Model research hub
Acura MDX
The Acura MDX is a three-row mid-size luxury crossover made since 2000 and now in its fourth generation, from 2022. Federal data shows 10 recalls on the 2018 and 367 complaints on the 2016, the 2022 to 2024 years at 2 recalls each, and the 2026 MDX starting at $53,250 with a 19 to 22 mpg combined rating.
What the Acura MDX is and who buys it
Wikipedia (opens in a new tab) describes the MDX as a mid-size luxury crossover SUV with three-row seating, produced by Honda under its Acura luxury division since 2000, its name standing for Multi-Dimensional luxury, with generations in 2001 (YD1), 2007, 2014 and 2022 (YD8/9) and a 2025 facelift. The 2026 MDX has a 3.5L V6 or a 3.0L V6, front-wheel or all-wheel drive, rated 19 to 22 mpg combined by the EPA, about $3,500 to $4,100 a year in fuel. Kelley Blue Book base prices start at $53,250 and run to $68,350 for the SH-AWD with the Advance package.
Best and worst MDX model years
Federal counts are heavy in the third generation. The 2015 has 8 recalls, the 2016 has 7 recalls and 367 complaints, the most complaints of any year, the 2017 has 8, the 2018 has 10 recalls, the most, and the 2019 has 9, the 2020 has 8. The fourth generation is far lighter: the 2022, 2023 and 2024 have 2 recalls each, the 2025 has 3, covering the backup camera, brakes and air bags, and the 2026 has 1. Open the 2016 MDX and 2018 MDX pages.
CarGurus (opens in a new tab) says all of the MDX's generations have solid repair records and a reputation for quality, that early second-generation models built from 2007 to 2009 have some of the best reliability records of any MDX, and that later ones, from 2010 to 2013, have some of the worst. Four Wheel Trends (opens in a new tab) publishes its own years-to-avoid and best-years list.
Choosing a year
The 2022 and later fourth-generation cars carry a fraction of the third generation's recalls, at 1 to 3 a year against 7 to 10, and are the simplest choice on recall history alone. For 2015 to 2020 cars, check the VIN for the fuel system, engine cooling and brake campaigns that dominate those years.
Questions buyers ask
Which Acura MDX years are the most reliable?
CarGurus (opens in a new tab) says the 2007 to 2009 models have some of the best reliability records of any MDX, and the 2010 to 2013 models some of the worst.
How much does the 2026 Acura MDX cost?
Kelley Blue Book base prices start at $53,250 and reach $68,350 for the SH-AWD with the Advance package.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2025 Acura MDX is built around 3.5L V6 or 3.0L turbo V6 (Type S), rated at 290 / 355 horsepower across its three-row luxury SUV body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2025 U.S. lineup has 6 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe most the 2025 Acura MDX is published to tow is up to 5,000 lb.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 104 owner complaints for the 2025 MDX.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2025 Acura MDX
Standard through A-Spec Advance share the 290-horsepower V6; Type S Advance Package alone gets a distinct 355-horsepower turbo V6 with standard Super Handling AWD.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
4 indexed Acura MDX model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Acura MDX | 1 | 2026 record → |
| 2025 Acura MDX | 2025 record → | |
| 2018 Acura MDX | 2018 record → | |
| 2015 Acura MDX | 2015 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the Acura MDX.
The Acura MDX is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV with three-row seating produced by the Japanese automaker Honda under its luxury Acura division since 2000. The alphanumeric moniker stands for "Multi-Dimensional" luxury. It has ranked as the second-best selling mid-size luxury SUV after the Lexus RX in the U.S.
- Safety
- Skipping the 2021 model year, the fourth-generation MDX was revealed as a prototype on October 14, 2020, virtually revealed on December 8, went into bulk production on January 12, 2021, for the 2022 model year, and went on sale on February 2, with the Type-S trim released on December 23.
- Awards
- North American Car of the Year Utility Finalist for 2019. Car and Driver magazine's Best Luxury SUV in 2001. Motor Trend magazine's SUV of the Year Contender in 2017.
Source: Acura MDX (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
Acura MDX at a glance
- Production
- 2000–present
- Model years
- 2001–2020, 2022–present
- Class
- Mid-size luxury crossover SUV
- Body style
- 5-door SUV
- Predecessor
- Acura SLX
Acura MDX generations
The Acura MDX has been redesigned in 2007, 2014, gaps of 6, 7 years, an average of 6.5 years between generations. The current generation (third generation, YD3/4/7) began in 2014.
| Generation | Code | Began | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| First generation | YD1 | 2001–2007 | Derived from Honda's Global mid-size platform which underpins cars like the Honda Accord, Acura TL, TSX and Odyssey, it is powered by a J35A3 3.5 L SOHC 24 valve V6 gasoline engine with VTEC. |
| Second generation | YD2 | 2007–2014 | On April 11, 2006, Acura unveiled the 2007 Acura MD-X Concept during the New York International Auto Show, showing to the public an indication about the exterior styling of the upcoming completely redesigned MDX. |
| Third generation | YD3/4/7 | 2014–present | The 2014 MDX Prototype was unveiled at the 2013 North American International Auto Show, the production version was revealed at the New York Auto Show. |
Recent recalls (3 campaigns across the latest model years)
- May 2026, Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger. 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… Consequence: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
- June 2025, Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages. 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… Consequence: 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.
