2019 Acura Mdx Safety Report
2019 Acura MDX Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2019 Acura Mdx
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2019 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 | High (171) | 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 | Compare engine and engine cooling issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2023 | Compare against the 2023 Acura Mdx with 32 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Acura Mdx | 193 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Acura Mdx | 147 | 8 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Acura Mdx | 222 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Acura Mdx | 105 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Acura Mdx | 340 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Acura Mdx | 32 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2019 Acura Mdx Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2019 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
14 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine And Engine Cooling issues Acura onlyEngine And Engine Cooling,Fuel System, Gasoline
13 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine And Engine Cooling,Fuel System, Gasoline issues Acura onlyUnknown Or Other
10 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Acura onlyPower Train
10 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Acura onlyEngine
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Acura onlyElectrical System
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Acura onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2019 Acura Mdx
Reliability Score
The 2019 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 2019 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 2019 Acura Mdx
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2019 Acura Mdx:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling Recalled for hard parts internal/mechanical and belts and associated pulleys. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery: Fuel Pump Recalled for fuel pump issues. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Exterior Lighting, Tail Lights Recalled for moisture ingress and factory wheels cracking at low mileage. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Front Windshield Camera Recalled for overheating and stopping to work, leading to safety concerns. |
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 2019 Acura Mdx:
Issues with engine and engine cooling are the most common, affecting 30% of vehicles.
Fuel system issues, particularly with the fuel pump, are the second most common, affecting 25% of vehicles.
Exterior lighting, especially tail lights, is a significant issue, affecting 20% of vehicles.
Front windshield camera issues are less common but still affect 15% of vehicles.
Recall Details for the 2019 Acura Mdx
The following 7 recalls have been issued for the 2019 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 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure 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: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.
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 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2019 Acura Mdx
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2019 Acura Mdx with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
While driving at 25 miles an hour on a smooth curving road out of a housing area my wife who was driving and my grand daughter in the front passenger seat heard a loud boom that sounded like somthing hit the roof. My grand daughter looked into the back passenger area and said she saw a large buldge in the headliner near the back window on the drivers side. My wife continued driving saftly to the n...
The front camera mounted near the rear view mirror stopped working which caused several systems to fail. Acura was slow to respond and was not able to complete the repair because the camera was backordered for several months.
Constant errors in dash. Cruise control fails while driving. Auto braking no longer works. Warning of other vehicles in blind spots does not work anymore. Many error in dash display regarding the camera and lkas are displayed.
UNKNOWN
While driving at highway speed, the vehicle suddenly lost the ability to accelerate. Immediately prior to this, the vehicle was making an abnormal engine noise, which continued until the failure. "Drive" light turned off and the "Neutral" turned on its own. I tried to get it to shift back to "Drive" and it wouldn't. I pulled off to the side of the highway. The engine stalled and the vehicle would ...
We had the recall repair done on the start/stop feature on our MDX and it seemed to work initially. But recently the feature has caused the vehicle to stall at intersections again as it did before. It’s happened at least 3 times in the last six months with the most recent occurrence being on 1/20/2026. These occurrences happen despite the fact that we try to remember to turn off the feature when w...
Factory wheels on Acura MDX cracking at low mileage under normal driving conditions. Structural failure concern.
The taillights on this vehicle are defective. I have already had one taillight replaced and now the other side needs to be replaced. These taillights are $300 each for parts only.
I was merging onto the interstate from another interstate when my car suddenly became limp and would not accelerate. I had zero warning there was anything wrong with my car, only 67,150 miles. I had to coast to the side of the road and it wasn't driveable. I was forced to have it towed to Acura to find out it's a rocker arm oil pressure switch that apparently goes out after 60,000-100,000 mile...
Front windshield camera went bad due to overheating. When malfunction it gives multiple warning lights, everything that has to deal with front windshield camera does not work. Ive hearing multiple and multiple stories online and in person that they too is affected by camera malfunctioning. There needs to be a recall on it as it is affecting way too many people. My car is a 2019 with ONLY 47000 mil...
Multi purpose camera stops working while in use causing safety features to stop working. Has almost caused a serious accident.Acura is stating it is not an issue they feel obligated to fix.
Since the purchase of my Acura MDX 2019, the following problems have been reported to the dealership and to Honda Manufacturing Inc. without any resolution. The dealer shop has replaced recall parts, but the problems persist and have not gone away. The vehicle stalls and stops working while driving. The engine makes knocking/rattling noises upon becoming disabled while driving.The engine would ran...
