Owners have reported 3 crashes, 4 fires and 3 injuries to NHTSA for the 2018 Acura MDX. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints20
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2018 Acura MDX frequently report issues with the power train, particularly involving hesitation and stalling when accelerating from a stop. Common symptoms include a delay of 1-2 seconds before the vehicle responds to throttle input, sometimes followed by a sudden lurch forward. Complaints often mention the vehicle stalling or hesitating during gear shifts, especially at lower speeds, and some owners experience these issues from the time of purchase. Reports also highlight safety concerns, with several owners noting near-miss accidents due to these delays, particularly when merging or crossing intersections. These issues are typically reported at various mileage levels, with some owners experiencing problems as early as 30,000 miles.
Owner complaints20
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Acura MDX frequently report issues with the vehicle's electrical system, particularly involving the Auto Start-Stop feature, which can fail to restart the engine after stopping, potentially causing near rear-end collisions. Complaints also commonly mention problems with the vehicle's cameras and sensors, such as the front camera failing, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control systems becoming inoperative, often requiring costly replacements. Additionally, several reports highlight random activation of alarms, lights, and the car attempting to start itself, with some owners experiencing battery drainage. A few incidents involve fires, with one associated with a weak battery and overloaded starter, and another following a minor crash. These issues are often noted around 47,000 miles, with some occurring shortly after purchase, posing potential safety risks.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 2 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints16
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners of the 2018 Acura MDX frequently report issues related to engine acceleration and unintended stalling. Typical symptoms described include the vehicle hesitating or failing to accelerate when the accelerator pedal is depressed, sometimes requiring the pedal to be fully pressed to achieve movement. Some complaints also mention the vehicle unintentionally accelerating from a stop. These issues are often reported around mileages ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 miles. A crash was reported when a vehicle abruptly stopped, leading to a rear-end collision, highlighting potential safety implications. Many owners express frustration over delays in recall repairs due to unavailable parts.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints12
ENGINE
Owners report that the 2018 Acura MDX frequently experiences engine failures linked to connecting-rod bearing defects, with several complaints citing the recall (23V-751) as unresolved or inadequately addressed. Common symptoms include engine hesitation, reduced acceleration, stalling, and check engine light warnings, often appearing between 40,000 and 130,000 miles. Some complaints describe complete engine failure following prolonged recall-related delays, with one report involving a fire originating in the engine compartment, causing total vehicle loss and minor injury. Used car buyers should be aware of unresolved recall issues and potential safety risks, including fire and engine stalling.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints11
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2018 Acura MDX frequently report issues with vehicle speed control, primarily involving a delay in throttle response when accelerating from a stop or at low speeds. Typical symptoms include a lag of 1-3 seconds before the vehicle responds to the accelerator, often resulting in a sudden surge of acceleration. This issue is noted both at lower speeds and during high-speed freeway driving, with some owners experiencing a complete loss of throttle response. Complaints span various mileage ranges, with some starting as early as 50,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as these delays and unexpected accelerations can lead to dangerous situations, particularly when merging or turning in traffic. Additionally, some owners describe problems with the cruise control engaging unexpectedly from a standstill, further contributing to potential safety hazards.
Owner complaints11
FUEL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Acura MDX frequently report issues related to the fuel system, particularly involving a recall for which parts are often unavailable. Complaints commonly mention symptoms such as engine hesitation, loss of motive power, and unexpected deceleration while driving. These issues are often reported around 40,000 to 100,500 miles. Some owners experience the vehicle stalling or failing to restart, with warning lights illuminating, though no crashes or fires are reported. Prospective buyers should be aware of potential fuel system faults and the possibility of extended wait times for recall repairs.
Owner complaints5
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners of the 2018 Acura MDX frequently report issues with the vehicle's forward collision avoidance systems, including the Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), and Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS). Common symptoms include the illumination of multiple warning indicators on the dashboard, erratic system behavior such as abrupt disengagement of adaptive cruise control, and false collision alerts. Some owners describe sudden, unexpected deceleration, particularly when no obstacles are present, which poses a risk of rear-end collisions. These issues often occur shortly after purchase, even in certified used vehicles, and are sometimes linked to internal errors or overheating of the front multipurpose camera. Potential buyers should be aware of these reported safety implications, as they could affect driving confidence and vehicle operation.
Owner complaints3
STRUCTURE
Owners of the 2018 Acura MDX report issues primarily related to the vehicle's structure, including paint chipping on the tailgate and misalignment of the front passenger door, which allows rainwater to seep inside. The misalignment is identified as a factory defect, with moisture potentially impacting the vehicle’s electronics and causing mold growth, though specific effects are not detailed. A significant safety concern arises from a reported fire originating in the engine compartment shortly after parking, suspected to be due to a fuel line leak, with no prior warning signs. These issues are noted at varying mileages, with the water leak identified in a vehicle with only 20 miles. Buyers should be aware of potential structural defects and the serious safety implication of the fire incident.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints3
STEERING
Owners report steering issues with the 2018 Acura MDX, including difficulty turning the wheel and vibrations during specific speed ranges. Complaints frequently mention the steering wheel becoming hard to turn and shaking, particularly when making turns at lower speeds, with one report indicating this occurred at 49,000 miles. Another owner describes persistent steering wheel vibrations between 58-62 mph, worsening over time and becoming violent, even after attempts to resolve the issue through tire rotation and rotor replacement. The mileage associated with these vibrations starts as early as 500 miles and continues past 3,000 miles. While no crashes or fires are reported, the described symptoms may suggest potential safety concerns due to impaired steering control.
Owner complaints2
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2018 Acura MDX report issues with the automatic braking system, with incidents occurring typically within the first few months of ownership. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle's brakes engaging unexpectedly, even when no immediate obstacle is present. One report describes the vehicle coming to a complete stop without any cars in front, while another details a crash resulting from the brakes activating suddenly, leading to a collision and two injuries. These incidents highlight potential safety implications, particularly involving loss of control and collisions. Buyers should be aware of these patterns when considering a used 2018 Acura MDX.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
