2024 Acura Zdx Safety Report

The 2024 Acura ZDX presents a mixed safety picture. While it has achieved a perfect 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, including 5 stars in Frontal, Side, and Rollover tests, the vehicle is plagued by a significant number of owner complaints, particularly concerning its advanced driver-assistance systems and braking. With 44 total complaints, 2 crashes, and 2 injuries reported, the data suggests real-world safety issues despite strong crash test performance. A major pattern in the complaints revolves around the Forward Collision Avoidance system, which is cited in 7 standalone complaints and 5 combined with Service Brakes. Owners frequently report erroneous activation of the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system, causing the vehicle to stop abruptly without an obstacle present, both when driving forward and in reverse. This issue is not only jarring but has led to near-misses and potential rear-end collisions. Additionally, there are reports of delayed brake engagement and instances where the brake pedal goes to the floor, indicating potential issues with the service brakes themselves, which are also subject to a recall. The recall history for the 2024 Acura ZDX is concerning, with four recalls issued for critical safety components. These include a recall for a software error that can cause the instrument panel display to fail (affecting critical safety information), improperly tightened front stabilizer bar bracket bolts that can lead to damaged high voltage cables or coolant lines and a loss of drive power, and a recall for the anti-lock brake system (ABS) unexpectedly activating and releasing brake pressure, which can cause a loss of braking ability. These recalls directly address some of the issues reported in owner complaints, such as braking problems and potential loss of power, highlighting manufacturing and software defects that could compromise safety. In summary, while the 2024 Acura ZDX excels in controlled crash tests, the high volume of owner complaints, particularly regarding the unpredictable behavior of its braking and collision avoidance systems, and the multiple safety recalls, suggest that its real-world safety performance may not align with its 5-star rating. The vehicle has known issues that could increase the risk of a crash, despite its robust passive safety features.

Our recommendation: Despite its 5-star crash ratings, potential buyers should be aware of the numerous owner complaints and four safety recalls, particularly concerning the unpredictable behavior of the braking and collision avoidance systems. Thoroughly investigate if recall repairs have been completed and test drive extensively to assess braking and ADAS performance.