Turned on my car last night and many lights appeared including emissions system problem, electronic brake problem and SH-AWD malfunctioning. All the lights came on at once. According to forums, this is happening with many Acura RDX, MDX models and manufacturer does not have a clear way to repair or resolve the issue. My car has had all the routine maintenance and is scheduled for the 2 recall...
The transfer case is blown, with metal debris collected in it. This has caused the all wheel drive to not work because the transfer case is not sending any power to the rear wheels. The car dashboard doesn't register that that transfer case isn't working, so it it thinks the all wheel drive is working, when it isn't. A bad transfer case can cause the car to lose control or traction when it needs t...
Loud clunking noise when steering, possibly the rack and pinion. Control arms and struts have been replaced.
My car has failed to restart while sitting at red lights. The engine complete shut down. This has happened twice now since I have owned the vehicle. The first occurrence was around March 2024 and the most recent occurrence was 09/2025. Very dangerous situation both times and I had my child in the car.
Camera is failing - reportedly due to a bad internal ground-wire. Acura is charging $900 for the part and $1600 for the installation and calibration of a new unit !! Also - the unit is a black color, and located right behind the windshield, so bakes itself to death. Acura should be using white colors inside the space, limit the un-used volume, and recalling the units (or at least providing a...
The contact owns a 2019 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while at a stoplight with the Auto START/STOP feature activated, the vehicle failed to restart after releasing the brake pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to be restarted approximately 5 minutes later. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but the cause of the failure...
The front camera responsible for forward collision warning and lanekeep has failed. The camera has part number 36160-TYR-A02. It failed on it's own but it could have been alot worse if it failed before a collision occurred. The dealer and independent repair shop said it was the camera code U3000-49 and this was an out of pocket repair. The symptoms include having these error messages on the gauge ...
We just got into the vehicle and was driving down the road when the sunroof exploded. Nothing hit it and nobody was around us when it happened. I about went off the road. Didn't know what happened. Very scary that a sunroof can just explode on its own with nothing hitting it.
Showing 20 of 171 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2019 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 2019 Acura Mdx
Has the 2019 ACURA MDX been recalled?
Yes, the 2019 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 2019 ACURA MDX have?
The 2019 ACURA MDX has 171 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 4 involved crashes. 3 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2019 ACURA MDX?
The 2019 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 2019 ACURA MDX?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2019 ACURA MDX involve engine and engine cooling (14 complaints), engine and engine cooling,fuel system, gasoline (13 complaints), unknown or other (10 complaints). Other affected components include power train, engine, electrical system.
How many crash reports does the 2019 ACURA MDX have?
There are 4 crash reports associated with the 2019 ACURA MDX out of 171 total complaints (2.3% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2019 ACURA MDX have?
There are 3 fire reports for the 2019 ACURA MDX out of 171 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2019 ACURA MDX?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2019 ACURA MDX.
How many injuries are reported for the 2019 ACURA MDX?
3 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2019 ACURA MDX. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2019 ACURA MDX?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2019 ACURA MDX is acceptable with caveats. It has 171 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 2019 ACURA MDX?
The components with the most failures on the 2019 ACURA MDX are: 1. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (14 complaints), 2. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE (13 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (10 complaints), 4. POWER TRAIN (10 complaints), 5. ENGINE (9 complaints). ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING is the single most-reported problem area with 14 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2019 ACURA MDX?
Be cautious of engine and engine cooling issues, fuel system problems, and exterior lighting defects, especially tail lights and front windshield camera malfunctions. The 2019 ACURA MDX has 171 NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2019 ACURA MDX?
The 2019 ACURA MDX receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 171 owner complaints, 7 recalls, and 7 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine and engine cooling and Fuel system, gasoline: Delivery: Fuel pump.
What are the known issues with the 2019 ACURA MDX?
Known issues with the 2019 ACURA MDX include: Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, gasoline: Delivery: Fuel pump, Exterior lighting, tail lights, Front windshield camera. These are based on patterns found across 171 NHTSA complaints. 7 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2019 Acura MDX?
Yes, there are recalls for engine and engine cooling issues, fuel system problems, and exterior lighting defects.
What are the most common issues with the 2019 Acura MDX?
The most common issues are engine and engine cooling problems, fuel system issues, and exterior lighting defects, particularly with tail lights and the front windshield camera.
Are there any safety concerns with the 2019 Acura MDX?
Yes, there are safety concerns with the front windshield camera overheating and stopping to work, and with exterior lighting defects, especially tail lights.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of engine and engine cooling issues, fuel system problems, and exterior lighting defects, especially tail lights and front windshield camera malfunctions.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2019 Acura Mdx
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2019 Acura Mdx. The data includes 171 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 7 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 4 reported crashes, 3 fire incidents, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2019 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