Acura MDX 2022

Car

Acura MDX 2022

22 source-linked failure reports. Most reported: Powertrain / transmission failure. Typical failure around 3.5 yr.

Reliability signal B · Emerging signal · data confidence Moderate

22 confirmed failure reports

Reliability summary

What is likely to go wrong, when it happens, and how expensive it can be — from source-linked failure reports. Counts are reports in our database, not a population failure rate.

Reliability signal

B

22 confirmed failure reports · Emerging signal · Data confidence: Moderate

Most common issue
Powertrain / transmission failure
Typical first failure
3.5 yr
Median of confirmed reports with timing
Median repair cost
—
Reported costs only · market varies
Highest reported repair
—
Not a quote · costs differ by country

What breaks?

Failure types

Click a type in the reports section below to filter.

  • Powertrain / transmission failure7 · 31.8%
  • Other4 · 18.2%
  • Brake system failure4 · 18.2%
  • Electrical system failure3 · 13.6%
  • Engine failure1 · 4.5%
  • Airbag / restraint failure1 · 4.5%
  • Structure / body failure1 · 4.5%
  • Steering failure1 · 4.5%

When does it break?

Failure timing

Months after purchase, using reports that included timing.

What does it cost?

Reported repair costs

Distribution of owner-reported repair costs— not a quote or guarantee. Labor and parts prices vary by country.

No reported repair costs yet for this model.

Median months to failure

41.5

Failure reports

22

View →

Median repair cost

—

Still recommend

—

% repaired

—

% mfr warranty

—

% extended warranty

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% support helpful

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Use these reports as a risk signal, then check current listings before you buy.

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What breaks?

What breaks? · reports

Engine failure

POWER TRAIN,WHEELS,ENGINE

45 months

Government / agencyIndexed Oct 9, 2026Source-linkedVerify source — NHTSA complaint #11725314

Please add me to the compliant pool. My transfer case/transmission went out - 2022, 80,000 miles. March 6, 2026 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: DP26001 OPEN INVESTIGATION All wheel drive allegation NHTSA Action Number: DP26001 Components: POWER TRAIN Opened From: March 6, 2026 – Present Summary The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a Petition dated January 9, 2026, requesting an investigation into the loss of the optional all-wheel drive capability in model year (MY) 2021-2023 Acura TLX and MY 2022-2023 Acura MDX vehicles. The Petition contends that the interfacing splines between the transmission and the rear wheel drive power take off unit are failing. Failure of these splines prevents the transfer of drive power to the rear axle, making the vehicle front wheel drive only. The Petition further alleges that this failure results in a reduction of vehicle directional control. The Petitioner cites 48 complaints received by ODI alleging the same failure. ODI will evaluate these complaints to determine if they are related to the failure cited in the Petition and will conduct a technical review under 49 CFR Part 552. This Defect Petition is being opened to evaluate whether to grant or deny the Petition. The Petition can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under NHTSA Number 11712885.

VerifiedEvidence ★★★★☆
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Months until failure

45 months

Repair cost

Not stated

Repaired

Not stated

Manufacturer warranty

Not stated

Extended warranty

Not stated

Support helpful

Not stated

Would recommend

Not stated

AI extraction confidence

90%

Verification status

Verified

Evidence quality

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Discussion

Powertrain / transmission failure

POWER TRAIN

45 months

Government / agencyIndexed Oct 9, 2026Source-linkedVerify source — NHTSA complaint #11739605

My 2022 MDX purchased new in 2021 experienced an unexpected loss of AWD functionality at 5 years old with 77000 miles when the splines of the transfer case sheared with the transmission. The failure reverted the car to FWD and became very easy to lose traction in anything but ideal road conditions. There were no signs of this failure. No warning lights, no indication on the AWD power distribution monitor, and no sounds or other indications. I rigorously followed all maintenance schedules and performed all regularly scheduled maintenance at the Acura dealership. There have been numerous times when I am attempting to accelerate from a stop while turning onto a busy road where the unexpected loss in traction resulted in me nearly causing an accident. I took in my vehicle for service on 5/22/26 and they confirmed the issue is the transfer case spline failure as noted by many other Acura SH-AWD vehicles with the active NHTSA investigation. I would like to add my complaint to that filing and highlight the insidious danger that comes with the failure when the vehicle suddenly does not perform as expected. Given that my vehicle was barely behind the powertrain warranty period when the failure occured, I am now expected to cover an enormous bill that covers the replacement of the transmission and transfer case.

