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Model-year record

2025 Acura MDX
Image: Wikimedia Commons contributor · See source file

2025 Acura MDX

See the complaints, recalls, crash rating, and fuel economy in the public record. Then check the mileage and history of the car you found.

This page shows records, not a buy or avoid call.

The same model year can include a well-kept car and a neglected one. Use these records to plan what to check. Use the specific-car check when you know the mileage.

Complaints filed

71

Reports to NHTSA, 2025

Safety recalls

3

NHTSA campaigns on record

NHTSA crash test

Overall NCAP rating

Combined MPG

21

EPA estimate

Known issues

Electrical System issues lead owner complaints (41% of 71 reports), followed by engine (23%).

Electrical System41% · 29 reports
Engine23% · 16 reports
Unknown Or Other17% · 12 reports
Fuel System3% · 2 reports
Power Train3% · 2 reports
Service Brakes3% · 2 reports
Steering3% · 2 reports
Air Bags1% · 1 report

+ 5 more component categories with fewer reports.

Share of all 71 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11749541, ODI 11748754, ODI 11746622, ODI 11739107, ODI 11738536.

Individual complaint reports(71)

Showing the 50 most recent reports
SteeringJul 2026 · ODI 11751959Details +

The vehicle developed repeated front‑end structural and steering problems shortly after purchase. During normal driving, it produced loud popping, creaking, and clunking noises when turning, entering driveways, or driving over small inclines. Steering felt inconsistent and the front suspension felt unstable. These symptoms created a serious risk of loss of control. A dealer confirmed the problem multiple times and replaced several major components, including the left front strut, the left front lower control arm, and the front shock absorber fork. The most serious finding was cracked welds in the front subframe, requiring the entire subframe to be replaced. A cracked subframe weld is a structural failure that can affect steering stability and crashworthiness. The issues were reproduced and documented by the dealer on multiple visits. The manufacturer’s engineering team was involved due to the severity and difficulty of diagnosis. Despite repeated repairs and extended time out of service, the same steering and suspension symptoms continued, and the vehicle was returned multiple times with ongoing issues. There were no warning lights or messages before the failures. The defects occurred during low‑speed maneuvering and normal driving conditions. The vehicle did not perform like a safe, structurally sound new vehicle, and the repeated structural and steering failures pose a safety risk to occupants and others on the road.

Reported
Jul 2026
Incident date
Oct 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11751959 at NHTSA →
EngineJul 2026 · ODI 11751202Details +

Four times in 18 months, with the most recent happening last month and today, I was at a stoplight and turned my manual idle off. The light changed and the car would not move despite me stepping on the gas. It told me to restart the car which I did but the first attempt didn’t work to restart. After a few minutes I tried restarting again and it struggled but did. I was very worried as there was a car behind me who thought we were moving with the green light and fortunately he moved to the other lane to avoid a collision as it took me a minute to figure out the car had stopped before putting in my hazards.

Reported
Jul 2026
Incident date
Jul 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11751202 at NHTSA →
Unknown Or OtherJul 2026 · ODI 11750848Details +

The vehicle will turn off when it comes to a stop without being put in park. This has happened on busy city roads, highways in traffic and residential areas at stop signs. The vehicle will also periodically not turn on, with multiple indicators lighting up on the dashboard. This has been reported to the dealership, who states if there are no active error codes or indicators at the time of service there is nothing they can do. I have opened a case with Acura client relations more than 3 weeks ago and have escalated multiple times with no response. This has created numerous safety problems, also with children in the vehicle. This vehicle is not safe to operate and the manufacturer refuses to respond to my intervention requests although it is under warranty.

Reported
Jul 2026
Incident date
Jul 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11750848 at NHTSA →
EngineJul 2026 · ODI 11749909Details +

I had driven 1.5 hours of highway driving. Exited highway and at the first stop light the car stalled on a busy four lane road. I have had the recall software update. Took a minute or 2 to get the car restarted

Reported
Jul 2026
Incident date
Jul 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11749909 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemJul 2026 · ODI 11749541Details +

Auto start-stop system stalled car at a light, could not turn car off after multiple tries following instructions on dash, but ultimately finally turned off, and then struggled to turn back on, all while on a busy road during rush hour.

