2008 Acura MDX

Routine

Owners filed 49 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the body and frame. It has been recalled 1 time.

Not among the Acura MDX years to avoid. Which Acura MDX years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
40,000 milesMedian miles at failure

35 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 20,000–30,000 miles.

Most common 2008 Acura MDX problems

8 of the 49 complaints (16%) are about the body and frame.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Structure › Body · body and frame7
010
Suspension6
000
Electrical System6
000
Air Bags · airbags5
101
Unknown or Other3
000
Steering3
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · brakes3
000
Service Brakes · brakes3
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration2
100
Power Train · transmission2
000

Complaints and recalls over time

By year of filing
2008: 4 complaints, 0 about the body and frame'082009: 5 complaints, 0 about the body and frame2010: 7 complaints, 2 about the body and frame'102011: 0 complaints, 0 about the body and frame2012: 1 complaints, 0 about the body and frame'122013: 6 complaints, 1 about the body and frame2014: 2 complaints, 1 about the body and frame'142015: 7 complaints, 2 about the body and frame2016: 3 complaints, 0 about the body and frame'162017: 2 complaints, 0 about the body and frame2018: 2 complaints, 0 about the body and frame'182019: 2 complaints, 0 about the body and frame2020: 2 complaints, 0 about the body and frame'202021: 1 complaints, 1 about the body and frame2022: 1 complaints, 0 about the body and frame'222023: 2 complaints, 0 about the body and frame2024: 0 complaints, 0 about the body and frame'242025: 1 complaints, 0 about the body and frame2026: 1 complaints, 1 about the body and frame'26Recall 08E013000 (equipment)
All complaintsAbout the body and frameRecall (red: the body and frame)

Complaints about the 2008 MDX peaked in 2010, with 7 filed that year. In 2026 owners filed 1 so far.

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Equipment › Mechanical › Carrier/Rack08E013000
Filed Feb 5, 20082,032 vehiclesHonda (american Honda Motor Co.)

Defect. HONDA IS RECALLING 2,032 HITCH STYLE BIKE RACKS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE ON MY 2003-2007 AND SOME MY 2008 HONDA PILOT, RIDGELINE, AND ACURA MDX VEHICLES. A PINCH BOLT EXISTS BETWEEN THE BIKE ARM BRACKET AND THE UPRIGHT ASSEMBLY OF THE "HITCH" STYLE BICYCLE RACK.

Risk. WHEN MOVING THE BIKE ARM BRACKET TO ITS DOWN POSITION, THIS PINCH BOLT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF CAUSING SEVERE LACERATION OR AMPUTATION TO THE USER'S FINGERTIPS OR HAND.

Remedy. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THULE AT 800-THULE91 (800-848-5391) TO OBTAIN A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS OR OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

All 1 campaign on file, newest first.

Technical service bulletins

41 on file

Repair instructions the manufacturer sent its dealers for the 2008 MDX. Not recalls: the fix is usually free only while the car is under warranty.

equipment 11suspension 9electrical system 5equipment adaptive/mobility 5engine 3visibility 2tires 2transmission 1
BBOM05242018901Warranty extensionMay 24, 2018equipment

Dealer message - Today, May 24, 2018, Acura is announcing a warranty extension for 2002-17 Acura vehicles. This warranty extension applies in cases where any of the replacement driver?s and/or front passenger?s airbag inflators have failed internally.