VerifiedEvidence ★★★★☆
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Months until failure

45 months

Repair cost

Not stated

Repaired

Not stated

Manufacturer warranty

Not stated

Extended warranty

Not stated

Support helpful

Not stated

Would recommend

Not stated

AI extraction confidence

90%

Verification status

Verified

Evidence quality

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Discussion

Powertrain / transmission failure

POWER TRAIN

31 months

Government / agencyIndexed Oct 9, 2026Source-linkedVerify source — NHTSA complaint #11721575

During a winter freeze event, the vehicle was unable to climb a slight incline despite being equipped with all-wheel drive. The rear wheels did not appear to be receiving power, and the vehicle experienced significant wheel slip under light throttle input. This occurred in normal driving conditions and was unexpected given the vehicle’s AWD system. There were no warning lights, diagnostic messages, or fault indicators displayed on the instrument cluster at the time of the incident. The lack of any driver notification made it difficult to identify that the AWD system was not functioning properly. After experiencing the issue, the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership for inspection. The initial assessment did not identify a problem. However, after further review and comparison with a properly functioning vehicle, the dealership confirmed a failure within the SH-AWD system. The affected components were replaced under warranty. The failed components should be available for inspection upon request. The safety concern stems from the absence of warning indicators combined with the loss of intended AWD functionality. In low-traction conditions, the inability of the system to properly distribute power can increase the risk of loss of control, reduced acceleration capability, or inability to safely merge or climb inclines. No prior warning lamps or alerts were presented before the incident.

VerifiedEvidence ★★★★☆
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Months until failure

31 months

Repair cost

Not stated

Repaired

Not stated

Manufacturer warranty

Not stated

Extended warranty

Not stated

Support helpful

Not stated

Would recommend

Not stated

AI extraction confidence

90%

Verification status

Verified

Evidence quality

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Discussion

Airbag / restraint failure

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGS

42 months

Government / agencyIndexed Oct 9, 2026Source-linkedVerify source — NHTSA complaint #11717083

The contact owns a 2022 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 2 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brakes became stuck or jammed. Later, while driving at approximately 15 MPH, the contact again depressed the brake pedal; however, the brakes failed to respond, remained stuck, and failed to stop the vehicle in an intersection, causing the contact to steer to the right and resulting in a crash with a government dump truck. The driver’s child informed the contact’s husband that the brakes were not working. No warning lights were illuminated at the time of the failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number 25V391000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The driver's iPhone detected the crash and automatically contacted the emergency contact and the state police. The driver sustained injuries to the knee, head, neck, and back and was transported to the hospital for medical assistance. There was no airbag deployment, fire, or police report filed; however, a police officer and the state police were present at the scene and moved the vehicle before photos could be taken. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and later to an auto body shop. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed there were no recalls applicable to the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

VerifiedEvidence ★★★★☆
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Months until failure

42 months

Repair cost

Not stated

Repaired

Not stated

Manufacturer warranty

Not stated

Extended warranty

Not stated

Support helpful

Not stated

Would recommend

Not stated

AI extraction confidence

90%

Verification status

Verified

Evidence quality

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Discussion

Electrical system failure

SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

45 months

Government / agencyIndexed Oct 9, 2026Source-linkedVerify source — NHTSA complaint #11726624

I am filing a complaint regarding my 2022 Acura MDX Type S with approximately 70,700 miles. The vehicle developed a suspension system warning, and upon inspection by an Acura dealership, I was informed that the suspension stroke sensor and floor wiring harness are corroded and require replacement. I was quoted approximately $12,000 for the repair. This failure is extremely concerning because the vehicle is only a few years old and this type of corrosion affecting a major wiring harness should not occur under normal operating conditions. The affected components are part of the suspension system, which directly impacts vehicle handling and safety. Due to the failure, the suspension system may not function properly, potentially affecting ride height, stability, and overall control of the vehicle. This raises safety concerns, especially at highway speeds or during emergency maneuvers. There was no prior warning of water intrusion or external damage that would reasonably explain this level of corrosion. This appears to be a premature failure of a critical electrical component. Acura has only offered minimal goodwill assistance, leaving the majority of this extremely costly repair as the responsibility of the owner. I am concerned that this may be a broader issue affecting other vehicles and that it could pose a safety risk if not addressed. I am requesting that this issue be investigated. Thank you.

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Months until failure

45 months

Repair cost

Not stated

Repaired

Not stated

Manufacturer warranty

Not stated

Extended warranty

Not stated

Support helpful

Not stated

Would recommend

Not stated

AI extraction confidence

90%

Verification status

Verified

Evidence quality

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Discussion

Structure / body failure

STRUCTURE

40 months

Government / agencyIndexed Oct 9, 2026Source-linkedVerify source — NHTSA complaint #11702586

My 2022 Acura MDX A-Spec developed an electrical problem where I heard an extremely loud pop come from the stereo system before it stopped working and then the infotainment screen stopped working as well. I took it to the dealer who determined that a water leak in the sunroof drain plug caused the interior of the vehicle to become saturated with water and cause corrosion to electrical bundles. By searching the internet, I found that this was a known manufacturer’s defect with this specific model that had been made known to the dealership and they did nothing about it. Having an electrical problem could have put us at risk had things stopped working at an inopportune time on the highway or caused a malfunction at a critical time while driving. I submitted a request to Acura for an extended warranty of this problem, but that request was denied. They said that there had been an extended warranty for this issue, but that it had expired somewhere between March 2025 (when my normal warranty expired) and October 2025 (when I took it to the dealership for an evaluation of this problem). Acura wouldn’t say when that was, but I was surprised that they were of no help. As I mentioned, this is a known manufacturer’s defect that should have been checked per my normal maintenance visits, but it was ignored until it became an actual problem. They certainly could have been more proactive and it would have saved us a lot of time and expense.