Reported
Jul 2026
Incident date
Jul 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11749541 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemJul 2026 · ODI 11748754Details +

I was stopped at a red stop light waiting to turn left when my 2025 Acura MDX engine auto-stopped per the auto-stop feature. When the light turned green, I removed my foot from the brake and pressed the gas. The engine did not auto-start and displayed a message on the dash telling me to depress the brake and press the ignition button to continue driving. I did this several times, each time the dash would go black for a few seconds then come back up with the same message. Eventually, after getting the car to completely turn off, waiting 30 seconds, and restarting it, I was able to get the engine to start. While all of this was happening, I was passed unsafely by several angry drivers who were behind me, including one who tried to cut around me after I was able to get the car restarted, nearly clipping the front-right corner of my vehicle. I have an appointment with the dealer to have the issue investigated, but the appointment is not for another week. There was no indication of trouble prior to the first time this occurred. We have had this issue at least three times in the past week.

Reported
Jul 2026
Incident date
Jul 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11748754 at NHTSA →
EngineJul 2026 · ODI 11747615Details +

On June 9, 2026, my 2025 Acura MDX, with only 9,139 miles, stalled at a red traffic light after the Auto Idle Stop feature activated. The engine would not restart, leaving the vehicle disabled in an active traffic lane. I was unable to shift the vehicle out of Park and was stranded for approximately 5 to 10 minutes with my two young children in the back seat. The dashboard instructed me to fully depress the brake pedal and press the ENGINE START/STOP button to restart the vehicle, but repeatedly following those instructions did not restart the engine. There were no warning lights or other symptoms before the incident. I feared another vehicle would rear-end us because I could not move the vehicle out of the travel lane. After multiple attempts to turn the vehicle off and back on, it eventually restarted, allowing me to drive home. The vehicle was towed to the Acura dealership on June 10, 2026. The dealership inspected the vehicle, diagnosed a failed starter, and told me the failure was caused by the Auto Idle Stop feature. The starter was replaced, and I was instructed to disable the Auto Idle Stop feature every time I start the vehicle to help prevent the problem from happening again. The dealership has records of the repair, and the vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

Reported
Jul 2026
Incident date
Jun 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11747615 at NHTSA →
EngineJun 2026 · ODI 11747338Details +

The contact owns a 2025 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light, the vehicle suddenly lost automotive power. The message, "Transmission System Failure - Apply Parking Brake while Parked - See Dealer," was displayed. The gear shifter indicator warning light was occasionally illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to use the Push-To-Start feature to start the vehicle, the engine hesitated while turning over. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and was diagnosed with starter failure. The vehicle was repaired under warranty. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

Reported
Jun 2026
Incident date
Sep 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11747338 at NHTSA →
Unknown Or OtherJun 2026 · ODI 11747206Details +

Idle stop not functioning properly. Will get to a stop, and numerous times it will not start back up until you put it in park and restart it several times. Sometimes, it will not start on the 1st try from a cold start, or the starter will grind really slow. We have taken this to Acura several times, and they tell us it is a known problem, but just to turn the idle stop off each time.

Reported
Jun 2026
Incident date
Jul 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11747206 at NHTSA →
Power TrainJun 2026 · ODI 11747083Details +

No restart after auto idle stop - Car fails to restart automatically after stop and releasing the brake pedal. This has happened on a number of occasions in the last few months.This can cause a dangerous condition that can can cause an accident if stopped in an intersection or a rear end collision as the driver behind assumes the vehicle will move but does not. Car has to be shut off to restart.

Reported
Jun 2026
Incident date
Jun 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11747083 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemJun 2026 · ODI 11746622Details +

2025 Acura MDX will turn off with the auto on/off feature at red light but has had issue several times with turning back on. The car turns completely off and have to push start button to turn back on. On one occasion the same issue happened but would not immediately start with the push start again.

Reported
Jun 2026
Incident date
Jun 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11746622 at NHTSA →
Service BrakesJun 2026 · ODI 11746076Details +

Brakes are too soft . Hard to bring the car to a halt without crashing unless you are at very long distance . Brakes engage at a very low level . Dealer says everything is OK and can't do anything about it . Car is dangerous to drive.

Reported
Jun 2026
Incident date
Jun 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11746076 at NHTSA →
EngineJun 2026 · ODI 11745473Details +

Randomly when auto/start stop feature engages and shuts down the engine when I let go off the brake the engine doesn't restart and a system problem message show up on the dash. Have to shut down the car and restart for the engine to start running again.

