AI Damage2023 Acura MDX: common problems
Owners of the 2023 Acura MDX filed 43 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electrical system. The maker issued 127 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 43
- involving a crash
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 127
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 26% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 19% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 19% of all complaints
- 4 Forward collision avoidance 16% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 9% of all complaints
- 6 Suspension 7% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 7% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 5% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 11 complaints (26% of all).
- Electrical system: 8 complaints (19% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 16.
- Service brakes: 8 complaints (19% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Forward collision avoidance: 7 complaints (16% of all).
- Steering: 4 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 10-speed
Drive: AWD, FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 43 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 8 | 1 | 16 |
| Service brakes | 8 | 1 | 2 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 17 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 41 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 27 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 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.
The leak can result in the loss of gear oil and transmission fluid, further transmission damage, and a loss of power to the rear wheels. Repairs involve significant expense, including replacement of damaged components, seals, and both fluids.
At 22,000 miles a rotating thumping sound was heard and also felt in the steering wheel. The tires were inspected by my Acura dealer on three separate service calls to diagnose. On the 3rd visit the problem was confirmed and determined to be severe flat spots on all 4 tires.
My 2023 Acura MDX has developed a windshield washer system failure affecting both the front and rear washers. The system is clogged and is no longer able to spray washer fluid properly.
While merging onto highway, I sped up and at 25 mph, I heard a loud metal clunk from underneath the car. Car still drove and functioned as a two wheel drive instead of AWD.
Was driving arround corner and felt a shudder like I had run over something, the felt front tires loosing traction and car jerked into next lane. Took to dealer and they diagnosed a failure of output shaft from transmission to awd transfer case, currently at dealer getting transmission awd assembly replaced.
There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000.
The stated cause of failure was severely corroded rear stroke sensors. Including that incident, I have had a total of 5 corroded stroke sensors replaced within an approximately one-year time frame. This appears to be a recurring and systemic defect rather than isolated component failure.
Unable to stop the car. Luckily no accident. Brake pedal was very hard to press and car didn't stop. Brake pedal became normal again in few seconds (5- 7 sec). Inspected car. nothing was stuck under brake pedal.
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 934 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 44% most complained about).
On average one model year of the MDX has 143 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 43, below average.
What to check before buying
- 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.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Tech Line Summary Article - Customers are complaining of a clicking noise from front of vehicle while…
Tech Line Summary Article - Customers are complaining of a clicking noise from front of vehicle while turning at low speeds. This is a temporary solution to address the issue.
- "Service Bulletin - A pop noise can occur from the rear roof area when turning into driveways, bumps, or…
"Service Bulletin - A pop noise can occur from the rear roof area when turning into driveways, bumps, or on an incline due to, in some cases, the panoramic roof frame mounting bolts are unable to maintain the necessary…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is searching for certain 2023-2025 MDXs with a client complaint of a no auto re-start condition after going into an auto idle stop. The push button ignition may or may not restart the engine. To better understand…
- Tech Line Summary - Customers are complaining of a clicking noise from front of vehicle while turning at…
Tech Line Summary - Customers are complaining of a clicking noise from front of vehicle while turning at low speeds. This is a temporary solution to address the issue.
- Service Bulletin - Customers are experiencing screeching, squeaking, rubbing, or scraping from the rear…
Service Bulletin - Customers are experiencing screeching, squeaking, rubbing, or scraping from the rear wheel area due to rocks are getting caught between the rear brake disk and splash guard.
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is searching for certain 2023-2025 MDX with a client complaint of a no auto re-start condition after going into an auto idle stop. The push button ignition may or may not restart the engine. To better understand…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is searching for certain 2023-2025 MDXs with a client complaint of a front suspension noise while turning left and/or right. The noise can be described as a clicking. To better understand the cause of this…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is searching for certain 2019-2025 RDXs and 2022-2025 MDXs with a client complaint of a pop noise in the rear sunroof area. Clients may describe a single pop noise heard while driving over a bump or turning in…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is searching for certain 2022- 2024 MDXs & 2021-2025 TLXs with a client complaint of a loose or detached rearview mirror bracket. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect…
- 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, your vehicle may not automatically restart.
- Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances when reversing near a chain-link fence or highly reflective…
Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances when reversing near a chain-link fence or highly reflective surfaces, a parking and back-up sensor system abnormal message may be displayed in the multi-information…
- Service Bulletin - A coaxial cable terminal was not manufactured to proper specifications
An improperly manufactured terminal may lead to poor communication in the media-oriented system (MOST) bus network which can potentially affect the audio sound quality.
NHTSA lists 127 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Acura MDX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electrical system, service brakes. Total complaints: 43. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (21%), loss of power / limp mode (14%), driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (12%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2023 Acura MDX?
NHTSA lists 127 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 2023 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 2023 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.