B16020Warranty extensionNov 8, 2016equipment

Service bulletin - Warranty Extension: 2007?09 MDX and 2010 ZDX Front Active Damper - This bulletin will expire May 8, 2017. In cold areas, the front active dampers may be susceptible to leaking. Since these dampers are mounted in an inverted position, the leak is not visible on the exterior of the damper. If an excessive amount of damper oil has leaked, …

B16021Warranty extensionNov 8, 2016equipment adaptive/mobility

Service bulletin - Warranty Extension: 2007?13 MDX and 2010?12 ZDX Front Active Damper - cold areas, the front active dampers may be susceptible to leaking. Since these dampers are mounted in an inverted position, the leak is not visible on the exterior of the damper. If an excessive amount of damper oil has leaked, the active dampers may make a clunk or a …

B16022Warranty extensionNov 8, 2016equipment

Service bulletin - Warranty Extension: 2007?09 MDX and 2010 ZDX Rear Active Damper - In cold areas, the rear active dampers may be susceptible to leaking. If an excessive amount of damper oil has leaked, the active dampers may make a clunk or a bang when driving on rough roads or over speed bumps.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA 5-star safety ratings
Version testedOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
2008 Acura MDX 4-DR. w/SAB———★★★★★14.0%

New Car Assessment Program results for this model year. Ratings compare cars of similar size and weight only.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Structure › Body
Filed Jan 18, 2026CA

My car exterior paint has poor quality. It has been for years. It clear coat peeling and bubbling due to poor factory adhesion between paint layers, Fading & Chalking. This happens for so many years ago but I don’t know this happened because the manufacturers problem until recently a friend told me this

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 30, 2025NY

About maybe 2 months ago my tailgate open light comes on. When the exterior light is left on when I get in the car. .. it will go out but the tailgate light open will come on while driving and you will a ding then the light comes on while drive ng. As a result the car alarm.goes.off several times. I have checked the tailgate and it is closed I have taken it in but they can't find the reason why this happening. I have been on other forums and this appears to have been a problem.with.other Acura 2008 MDX,s.

Electrical System
Filed May 14, 2023NV

The clock in the 2008 Acura MDX stopped working over 18 months ago. This occurred after an Acura Day-light-Savings time update. In order to check the time now you have to take your eyes off the road. There are thousands of Acura vehicles with this problem. ACURA REFUSES TO HELP. They state there is no solution to the problem. They caused the problem!

Air Bags
Filed Mar 26, 2023IL

I was at stoplight waiting to make a right turn and the Check Air Bag System turned on. No accident, just the error came on for no reason. This is safety issue and it should have lifetime warranty! I called the dealer and they told me that its will cost me $295 just to diagnose the error. I feel like this should be recall. I understand that it’s an electronic device and could failed. But it should have lifetime warranty.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 11, 2022NJ

Had front collision with another vehicle and hit their passenger side of the vehicle and their Airbags Deployed on that side but my Airbags didn’t Deploy in the Front. I suffered injuries because it didn’t work.

Structure › BodyFire
Filed Mar 5, 2021136,000 milesWA

MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING, IT SEAMS TO SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 22, 202060,000 milesCA

AN AIRBAG SYSTEM WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED OUT OF NOWHERE WHEN I TURNED MY PARKED 2008 ACURA MDX ON IN MY DRIVEWAY. MY CAR HAD/HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR HIT. IT SEEMS LIKE IT SHOULD BE POLICY FOR AN ACURA DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM FOR FREE BUT I'VE BEEN TOLD I'LL BE CHARGED FOR A DIAGNOSIS. PLEASE ADVISE.

Air Bags
Filed May 29, 2020TX

"CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM" LIGHT CAME ON. NO ACCIDENTS, NOTHING THAT SHOULD HAVE CAUSED THE LIGHT TO COME ON. IT WAS STATIONARY WHEN IT CAME ON, PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed May 28, 201920 milesGA

THIS VEHICLE IS HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUE IN WHICH IS AFFECT VARIOUS PARTS, INCLUDING THE DECELERATION OF THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE TIMES IN WHICH THE BRAKE IS PRESSED AND INSTEAD OF THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND TO START TO SLOW DOWN. THE BRAKES ON THE TRUCK HAVE REPLACED ALONG WITH TIRES AND YET THE PROBLEM DOES CONTINUES. THIS A DAILY THING THAT HAPPENS IT IS MORE NOTICIBLE WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED ABOVE 65 AND ABOVE MILES. I HAVE ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 9, 2019NJ

