2015 Acura Mdx Safety Report
2015 Acura MDX Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2015 Acura Mdx
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2015 Acura Mdx. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (7) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (68) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 7 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Power Train | Compare power train issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2022 | Compare against the 2022 Acura Mdx with 105 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2016 | Check the 2016 Acura Mdx before buying across this generation. |
Acura Mdx Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Acura Mdx years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Acura Mdx | 340 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Acura Mdx | 222 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Acura Mdx | 147 | 8 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Acura Mdx | 171 | 7 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Acura Mdx | 193 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Acura Mdx | 105 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2015 Acura Mdx Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2015 Acura Mdx, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Power Train
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Acura onlyUnknown Or Other
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Acura onlyElectrical System
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Acura onlyStructure
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Acura onlyExterior Lighting
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Exterior Lighting issues Acura onlySteering
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering issues Acura onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2015 Acura Mdx
Reliability Score
The 2015 Acura Mdx receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2015 Acura Mdx
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2015 Acura Mdx
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2015 Acura Mdx:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structural Integrity Recalls for moisture-related issues affecting exterior lighting and tail lights. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Power Train Recalls for fuel pump and tank assembly issues. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Common issues include tail lights and brake lights not functioning properly. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Transmission Transmission shuddering and hesitating to shift normally are reported. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2015 Acura Mdx:
Issues with tail lights and brake lights are frequent.
Problems with the air conditioner and battery are common.
Transmission shuddering and hesitating to shift normally are reported.
Recalls for moisture-related issues affecting exterior lighting and tail lights.
Recall Details for the 2015 Acura Mdx
The following 7 recalls have been issued for the 2015 Acura Mdx by NHTSA:
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid light assembly and wiring harness, which can cause the interior and exterior lights to fail, including the lid lights, position lights, license plate lights and taillights.
Consequence: Vehicle lights that fail to illuminate can decrease visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wiring and install a fuse harness, replace the lid light, and repair the body dust sealer, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 30, 2025. Owners may contact Acura's customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Acura's number for this recall is FLI. Vehicles included in this recall that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 19V-25...
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Acura MDX and 2017-2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid lights, possibly causing a loss of the tailgate lid lights and the taillights.
Consequence: Loss of the taillights reduces the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Acura will notify owners, and dealers will modify the tailgate lid lights and install updated gaskets and a wiring sub-harness or will replace both tailgate lid lights. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is M49.
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura MDX 2WD and MDX 4WD vehicles, 2016 Acura MDX 4WD vehicles, 2015-2016 Honda Odyssey vehicles, and 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD and 4WD vehicles. The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that were manufactured with insufficient welds which may separate and allow fuel to leak out.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tanks, free of charge. Owners may contact Honda/Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. The recall began on July 29, 2016. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA9 (Honda vehicles) and KB0 (Acura vehicles).
Summary: American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX and MDX AWD vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to December 16, 2014. The affected vehicles have air conditioning compressor clutch drive bolts that may not have received the proper anti-corrosion coating.
Consequence: If a bolt was not coated, it may corrode and break as a result. If the bolt breaks, the compressor clutch plate may separate from the vehicle, possibly becoming a road hazard.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air conditioning compressor clutch drive bolt and install a new clutch plate if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 7, 2015. Owners may contact Acura client relations at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's number for this recall is JQ7.
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX 2WD and AWD, RLX and 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid vehicles. In certain driving conditions, the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) may incorrectly interpret certain roadside objects such as metal fences or metal guardrails as obstacles and unexpectedly apply the brakes.
Consequence: If the CMBS unexpectedly applies emergency braking force while driving, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the CMBS software, free of charge. The recall began on July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's numbers for this recall is JQ4, JQ5 and JQ6.
Summary: American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to August 25, 2014, and 2014 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured November 5, 2012, to November 25, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the driver and front passenger seat belt may not extend or retract in low temperatures.