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Months until failure

40 months

Repair cost

Not stated

Repaired

Not stated

Manufacturer warranty

Not stated

Extended warranty

Not stated

Support helpful

Not stated

Would recommend

Not stated

AI extraction confidence

90%

Verification status

Verified

Evidence quality

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Discussion

Other

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Government / agencyIndexed Oct 9, 2026Source-linkedVerify source — NHTSA complaint #11446769

I was driving on a 80-mph 3-lane one direction (6 both) toll road, following a Tx State Trooper. About a 1/4 mile ahead of me were two waste disposal trucks. One in the right land and one passing the other in the center lane. The trooper and I pulled into the left lane. As we approached the waste disposal trucks (about 1/8 mile away) my brakes automatically engaged and braked hard for no reason. I tried to override it by depressing the accelerator but the accelerator did not respond (as though it had been disengaged). Behind me was a Mercedes SUV, which had to brake hard to avoid rear ending me. My brakes kept automatically braking (off and on). I finally pulled off the road on the left shoulder and brought the car to a complete stop. It then allowed me to proceed on my way. I bought the car in part for this safety feature, but it clearly is faulty. In reading about braking system, i found that older models had a button that you could use to turn the system off. In my 2022 model, you can turn it off only with multiple steps. You can also adjust the responsiveness of the auto-brake system through a multiple step process. Clearly, this is a major problem that needs to be addressed. I was very lucky that the car behind me braked immediately or it would have rear-ended me at high speed. It was about 5:30 p.m. It was getting dark but not completely dark. I think the problem is with the automatic braking system for forward crash avoidance, but my adaptive cruise control was engaged.

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Months until failure

Not stated

Repair cost

Not stated

Repaired

Not stated

Manufacturer warranty

Not stated

Extended warranty

Not stated

Support helpful

Not stated

Would recommend

Not stated

AI extraction confidence

90%

Verification status

Verified

Evidence quality

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Discussion

Other

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

46 months

Government / agencyIndexed Oct 9, 2026Source-linkedVerify source — NHTSA complaint #11733361

On April 17 2026 while driving my 2022 Acura MDX at very low speed in a parking lot, the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward without warning and surged into bushes before I could stop it. I did not mistake the gas for the brake pedal. This felt like a sudden unintended acceleration event. I was preparing to park in a stall and the vehicle lunged forward unexpectedly. I applied the brake, but the braking did not immediately stop the forward surge. Earlier, I experienced another unusual event in which the vehicle abruptly auto-braked, jerked, and made a warning sound while I was slowing for a red light. I noticed the car felt as if it was surging a bit on residential streets and was about to mention it during the next service. This incident has caused me to lose confidence in the safety of the vehicle. I contacted Niello Acura who has been very cooperative. I was told the issue would need to be duplicated or that they could only inspect it if a code had been stored once the car is repaired. The car is currently being repaired with close to 7,000 in front end damage. I am reporting this because a sudden unintended acceleration presents a serious safety risk and could easily have caused a more severe crash or injury. I did research on this issue and have found various reports of unintended accelerations in the Acura MDX forums from various years but was unable to find any recalls or outcomes with these reports My concern is this will be dismissed as "operator error" or a phantom incident that cannot be reproduced.

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Months until failure

46 months

Repair cost

Not stated

Repaired

Not stated

Manufacturer warranty

Not stated

Extended warranty

Not stated

Support helpful

Not stated

Would recommend

Not stated

AI extraction confidence

90%

Verification status

Verified

Evidence quality

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Discussion

Powertrain / transmission failure

POWER TRAIN

47 months

Government / agencyIndexed Oct 9, 2026Source-linkedVerify source — NHTSA complaint #11738928

I am submitting this complaint regarding my 2022 Acura MDX Advance, currently with 71,007 miles. After completing the standard transmission fluid service around the 60,000-mile maintenance interval, I began noticing abnormal drivetrain/transmission behavior that was not present before. At times, the vehicle feels as if the transmission is slipping, hesitating, or failing to transfer power smoothly. Acceleration can feel delayed, uneven, or weaker than normal, and on some occasions the vehicle seems to surge or accelerate slightly in a way that does not feel consistent with normal pedal input. This is a safety concern because the vehicle may not respond predictably when accelerating from a stop, merging, passing, or driving at highway speeds. A delay, slip, surge, or loss of expected acceleration could increase the risk of a crash, especially in traffic. The symptoms appear to involve the transmission, drivetrain, torque converter, transfer case, software calibration, or related components, but I am requesting a proper investigation to determine the actual cause. My concern is that this issue could worsen or affect other 2022 Acura MDX vehicles if it reflects a broader defect. I am requesting that NHTSA document this complaint and review whether 2022 Acura MDX models may have a safety-related issue that can cause slipping, hesitation, surging, delayed acceleration, or loss of expected power after normal maintenance. Acura should evaluate whether owners need inspection, repair, software updates, or other corrective action.