- January 2025, Back Over Prevention:Software. 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… Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Owners filed 105 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Acura MDX, most often about engine (63), electrical system (48), unknown or other (26).
Year by year
The Acura MDX across 11 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records | NHTSA recalls | NHTSA complaints | NHTSA overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Acura MDX | 19–22 | $3,650–$4,200 | 3 | 1 | 5 stars | |
| 2025 Acura MDX | 19–22 | $3,500–$4,100 | 3 | 3 | 93 | 5 stars |
| 2024 Acura MDX | 19–22 | $3,500–$4,100 | 3 | 2 | 38 | 5 stars |
| 2023 Acura MDX | 19–22 | $3,500–$4,100 | 3 | 2 | 38 | 5 stars |
| 2022 Acura MDX | 19–22 | $3,500–$4,100 | 3 | 2 | 146 | 5 stars |
| 2020 Acura MDX | 21–27 | $2,850–$3,700 | 4 | 8 | 215 | 5 stars |
| 2019 Acura MDX | 21–27 | $2,850–$3,700 | 4 | 9 | 185 | 5 stars |
| 2018 Acura MDX | 21–27 | $2,850–$3,700 | 5 | 10 | 164 | 5 stars |
| 2017 Acura MDX | 21–27 | $2,850–$3,700 | 5 | 8 | 253 | 5 stars |
| 2016 Acura MDX | 21–23 | $3,350–$3,700 | 4 | 7 | 367 | 5 stars |
| 2015 Acura MDX | 21–23 | $3,350–$3,700 | 2 | 8 | 70 | 5 stars |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the Acura MDX, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 to 2022 | 4 to 3 | 24.0 to 20.5 | Labels: MDX AWD Type-S; Engines: 3L 6-cyl SIDI; Transmissions: Automatic (S10); Size classes: Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Labels: MDX AWD A-SPEC, MDX Hybrid AWD; Engines: 3L 6-cyl Hybrid; Transmissions: Automatic (AM-S7), Automatic (S9) |
| 2018 to 2019 | 5 to 4 | Labels: MDX AWD A-SPEC; Engines: 3L 6-cyl Hybrid | Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl SIDI; Stop-Start, 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2017 to 2018 | Engines: 3L 6-cyl | Engines: 3L 6-cyl SIDI; Stop-Start | ||
| 2016 to 2017 | 4 to 5 | 22.0 to 24.0 | Labels: MDX AWD, MDX FWD, MDX Hybrid AWD; Engines: 3L 6-cyl SIDI; Stop-Start; Transmissions: Automatic (AM-S7) | Labels: MDX 2WD, MDX 4WD |
| 2015 to 2016 | 2 to 4 | Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl SIDI; Stop-Start; Transmissions: Automatic (S9) | Transmissions: Automatic (S6) |
Buying used
What the Acura MDX recalls and complaints are about.
