2018 Acura Mdx Safety Report
2018 Acura MDX Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Acura Mdx
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 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 (8) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (147) | 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 | Engine And Engine Cooling,Fuel System, Gasoline | Compare engine and engine cooling,fuel system, gasoline issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2015 | Compare against the 2015 Acura Mdx with 68 complaints and 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Acura Mdx | 171 | 7 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Acura Mdx | 222 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Acura Mdx | 193 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2016 Acura Mdx | 340 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2015 Acura Mdx | 68 | 7 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2022 Acura Mdx | 105 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2018 Acura Mdx Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling,Fuel System, Gasoline
11 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine And Engine Cooling,Fuel System, Gasoline issues Acura onlyFuel System, Gasoline
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel System, Gasoline issues Acura onlyUnknown Or Other
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Acura onlyEngine
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Acura onlyElectrical System
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Acura onlyPower Train
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Acura onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Acura Mdx
Reliability Score
The 2018 Acura Mdx receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2018 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 2018 Acura Mdx
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Acura Mdx:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling Hard parts internal/mechanical and belts and associated pulleys issues have been reported. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Fuel System Delivery and gasoline-related issues have been reported. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Exterior Lighting Tail lights have experienced moisture and water intrusion leading to failure. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Issues have been reported. |
Medium | Common | Varies |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Acura Mdx:
Engine and engine cooling issues are the most frequent, affecting 11% of vehicles.
Fuel system problems, including delivery and gasoline-related issues, affect 9% of vehicles.
Exterior lighting, particularly tail lights, has experienced moisture and water intrusion leading to failure.
Electrical system issues have been reported.
Recall Details for the 2018 Acura Mdx
The following 8 recalls have been issued for the 2018 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 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
Consequence: A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed ...
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura MDX and Honda Pilot vehicles and 2019 Acura RLX, RLX Sport Hybrid, TLX and Honda Odyssey and Ridgeline vehicles. The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt.
Consequence: Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected timing belt free of charge. Vehicles receiving a replacement timing belt will also have the engine inspected and any damaged components will be replaced for free. The recall began June 7, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is L4M. Acura owners...
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 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine. Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance.
Consequence: Reduced fuel pump performance can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the fuel injection engine control unit (FI-ECU) software and, if necessary, replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019. Owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's recall number for this recall is P3W. Honda's recall number for this recall is N3X.
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Acura MDX, 2017-2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda HR-V and Honda Odyssey, and 2016 Honda HR-V vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating, causing gas pockets to form, reducing brake performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Consequence: A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners will be notified, and Honda or Acura dealers will bleed the brakes, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are C31 and L30.
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018 Honda Pilot and Ridgeline vehicles and 2018 Acura MDX vehicles. The front driver and passenger powered seats in the Honda vehicles and the driver powered seats in the Acura vehicles may have been assembled with improperly manufactured rivets. In the event of a crash, the rivets can break causing the seats not to be secured to the floor. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety St...
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the seat does not remain secured to the floor, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver seat frame assembly in Acura MDX vehicles, and replace the driver and front passenger seat slide rail frames in Honda Pilot and Ridgeline vehicles, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall is D0S, and T0T.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Acura Mdx
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Acura Mdx with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes.
I was merging into traffic on interstate. The car lagged as if it wasn't getting gas. I pulled over to get out of traffic. Scary situation. Please advise!
Hello, My 2018 Acura MDX has moisture and water inside the inner tailgate (trunk) tail light assembly, which caused the light to stop working. I understand there is a recall affecting some 2014–2020 Acura MDX vehicles related to moisture entering the tailgate light assembly, and my vehicle appears to have the same issue. Recall link: [XXX] Last week I visited the Acura dealership(Acura Columbu...
The Electric Parking brake system continuously fails (every 3-4 months)
Front multipurpose camera is starting to fail intermittently. Multiple warnings pop up (LKAS, Auto High Beam, Forward Collision Warning)
The paint on the tailgate chipped off
The contact owns a 2018 Acura MDX. The contact received a notification from Lyft regarding NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The dealer informed the contact that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
I had a recall done by local Acura dealer, Miami Doral Acura, where they replaced parts that connected the engine to the car, they are like rods. I recently took the car to a mechanic because I needed to change the timing belt components and he advised me that one of the rods that were replaced failed. This means that the engine was attached by only one rod, the other rod was cut, not connected. I...
factory paint chipping off at multiple locations at rear of car
Vehicle experiences dangerous throttle delay from a stop. When making left-hand turns across traffic, pressing the accelerator results in no response for 1–2 seconds. Vehicle hesitates while exposed in intersection, creating risk of collision. Issue has been present since low mileage and not resolved by recall repairs.
Got multiple warnings, systems don't work: Collision Mitigation System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Asist, Road Departure Mitigation System. All those additional systems designed for safety are no longer working. The front camera failed, as confirmed by the dealer. Part is available for inspection.
When trying to accelerate from a stop the car has a noticeable lag in throttle response. 2+ seconds. This does not always happen but is intermittent. Much more often when the engine is colder. This makes a left turn in front of traffic or any move where you need to merge with traffic go from safe to dangerous, this also confuses other drivers as they wonder why you are not moving. Someone who was ...
I want to say that the engine or transmission is faulty. Sometimes while at a complete stop, the car will not advance and tries to stall or lose power. It takes about 2 or 3 seconds to finally go after I push the accelerator pedal almost 3/4 throttle. No it has not been reproduced at the dealer. I took it May of 2024 for the engine recall repair. They said that the repairs should fix the problem b...