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Months until failure

47 months

Repair cost

Not stated

Repaired

Not stated

Manufacturer warranty

Not stated

Extended warranty

Not stated

Support helpful

Not stated

Would recommend

Not stated

AI extraction confidence

90%

Verification status

Verified

Evidence quality

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Discussion

Other

LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

31 months

Government / agencyIndexed Oct 9, 2026Source-linkedVerify source — NHTSA complaint #11637309

the last 3 times we had very insignificant snow accumulation, my vehicle dashboard lit up with 6 different warnings, some audible. when you look up the info on them it says the car cannot steer, break, will roll on a hill etc. One warning advises to remove all flammables from the car. I was very nervous and almost towed the car but since I was a mile from home I drove it and brought it to the dealer at 0730 next day. they said nothing was wrong. snow or dirt probably got behind sensor. It has happened two more times in the next 10 days. I keep taking off work and nothing is wrong. The issue is when this happens you cannot change the vehicle to snow mode to drive. this is a safety feature as well as the flashing "brake" warning and audible alarm. I have a [XXX] and [XXX] driver and they do not want to operate this vehicle. Both times it happened again, I took it to the car wash and cleaned every visible camera and sensor to no avail. I am taking it back to the dealer again this Friday but if nothing is wrong with any of these systems then there is something wrong with the cameras because how can someone operate AWD and snow mode when there are these false warnings and how do you know if they aren't false. I don't want to assume each time it's not but 3 times in 10 days and missing work, etc. Plus I am very nervous driving it like this. I reported it to Acura- they said there were no recalls. would not provide info if they have prior complaints. On google, I have found numerous complaints about this. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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Months until failure

31 months

Repair cost

Not stated

Repaired

Not stated

Manufacturer warranty

Not stated

Extended warranty

Not stated

Support helpful

Not stated

Would recommend

Not stated

AI extraction confidence

90%

Verification status

Verified

Evidence quality

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Discussion

Brake system failure

STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

38 months

Government / agencyIndexed Oct 9, 2026Source-linkedVerify source — NHTSA complaint #11679541

While driving with my small children in the vehicle, my 2022 Acura MDX suddenly displayed multiple simultaneous system failures without warning and the steering wheel locked and the car slowed and the brakes didn't work well: •Brake System Problem – warning that braking performance may be reduced •Electric Power Steering Problem – “Do Not Drive” warning •Vehicle Stability Assist Problem •Hill Start Assist Problem •All Wheel Drive System Problem - •Adaptive Cruise Control Problem •Collision Mitigation Braking System Problem •Lane Keeping Assist System Problem •Trailer Stability Assist System Problem •Brake hold system problem •Vehicle Stability Assist Problem •Electric Power Steering System Problem •Low Speed Braking Control Problem •Road Departure Mitigation System Problem These failures created a serious risk to my life as well as my children's lives by simultaneously disabling braking, steering assist, stability control, and AWD traction. If this had occurred at highway speeds or in a location without space to maneuver, it could have caused a severe crash and even death. The vehicle was towed to the dealer immediately.The tow truck driver stated that he had transported another 2022 Acura MDX with identical failures earlier the same day, suggesting this may be a widespread defect. The dealer found no recalls and attributed the issue to a steering angle sensor malfunction. Given the severity and the risk of injury or death, I am reporting this to NHTSA. Request: NHTSA investigation into whether this is part of a broader safety defect affecting 2022 Acura MDX models, and whether a recall or manufacturer corrective action is warranted.

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Months until failure

38 months

Repair cost

Not stated

Repaired

Not stated

Manufacturer warranty

Not stated

Extended warranty

Not stated

Support helpful

Not stated

Would recommend

Not stated

AI extraction confidence

90%

Verification status

Verified

Evidence quality

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Discussion

Brake system failure

SERVICE BRAKES

31 months

Government / agencyIndexed Oct 9, 2026Source-linkedVerify source — NHTSA complaint #11660839

Brake system warning light comes on and says reduced braking take to dealer. Auto hold brakes don't always hold. Rear brakes non stop squeal and grab un predictably. I am unsure when and if the brakes will work in the rear. The loud noise from the rear squeal has caused others in traffic to flag me down and warn me something is wrong. The noise is also made it impossible to have my Autistic nephew in the vehicle with me as it triggers episodes and scares him. I have asked the dealer to please repair the rear brakes several times. They refused and instead replaced the front brakes, then admitted it is the rear brakes but refused to repair them. Honda of America also refuses to repair rear brakes. Based upon false statements on the work order the statement from the dealer is the rear brakes on the MDX are supposed to be like this. This vehicle has issues with the warning light while stopped and moving, and the noise and unsafe braking is at all speeding from 1-60 mph. Forward and reverse is malfunctions. I asked Honda America to repair which they won't then I ask them is the official statement these brakes are okay and safe as is and they will not say that either. I have driven similar models of this vehicle and it does not do the same thing, no noise, or warning lights, and the brakes preform safely and consistently. Mine do not. Honda of America does not want to repair the brakes under the warranty. They also incorrectly stated on repair statement that humidity and car washes can make the brakes do this. I have been in northern non humid states during winter and never use a car wash. They just use this as an attempt to not repair the brakes.