MY 2008 MDX'S BATTERY WOULD DRAIN OUT OFTEN AND HAD TO REPLACE 2-3 NEW BATTERIES DURING THAT TIME FRAME AND NUMEROUS JUMP START. RECENTLY, I JUST CHANGED BATTERY AND HAD TO JUMP START AGAIN WITHIN A MONTH. I REALLY GOT FRUSTRATED AND TOOK THE CAR TO CAR DEALER AND HE SAID IT'S AN HFL ISSUE WHICH DRAINS YOUR BATTERY OUT, SO I HAVE TO PAY $200 TO DISCONNECT THE SYSTEM OR PAY $4000 TO PUT A NEW HFL SYSTEM. THEIR IS ALSO A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND ANOTHER CUSTOMER AT THE DEALERSHIP HAD THE SAME ISSUE ON HIS 2008 TL. WHY DOESN'T ACURA RECALL AND FIX THE ISSUE??? THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO KNOW. I EVEN EMAILED ACURA WITH A COMPLAINT AND NO RESPONSE FROM THEM YET. ..! THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND WOULD NEVER BUY ACURA OR HONDA CARS AGAIN..!

Electrical System
Filed Jun 2, 2018125,000 milesVA

ON SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 2018, I WAS DRIVING NORTH ON INTERSTATE 95 AND MY CONSOLE LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING AND THE CAR JUST TURNED OFF. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO COAST OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND WATCHED AS THE CONSOLE LIGHTS BLINKED--VSA, BRAKE, INFORMATION LIGHT NAVIGATION SYSTEM SCREEN TURNED ON AND OFF REPEATEDLY, AND SPEEDOMETER AND RMP GAUGES WENT CRAZY. I SAT ON THE SHOULDER AND THE CONSOLE LIGHTS AND NAVIGATION SYSTEM LIGHTS CONTINUED TO BLINK ON AND OFF, AND THEN I SAW THAT THE SYSTEM RESET AS IF THE BATTERY HAD BEEN DISCONNECTED. THE SCREEN TO ENTER THE CODE TO RESET YOUR RADIO SYSTEM APPEARED. THEN IT ALL STOPPED AND WENT BLANK. I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE TO EXIT THE INTERSTATE AND IT CONTINUED ON UNTIL I REACHED MY EXIT. HOWEVER, DURING THE DRIVE MY CONSOLE LIGHTS CONTINUED TO BLINK ON AND OFF AND THE CAR DROVE SLOWLY AND THERE WAS A DRAGGING SOUND AS IF THE ENGINE WAS OVERWORKING. I HAD TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR, AND MY WINDOWS WOULD NOT GO UP TO CLOSE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 22, 2018CT

THE SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY

Electrical System
Filed Sep 4, 2017110,000 milesVA

BATTERY WAS REPLACED IN FEBRUARY 2017 (ABOUT 7 MONTHS AGO). TODAY, EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL JUST DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THANK GOD MY CHILDREN WERE NOT IN THE CAR & THAT I WAS 1 MINUTE FROM HOME. THE INTERNAL LIGHTS FLICKERED AND THEN ALL LIGHTS, THE RADIO, AND ANY OTHER ELECTRICAL PORTION WENT DEAD. THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING, BUT SENSING SOMETHING WAS WRONG, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY HUSBAND AND TOLD HIM TO MEET ME. AFTER I STOPPED THE CAR, IT WENT DEAD AND NEVER TURNED ON. WE HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS APPROACHES TO FIX AND HAVING FOUND THE SOLUTION YET. PER RESEARCH, MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR DANGEROUS ISSUES. SEE HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/ACURA/MDX/2007/ELECTRICAL/ELECTRICAL_SYSTEM.SHTML. MY ABSOLUTE FEAR IS THAT MY CAR WILL STOP COMPLETELY WHILE ON ON A FAST ROAD, WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR, AND AT NIGHT. WHILE WE DON'T YET KNOW IF IT'S AN HFL ISSUE (IT'S NOT A BATTERY ISSUE AS WE JUST HAD IT CHECKED LESS THAN AN HOUR AGO), I'M VERY FEARFUL. IF IT IS A HFL ISSUE, ACURA SHOULD HAVE ADDRESSED THIS A LONG TIME AGO.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 6, 2017NC