Consequence: A seatbelt that does not function increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Honda has notified owners, and dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belts, free of charge. The recall began in November 2014. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's number for this recall is JK7 for the MKX, and JK8 for the RLX.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2015 Acura Mdx
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2015 Acura Mdx with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 4 complaints involved crashes. 2 involved fires. 5 reported injuries or fatalities.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2015 Acura MDX. It was later discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 82,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 167,000.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2015 Acura MDX. The contact stated that upon retrieving the Carfax report of the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 105,000, and the mileage on the Carfax report was 215,000 in July 2025. The MVA was contacted and referred the contact to the Police ...
All of a sudden the brakes are automatically applied with collision avoidance amber coming on dash heads up display while I am on freeway approximate speed 30-40 mph with no apparent vehicle in front.this has also happened at lower speeds in local driving roads.Braking is pretty severe and dangerous could be rear ended by other vehicles ..This is a Collision mitigating system falsely coming on wi...
The contact owns a 2015 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the tailgate lid lights did not function as intended. The contact was pulled over by the local Police and was informed that the taillights were not operating. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with failed tailgate lid lights. The contact was informed that the tai...
The contact owns a 2015 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact pulled over onto the shoulder of the roadway. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independ...
Paint peeling on roof (white diamond pearl paint).
For the last 50k miles we've taken our Acura MDX to the dealership for regular oil changes. Almost every visit results in a bad battery. We've had the dealership replace a side mirror due to the electrical and several batteries as well. They've kept it for several days diagnosing issues but haven't to this day found out what's wrong with it. Now my back taillight stopped working, we bought a...
Acura issued Warranty Extension TSB 19-029 on 2014-2016 MDX with white diamond pearl paint. The extension covers the roof and rear door. My roof began peeling in or around 2022 and the roof was repainted without issue. The rear door just showed signs of the defect in August 2024, and the issue is clearly the same manufacturer defect as identified in the document, however, Acura is unwilling to ...
The contact owns a 2015 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, he observed condensation in both taillights and the taillights did not illuminate as intended. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the lid light needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred with the right taillights. The manufacturer was notified of the ...
See attached letter for complaint
The contact owned a 2015 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while exiting the car wash parking lot, the vehicle was in neutral. The contact entered the vehicle. The contact attempted to shift the gear into drive, however the gear shifter was inoperable and did not move. The contact stated the vehicle independently accelerated and was unstoppable. The vehicle crossed a busy parking lot, the vehic...
Tail lights (rear running lights) don’t work, when break light and turn lights work
The sun/moon roof glass on our 2015 Acura MDX spontaneously shattered while my wife was driving down a major thoroughfare in our area. If the inside cover below the glass had been open, my wife could have been seriously injured by falling shards of glass. Furthermore, she could have been easily distracted and involved in an accident by the loud, exploding sound of the glass shattering. An inspe...
transmission torque converter shudder during 20 to 45 mph.
TRANSMISSION SLIPS,AND HESITATES TO SHIFT NORMALLY AND THEN GOES NORMAL AGAIN. VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WHEN THIS OCCURED ,IT HAPPENED WHILE CRUSING AT 35 MPH, AND AT 50 MPH, STREET ,AND HIGHWAY. I HAVE TAKEN IT INTO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES TO FIND THE ISSUE AND ANYWAYS END UP WITH NO ANSWERS, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND MULTIPLE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUES WITH THEIR ...
Torque converter shutter at speeds of 30mph - 45mph causing erratic acceleration fluctuations. I addressed the concern with the dealership at around 72,000 miles (just out of manufacturers warranty). I told there was a fluid recall. They changed the fluid which remedies the issue. The transmission fluid has to be changed every 5,000-10,000 for the vehicle to perform with a less noticeable trans...
WHILE CAR IS SHIFTING IDLE HANGS AND SHUTTERS AROUND 1600-2000 RPM. LEFT FRONT AND REAR SHOCKS HAVE LOUD NOISES WHEN TRAVELING OVER BUMPS.