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Months until failure

31 months

Repair cost

Not stated

Repaired

Not stated

Manufacturer warranty

Not stated

Extended warranty

Not stated

Support helpful

Not stated

Would recommend

Not stated

AI extraction confidence

90%

Verification status

Verified

Evidence quality

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Discussion

Powertrain / transmission failure

POWER TRAIN

23 months

Government / agencyIndexed Oct 9, 2026Source-linkedVerify source — NHTSA complaint #11760987

While driving home on a Sunday afternoon, out of nowhere, a very loud pop sound happened followed by grinding. We were so worried that my husband pulled over thinking we had done major damage to the car somehow. Visual inspection under the car yielded nothing leaving us puzzled. No warning lights came on before, during, or after. We had it taken to the Acura dealership in Fairfield, Ohio. The car was still within warranty at this time, and they found nothing nor could they replicate the sound. My husband explained that it sounded to be transmission related. They chalked it up to a loose tie rod end which they “tightened” to solve all of our problems. We left the dealership and took the car home experiencing no further problems. Fast forward to the winter of that same year we realized that no matter what mode we put the car in we didn’t have AWD. Still no warning lights. The following spring, approximately 20,000 miles after experiencing the first loud pop and grind, we started getting error messages on our user dashboard. “All wheel drive system problem. Only front wheels may be powered. See your dealer”. We immediately scheduled a service appointment with the same Acura dealership. Within minutes of having the car examined on the lift the Acura certified technician found the problem to be the AWD transfer case and additionally the transmission. Stating we would need to replace both. They came back with a quote of approximately $18,000 for a new transmission, transfer case, labor, and all associated materials, for which we declined. Currently seeking help for recall as we do not believe a transmission/ transfer case should fail so quickly under normal driving circumstances.

VerifiedEvidence ★★★★☆
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Months until failure

23 months

Repair cost

Not stated

Repaired

Not stated

Manufacturer warranty

Not stated

Extended warranty

Not stated

Support helpful

Not stated

Would recommend

Not stated

AI extraction confidence

90%

Verification status

Verified

Evidence quality

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Discussion

Powertrain / transmission failure

POWER TRAIN

47 months

Government / agencyIndexed Oct 9, 2026Source-linkedVerify source — NHTSA complaint #11737467

I own a 2022 Acura MDX SH-AWD with approximately 85,000 miles. The issue began suddenly while driving around 5 mph when two loud bangs were heard from the rear drivetrain/transfer case area. After the initial incident, the vehicle was driven home, and the problem became consistently noticeable during any acceleration from a stop or low speed. The drivetrain would clunk/slip during acceleration and exhibited abnormal engagement behavior. Due to concern about causing further drivetrain damage or a potential safety issue, the vehicle was subsequently towed to an Acura dealer for diagnosis. The Acura dealer confirmed that both the transfer case and transmission require replacement due to “worn teeth on splines.” The repair estimate specifically states: “REPLACE TRANSFER CASE AND TRANSMISSION DUE TO WORN TEETH ON SPLINES.” Estimated repair cost is approximately $11,400. I have photographs and repair documentation related to the failure. This failure created a potential safety concern because the drivetrain was no longer operating normally and produced loud clunking/slipping during acceleration from stops and low speeds. A drivetrain or power transfer failure could increase the risk of loss of propulsion or inability to accelerate normally into traffic. The issue was reproduced and confirmed by the Acura dealer. The vehicle has been regularly maintained, including drivetrain fluid services, through Acura/Honda service facilities. There were no warning lights, dashboard messages, or electronic indications before or after the failure event. The only indication was the loud banging noise from the drivetrain/transfer case area and the resulting abnormal drivetrain behavior during acceleration. The service manager also indicated they had seen several similar cases involving this issue.

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Months until failure

47 months

Repair cost

Not stated

Repaired

Not stated

Manufacturer warranty

Not stated

Extended warranty

Not stated

Support helpful

Not stated

Would recommend

Not stated

AI extraction confidence

90%

Verification status

Verified

Evidence quality

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Discussion

Electrical system failure

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

50 months

Government / agencyIndexed Oct 9, 2026Source-linkedVerify source — NHTSA complaint #11756386