Reported
Jun 2026
Incident date
May 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11745473 at NHTSA →
Unknown Or OtherJun 2026 · ODI 11741596Details +

The Auto Start/Stop system shuts down the engine and periodically the engine fails to restart. The car needs to be put into Park and then the electronics seem to re-boot before the car will restart the engine. This has now happened many times in city traffic, interstate highways and in areas of questionable safety (high crime zones). The dealer and Acura has refused to repair since they have not been able to duplicate the issue. They wanted me to lend my new $60,000 car to their service technician to drive back and forth from home/work to see if they can duplicate the issue. The dealer has tested the battery, however it passes. They refuse to do anything with the starter or other components of the system whether it be replace or inspect them. As the car ages (now approx. 1.5 years) it seems to occur increasingly often. I am concerned that the Auto Star/Stop system is doing irreparable damage to the engine & transmission. Additionally, sometimes the engine gets cut off and then tries to re-start and after several churns the engine restarts and the car lurches forward as the car is in gear "drive' when the car re-starts. The catalyst for making the car re-start is to release the brake... and that causes an immediate lurch forward when the engine does re-start. Does not seem to be a good thing for the transmission. The Auto/Start/Stop engine feature can not be permanently disabled.

Reported
Jun 2026
Incident date
Jun 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11741596 at NHTSA →
EngineMay 2026 · ODI 11739504Details +

My Vehicle is having an issue with the idle stop feature. Multiple times when stopped at a red light or when idle the car stops and will not turn back on. I have to turn the car off completely open the door to simulate leaving the car, wait a minute then start the car again to be able to move.

Reported
May 2026
Incident date
May 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11739504 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemMay 2026 · ODI 11739107Details +

the car shuts off at a red light, fails to auto-restart, forces the car into Park, and requires a full manual reboot or jumpstart while stuck in moving traffic. It also struggles to turn on at times mimicking a drained battery. I am needing to deactivate the auto start/stop feature in order for the vehicle to properly function. Vehicle will not start when parked at times.

Reported
May 2026
Incident date
Jan 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11739107 at NHTSA →
EngineMay 2026 · ODI 11738526Details +

While stopped at a red light at a busy intersection near an airport, the vehicle's Auto Idle Stop (AIS) system engaged and shut off the engine. When I attempted to restart by pressing the brake pedal — as instructed — the vehicle failed to restart. The dashboard displayed an error message reading "Idle Stop Function: Press Brake to Restart." My foot was on the brake pedal at the time; pressing it did not restart the engine. I then manually shut off the vehicle using the Engine Start/Stop button and attempted to restart it. The vehicle would not start. I remained stranded at the intersection for approximately 10 minutes before the vehicle finally restarted and allowed me to shift into Drive. I was the first car in the lane, so people kept piling up and honking behind me.

Reported
May 2026
Incident date
May 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11738526 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemMay 2026 · ODI 11738536Details +

Description of Incident: While stopped at a red light at a busy intersection near a shopping district, the vehicle's Auto Idle Stop (AIS) system engaged and shut off the engine. When I attempted to restart by pressing the brake pedal — as instructed — the vehicle failed to restart. The dashboard displayed an error message reading "Idle Stop Function: Press Brake to Restart." My foot was on the brake pedal at the time; pressing it did not restart the engine. I then manually shut off the vehicle using the Engine Start/Stop button and attempted to restart it. The vehicle would not start. I remained stranded at the intersection for approximately 10 minutes. I had to call the cops for a patrol car because other cars were piling up behind me and I had my 6 month old son in the vehicle. Safety Impact: During this time, I was unable to move the vehicle from a live traffic intersection. This created an immediate safety hazard to myself, my family, and other drivers.

Reported
May 2026
Incident date
May 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11738536 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemMay 2026 · ODI 11737684Details +

The auto idle stop feature will kick in at red lights, shutting the engine down. However, every approximate 1 out of 10 times the engine and electrical system fully shut down when I try to start the car moving again. The car can then not be restarted for close to a minute. This results in not being able to move when the light turns green and is dangerous is heavy traffic areas.

Reported
May 2026
Incident date
Mar 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11737684 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemMay 2026 · ODI 11736850Details +

Car engine turns off at a red light, by turn off I mean completely turned off, not just silent. And takes a couple of attempts to restart the car before the engine turns on again. This has happened over 5 or 6 times over the last 3 months, however yesterday (May 9, 2026) it happened twice within the hour. Luckily, I have not been involved in an accident because of this, but I'm concerned that it's easy to imagine a scenario where someone will be rear-ended. Please issue a safety recall for Acura to fix this issue.

Reported
May 2026
Incident date
May 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11736850 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemMay 2026 · ODI 11735584Details +

While stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle had auto shut off normally. However when I released the brake and pushed the gas it unexpectedly stalled and shut off without warning. When attempting to restart the vehicle, it would not start again. There were no prior warning indicators or messages suggesting an imminent issue. This created a hazardous situation as the vehicle was disabled in an active traffic lane. After several attempts, the vehicle either restarted after having set the emergency brake. The failure appears to be sudden and without driver input, raising concerns about reliability and safety in traffic conditions.