THE HANDS FREE LINK CONSTANTLY DRAINS THE BATTERY, EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN USE. I HAVE REPLACED 3 BATTERIES. THIS ISSUE LEAVES YOU STRANDED AND THE REPAIR COST BY DEALERS ARE RIDICULOUS WHEN THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD ISSUE. MY LOCAL DEALER EXPLAINED THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THE ISSUE WAS TO REMOVE THE HFL MODULE. WHY INSTALL SOMETHING ON A VEHICLE IF IT'S NOT CAPABLE OF PERFORMING THE FUNCTION IT IS MEANT TO. ALSO THE CD CHANGER CONSTANTLY GET STUCK AND WILL NOT WORK. DUE TO THIS ISSUE I GET AN ERROR MESSAGE OR A BUSY MESSAGE WHEN TRYING TO REMOVE A CD. THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED IN MY ACURA MULTIPLE TIMES AND I HAVE GOTTEN IT OUT HOWEVER THIS TIME WHEN THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED DUE TO THE HFL MODULE THE CD GOT STUCK DUE TO THE BATTERY ISSUE AND WILL NOT COME OUT AT ALL NOW. SO MY CD PLAYER IS NON-FUNCTIONING AT THIS POINT. SO ONE ISSUE HAS LEAD TO THE OTHER.

Suspension
Filed Jun 4, 201688,000 milesNJ

I HAVE A MDX WITH SPORT SUSPENSION. I RECENTLY VISITED MY MECHANIC TO DISCOVER THAT BOTH OF MY REAR SHOCKS ARE BLOWN. AFTER LOOKING INTO FIXING IT, I NOTICED THAT THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE PREMATURELY. NOT ONLY IS IT A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE TRIM, THE PARTS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS. WITH SO MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE, IT SEEMS THE CORE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM MAY BE A FAULTY DESIGN OF THE SHOCKS. MY CONCERN IS REPLACING A FAULTY PRODUCTS WITH ANOTHER FAULTY PRODUCTS, AND EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE ALL OVER AGAIN SHORTY.

Air Bags
Filed May 9, 2016115,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA MDX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Suspension
Filed Mar 12, 2016UT

THE ADS SENSOR HAS GONE BAD ON MY 2008 MDX. SOME HAVE BEEN RECALLED IN COLORADO BECAUSE SALT PUT ON THE ROADS FOR SNOW CONDITIONS HAS CARRIED THEM. I LIVE IN UTAH WHERE WE ALSO HAVE SALT PUT ON SLICK ROADS. BUT NONE IN UTAH WERE RECALLED. IT IS AN EXPENSIVE FIX AND PARTS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH ACURA. MY LOCAL MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE PRICE THEY ARE CHARGING WAS REDICULIUS AND HE HAS NEVER SEEN SUCH AN EXPENSIVE STRUT FIX.

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Aug 13, 2015100,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 27, 201560,000 milesMA

IF THE CAR PARKED FOR 2 OR MORE DAYS IT WILL NOT START. THERE IS DRAIN IN THE SYSTEM. APPARENTLY THIS IS VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH ACURA. DEALER SAID THAT HE COULD TRY TO DISCONNECT BLUETOOTH (HANDSFREE LINK) FOR $150-200. MY FAMILY WAS STUCK IN COLD WINTER NIGHTS IN THE PARKING LOT WITH NO PEOPLE, WHICH WAS NOT PLEASANT. I THINK ACURA SHOULD HAVE A RECALL AND DISCONNECT OR REPLACE DEFECTIVE UNITS FOR FREE. WE REPLACED BATTERY A COUPLE OF TIMES WITHOUT ANY AFFECT.