While driving at approximately 35 mph on a surface street with my wife and five-year-old son in the vehicle, the electric power steering system failed and steering assist was reduced. The instrument panel simultaneously displayed and cycled through multiple warnings including "Electric Power Steering System Problem — Steering Assist Reduced," "Brake System — Brake Hold System Problem," Vehicle Stability Assist, and Hill Start Assist. There were no warning lamps, messages, or symptoms of any kind prior to this failure; the first indication was the failure itself while the vehicle was in motion. On the two engine starts following the incident, the same dashboard warnings reappeared, although power steering and vehicle operation seemed normal. On the two starts after that, the vehicle started with no warnings and no indication of any problem. So the steering effort increased during the initial failure and I was unable to rely on power assist while moving in traffic, which created a risk of loss of directional control and a crash for my occupants and other road users. On Aug 11,2026, the vehicle was taken to an authorized Acura dealer, which confirmed a stored diagnostic trouble code and diagnosed a failure of the VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) modulator-control unit, recommending replacement. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or an insurance representative. No repairs have been performed to date and the vehicle and component remain available for inspection upon request. Mileage at the time of failure was 40,090. I have video of the instrument panel recorded during the event and it is available upon request. I have reviewed complaints filed with NHTSA describing what appears to be the same simultaneous multi-system failure on 2022 and 2023 Acura MDX vehicles.

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Months until failure

50 months

Repair cost

Not stated

Repaired

Not stated

Manufacturer warranty

Not stated

Extended warranty

Not stated

Support helpful

Not stated

Would recommend

Not stated

AI extraction confidence

90%

Verification status

Verified

Evidence quality

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Discussion

Brake system failure

SERVICE BRAKES

41 months

Government / agencyIndexed Oct 9, 2026Source-linkedVerify source — NHTSA complaint #11728752

Asymmetrical wear on the front brakes. The outer pad wears out completely while the inner pad( with the brake wear sensor) shows almost no wear. The dealer (Park Place Acura, Plano Texas) brought this to my attention on November 3, 2025 saying only the front pads needed replacing but did not disclose the asymmetrical wear. I took the vehicle back to the Dealer January 15, 2026 for repair after discovering the asymmetrical pad wear and pointed that out to them. The brakes can completely wear to the backing plate on the outer pad while showing no wear issues with the brake sensor on the inner pad. This condition creates an unpredictable and uneven braking response that constitutes a safety defect, as the brake wear indicator system fails to alert the driver to actual brake wear on the outer pad. The brake wear sensor is designed assuming symmetrical pad wear. When wear is asymmetrical, the sensor fails to trigger a warning, leaving the driver unaware of a dangerous condition. The dealer has finally replaced the pads and rotors, symptoms of the problem but, has not addressed the underlying cause of the problem...the calipers. I have received the vehicle back from the dealer but did not sign a release and the issue remains open. The vehicle currently has approximately 29,400 miles. I have taken this issue to Acura corporate(Honda Motor Company) and they have it under review but keep delaying with no confirmed resolution. I sent a certified letter to American Honda Motor Company, Acura client relations on February 3, 2026 and they signed for it on February 11, 2026 and contacted me by email on March 11,2026. Acura took 28 days to respond to my certified letter and has provided no resolution timeline since.The vehicle was under the original manufacturers warranty at the time of this issue and notification.

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Months until failure

41 months

Repair cost

Not stated

Repaired

Not stated

Manufacturer warranty

Not stated

Extended warranty

Not stated

Support helpful

Not stated

Would recommend

Not stated

AI extraction confidence

90%

Verification status

Verified

Evidence quality

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Discussion

Electrical system failure

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

36 months

Government / agencyIndexed Oct 9, 2026Source-linkedVerify source — NHTSA complaint #11676506

Acura Headquarters USA 1919 Torrence Boulevard Torrence, California 90501 Mr. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] Email: [XXX] Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing your company to the attention of whomever oversees the product development and design of the 2022 ACURA MDX and to warn them that certain system features and design flaws of this make and model vehicle will undoubtedly lead to the death of someone in the near future as was nearly the case with myself and spouse very recently. On Sunday [XXX], my spouse and I attended church services that morning. Fortunately, after services our Acura MDX did start as usual, and we began our journey home.Upom arriving home, we backed our car into our garage and during that process thankfully I had the wits to unlock the passenger and driver side door mechanisms. Once we enteredthe garage and at thta point, our car went absolutely DEAD. Our car stayed dead for the next 5 1/2 hours. Had I not unlocked those doors, we would have been trapped inside for that duration of time, only to be found dead fron suffocation and asphysxiation from being in a car with all the windows rolled up, no power to the vehicle and no way to get out, while beingdeprived of oxygen. AT that point, your manufactured vehicle became a death trap for us.We're the fortunate ones who lived through the experience and to be able to tell the story. Others may not be so lucky to tell theirs and there will be others. We wanted the manufacturer to understand the full implications of our letter and to stress in the strongest terms possible that this is a very serious matter that will eventually cost lives, as it nearly cost us ours. The vehicle in question is VIN# [XXX] and was last serviced at Vandergriff Acura in Arlington, Texas on 6/13/2025 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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Months until failure

