What's Wrong with the 3rd Generation (2014–2020) MDX?

MDX owners have made 110 complaints about the 2014–2020 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 24th out of 30 Acura generations in overall reliability, with real engine and transmission concerns.

Compare With Other MDX Generations

Common 2014-2020 Acura MDX Problems

Some of the worst issues 3rd generation MDX owners have to deal with.

  1. Acura's Very Uncomfortable Seats

    The seat design in certain Acura vehicles has been described as crippling. Owners complain that their legs fall asleep after 30 minutes of driving, and any long trips result in stiff backs, sore thighs, or messed up necks. Acura has been si…

    Continue reading article "Acura's Very Uncomfortable Seats" A beige interior featuring the headrest of an unnamed Acura vehicle.

  2. Denso Fuel Pump Failure

    The impellers inside of Denso branded fuel pumps may have been excessively exposed to a drying agent during manufacturing. This leads to them cracking, absorbing fuel, and deforming so badly that they stop sending fuel to the engine. Honda …

    Continue reading article "Denso Fuel Pump Failure"

What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

3rd Generation (2014–2020) MDX Key Numbers

  1. 7 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 110 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 24th in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 30 eligible generations.

Recent Lawsuits for 3rd Generation MDX Owners

  • Abel, et al., v. American Honda Motor Company, Inc., et al.

    1. Case Filed

      According to this Acura class action lawsuit, the 2016-2020 MDX and 2019-2020 RDX SUVs allegedly experience miscommunications between the computers and the software that controls the engines, throttles and transmissions.

    Class Vehicles
    • 2016-2020 MDX
    • 2019-2020 RDX
    Location
    California

Recent 3rd Generation (2014–2020) MDX News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  2. A lawsuit says Acura is ignoring a significant and immediate safety threat with the 3rd generation MDX and RDX transmissions.

    The 9-speed ZF transmission has numerous acceleration defects and can even throw itself into neutral if the throttle malfunctions while interpreting messages from various input modules.

    The lawsuit points to TSB #PU-15-34 where Acura says a driver may not be able to select any other gears until the vehicle is restarted due to an open circuit in the actuator supply. Acura said a simple software update would fix the problem.

    But according to the plaintiffs it didn't work.

    keep reading article "MDX and RDX Owners Sue Acura Because Their Transmissions Keep Shifting into Neutral"

  3. Any hope of a proposed class-action lawsuit for faulty window regulators in certain Acure vehicles has fizzled after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals shot down the proposal in a 2-to-1 ruling.

    The plaintiff argued that Honda, parent company of Acura, installed window regulators that are insufficiently strong and insufficiently durable to withstand the forces required to perform [their] intended function. Functions like making sure the dang window doesn't fall into the door, for example.

    The lawsuit originally included the 2000-2011 Acura MDX, Acura TSX, Acura RL and Acura CL but those vehicles were dropped in a last-ditch effort to save the suit.

    It didn't work.

    keep reading article "Window Regulator Class-Action Lawsuit Stopped in Appeals Court"

  5. A lawsuit filed in California says newer MDX and RDX SUVs have issues with rapid deceleration, stalled engines, hesitation while accelerating, and transmissions that shift themselves into neutral randomly.

    The alleged problems are caused by miscommunications among the computers and software which control the engines, throttles and transmissions.

    Sounds like a joy to drive.

    keep reading article "MDX and RDX SUVs Suffer From a Number of Acceleration Issues, According to Lawsuit"

  6. Water is leaking past a faulty seal and straight into the tail lights of roughly 360,000 Acura SUVs.

    From there it meets up with some electrical components and that never tends to go well. In this case, it’s shorting out internal and exterior lights in the 2014-2019 MDX and 2017-2019 MDX Sport Hybrid. Dealerships will replace the light assembly gaskets when the recall begins on April 29, 2019.

    keep reading article "Acura Recalls 360,000 Leaky Tail Lights in the MDX and MDX Sport Hybrid"