APPEARS TO HAVE ISSUES SHIFTING FROM D4 TO D5 OR WHILE IN D5. ROUGHLY AROUND 1.6K RPM THE VEHICLE SOUNDS LIKE IT IS DRIVING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS. I THINK IT MIGHT BE A TORQUE CONVERTER PROBLEM.
TRANSMISSION SLIPS ,AND HESITATES TO SHIFT NORMALLY AND THEN GOES NORMAL AGAIN. VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WHEN THIS OCCURED ,IT HAPPENED WHILE CRUSING AT 35 MPH, AND AT 50 MPH, STREET ,AND HIGHWAY. .
WHEN TURNING SLOWLY (IE PARKING LOTS), THERE IS KNOCKING/CREAKING SOUND HEARD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. DEALER CONFIRMED NOISE BUT NOT ABLE TO SAY EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG OR WHY OTHER THAN TO SAY THAT IT NEEDS FRONTS AXLES ON BOTH SIDES REPLACED AT COST OF $1200+. IN MY OPINION, THEY DIDN'T PROPERLY DIAGNOSE IT (AND REALLY ARE JUST GUESSING AT PROBLEM). THEY ONLY TEST DROVE IT AND THAT IS NOT ONLY WA...
Showing 20 of 68 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2015 Acura Mdx
Has the 2015 ACURA MDX been recalled?
Yes, the 2015 ACURA MDX has 7 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2015 ACURA MDX have?
The 2015 ACURA MDX has 68 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 5 involved crashes. 9 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2015 ACURA MDX?
The 2015 ACURA MDX received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 ACURA MDX?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2015 ACURA MDX involve power train (8 complaints), unknown or other (6 complaints), electrical system (5 complaints). Other affected components include structure, exterior lighting, steering.
How many crash reports does the 2015 ACURA MDX have?
There are 5 crash reports associated with the 2015 ACURA MDX out of 68 total complaints (7.4% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2015 ACURA MDX have?
There are 2 fire reports for the 2015 ACURA MDX out of 68 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2015 ACURA MDX?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2015 ACURA MDX.
How many injuries are reported for the 2015 ACURA MDX?
9 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2015 ACURA MDX. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2015 ACURA MDX?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2015 ACURA MDX is acceptable with caveats. It has 68 complaints, 7 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2015 ACURA MDX?
The components with the most failures on the 2015 ACURA MDX are: 1. POWER TRAIN (8 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (6 complaints), 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5 complaints), 4. STRUCTURE (5 complaints), 5. EXTERIOR LIGHTING (3 complaints). POWER TRAIN is the single most-reported problem area with 8 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2015 ACURA MDX?
Be cautious of odometer fraud and check for recalls related to exterior lighting and power train issues before purchasing a 2015 Acura MDX. The 2015 ACURA MDX has 68 NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2015 ACURA MDX?
The 2015 ACURA MDX receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 68 owner complaints, 7 recalls, and 7 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Structural Integrity and Power Train.
What are the known issues with the 2015 ACURA MDX?
Known issues with the 2015 ACURA MDX include: Structural Integrity, Power Train, Electrical System, Transmission. These are based on patterns found across 68 NHTSA complaints. 7 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2015 Acura MDX?
Yes, recalls have been issued for issues with the fuel pump, tank assembly, and exterior lighting.
What are the most common electrical system issues?
Tail lights and brake lights not functioning properly are the most common electrical system issues.
Are there any transmission problems with the 2015 Acura MDX?
Yes, transmission shuddering and hesitating to shift normally are reported.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of odometer fraud and check for recalls related to exterior lighting and power train issues before purchasing a 2015 Acura MDX.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2015 Acura Mdx
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2015 Acura Mdx. The data includes 68 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 7 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 5 reported crashes, 2 fire incidents, 9 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2015 Acura Mdx an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-13