Reported
May 2026
Incident date
May 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11735584 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemMay 2026 · ODI 11735602Details +

Engine stalls when at intersection and the engine cuts off at idle and fails to start back up when you remove your foot from the break. Can have keep lane assist enable. KLAS mode narrow, you have to fight the wheel to maintain control of the vehicle, formal mode is a 50/50 chance it works, wide you can sift right off the road for 5-10 secs before to realize your off the road. Steer wheel control button intermittently fail and stop being able to control the midi instrument panel and infotainment system. I believe there is a systematic electrical issue in the car. They attempted to fix this by replacing a starter which hasn’t because the engine stalled at an intersection again and on cold start this morning 5/4 at the same intersection as this is by my girlfriends apartment.

Reported
May 2026
Incident date
Apr 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11735602 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemMay 2026 · ODI 11735656Details +

Last year, my 2025 Acura MDX was repaired under warranty for a known starter issue that is affecting all 2025+ MDX models. The issue is that the vehicle will stall or fail to start on random occasions leaving drivers stranded or stopped in traffic unable to move their vehicle. Honda and Acura are well aware of the fact that this is an issue, yet they continue to produce these vehicles with the same parts. This repair took several attempts and the dealership refused to even diagnose the issue for several months causing me to have to record each instance on my phone for proof. Once they eventually replaced the starter, the issue went away for approximately 10 months. Today, however, I was temporarily left stranded at a gas pump as my vehicle would not start. Honda and Acura dealerships are replacing these parts with the exact same part number, so the no-start condition comes back in about a year or less. It is incredibly dangerous to have a vehicle that you cannot move as anticipated, or if you’re in an area that you cannot leave or get away from potential danger because your vehicle won’t start. This is a less-than two-year-old vehicle that has now left me stranded on several occasions including in the middle of traffic on a motorway. I know for a fact that several other owners of the Acura MDX are having the exact same issue and ask that you please launch an investigation into this as Honda is well aware of it and still refuses to address the blatant safety risk it poses to its customers.

Reported
May 2026
Incident date
May 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11735656 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemMay 2026 · ODI 11735372Details +

Vehicle is equipped with start stop system and we have had multiple instances where we come to a stop , and the car will not restart. In the latest instance, we pulled up to stoplight, the start stops system engaged shutting off the engine then wouldn't restart. Car also wouldn't turn completely off, so I had to hit the flashers at the busy intersection, try to get the car into park, then shut completely down, then restart the car. It also struggled to restart as if the battery was dying. In this instance most dash lights come on, but it appears to be an engine, electrical, and software issue. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealer multiple times, and in once instance they said the issue was caused by a bad battery, mind you the car is slightly over a year old. This latest time, they claimed that the battery was good and no issues were found. This issue continues to put me and my family at risk by leaving us disabled in the middle of traffic especially when it has happened near exiting the freeway,

Reported
May 2026
Incident date
May 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11735372 at NHTSA →
EngineMay 2026 · ODI 11735131Details +

I am reporting a serious safety defect involving repeated engine stalling and failure to restart associated with the auto idle stop/start system on a 2025 Acura MDX. The vehicle was leased in December 2024. Beginning in late summer and early fall of 2025, the vehicle intermittently shut off at stops and failed to restart when releasing the brake. This resulted in the vehicle becoming unresponsive in active traffic conditions, creating a significant safety hazard. The vehicle was presented to an authorized dealer for this issue on multiple occasions: August 15, 2025 September 9, 2025 October 31, 2025 After repeated unsuccessful attempts to diagnose and repair the condition, the dealer ultimately replaced the starter on October 31, 2025. This repair did not permanently resolve the issue. In April 2026, the vehicle again began exhibiting hesitation and delayed engine restart following auto idle stop events. On April 30, 2026, the vehicle stalled again, demonstrating that the defect persists despite prior repair efforts. This condition is intermittent and unpredictable, which increases the risk, as the vehicle may fail to restart when entering or crossing intersections or when moving with traffic. The inability of the vehicle to reliably restart creates a clear safety concern. Given the repeated repair attempts and recurrence of the defect, this appears to be a systemic issue rather than an isolated component failure.

Reported
May 2026
Incident date
Apr 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11735131 at NHTSA →
SteeringMay 2026 · ODI 11735169Details +

The contact owns a 2025 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while having routine maintenance, the power steering was making an unknown abnormal noise. The steering was turning on and off. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 15,027.

