TireKick

Reported years

Electrical System owner reports: Acura MDX years in the records

Owner reports are bound to model year 2017. A year on this list does not mean every car has the problem.

Years we reviewed

What to inspect

  1. 1Ask the inspector to test the named system and note any warning lights, noises, leaks, or stored codes.
Sources and limits
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a possible fatal outcome.

“On 11.25.25, my MDX was involved in a multi-car hit and run on highway 101 SB at the Laurel Drive off ramp. The vehicle sustained two points of impact: (1) substantial front/driver side impact (2) rear-passenger side impact. Despite the severity, location of impact and speed of travel at the time of the collision, all airbags deployed except for the driver side curtain airbag. Importantly, at the time of the crash, the Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) and associated AcuraWatch driver assist systems were activated. The vehicle’s safety assistance technology was engaged and functioning immediately prior to impact. Considering the above mentioned facts, driver side airbag failing to deploy, raises serious concerns regarding Possible software or signal-processing malfunction or electronic communication between radar/camera systems and the SRS module. The nature and severity of the impact clearly met deployment criteria for the driver side airbag. This failure raises concern that there may be a defect in the SRS system, including but not limited to: Airbag inflator component or propellant issue. Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) crash sensor calibration. SRS control module deployment logic. Crash signal sensors. Event-trigger logic or interconnnect failure. Wiring harness or inflator defect. Whether the system registered steering correction or impact prediction, the failure to deploy increased my risk and resulting injury, as well as compromised the fundamental safety system designed to protect drivers in front-impact crashes.”
NHTSAcomplaintMar 2026Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a possible fatal outcome.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 ACURA MDX. WHILE THE LIFTGATE WAS CLOSING REMOTELY, IT FORCEFULLY CLOSED AND STRUCK THE OCCUPANT'S BODY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO LOCAL DEALERS: AUTONATION VOLVO CARS SAN JOSE (4600 STEVENS CREEK BLVD, SAN JOSE, CA 95129, (408) 758-5501) AND HOPKINS ACURA (1555 EL CAMINO REAL, REDWOOD CITY, CA 94063, 888-606-5810) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9401017. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.”
NHTSAcomplaintMar 2019Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a possible fatal outcome.

“I am reporting a severe safety defect regarding the sudden, unprovoked failure of the AcuraWatch driver-assist camera system (affecting LKAS, ADAS, and the Collision Mitigation Braking System), which directly and unexpectedly alters the vehicle’s powertrain and driving dynamics without driver input. While driving, the front windshield monocular camera module experienced an internal electronic failure, immediately lighting up multiple critical safety warning indicators on the dashboard and permanently disabling all forward collision prevention and lane-keep capabilities. I urge NHTSA to open a safety defect investigation into 2016–2019 Acura MDX models regarding camera system degradation and its hazardous, cascading impact on transmission shift timing and vehicle deceleration behavior.”
NHTSAcomplaintJul 2026Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a possible fatal outcome.

“Various warning lights appear randomly for collision system, lane departure system and brake system and the radio power glitches on/off while driving on highway. I tested the battery and it's good. At one point I was just about to enter a car wash and the radio power glitched off and then a transmission warning appeared and the car shifted to N and I couldn't shift to Drive. I pushed the P button and the dash just showed a blinking P with the transmission warning. With a whole line of cars behind me for the car wash I was in a panic of course. I turned the car off for about a minute and restarted and was able to get it back to normal but had this issue happened while driving then It would've been dangerous.”
NHTSAcomplaintJul 2026Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a possible fatal outcome.

“While driving on the interstate over 2 hours from home the car put itself into neutral and almost caused us to get into a collision. While accelerating after a construction zone, the lights on the dash of the vehicle lit up with transmission, emissions, electronic parking brake, and more codes. The car shifted itself into neutral while running between 65-70 mph on the interstate. Multiple vehicles were accelerating after the 55 mph work zone area was over, and we had to swerve between cars to get to the shoulder of the road because the vehicle lost all acceleration capabilities. We have taken the vehicle to the dealer for past recalls and software updates and mentioned this issue happening before and were told that the vehicle showed no codes concerning the electronic parking brake issue. Upon further investigation, there are multiple reports and forums of this particular vehicle having the same issue. Its a miracle we didn't get involved in a massive collision with semi trucks and other vehicles amongst us when the vehicle lost all ability to accelerate. This could cause a huge problem if it were to happen again in a more populated area or at increased speeds. We were stuck on the side of the road for 4 hours waiting on a flatbed to tow it because it locks up the AWD system with the electronic parking brake and doesn't allow the wheels to move. This is the second time we've had it towed for this same issue only to be told that it's not a problem. I'm willing to bet that the company knows exactly what the issue is but won't issue a recall because they don't classify it as a safety recall until people start losing their lives or cost the company stockholders money. This problem has the ability to cause major harm or death to people with this vehicle if it were to shift itself into neutral or lock up the electronic parking brake while in a heavy populated area. I hope they issue a safety recall and hold the company accountable before people lose their life.”
NHTSAcomplaintMay 2026Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a possible fatal outcome.

“The main issue is engine knocking and ticking also winding noise. There has been an issue with electrical with rear passengers getting burnt due to heat coming out of rear when rear system is off.”
NHTSAcomplaintApr 2026Open source record