AI Damage2017 Acura MDX: common problems
Owners of the 2017 Acura MDX filed 260 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and powertrain. The maker issued 160 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 260
- involving a crash
- 8
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 160
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 30% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 25% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 18% of all complaints
- 4 Forward collision avoidance 15% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 6 Lane departure 8% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 8% of all complaints
- 8 Engine and cooling 7% of all complaints
- Engine: 79 complaints (30% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 19.
- Powertrain: 64 complaints (25% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 18.
- Electrical system: 46 complaints (18% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 26.
- Forward collision avoidance: 38 complaints (15% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Service brakes: 21 complaints (8% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 29.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 4 complaints
- 3 L · hybrid · 6 cyl
- automatic, 9-speed
- dual-clutch (DCT), 7-speed
Drive: AWD, FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 260 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 79 | 1 | 19 |
| Powertrain | 64 | 0 | 18 |
| Electrical system | 46 | 1 | 26 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 38 | 1 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 21 | 3 | 29 |
| Lane departure | 21 | 0 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 21 | 1 | 1 |
| Engine and cooling | 18 | 0 | 38 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 18 | 1 | 1 |
| Structure | 10 | 2 | 6 |
| Exterior lighting | 7 | 0 | 5 |
| Wheels | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| Seats | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Backover prevention | 3 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
As I was driving in a stop and go traffic jam, the vehicle would not go forward although I was pressing on the gas pedal, the engine stall and when it finally reacted after pressing it for the second time it went too fast that I couldn’t stop in time to avoid rear ending the other vehicle, the emergency braking system…
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.
on January 9, 2024 I was driving this car and was hit on the driver's side of my vehicle , other driver at fault. The driver's side door side curtain airbags appropriately deployed. The door itself was crushed, and I had to be cut out of the car. The malfunction was my seat, the driver's seat of the vehicle.
The left door exterior chrome door handle was also replaced by dealership but no reason is listed as to why replaced. There are now issues with: exposed airbag ' is it the original or was it replaced?; tire pressure varies (+/- 7 or 8 ) in the rear left tire that has been looked at by my local acura dealer two times…
The 2017 acura mdx has an unintended sudden acceleration failure condition. This analysis provides evidence of this issue, and the subsequent communications with acura client relations which ended with a refusal to acknowledge the issue.
On august 21, 2018 I pulled into a parking stall, and realized I was not aligned properly. I clicked on reverse so that I could realign within my designated space, and the car lunged forward jumping the curb and hitting the building approximately 4-5 feet in front of me. Both driver side airbags deployed.
Brake system, Cruise control, lane keeping system get malfunction erratically (ever since 2022, and has been like this), and one of the two sets of brakes never wears off (More than 100 K mileage now (Oct. 2026) , one set of brake pads still is still have sufficient life and does not seem to require replacement.
The contact stated that while driving, the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), brake, and Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) warning lights were intermittently illuminated.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 247 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 12% most complained about).
On average one model year of the MDX has 143 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 260, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature…
Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engaging, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Acura is providing a product update with a new PGM-FI…
- Service Bulletin - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one…
Service Bulletin - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one or both of the inner taillights not to work.
- Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop the vehicle…
Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or low cranking torque. Typically, the…
- Owner Notification Letter - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s),…
Owner Notification Letter - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one or both of the inner taillights not to work.
- Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on with one or more AWD DTCs having been set due to water…
Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on with one or more AWD DTCs having been set due to water intrusion into the electric oil pump motor connector area corrodes the terminals.
- Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on potentially due to water intrusion into the rear…
Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on potentially due to water intrusion into the rear differential pump motor connector area that corrodes the terminals.
- Service Bulletin - Drivers may experience a chirping sound coming from the engine area with the engine…
Service Bulletin - Drivers may experience a chirping sound coming from the engine area with the engine warmed up due to the high pressure fuel pump is making a chirp.
- Service Bulletin - The engine will not crank on the initial startup attempt after the vehicle has been…
Service Bulletin - The engine will not crank on the initial startup attempt after the vehicle has been exposed to precipitation and then freezing temperatures. Water can enter the starter motor. In cold temperatures…
- Product Update - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engaging,…
Product Update - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engaging, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Acura is providing a product update with a new PGM-FI software update…
- Warranty Extension - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature…
Warranty Extension - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart.
- Warranty Extension - Warranty Extension reimbursement form for engine idle stop repairs made before the…
Warranty Extension - Warranty Extension reimbursement form for engine idle stop repairs made before the warranty extension notice date.
- Service Bulletin - The engine will not crank on the initial startup attempt after the vehicle has been…
Service Bulletin - The engine will not crank on the initial startup attempt after the vehicle has been exposed to precipitation and then freezing temperatures.
NHTSA lists 160 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Acura MDX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, powertrain, electrical system. Total complaints: 260. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (27%), knocking, grinding or other noise (14%), driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (12%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 Acura MDX?
NHTSA lists 160 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2017 Acura MDX from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2017 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.