Reported
May 2026
Incident date
Apr 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11735169 at NHTSA →
EngineApr 2026 · ODI 11734545Details +

The vehicle is designed to shut off at a stoplight and restart when your foot leaves the brake, or the steering wheel is moved. On multiple occasions, the vehicle turns itself off (typically at a red traffic light) only to not restart. Driver must manually put the vehicle into park, and try to restart it using the traditional push button (IN TRAFFIC). This is horribly dangerous even if it takes just a few seconds to do. The Acura dealership maintains that there is nothing they can do. Simple internet searches indicate that it's a wider issue than my own vehicle, so I am reporting my issue to you.

Reported
Apr 2026
Incident date
Apr 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11734545 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemApr 2026 · ODI 11732431Details +

We have had multiple incidents when the car is at a stop light with the idle stop not active, the vehicle engine will just die. The light turns green and the vehicle is not running, it will take multiple times pushing the start button for it to start back up. This has resulted in multiple almost rear end incidents due to other drivers assuming we would go when light turned green. More recently this weekend on a trip from Columbus OH to St. Louis MO; stopped to get gas east of Indianapolis, after pumping gas the vehicle would not restart. It took multiple tries to get it to restart; this happened again the following day at a stop during the day at a shopping center, we ran in to get subs for lunch, came back out, would not start, I have a video of the sound and flashing lights but I can't upload a video here.

Reported
Apr 2026
Incident date
Apr 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11732431 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemApr 2026 · ODI 11729911Details +

Stopped for a red light at a busy intersection with the auto start/stop feature turned on. After releasing the brake pedal to begin driving after the light turned green, the vehicle attempted to start the engine, but struggled and in doing so, the vehicle stalled out. After two or three attempts of placing the foot onto the brake and pressing the start ignition button, the vehicle finally started and we were able to drive away.

Reported
Apr 2026
Incident date
Apr 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11729911 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemApr 2026 · ODI 11729170Details +

Incident 1 (Loss of Propulsion in Traffic) - 12/16/25 The vehicle failed to restart immediately after the auto start-stop system attempted to re-engage the engine. Upon attempting to accelerate, the engine did not restart, resulting in a complete loss of propulsion while in active traffic. The vehicle became temporarily inoperable and unresponsive, creating a hazardous condition with elevated risk of rear-end collision and inability to safely clear traffic or intersections. Incident 2 (Failure to Start – Reliability Concern) - 4/1/26 On a separate occasion, the vehicle failed to start entirely upon initial startup (first use of the day). The engine did not turn over as expected, rendering the vehicle inoperable. This incident raises significant concerns about system reliability and dependability, particularly given its occurrence independent of the auto start-stop event. Safety Concern: The first incident demonstrates a critical safety defect involving unexpected loss of propulsion in live traffic conditions. The second incident, while occurring at startup, indicates a broader pattern of failure affecting the vehicle’s ability to reliably start and operate. Together, these incidents suggest a potential defect in the starting/ignition or auto start-stop system that may compromise safe vehicle operation and increase the risk of crash or stranding.

Reported
Apr 2026
Incident date
Dec 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11729170 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemMar 2026 · ODI 11727802Details +

Hello… this has happened at least four times.. the car goes to stand by/idle mode when the auto shut off is engaged. I was at a light and car went to idle and when it goes to green. Car just goes to idle mode. I had to put hazards on and restart car. People honking while I’m trying to restart car from this state. It’s like the car does not return on after the gas is engaged.

Reported
Mar 2026
Incident date
Jan 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11727802 at NHTSA →
Unknown Or OtherMar 2026 · ODI 11727649Details +

Auto start/stop system - yes, it is available for inspection. The vehicle turned off at a buy intersection and it was a couple of minutes before it would restart. The vehicle will be inspected my a dealer on Monday. No manufacturer, police, insurance representative has inspected the vehicle. There was a message when the vehicle turned off but I can't recall what it said as other drivers were blowing horns and I was focused on my safety at the time.

Reported
Mar 2026
Incident date
Mar 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11727649 at NHTSA →
EngineMar 2026 · ODI 11727690Details +

When the auto start stop engages my car will shut down and then it takes a minute or two for it to restart. This has happened several times. I reported it to Acura previously and no action was taken. It’s difficult to replicate because it doesn’t happen every time. It’s unsafe and scary because it will happen at stop signs, or in traffic and with my children in the car. It just happened about 5 mins ago while in traffic and I remembered to report this.

Reported
Mar 2026
Incident date
Mar 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11727690 at NHTSA →
Fuel SystemMar 2026 · ODI 11726899Details +

The contact owns a 2025 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle bucked for approximately 3-seconds before the vehicle stalled. The hazards were activated, the vehicle was turned off, and the contact waited before restarting the vehicle. While restarting the vehicle, several warning lights quickly flashed, and the vehicle failed to exceed 4 MPH while driving to the nearest parking lot. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V031000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000. The VIN was not available.