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 12, 2015133,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HOOD WAS VIBRATING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST, TCS, ABS AND VTM MAY NOT OPERATE WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MULTIPLE INDEPENDENT MECHANICS, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HOOD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

Suspension
Filed Jun 11, 201588,000 milesKS

SPORTS SUSPENSION IN VEHICLE DOES NOT WORK OVERTIME. I BELIEVE THEY ARE DEFECTIVE, EVERY BUMP I GO OVER, TINY OR BIG IT MAKES A SOUND FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME ITS 2300 TO REPLACE BOTH SIDES. REASON I BELIEVE THEY ARE DEFECTIVE OR NOT OF HIGH QUALITY, HEARD AND READ MANY PEOPLE WITH MDX SPORTS SUSPENSION GETTING THEM REPLACED ONCE TO SEVERAL TIMES IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 22, 201567,567 milesTX

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR GOING ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY I LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER THE CAR, STOP THE CAR, ACCELERATE AND CUT ON MY BLINKERS. NOTHING IN THE CAR WORKED. I WAS DESPERATE TO GET OUT OF THE TRAFFIC FLOW WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY JERKED BACK ON. IT DID THIS OFF AND ON AS I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. ONCE THERE THEY STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS THE ISSUE. BATTERY WAS REPLACED. VARIOUS INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF THE CAR STARTED TO FALL APART (SEAT BELTS, AIRBAGS, CAR LIGHTS, CAR KEY, WINDOW SENSORS, DOOR LOCKS, ALARM, NAVIGATION). FOR A TIME THE CAR DROVE BUT WITH VERY STIFF HANDLING. CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR AN ISSUE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A WHIRRING SOUND AT START-UP. EVERYTHING WAS REPLACED TO FIX THE ISSUE WITH THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN DOING A HAIL MARY ATTEMPT AT OFFERING RESOLVE. I FINALLY RECEIVED MY CAR BACK TWO WEEKS LATER. THEN HERE WE GO AGAIN, I AM ON THE FREEWAY WITH A BRAND NEW BATTERY INSTALLED BY ACURA WHEN EVERYTHING POWERS OFF YET AGAIN. CAR EVEN BRAKED ITSELF AND I SAW MY LIFE FLASH BEFORE MY EYES. I WAS ON THE FREEWAY GOING ABOUT 70 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED AND TRAFFIC FLOW WAS THICK. I TOOK MY CAR TO ACURA AND CURRENTLY THEY HAVE HAD IT FOR OVER A WEEK. THEY TELL ME IT IS MY BATTERY AGAIN WHICH THEY WILL REPLACE FOR FREE BUT THEY WANT TO KEEP FOR FURTHER TESTING. I WORK FROM HOME AND DRIVE MY CAR EXTENDED DISTANCES WHEN NEEDED AND I NEED RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION. THIS CAR IS PROVING UNRELIABLE. I AM NOT GETTING STRAIGHT ANSWERS FROM ANYONE AND IN 4 YEARS I HAVE REPLACED

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 2, 2015150,965 milesNY

I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED IN OCTOBER 2014. EVER SINCE I HAD THE CAR I NOTICE THAT THE HOOD STARTS VIBRATING AS IF IT IS GOING TO OPEN. I HAVE PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SEVERAL TIMES TO CHECK THAT THE HOOD IS NOT OPEN. I HAVE CONTACTED ACURA HEADQUARTERS AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME TO GO TO THE DEALER. WHAT I HAVE NOTICE IS THAT THE LATCH MOVES BACK AND FORTH EASILY AND THE HOOD FLEXES WHEN YOU OPEN IT AND PULL ON IT. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND PEOPLE GO TO THE DEALERSHIPS AND WE GET TOLD THE SAME THING. EVERYTHING IS NORMAL. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A CAR HOOD VIBRATE THE WAY THIS HOOD VIBRATES. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jan 29, 2015NY

