2019 Acura Mdx Safety Report

2019 Acura MDX: Excellent Crash Ratings, but Plagued by Engine, Powertrain, and ADAS Failures with 7 Recalls

171Complaints
7Recalls
★★★★★Safety Rating
55/100Reliability Score
4Crash Reports
3Fire Reports
3Injuries
Most reported components: Engine And Engine Cooling (14)Engine And Engine Cooling,Fuel System, Gasoline (13)Unknown Or Other (10)Power Train (10)Engine (9)Electrical System (9)Power Train,Engine (8)Forward Collision Avoidance,Lane Departure (6)Electrical System,Engine (6)Visibility/Wiper (6)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2019 Acura Mdx

The 2019 Acura MDX presents a mixed safety picture. While it boasts excellent crash test performance with 5-star overall, frontal, and side ratings from NHTSA, and a 4-star rollover rating, its complaint and recall history reveal several concerning patterns. With 171 total complaints, including 4 crashes, 3 fires, and 3 injuries, there are clear areas of concern beyond crashworthiness. A significant portion of complaints revolve around the engine and powertrain, with 'ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING' (14 complaints), 'ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE' (13 complaints), and 'POWER TRAIN' (10 complaints) being the most frequently cited. These issues are corroborated by multiple recalls related to fuel pump failure (two separate recalls), engine hard parts (potential for stalling/fire), and timing belt issues (engine stall risk). Several complaints describe sudden loss of acceleration or engine stalling while driving, directly aligning with the consequences outlined in these recalls. Another prominent issue is related to the electrical system and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), specifically the front camera. 'ELECTRICAL SYSTEM' (9 complaints) and 'FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE' (6 complaints) are high on the list. Complaints detail the front camera failing, leading to the disablement of critical safety features like cruise control, auto braking, and lane keep assist, with some owners reporting near-accidents. Additionally, exterior lighting, particularly taillights, is a recurring problem, with two recalls addressing moisture entry leading to reduced visibility. The high number of recalls (7 total) indicates a proactive, but also necessary, response to several design or manufacturing defects impacting various critical components.

Reliability Score

The 2019 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.

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:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Fuel Pump Failure
Multiple recalls (23V-858, 19V-871) address defective fuel pumps that can cause engine stalling while driving, increasing crash risk. Several complaints describe sudden loss of power at highway speeds.		 High Common unknown miles
Engine Stalling/Loss Of Power
Beyond fuel pump issues, complaints and recall 19V-060 (engine hard parts) and 18V-778 (timing belt) indicate various engine-related failures leading to stalling or loss of acceleration, posing a significant safety risk.		 High Common 40000-70000 miles
Front Camera Malfunction (Adas Failure)
The front windshield camera, critical for forward collision avoidance and lane departure systems, frequently fails. This disables multiple safety features, with owners reporting warning lights and near-accidents.		 High Common 40000-80000 miles
Taillight Failure
Two recalls (20V-376, 19V-303) address moisture entry into tailgate lid lights, causing loss of taillights and reduced visibility, increasing crash risk. Owners report needing multiple replacements.		 Medium Occasional unknown miles
Transmission Problems
Complaints describe delayed acceleration, gear slipping, jerky movement, and complete transmission failure at relatively low mileage, posing safety risks when merging or turning.		 High Occasional 40000-70000 miles
Auto Start/Stop Malfunction
The auto start/stop feature can cause the vehicle to stall at intersections and fail to restart, creating dangerous situations.		 Medium Occasional unknown miles
Sunroof Explosion
Isolated complaints report sunroofs spontaneously exploding while driving, without external impact, causing a sudden and startling event.		 Medium Rare unknown 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:

Engine And Engine Cooling 23% of complaints

Frequent complaints about engine stalling, loss of power, abnormal noises, and various engine warning lights, often linked to fuel pump or internal component failures.

Power Train 10% of complaints

Issues include transmission slipping, delayed engagement, jerky shifts, and complete transmission failure, impacting vehicle drivability and safety.

Electrical System 9% of complaints

Problems with the electrical system manifest as various warning lights, battery drain, and, critically, failures of the front camera and associated ADAS features.

Forward Collision Avoidance,Lane Departure 6% of complaints

Malfunctions of the front camera lead to the disablement of crucial safety features like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency braking.

Visibility/Wiper 6% of complaints

Primarily related to the failure of exterior lighting, specifically taillights, due to moisture intrusion, reducing vehicle visibility.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2019 Acura Mdx

Is the 2019 Acura MDX safe?

The 2019 Acura MDX received excellent 5-star crash safety ratings from NHTSA for overall, frontal, and side impacts, and a 4-star rollover rating. However, its safety record is significantly impacted by 7 recalls and 171 complaints, including 4 crashes and 3 injuries. Common issues like engine stalling, fuel pump failures, and front camera malfunctions (disabling ADAS features) raise concerns about its operational reliability and active safety systems.

What are common problems with the 2019 Acura MDX?

The most reported issues for the 2019 Acura MDX include engine and powertrain problems (23% of complaints), often leading to stalling or loss of power, frequently linked to fuel pump and timing belt recalls. Electrical system and front camera malfunctions (9% and 6% respectively) are also common, disabling critical driver-assistance features. Taillight failures due to moisture are another recurring problem.

How many recalls does the 2019 Acura MDX have?

The 2019 Acura MDX has 7 recalls issued by NHTSA. These recalls address significant safety concerns such as fuel pump failure (two separate recalls), engine hard parts and timing belt issues (risk of engine stall), exterior lighting (taillight failure), and rear brake caliper issues.

Are there issues with the 2019 Acura MDX's advanced safety features?

Yes, there are notable issues with the 2019 Acura MDX's advanced safety features, specifically those relying on the front windshield camera. Multiple complaints describe the camera failing, which disables systems like Forward Collision Avoidance, Lane Departure Warning, and adaptive cruise control, leading to a loss of these critical active safety functions.

Is the 2019 Acura MDX reliable?

Based on the 171 NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls, the 2019 Acura MDX shows significant reliability concerns, particularly with its engine, powertrain, and electrical/ADAS components. While crash test performance is excellent, the frequency of operational failures and safety-related recalls suggests a lower-than-average reliability for a vehicle in its class.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Given the excellent crash ratings but numerous recalls and complaints regarding engine, powertrain, and ADAS failures, a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is highly recommended, focusing on recall completion and the functionality of the front camera and transmission.

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.