Reported
Mar 2026
Incident date
Mar 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11726899 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemMar 2026 · ODI 11724995Details +

Car stalls at idle. Auto Idle does not allow engine to restart from stop. Creating dangerous situations when on highway traffic, traveling around town and more. 2025 MDX, 21,000 Miles Nov 2025 at 14,500 miles reported issue after experiencing intermittently for a few months. Filters replaced, software updated Dec 2025 issue still occurring battery replaced March 2026 issue still occurring starter being replaced Technician at dealership did not seem confident that replacing the starter will remedy this issue.

Reported
Mar 2026
Incident date
Mar 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11724995 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemMar 2026 · ODI 11722643Details +

There are times when my car comes to a stop shuts off ( auto off) then will not turn back on. This has happened numerous times. The dealers states that this a battery problem

Reported
Mar 2026
Incident date
Mar 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11722643 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemMar 2026 · ODI 11722443Details +

On several occasions, when the vehicle has been driving and comes to a stop in traffic. the auto start stop kills the engine when the brake is fully depressed. When we take our foot off the brake the engine will not start and a notification is shown on the dash. to start the engine push brake and ignition button. When we follow those directions the it does not start the engine. It usually requires us to release brake several times and continue to push start button. This issue has almost caused two accidents because we are stuck and the traffic behind does not see brake lights, because we have to release the brake. This occurred on the interstate in heavy traffic, and was almost struck from behind by a vehicle traveling at interstate speed, because all vehicles went around us and the upcoming vehicle did to see brake lights.

Reported
Mar 2026
Incident date
Feb 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11722443 at NHTSA →
EngineMar 2026 · ODI 11721896Details +

2025 Acura MDX failed to restart after an auto-idle stop at a light in heavy traffic. Second time this has happened and dealer has not resolved

Reported
Mar 2026
Incident date
Feb 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11721896 at NHTSA →
Unknown Or OtherMar 2026 · ODI 11722020Details +

When I was at a stop light, the car shut off and went into park. I believe the Idle Stop was off at the time. When I tried to shift to drive it told me I needed to start the car by holding the brake and the button. It took a couple of attempts for it to cycle through and start. This happened several weeks prior to the incident yesterday. It is currently at the dealership. When I googled the issues it said it was a "known issue". It could be dangerous if it shuts off on railroad tracks or in traffic.

Reported
Mar 2026
Incident date
Mar 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11722020 at NHTSA →
EngineFeb 2026 · ODI 11716573Details +

My 2025 Acura MDX (under 10,000 miles) has failed to restart after the automatic idle stop engaged at stoplights and drive-thru lines at least 7 separate times. When I release the brake, the engine often remains off and the vehicle will not move, leaving me stopped in traffic. I have not yet required a jump start, but on several occasions the vehicle came very close to not restarting at all. This most recently occurred at a sandwich shop drive-thru. These incidents occurred in normal drive mode and in normal weather conditions. No abnormal driving conditions were present when the failures happened. Other owners online report the same problem, with some needing to carry jumper cables. I believe this is a serious safety risk because the vehicle can stall unexpectedly in intersections and traffic when the auto stop-start system activates. I am now concerned about relying on this vehicle in traffic because I cannot trust it to restart when stopped.

Reported
Feb 2026
Incident date
Feb 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11716573 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemFeb 2026 · ODI 11715662Details +

Auto Idle Stop/Auto Start-Stop Issue- On multiple occasions, occurring randomly, the vehicle will not start at stoplights after auto-idle stop is engaged. Sometimes this happens after the vehicle has been running for over an hour. Currently, the vehicle must be completely powered down and then restarted to revive engine.

Reported
Feb 2026
Incident date
Feb 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11715662 at NHTSA →
Unknown Or OtherJan 2026 · ODI 11710838 · 1 injuriesDetails +

Sunroof exploded while driving on the interstate. A loud noise and glass was everywhere inside the truck on my passenger and I. The distraction caused me to slam on brakes injuring my foot in which I’m out of work for 4 weeks

Reported
Jan 2026
Incident date
Jan 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
1 injuries
Open ODI 11710838 at NHTSA →
EngineJan 2026 · ODI 11710340Details +

When stopped at a red light on a busy off ramp to a busy highway, the car's engine idle function turned the engine off (as anticipated), but then upon releasing the brake, the car did not turn on. I was stalled in the middle of traffic, which is a significant safety issue. I had to turn the car completely off, wait a few seconds, and turn back on. this car is marketing for families with its third row and stalls when stopped. there are numerous reports of this on online forums.

