the vehicle front wheel drive only. The Petition further alleges that this failure results in a reduction of vehicle directional control. The Petitioner cites 48 complaints received by ODI alleging the same failure. ODI will evaluate these complaints to determine if they are related to the failure cited in the Petition and will conduct a technical review under 49 CFR Part 552. This Defect Petition is being opened to evaluate whether to grant or deny the Petition. The Petition can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under NHTSA Number 11712885.

Reported

Mar 2026

Incident date

Mar 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.

Risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.

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.

Risk: 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.