*****ACURA MDX 2008 BATTERY IS DRAINING AND CAR WILL NOT START DUE TO HFL UNIT.******** ***CONSUMERS SHOULD KNOW SO THEY CAN ADDRESS THIS ISSUE PREVENT BEING STRANDED SOMEWHERE WITH A DEAD BATTERY*** THIS HAS BEEN MY EXPERIENCE 1) FEBRUARY 2013, VEHICLE @ 35,000 MILES- BATTERY REPLACED AT ACURA 2) OCTOBER 2014, VEHICLE @ 48,000 MILES- TOLD BY ACURA BATTERY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN 3) JANUARY 2015, VEHICLE @ 49,000 MILES- I FOUND ONLINE FORUM WHERE ACURA MDX OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND THE CONCLUSION IS A DEFECTIVE HFL (HANDS FREE LINK) UNIT DRAINING THE BATTERY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS OFF. 4) JANUARY 2015, VEHICLE @ 49,000 MILES - I TELL ACURA SERVICE ADVISOR AT INTAKE ABOUT ONLINE DISCUSSIONS AND THAT I BELIEVE THE HFL UNIT IS DRAINING MY BATTERY. THE SERVICE ADVISOR AGREES THE ISSUE IS DEFINITELY THE HFL UNIT AND THE HFL UNIT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED OR UNPLUGGED BUT HE WILL HAVE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSE TO CONFIRM . I HAD ACURA REPLACE THE HFL UNIT AND THE BATTERY HAS NOT DIED SINCE EVEN AFTER NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR THREE STRAIGHT DAYS. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME AS I BELIEVE DRIVING HANDS-FREE IS SAFER THAN DRIVING WITH A PHONE IN ONE'S HAND. IT IS ALSO ILLEGAL TO DRIVE AND TALK ON A HAND-HELD PHONE IN THE STATE IN WHICH I LIVE SO UNPLUGGING THE HFL UNIT IS NOT AN OPTION FOR ME. I BELIEVE ACURA IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE AND ALL THE MANY ONLINE FORUMS WHERE CONSUMERS WITH DIFFERENT ACURA MODELS, MAKES AND YEARS ARE DISCUSSING THE SAME P

Power Train
Filed Oct 15, 201476,000 milesMD

RATTLING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATED AT LOW SPEEDS APPROX 15 TO 30 MPH...NOISE NOT NOTICEABLE AT HIGHER CRUISING SPEEDS. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 29, 201468,000 milesWA

MY CAR WAS PARKED ON DRIVEWAY AND SUDDENLY RIGHT PASSENGER WINDOW GLASS BROKEN BY ITSELF. INITIALLY I THOUGHT SOME ONE SMASHED IT BUT AFTER LOOKING AT VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM I FOUND THAT IT BROKE ON IT'S OWN. I AM GLAD THAT MY 14 MONTH OLD WAS NOT IN CAR OTHERWISE IT'S HUGE DISASTER. I UPLOADED VIDEO TO YOUTUBE. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=MX2-WEI_TWE&FEATURE=YOUTU.BE. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Sep 28, 201387,000 milesWA