36 months

Repair cost

Not stated

Repaired

Not stated

Manufacturer warranty

Not stated

Extended warranty

Not stated

Support helpful

Not stated

Would recommend

Not stated

AI extraction confidence

90%

Verification status

Verified

Evidence quality

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Discussion

Powertrain / transmission failure

POWER TRAIN

44 months

Government / agencyIndexed Oct 9, 2026Source-linkedVerify source — NHTSA complaint #11740022

My wife has felt for quite some time that the traction on our 2022 Acura MDX is lacking. She first attributed it to tires, but after replacing them in November of 2024 she said that the issue was still present. She mentioned it to the Service Advisor at Bloomington Acura but we don't recall the exact timing of that and don't have a record of it. In February of 2026, while driving in snowy conditions we arrived at a vacation property. In driving up the driveway, the MDX got stuck. We got out of the car to try to push it and noticed that the rear wheels weren't rotating (I would expect them to on an AWD vehicle when the front wheels spin). We were able to put wood pieces under the front tires and get the vehicle up the driveway. We reported it to the dealer, who told us that if there were no warning lights there was no issue. We asked if they could test it because AWD wasn't working. We didn't get far but asked during a recent oil change if they could test the AWD. We had to push for that but they did test. They indicated that the rear drive rotated freely, indicating that "splines" between the transmission and transfer case had failed and it would cost $14,000 to repair (our MDX is now beyond the mileage threshold of the power train warranty. I then researched and learned that this issue is under NHTSA investigation DP26001. Customers don't have a reasonable way to know that AWD isn't working; we have brought it up previously with no way of "proving" that it isn't working (no warning lights). We believe that Acura should extend the power train warranty and repair our vehicle. The dealer let us know that they have another customer with the same issue right now. I don't believe that dealers file reports to NHTSA and imagine this issue is bigger than the number of complaints filed. AWD isn't needed by many, but it affects our safety in snowy conditions.

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Months until failure

44 months

Repair cost

Not stated

Repaired

Not stated

Manufacturer warranty

Not stated

Extended warranty

Not stated

Support helpful

Not stated

Would recommend

Not stated

AI extraction confidence

90%

Verification status

Verified

Evidence quality

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Discussion

Brake system failure

SERVICE BRAKES

30 months

Government / agencyIndexed Oct 9, 2026Source-linkedVerify source — NHTSA complaint #11634048

Vehicle has had 3 instances of a feeling of locking/ seizing and shutter or hesitation during braking at 40 to 65 MPH. Service light appear about brake system which quickly vanishes in less than few seconds same as feeling of the brake seizing also disappears within few seconds. This occurred from initial purchase to date at 21k miles. Vehicle brake system inspected at this service junction 2 years after purchase and at this service at 21k one single brake pad and rotor has worn on right front brake pad to 3mm. Front right Brake rotor also deemed damaged and require changing. Other 3 brakes pads and rotors meaning left front brake pad and rotor and 2 rear brake pads and rotors are in good condition at 8mm. The dealership has issued a finding from their independent warranty inspection people who refute that the brake caliper as deemed as cause of this issue in past cases have now instructed the dealerships to NOT change caliper but just change the brake and rotor affected and to do this at the vehicle owner's expense nonetheless. So the vehicle has has other identified issues with uneven brake wear of the model 2022 MDX Type S. The manufacturer is not acting in good faith to provide safe and reasonable means of addressing this issue. This issue is clearly happening to this particular MDX and now Acura does not want to find the problem and correct it. My brake has worn to 3mm and yet it is not considered a "defective" part that must be at fault? There needs to be an identification of what can be causing this as brakes are one of the major safety components for a vehicle. Acura needs to find out the cause and stop passing the responsibility of correcting an obvious defect onto the consumer with a bandaid. Changing the rotor and brake pad is not the way. The root defect needs to be addressed especially since there is obviously multiple people with same issue with this make and model 2022.

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Months until failure

30 months

Repair cost

Not stated

Repaired

Not stated

Manufacturer warranty

Not stated

Extended warranty

Not stated

Support helpful

Not stated

Would recommend

Not stated

AI extraction confidence

90%

Verification status

Verified

Evidence quality

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Discussion

Other

LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Government / agencyIndexed Oct 9, 2026Source-linkedVerify source — NHTSA complaint #11458493

Observation 1: Lane-keeping assistance is unreliable and the results of its operation are highly variable. In optimum conditions (daylight, wide lanes which are clearly marked; good contract between lane markings & pavement; no more than very gentle, wide-radius curves), this feature will do one of three things when the vehicle starts to drift from the middle of the lane: (1) the feature will gently steer the vehicle back to the desired position, (2) the feature will exhibit a warning by vibrating the steering wheel and allow the vehicle to change lanes or (3) fail and do nothing -- without any warning whatsoever. One never knows how the car will react but it certainly cannot be trusted. Observation 2: When driving in light traffic or no traffic conditions the vehicle will occasionally brake aggressively. This was observed to occur on multiple occasions. Two situational examples which have been observed several times: (1) four lane roadway inside city limits; speed: 40mph; I was gently braking to stop behind a vehicle stopped at a traffic light; car applied brakes rapidly nearly causing a rear-end crash as the vehicle behind me did not anticipate the Acura's action. (Judging from the hand signal I received I believe the driver of the vehicle behind me though I was administering a "brake test" -- a common precursor to "road rage.") (2) driving on a two lane country road at 50-55MPH; no other traffic within hundreds of feet in any direction; vehicle brakes rapidly for no apparent reason; my attempt to accelerate and over-ride the "safety feature" was unsuccessful -- eventually the Acura stopped this action and I was able to resume desired speed. Important to note: At no time during these incidents did braking occur to avoid a crash or minimize damage. These were uncommanded operations that actually increased the probability of a crash. These events occurred between 11/21 and 03/22.