Reported
Jan 2026
Incident date
Jan 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11710340 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemJan 2026 · ODI 11708571Details +

Autostart (stop/start) stopped engine but failed to restart car. Had to shut down computer and restart computer and then car started. Cars were coming around blind corner serving to avoid us. Has since happened multiple times just starting up vehicle (not involving autostart). Taken to Acura dealership 3 times to fix, but they have been unable to resolve issue.

Reported
Jan 2026
Incident date
Oct 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11708571 at NHTSA →
Unknown Or OtherDec 2025 · ODI 11707847Details +

The auto start stop function is not working, the car turn-off completely and I have to start the engine by pressing the start button.

Reported
Dec 2025
Incident date
Oct 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11707847 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemDec 2025 · ODI 11705846Details +

I was at a red light. My auto idle kicked in. I went to turn it off and Either simultaneously or right before I hit the idle off button my car stalled. It took several attempts to turn back on and a bunch of codes threw. I almost got rear ended. This is a known problem. Ive contacted acura / honda via email as well.

Reported
Dec 2025
Incident date
Dec 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11705846 at NHTSA →
Back Over PreventionDec 2025 · ODI 11705339Details +

I am a three-time Acura owner currently leasing a 2025 Acura MDX through Honda/Acura. On or about 12/02/2025, at approximately 16,297 miles, a front parking sensor fell out of the front bumper while I was driving. I am concerned that this reduces the reliability of the front parking/safety system and could put safety at risk if a driver relies on the sensors to detect obstacles at low speeds (parking, maneuvering, etc.) while the hardware is no longer properly secured. There was no crash or injury in this incident, but the failure affected a safety-related system on a low-mileage vehicle. Before I noticed the sensor was missing, the front alert on the dashboard began going off repeatedly while I was driving, even though there was nothing in front of the vehicle. That was the first indication that something was wrong with the system. Only after I parked and inspected the front of the vehicle did I see that the front parking sensor had come out of the bumper, which confirmed the source of the problem. The problem was inspected and confirmed by an authorized Acura dealer, who diagnosed broken internal mounting clips on the front sensor. The dealer and manufacturer attributed the failure to “outside influence” (implying that I must have hit something), but no impact damage or other physical evidence was found on the front of the vehicle. The front remains normal and pristine with no dents, cracks, gouges, chips, or distortion of the bumper, paint, grille, or sensor area. I am concerned that a likely part or installation failure on a low-mileage vehicle is being dismissed as “outside influence” based purely on assumption rather than documented physical evidence. In effect, an unproven assumption is being treated as fact, which could allow similar front sensor or mounting failures on other vehicles to be written off as external damage instead of being investigated as a potential durability or design issue with the front sensor mounting.

Reported
Dec 2025
Incident date
Dec 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11705339 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemDec 2025 · ODI 11705169Details +

This has happend twice in the past 2 months, I came to a red light and the auto stop/start engaged automatically. When the light turned green and the vehicle was supposed to engage it turned off completely, all lights on the dash came on and it and wouldn't restart. Had to open the drivers side door and try to restart the vehicle, it restarted after a few tries. Very dangerous intersection I was stuck in. I have informed Acura of both occasions, they tested the battery cells and confirmed the battery was okay, was told this is a "known" issue with no resolve.

Reported
Dec 2025
Incident date
Dec 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11705169 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemDec 2025 · ODI 11703162Details +

i purchased the vehicle March of 2025. Since I have been to the dealership on multiple occasions. I was there less than a week after purchase because there was a noise coming from the front tire the dealership balanced the tire. The noise was still there so i returned and the next time they replaced the front wheel bearings. I still have issues with the steering wheel shaking so they replaced all 4 tires. The problem still persists but they don’t know why. the car feels unsafe to drive especially on the highway and in rain. i have had the recall for the brake pin assembly addressed and fixed. I also have issues with the audio shutting off or not responding the dealer did a hard reset and an update to the software that has not resolved the issue. The car would turn off at random times and struggle to turn back on when the idle shut off was activated. the dealer replaced the starter. i have had issues with the car randomly braking when there is nothing in front of me and other safety features either not working at all or working when not needed. dealer advised it was a faulty battery and replaced it. I currently am still having shaking with loud noises especially at higher speed. The engine is very hesitant when accelerating and i struggle to merge onto the highway. It is also extremely jerky at lower gears and its most noticeable in stop go traffic. The brakes are squealing already and the mileage is low. I also sometimes need to press the brakes hard to even stop. The screen often goes black or will not connect to anything and i am unable to see directions or hear music. i feel extremely unsafe in this car and have anxiety every time i need to have anyone in the car with me

