Acura · MDX · 2012
1
Recall
72
Complaints
4/5
Safety Rating
The 2012 Acura MDX has 1 recall and 72 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: engine (14 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
Frontal Crash Test

Side Crash Test

Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
14.0% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 PILOT AND ACURA MDX VEHICLES. THE VENT SHUT FLOAT (VSF) VALVE CASE IN THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY DOES NOT MEET THE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS.
Remedy Status
HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VSF ASSEMBLY DATE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 13, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-999-1009.
Does not have anchor for the seat. A recall was placed by NHTSA
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 126,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 159,000.
See attached document for complaint.
On 11/30/24 I heard a slight whirling sound while driving. On 12/1/24 I drove from Point A towards my home. Along the way the oil light flashed. I stopped at Advance Auto Parts, 15 miles from Point A. I checked the oil and it read as it should on the dip stick. No oil was needed. I drove straight home, a distance of 30 miles, and parked the car. When my son arrived home he started the car and there was a knocking sound. He shut it off. He stated that he felt it to be the rod bearings. He then changed the oil as previously planned as supplies were already in the car. He checked the oil and found a slight glitter in it indicating the rod bearing issue. The car remained parked until 12/26/24 when it was taken to an independent service center, round trip of 18 miles, who confirmed that the rod bearings were the issue. The car was parked again and only started to move about 50 feet into the garage prior to a snow storm. It has not been started since. My safety was put at risk as the engine could have, and will, fail when driving. The engine had previously been repaired at an Acura dealer for an oil consumption issue in accordance with service bulletin 19-006. Honda refused to honor the recall previously offered due to this known failure. The car was picked up on 12/8/22 with 92,954 and purchased finalized on 1/4/23. The oil consumption issue was first noted on 2/12/23 at 97,088 miles. Car was serviced and oil changed on 2/16/23 at which time the oil consumption issue was diagnosed by the selling dealer. Oil was continually added until work was completed on 3/21/23 at 99,425 miles. The new issue with the rod bearings (that were not changed with the first repair as they should have been) was first noted at approximately 137,840 miles. This is now the second engine failure for this car. The car is available for inspection. The car has not been inspected by any entity other than the initial diagnosis on 12/26/24.
Oil consumption/burning Cylinder rings
My Sunroof exploded.
DONE everything Dealer suggested and still having problems with random misfires in 1,2 and 3 cylinders, changed spark plugs, fuel injectors, ignition coils and compression test and changed rear CAT. Still check engine light come on sometime then the SUV driving good, and sometimes it drive ruff, check engine light come on then go off then come back on with same codes: random misfire.
11/17/2020 Acura battery of our 2012 Acura MDX failed & was replaced under manufacturer warranty, via comp was provided. 6/29/2021 Acura battery failed again. Dealership did not honor warranty claiming manufacturer Acura would not pay for replacement. Dealership said I needed to contact Acura Client Relationship which I did. ACR initially said dealership was at fault & the battery should be replaced under warranty. I asked for a client number & was placed on 10 minute hold. When agent returned she changed her story saying battery was not under warranty even though it had been replaced under warranty in November 2020. Their reason was I ‘did not pay for the battery.’ This is not true as I did pay a prorate portion of the replacement in November & the original battery I purchased with the certified vehicle purchase. The ACR agent declined to provide me a claim number. I talked to the dealer service manager Andrew Jackson & the service tech writer Tevin Jackson. I requested contact information for an Acura Zone or Regional Manager. Andrew stated he would speak to general manager - Cecil Turner. I followed up with Andrew, was told that Acura Client Relations have no record of my call (I have itemized billing & therefore proof of the call including duration) & he asked me to call back to get a claim number. I did this & obtained a claim number which I provided to Mr. Jackson. I followed up again & was told the Regional representative was going to try & obtain an Acura Loyalty Card. Weeks later I checked on this again & was told they were still trying. While the dealership is not at fault & my claim of Fraud is not directed at Acura of Little Rock or Mr. Tevin, Mr. Andrew or Mr. Cecil (even though as a 21 year customer of this dealership he has not bothered to contact me in any way) I am very dismayed that the manufacturer Acura – an American Honda com. The repeated battery failures are a real & present safety danger. Acura batteries are garbage.