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Months until failure

Not stated

Repair cost

Not stated

Repaired

Not stated

Manufacturer warranty

Not stated

Extended warranty

Not stated

Support helpful

Not stated

Would recommend

Not stated

AI extraction confidence

90%

Verification status

Verified

Evidence quality

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Discussion

Powertrain / transmission failure

POWER TRAIN

46 months

Government / agencyIndexed Oct 9, 2026Source-linkedVerify source — NHTSA complaint #11730946

Complete drivetrain failure while accelerating from a complete stop in the middle of a busy intersection. No warning lights or hazard messages were activated before or after the failure. The car made a massive clunking/banging sound and continued to clunk on acceleration. The car had to be towed to the dealership. My children were in the car with me, and we had just driven on the highway for 45 minutes before this failure. Luckily, my husband was behind me, and I activated hazards until I could pull over safely. It was jerking and clunking so badly that I was barely able to steer. It was terrifying since my two young children were in the car, and they were both screaming from the noise. I believe I would have been rear-ended if my husband had not been behind me due to the sudden jerk from the failure, as I was the first car in the left turn lane. This is not the first issue I have had with the transfer case in this vehicle. The affected transfer case and drive train were replaced only 7 months prior due to a faulty transfer case and a severe clunking sound. This vehicle has had repeated drivetrain failures without warning, resulting in loss of traction and control. The recent failure reflects a completely stripped spline connecting the transfer case and transmission. This will be the 4th transfer case this vehicle has had at only 64K miles. All recommended maintenance and care have been completed at the certified Acura dealership since the vehicle was purchased. Recently, the 60K services were completed just 3 months prior to the current failure. The vehicle is currently at the dealership for repairs under warranty, as it needs a new transmission and another transfer case. I have not yet received the documentation, as the car is not in my possession, but I will provide it once I receive it. See the attached documentation from the previous failure, dated 6/3/2025, to establish a pattern of catastrophic drivetrain failure.

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Months until failure

46 months

Repair cost

Not stated

Repaired

Not stated

Manufacturer warranty

Not stated

Extended warranty

Not stated

Support helpful

Not stated

Would recommend

Not stated

AI extraction confidence

90%

Verification status

Verified

Evidence quality

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Discussion

Steering failure

STEERING

36 months

Government / agencyIndexed Oct 9, 2026Source-linkedVerify source — NHTSA complaint #11665509

Incident happened on 2-JUN-2025 While driving home from work at around 45-50 mph, all of a sudden, every warning light on the dashboard illuminated, displaying various messages such as “Brake System Failure - See Your Dealer,” “Power Steering Failure - See Your Dealer,” “Road Departure Mitigation System Problem - See Your Dealer,” “Lane Keeping Assist System Problem - See Your Dealer,” and “Collision Mitigation Braking System Problem - See Your Dealer,” among others. The power steering became extremely difficult to turn, almost as if it had locked up, while the brakes were also stiff but seemed to function. The steering wheel completely locked, and I was fortunate enough to maneuver the car to the side of the road by forcing it. After turning the car off and on about three times, everything finally returned to normal on the third attempt. I immediately contacted the Acura dealership to report the issue and scheduled an appointment, feeling apprehensive about driving on the highway, fearing the problem might recur. After dropping off the vehicle, the Acura dealership diagnosed the issue, as a “Power Steering Rack/gearbox malfunction. Luckily it was covered under the extended warranty. Q.1) The components that failed or malfunctioned include the brake system, power steering system, road departure mitigation system, lane keeping assist system, and collision mitigation braking system. These components should be available for inspection upon request at the dealership where I reported the issue. Q.2) My safety and the safety of others were significantly at risk due to the sudden failure of multiple critical systems. The power steering became extremely difficult to operate, and the steering wheel locked up, making it challenging to control the vehicle. This could have resulted in an accident. Q.3) Yes, the problem was confirmed by the Acura dealership after I reported the issue and dropped off the vehicle for inspection. They diagnosed the malfunction.

VerifiedEvidence ★★★★☆
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Months until failure

36 months

Repair cost

Not stated

Repaired

Not stated

Manufacturer warranty

Not stated

Extended warranty

Not stated

Support helpful

Not stated

Would recommend

Not stated

AI extraction confidence

90%

Verification status

Verified

Evidence quality

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Discussion

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