| Model year | Campaigns | Systems recalled | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | air bags (sensor) | None |
| 2025 | 3 | back over prevention (software); service brakes, hydraulic (pedals and linkages); air bags (sensor) | None |
| 2024 | 2 | service brakes, hydraulic (pedals and linkages); air bags (sensor) | None |
| 2023 | 2 | service brakes, hydraulic (pedals and linkages); air bags (sensor) | None |
| 2022 | 2 | air bags (sensor) | None |
| 2020 | 8 | fuel system, gasoline (delivery); service brakes, hydraulic (foundation components); engine and engine cooling; 3 more | None |
| 2019 | 9 | service brakes, hydraulic (foundation components); exterior lighting (tail lights); engine and engine cooling; 4 more | None |
| 2018 | 10 | seats; service brakes, hydraulic (foundation components); fuel system, other (delivery); 6 more | None |
| 2017 | 8 | service brakes, hydraulic (foundation components); fuel system, other (delivery); exterior lighting (tail lights); 5 more | None |
| 2016 | 7 | fuel system, gasoline (storage); fuel system, other (delivery); exterior lighting (tail lights); 4 more | None |
| 2015 | 8 | seat belts; forward collision avoidance (crash imminent braking); equipment (appliance); 5 more | None |
| System | Complaints | Share of all complaints | Worst model year |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 486 | 30% | 2016 (161) |
| power train | 339 | 21% | 2016 (111) |
| electrical system | 290 | 18% | 2025 (48) |
| unknown or other | 208 | 13% | 2016 (40) |
| forward collision avoidance | 148 | 9% | 2020 (37) |
| fuel/propulsion system | 81 | 5% | 2018 (28) |
Trim by trim
Every 2026 Acura MDX trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | FWD | 3.5-liter V6 (i-VTEC) | 290 | 267 | 4,268 | 3,500 | 22 | – |
| SH-AWD | AWD | 3.5-liter V6 (i-VTEC) | 290 | 267 | 4,510 | 5,000 | 21 | $55,450 |
| Base w/Technology Pkg | FWD | 3.5-liter V6 (i-VTEC) | 290 | 267 | 4,302 | 3,500 | 22 | $58,650 |
| SH-AWD w/Technology Pkg | AWD | 3.5-liter V6 (i-VTEC) | 290 | 267 | 4,544 | 5,000 | 21 | $60,850 |
| SH-AWD w/A-Spec Pkg | AWD | 3.5-liter V6 (i-VTEC) | 290 | 267 | 4,544 | 5,000 | 21 | $63,850 |
| SH-AWD w/Advance Pkg | AWD | 3.5-liter V6 (i-VTEC) | 290 | 267 | 4,544 | 5,000 | 21 | $68,350 |
| SH-AWD w/A-Spec Advance Pkg | AWD | 3.5-liter V6 (i-VTEC) | 290 | 267 | 4,544 | 5,000 | 21 | $70,350 |
| Type S w/Advance Pkg | AWD | 3.0-liter V6 (Turbo) | 355 | 354 | 4,776 | 5,000 | 19 | $77,300 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2026 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every Acura MDX model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 3.5-liter V6 (i-VTEC) / 3.0-liter V6 (Turbo) | 290–355 | 4,268–4,776 | 3,500–5,000 | 18.5 |
| 2025 | 8 | 3.5-liter V6 (i-VTEC) / 3.0-liter V6 (Turbo) | 290–355 | 4,271–4,788 | 3,500–5,000 | 18.5 |
| 2024 | 8 | 3.5-liter V6 (i-VTEC) / 3.0-liter V6 (Turbo) | 290–355 | 4,271–4,788 | 3,500–5,000 | 18.5 |
| 2023 | 8 | 3.5-liter V6 (i-VTEC) / 3.0-liter V6 (Turbo) | 290–355 | 4,271–4,788 | 3,500–5,000 | 18.5 |
| 2022 | 8 | 3.5-liter V6 (i-VTEC) / 3.0-liter V6 (Turbo) | 290–355 | 4,271–4,788 | 3,500–5,000 | 18.5 |
| 2020 | 10 | 3.5-liter V6 (i-VTEC) | 290 | 4,032–4,350 | 3,500–5,000 | 19.5 |
| 2019 | 11 | 3.5-liter V6 (i-VTEC) | 290 | 4,001–4,292 | 3,500–5,000 | 19.5 |
| 2018 | 10 | 3.5-liter V6 (i-VTEC) | 290 | 4,001–4,292 | 3,500–5,000 | 19.5 |
| 2017 | 2 | 3.5-liter V6 (i-VTEC) | 290 | 4,001–4,215 | 3,500–5,000 | 19.5 |
| 2016 | 2 | 3.5-liter V6 (i-VTEC) | 290 | 3,960–4,195 | 3,500–5,000 | 19.5 |
| 2015 | 2 | 3.5-liter V6 (i-VTEC) | 290 | 4,025–4,255 | 3,500–5,000 | 19.5 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Owning it
Oil, fluid and wheel-nut figures for the Acura MDX.
| Model year | Engine oil | Brake fluid | Wheel-nut torque | A/C refrigerant | Key-fob battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0W-20 (5.6 qt) | – | – | – | – |
| 2025 | – | – | 94 lb-ft | – | – |
| 2022 | – | – | 94 lb-ft | – | – |
| 2020 | – | – | 94 lb-ft | – | – |
| 2019 | – | – | 94 lb-ft | – | – |
| 2018 | – | – | 94 lb-ft | – | – |
Source: the manufacturer's owner's manual for each model year. A dash means that year's manual gave no single value for it, for instance one that lists two oil grades or two key types.
Model-year recall record
Acura MDX: which model years carry more or fewer federal safety recalls.
Fewer recalls than this model’s own average
- 2026 Acura MDX : 1 recall on file (average across published years is 5.5).
- 2024 Acura MDX : 2 recalls on file (average across published years is 5.5).
- 2023 Acura MDX : 2 recalls on file (average across published years is 5.5).
- 2022 Acura MDX : 2 recalls on file (average across published years is 5.5).