1.HOOD: WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, I NOTICED THE HOOD FLUTTERING AS IF IT WAS NOT CLOSED SECURELY. I PULLED OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT AND CHECKED THE LATCH. I TRIED TO PULL IT OPEN BUT FOUND IT WAS SECURELY LATCHED. I OPENED THEN LATCH AND SHUT IT DOWN HARD TO MAKE SURE IT WAS TIGHTLY SECURED. WHEN I GOT BACK OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY, IT HAPPENED AGAIN! IT HAS NOW HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. I'VE GOTTEN USED TO IT BUT IT IS STILL UNNERVING EACH TIME AS I FEAR THE HOOD WILL FLY UP WHILE I'M DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED. 2. TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS: I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 18 MONTHS AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TWO OF THESE SENSORS. THEY START BEEPING AND A MESSAGE APPEARS SAYING THE PRESSURE IS LOW IN THE TIRE. WHEN I HAVE HAD THE TIRE CHECKED (ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS), THE AIR PRESSURE IS IN THE NORMAL RANGE OF 32. EACH TIME THE TIRE ATTENDANT ADDED EXTRA AIR TO TRY TO SILENCE THE ALARM BUT CAUTIONED THAT DOING SO COULD BE DANGEROUS. OTHERWISE, THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE BEEPING (WHICH IS UNBELIEVABLY ANNOYING ON A LONG ROAD TRIP) IS TO HAVE THE FAULTY SENSOR REPLACED. *TR

Suspension
Filed May 3, 201382,136 milesUT

IN JANUARY 2013 MY ADS LIGHT IN MY MDX WENT ON. WE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT ACURA HAD SENT A SERVICE REQUEST TO CERTAIN VIN NUMBERS FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS IN THE DESIGN OF THE ADS SYSTEM FOR THE MDX'S WAS POOR AND IT ALLOWED SALT AND MOISTURE INTO THE SENSOR CONTROL FOR THE STRUT THUS CAUSING CORROSION IN THE SENSOR AND STRUT. EVENTUALLY THE STRUT FAILS. WHEN WE CALLED ACURA AND I SPOKE WITH FRANK SWARTWOT IN ACURA CUSTOMER SERVICE IN CALIFORNIA, HE TOLD US THAT OUR VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE SERVICE REQUEST. WE EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT WE LIVE IN SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH AND WE GET A LOT OF SNOW AND SALT IS USED ON THE ROADS WHEN THERE IS A SNOW STORM. (WE DID HOST THE 2002 OLYMPIC GAMES AFTER ALL.) WE ALSO TOLD HIM THAT THE ADS FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON IN JANUARY 2013 IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WORST SNOW STORM OF THE YEAR. THIS SOUNDED LIKE THE PERFECT COMBINATION TO CAUSE THESE PROBLEMS. ACURA TOLD US THEY WOULD NOT COVER US AND BASICALLY TOLD US THEY COULD COVER IT IF WE WERE VALUED CUSTOMERS. SINCE WE HAD PURCHASED THE MDX USED AND DID NOT GO TO JODY WILKINSON FOR OUR REPAIRS, THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT. WE ENDED UP REPLACING THE RIGHT FRONT STRUT AND THE SENSOR AND WHEN THE MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE SENSOR AND THE STRUT, IT WAS FULLY RUSTED AND CORRODED.. WE FULLY EXPECT THE OTHER SENSOR AND STRUT TO FAIL WITHIN THE YEAR AS THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS ACCORDING TO THE ACURA MECHANIC. THE COST TO REPLACE EACH STRUT THROUGH THE ACURA DEALERSHIP IS $1250. ACURA HAS SINCE REPLACED THE

Suspension
Filed Apr 29, 201330,000 milesOK

HEAR CLICK NOISE FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION AREA WHILE ACCELERATING OR BRAKING THE VEHICLE. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 17, 201331,500 milesCA

THE BRAKES BEGAN TO HAVE AN AWFUL SQUEAKING SOUND AT 28,000 MILES. I CALLED ACURA'S CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE. THE REP ON THE PHONE SAID THAT THE WARRANTY DID NOT COVER BRAKE PADS SINCE IT WAS CONSIDERED NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE IN GOOD SHAPE, STILL HAS 75%, BUT REAR BRAKES PAD ONLY HAS 30% LEFT. THE SAME CASE WITH MY HONDA ACCORD 2008, REAR BRAKE WEARS OUT MORE THAN THE FRONT ONE. *TR