When at a complete stop at a stop light or stop sign and ready to press the gas to accelerate, there’s a delay for the car to even start moving. It doesn’t want to go when pressed on. Which can cause the person behind me to hit the back of the car. It nearly came to that. There’s sudden fast movement when accelerating to get the car to move forward. It’s been happening numerous times where th...
When you press the accelerator pedal there is a significant delay in the pedal response particularly at low speed. As you press accelerator pedal nothing happens for a second or two. Then the vehicles accelerates not a gradual rate but at the rate of where the accelerator pedal is at when the vehicle begins to speed up. This causes sudden and hard acceleration. This delay and or sudden acceleratio...
This is a complaint about the defective TPMS components in this vehicle. I sent a copy to Acura and Honda Client Relations and to the Dealer (Montano Acura). [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I submit this complaint because my 2018 Acura MDX, covered under NHTSA recall 23V-751 for connecting-rod bearing defects, has suffered progressive engine damage and final engine failure that I believe was caused by the manufacturer’s recalled defect and by the dealer/manufacturer’s failure to timely perform the recall repair. Timeline & key facts: 2024: Vehicle displayed code P0159 (O₂ sensor slo...
I am filing this report regarding my 2018 Acura MDX that has experienced complete engine failure directly related to the Connecting-Rod Bearing Safety Recall (NHTSA Recall 23V-751) and Acura’s failure to perform the recall when I first reported issues. In 2024, my vehicle began showing engine trouble codes (P0159) and experienced reduced acceleration and check engine light warnings. I contacted Ac...
The front camera seems to be faulty and is throwing warning lights on the Dash. Lane keep assist system, front collision and adaptive cruise control lights show up. These warnings disappear when the car cools down, but does appear again
The front camera failure. Needs replacement. Camera apparently is used for the ACC , lane departure assistance.
While operating the vehicle, multiple driver-assist warning indicators illuminated on the dashboard, including LKAS (Lane Keeping Assist System), ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control), and CMBS (Collision Mitigation Braking System). The systems either disengaged or functioned erratically during normal driving conditions. At times, the vehicle failed to maintain lane position, abruptly disengaged adaptive ...
Showing 20 of 147 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2018 Acura Mdx
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Engine
Opened 2024-11-08 · Closed 2025-08-20
On November 8, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ24013 to assess the scope of Honda recall 23V-751 after receiving complaints that alleged connecting rod bearing failures in vehicles that were not within the scope of recall 23V-751. In November 2023, Honda recalled 248,999 various Model Year (MY)2016–2020 Honda and Acura vehicles equipped with the 3.5L V6 engine. Honda recalled these vehicles due to a crankshaft manufacturing defect that caused premature conne...
Component: Engine
Opened 2025-08-20
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 414 reports of connecting rod bearing failures in the 3.5L V6 engine used in the following vehicles: Model Years (MY) 2018-2020 Acura TLX, MY2016-2020 Acura MDX, MY2016-2020 Honda Pilot, MY2018-2020 Honda Odyssey, and MY2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline. The subject engine failures were analyzed as part of a Recall Query (RQ24013). It was determined that these engine failures are outside the scope of Honda Recall 23V-751. Further, evidence gathere...
Component: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Crank/Camshaft Position Sensor
Opened 2025-03-26
On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, ...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Acura Mdx
Has the 2018 ACURA MDX been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 ACURA MDX has 8 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2018 ACURA MDX have?
The 2018 ACURA MDX has 147 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 3 involved crashes. 3 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 ACURA MDX?
The 2018 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 2018 ACURA MDX?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 ACURA MDX involve engine and engine cooling,fuel system, gasoline (11 complaints), fuel system, gasoline (9 complaints), unknown or other (8 complaints). Other affected components include engine, electrical system, power train.
How many crash reports does the 2018 ACURA MDX have?
There are 3 crash reports associated with the 2018 ACURA MDX out of 147 total complaints (2.0% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2018 ACURA MDX have?
There are 4 fire reports for the 2018 ACURA MDX out of 147 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 ACURA MDX?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 ACURA MDX.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 ACURA MDX?
3 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 ACURA MDX. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2018 ACURA MDX?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 ACURA MDX is acceptable with caveats. It has 147 complaints, 8 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 2018 ACURA MDX?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 ACURA MDX are: 1. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE (11 complaints), 2. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE (9 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (8 complaints), 4. ENGINE (8 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (8 complaints). ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE is the single most-reported problem area with 11 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 ACURA MDX?
Be cautious of engine and engine cooling issues, fuel system problems, and exterior lighting failures. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2018 ACURA MDX has 147 NHTSA complaints and 8 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2018 ACURA MDX?
The 2018 ACURA MDX receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 147 owner complaints, 8 recalls, and 7 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine and engine cooling and Fuel system.
What are the known issues with the 2018 ACURA MDX?
Known issues with the 2018 ACURA MDX include: Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Exterior lighting, Electrical system. These are based on patterns found across 147 NHTSA complaints. 8 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2018 Acura MDX?
The most common issues are engine and engine cooling problems, fuel system issues, and exterior lighting failures.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 Acura MDX?
Yes, there are recalls for engine and engine cooling, fuel system, and exterior lighting issues.
What should I do if I experience engine or transmission issues?
Contact your local Acura dealer for inspection and possible repair.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of engine and engine cooling issues, fuel system problems, and exterior lighting failures. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Acura Mdx
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Acura Mdx. The data includes 147 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 8 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 3 reported crashes, 4 fire incidents, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 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