MY AIRBAG LIGHT WON'T GO OFF. SHOWING AN ERROR WHEN HOOKED UP TO THE MACHINE
ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, MY SUV HAD A MESSAGE ALERT COME ON WHILE I WAS SITTING STILL AFTER JUST STARTING MY VEHICLE IN WALMART PARKING LOT AFTER GROCERY SHOPPING, SAYING TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL; OIL LEVEL LOW. ALSO, JUST RECENTLY, MARCH 27TH I HAD TO ADD OIL TO MY VEHICLE AGAIN; 3/4 OF A QUART LOW ON OIL. THE VERY NEXT MORNING, I HAD ANOTHER ALERT COME ACROSS MY MESSAGE BOARD SAYING TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL- OIL LEVEL LOW. SO I CHECKED IT AGAIN, IT SHOWED AT THE TOP OF THE HASH MARKS ON THE DIPSTICK AS IT SHOULD. SO I'M NOT SURE WHAT'S GOING ON THERE UNLESS IT'S A MALFUNCTION OF SORTS OR A SENSOR ISSUE. I CHECK MY OIL WHEN I FILL UP MY GAS TANK. ALL OF A SUDDEN, MY SUV WAS BURNING/ USING OIL. I HAVE TO KEEP PUTTING OIL IN DUE TO A LOW OIL LEVEL LOOK ENTIRELY TOO OFTEN. I'VE HAD TO PUT OIL IN MY ENGINE AT LEAST TWICE A MONTH. AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT JUST ENOUGH TO TOP IT OFF, I'M TALKING ANYWHERE FROM 3/4 OF A QUART TO 3 QUARTS OR MORE AT TIMES. THERE ARE NO LEAKS, NO PUDDLES OR OIL SPLATTER ON THE BOTTOM OF MY TRUCK OR IN MY DRIVEWAY. MY TRUCK IS HAVING A SEVERE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM. I KNOW THERE WAS AN EXTENDED VEHICLE WARRANTY THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX THIS THAT EXPIRED APRIL OF 2021-I DID NOT GET THIS VEHICLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER OF 2020. ALSO, I DID DO THE THOUSAND MILE TEST AND IT FAILED MISERABLY. NO ONE CAN TELL ME IF IT WAS FIXED OR NOT, BUT OBVIOUSLY, EITHER WAY, IT DID NOT GET FIXED OR THE FIX DID NOT WORK. IT IS A COSTLY FIX AND IT IS A MANUFACTURER FAIL, NOT MINE. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE IT CREATES ANY FUTURE PROBLEMS OR YEARS UP THE PISTONS IN MY ENGINE OR LOCKS UP. ANY HELP OR ASSISTANCE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED! THANK YOU.
MY 2012 ACURA MDX HAS AN OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE THAT ACURA IS AWARE OF BEING A PROBLEM, HOWEVER IT IS NOT OFFERING TO COVER THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH FIXING THE ISSUE. MY VEHICLE BURNED THROUGH MORE THAN 2 QUARTS OF OIL IN A MATTER OF 1 MONTH. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL AS IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. LACK OF OIL COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO FAIL.
SHUDDERING WHEN GOING BETWEEN 20-40 MILES.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY MY CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. I REACHED MY DESTINATION AND TURNED OFF MY VEHICLE, I THEN RESTARTED MY VEHICLE AND THE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. I TOOK A PICTURE OF THE LIGHT FOR PROOF. STILL ON FOR 3 WEEKS NOW. I CHECKED AND MY VIN IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST FOR THE AIRBAG.
The airbag light is on I went to have the airbag replaced. I was told I couldn't get my airbag replaced because it was a CANADIAN vehicle and they couldn't get the part etc. to replace it. So I have a Canadian vehicle that was not disclosed to me at the time of purchase. What can I do to resolve this issue? I purchased the Suv from Walt Sweeny 6315 Harrison Avenue Cincinnati Ohio 45247Auto Center 877- 300-3930. I spoke with the owner once and other person. No resolution has come about yet.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. I REACHED MY DESTINATION AND TURNED OFF MY VEHICLE, I THEN RESTARTED MY VEHICLE AND THE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. I TOOK A PICTURE OF THE LIGHT FOR PROOF. IT DID GO OFF LATER IN THE DAY. IT HAS COME ON INTERMEDIATELY SINCE THAT DAY. I CHECKED AND MY VIN IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST FOR THE AIRBAG.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INFORMING THE DRIVER TO GO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEITH ACURA (2300 CAPITAL SUMMIT CT, RALEIGH, NC 27616, (919) 803-8700) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAGS ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
WINDSHIELD WIPER DOESN'T WORK, ELECTRONIC STEERING FAILED
MY 2012 MDX MODEL IS CONSUMING EXCESSIVE MOTOR OIL, AFTER 3000 MILES DRIVING , I'M DOWN TO 1 1/4 QUARTS. THE TEST WAS DONE AND OIL CHANGED ON TWO OCCASIONS ON 3K MILES AND 2K MILES . ALL THIS IS HAPPENED DURING 8 MONTH OF THE MY OWNERSHIP.
EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR I TRY TO TAKE IT BACK TO GET IT WAS BECAUSE THE CAR RPM FLUCTUATE ABOUT 1500-2500 RPM RANGE AND 30-40MPH CAUSES THE CAR TO JERKS LIKE ITS TRYING TO GO AND BRAKING AT THE SAME TIME. IT DOES THIS CONSISTENTLY IN CITY STREETS SOMETIMES IT DOES THAT ON THE HIGHWAY. ESPECIALLY GOING UP HILLS. I JUST DON'T FEEL SAFE AT ALL WHEN THE CAR ACTS UP LIKE THAT. I TAKE IT BACK TO WHERE I BOUGHT IT FROM THEY KEEP SAYING IS NORMAL I EVEN TOOK IT TO ACURA DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN SAYS ITS NORMAL AND THAT I NEED TO PRESS ON GAS HARDER. THIS IS BULLSH*T.
AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE, I PARKED IT, TURNED IT OFF AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2012 Acura MDX has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 72 owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Acura MDX.
The 2012 Acura MDX received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2012 Acura MDX are engine (14 reports), power train (11 reports), air bags (8 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2012 Acura MDX. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.