Reported
Dec 2025
Incident date
May 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11703162 at NHTSA →
EngineDec 2025 · ODI 11702666Details +

The idle-stop function would frequently malfunction. I would be at a stop, which would trigger the idle-stop function and the car would turn off, but when I released my foot off the break in preparation for needing to start moving, the car would stall and shut completely off. There was about a five second delay before I could get the car to turn back on and start moving, which was very scary with traffic all around me. After the malfunction occurred several times, I would try to remember to turn off the idle-stop function using dynamic mode. I called my local Acura dealership about this problem and the service manager said that he wasn’t sure what was wrong nor did he know how to fix it. He advised me to just wait and hope that Acura issues a recall for the issue. Then, I started noticing that there was a delay in my vehicle starting when pressing the start button. It wasn’t too long of a delay but enough for me to notice. Since the car would ultimately start, I didn’t think too much about it, until my car failed to turn on. It has happened when I turn off my car but then need to turn it back on soon after turning it off. I’ll press the start button and the lights on the dash come on and I can hear the engine trying to turn on but it doesn’t. The engine won’t crank up. I have to let it sit for a few seconds (30 sec?) and then try to turn it on again, at which time I have been lucky that it will turn on, but the initial start-up sounds like a struggle. It doesn’t sound like a healthy start up for 2025 vehicle.

Reported
Dec 2025
Incident date
Dec 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11702666 at NHTSA →

This page shows the latest 50 reports to keep it usable. The count above includes every complaint NHTSA has returned for this model year.

Recalls(3)

Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.

Service BrakesDec 2025 · 25V391000Details +

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Acura TLX, 2023-2025 Acura MDX, and 2023-2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin was not secured properly, which can cause the pedal to shift out of position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Risk: A brake pedal that shifts out of position can prevent the driver from applying the brakes as intended, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pedal assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are FLX and XLY.

Open full NHTSA recall record →
Back Over Prevention · 25V032000Details +

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2025 Acura MDX vehicles. The touchscreen in the center console may go blank, resulting in the rearview camera image not displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the center information display unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is RKZ.

Open full NHTSA recall record →
Air Bags · 26V332000Details +

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.

Open full NHTSA recall record →

A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.

Investigations

1 NHTSA investigation on record

Investigations are agency reviews, not findings that a vehicle is defective.

No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages

On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2019-2022 Honda Passport, and 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The repair outlined in the service bulletins is a two-stage countermeasure to remedy the issue. The first stage is a Programmed Fuel Injection (“PGM-FI”) software update. The second stage is only deployed if the software update fails to remedy the issue. The second stage, depending on the model and model year, consists of replacement of the starter assembly, starter relays, and a valve adjustment. Additionally, Honda extended the warranty coverage to 10 years with unlimited mileage for vehicles requiring the second stage component replacement. ODI continues to receive complaints of the AIS failure to restart, with many complainants alleging the campaign countermeasures had been completed.NHTSA has reviewed Honda's Information Request Letter responses involving warranty claims, lawsuits, and consumer complaints in addition to ODI's own data. This Engineering Analysis is being opened to further consider the potential safety defect, including gathering additional data regarding Honda’s service campaign efficacy. ODI is additionally expanding the scope to encompass all vehicles addressed in Honda’s service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009 as well as newer model year vehicles, which are substantially similar to the vehicles covered by the service campaign. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Crash-test ratings

2025 Acura MDX SUV FWD NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

2025 Acura MDX SUV AWD NHTSA source

Overall
Not rated
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Not rated

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Fuel economy by trim

TrimEngineDrivetrainCityHwyCombined
MDX FWD3.5L 6-cylFront-Wheel Drive192622
MDX AWD3.5L 6-cylAll-Wheel Drive192521
MDX AWD Type-S3.0L 6-cylAll-Wheel Drive172119

EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.

Before you buy

Useful next checks

Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.

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Compare the year-by-year record

Open another year for its own evidence-gated decision. TireKick does not crown a best year from raw complaint totals.

2025 Acura MDX: frequently asked

What does the complaint record show for the 2025 Acura MDX?

Owners filed 71 NHTSA complaints about the 2025 Acura MDX. This is raw owner-reported complaint volume with no production or exposure normalization, so it is not a reliability score or a best/worst-year ranking.

What are the most common problems on the 2025 Acura MDX?

The most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (41% of complaints) and engine (23%).

How many recalls does the 2025 Acura MDX have?

3 recalls have been issued that affect the 2025 Acura MDX, covering components such as service brakes. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.

What gas mileage does the 2025 Acura MDX get?

The EPA rates the 2025 Acura MDX between 19 and 22 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.