More recalls than this model’s own average
- 2019 Acura MDX : 9 recalls on file, most commonly affecting fuel system and exterior lighting.
- 2018 Acura MDX : 10 recalls on file, most commonly affecting exterior lighting and engine cooling.
| Model year | Federal recalls on file | Complaints on file | Recalls most commonly affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | not available | airbags |
| 2025 | 3 | 93 | backup camera, brakes, airbags |
| 2024 | 2 | 38 | brakes, airbags |
| 2023 | 2 | 38 | brakes, airbags |
| 2022 | 2 | 146 | airbags |
| 2021 | 0 | ||
| 2020 | 8 | 215 | fuel system, airbags, brakes, engine cooling |
| 2019 | 9 | 185 | fuel system, exterior lighting, engine cooling, brakes |
| 2018 | 10 | 164 | exterior lighting, engine cooling, Fuel System, Other, brakes |
| 2017 | 8 | 253 | exterior lighting, Fuel System, Other, brakes, engine cooling |
| 2016 | 7 | 367 | exterior lighting, fuel system, Fuel System, Other, engine cooling |
| 2015 | 8 | 70 | exterior lighting, fuel system, equipment, forward collision system |
Method: recall counts and their affected components come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Recalls API, queried by exact make, model and model year. Complaint counts come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Complaints API, same query pattern. Data pulled 2026-09-04.
Known gap: the NHTSA complaints API did not return data for Acura MDX model year 2026 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream, not returning a genuine zero. Those years are marked "not available" above instead of shown as clean; recall counts for those years are unaffected and come from the separate recalls API, which returned data for every year listed.
Check open recalls by VIN for one particular vehicle.
Q01Is there a best year to buy a Acura MDX?
Recall count alone can't answer that: it says nothing about a specific vehicle's price, mileage, accident history or maintenance record. What federal data can say: 2026, 2024, 2023, 2022 carried fewer recalls than this model's own average, while 2019, 2018 carried more. See the model-year table on this page for the exact counts and what they cover.
Q02Which Acura MDX model years should I watch for recalls?
The 2019 Acura MDX has 9 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting fuel system, exterior lighting, engine cooling; The 2018 Acura MDX has 10 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting exterior lighting, engine cooling, Fuel System, Other. Always confirm the open/completed status of every campaign for the specific VIN: a recall on this list may already be repaired on the vehicle in front of you.
Q03Which Acura MDX model years have the cleanest federal recall record?
The 2026 Acura MDX has 1 recall on file; The 2024 Acura MDX has 2 recalls on file; The 2023 Acura MDX has 2 recalls on file; The 2022 Acura MDX has 2 recalls on file: below this model's own average of 5.5. A shorter list on file as of this page's data pull is not a guarantee against a future recall.
Q04What are common recall-related problems on the Acura MDX by model year?
2026: airbags. 2025: backup camera, brakes, airbags. 2024: brakes, airbags. 2023: brakes, airbags. 2022: airbags. 2020: fuel system, airbags, brakes, engine cooling.
Q05Why do some Acura MDX model years show "not available" for complaints?
The NHTSA complaints API did not return data for Acura MDX model year 2026 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream instead of the count genuinely being zero. Recall counts for those years are unaffected; they come from a separate NHTSA endpoint that returned data for every year listed.
Diagnosing one of these symptoms? The recalled systems above map to this site’s own ownership desks: general, evidence-first guidance that applies regardless of whether the specific vehicle in front of you was ever part of a recall campaign: Climate and electrical, Engine and cooling, Buying, records and recalls, Brakes, tires and steering.
2019 Acura MDX owners specifically: see Engine and cooling and Climate and electrical and Brakes, tires and steering.
2018 Acura MDX owners specifically: see Climate and electrical and Engine and cooling and Brakes, tires and steering.
Trim ladder
1 Acura MDX trim, each with its own page.
Compared with
Models this Acura MDX is most often compared with.
Nearest Acura models
Other Acura models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2025 MDX come in?
The 2025 Acura MDX (three-row luxury SUV) comes in 6 trims: Standard, Technology Package, A-Spec Package, Advance Package, A-Spec Advance, Type S Advance Package.
Q02What are the 2025 MDX trims?
The 2025 Acura MDX trims are Standard, Technology Package, A-Spec Package, Advance Package, A-Spec Advance, Type S Advance Package, listed from the entry Standard up to the top Type S Advance Package.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2025 MDX use?
The 2025 Acura MDX is built around 3.5L V6 or 3.0L turbo V6 (Type S), rated at 290 / 355 horsepower across its three-row luxury SUV body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2025 MDX have?
The 2025 Acura MDX is rated at 290 / 355 horsepower (3.5L V6 or 3.0L turbo V6 (Type S)).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2025 MDX?
The 2025 Acura MDX is offered with FWD / AWD.