Steering
Filed Feb 15, 201332,580 milesNJ

THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AROUND 15 MPH IN A SNOWING AFTERNOON ON A LOCAL ROAD. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED TOWARD THE CURB OF THE ROAD. THE DRIVER TRIED TO STEER THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM THE CURB BUT FAILED. THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HIT THE CURB AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE INNER TIE ROD AND THE OUTER TIE ROD OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL DISCONNECTED FROM EACH OTHER. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS INTACT. THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE WAS INTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT STEERABLE ANYMORE. AFTER CHECKING UP THE VEHICLE, THE DEALERSHIP IDENTIFIED THAT THE CONNECTING ROD BETWEEN THE INNER TIE ROD AND THE OUTER TIE ROD WAS BENDED AND COMPLETELY BROKEN. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 13, 201335,000 milesID

AT HIGHER SPEEDS THE HOOD FLUTTERS UP AND DOWN, EVEN THOUGH THE HOOD IS LATCHED DOWN. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS COMMON AND WANTED TO CHARGE ME TO FIX IT... *TR

Power Train
Filed Mar 15, 201253,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT A GRINDING NOISE AND HESITATED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR AND THE GRINDING NOISE WAS CAUSED BY THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Dec 5, 201014,576 milesIA

THE FIRST INCIDENT,12/17/2009, WAS WHILE I WAS PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP LIGHT. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE LIKE IT SHOULD AND ALL WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH WERE ON. I HAD A CAR RIGHT ON MY BUMPER BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD GO NO FASTER THAN 10 MPH. THE SECOND INCIDENT, 05/27/2010, HAPPENED WHILE IN CITY TRAFFIC AND ABRUPTLY DECELERATED TO 10 MPH AND AGAIN ALL WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON. THE THIRD TIME10/29/2010, I WAS AGAIN IN CITY TRAFFIC AND WAS NEARLY REAR-ENDED WHEN THE SAME THING OCCURRED. THE FOURTH TIME,11/08/2010, HAPPENED WHEN A DRIVER FOR THE DEALERSHIP WAS BRINGING THE CAR BACK TO ME BECAUSE THEY AGAIN SAID THEY HAD CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THE DRIVER SAID ALL WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON AND THAT SHE COULD GO NO FASTER THAN 10 MPH. SHE ALSO SAID THAT SHE WAS SCARED TO DEATH AND PRAYED SHE COULD GET BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. ALL 4 INCIDENTS OCCURRED BETWEEN 14576 AND 33633 MILES ON THE CAR WITHIN A TEN AND A HALF MONTH PERIOD.

Steering
Filed Oct 18, 201025,700 milesFL

WHEN DRIVING MY 2008 ACURA MDX IN THE RAIN, SPECIFICALLY IF I HAVE GONE THRU A PUDDLE, SIMULTANEOUSLY A MESSAGE WILL APPEAR "CHECK BATTERY CHARGE" AND I WILL LOOSE MY POWER STEERING FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS, MAKING IT NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I GOT THE CAR 2 YEARS AGO. I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM AND IT IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT HAS BEEN CORRECTED IN NEWER MODELS. AT PRESENT THE ONLY SOLUTION IS DRIVE SLOWER THRU PUDDLES SO THE CABLES THAT ARE EXPOSED UNDER THE CAR DO NOT GET WET AND THEREFORE THE POWER STEERING IS MOMENTARILY LOST. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED, AND IT WAS QUITE FRIGHTENING SINCE BASICALLY ONE IS LOSING STEERING CONTROL OF THE CAR. MY 9 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN THE BACK SEAT. THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN AND ONE DOES NOT ALWAYS KNOW WHEN THE CAR HAS GONE THRU A PUDDLE. FURTHERMORE, WATCHING FOR PUDDLES IS A DANGEROUS DISTRACTION IN A RAIN STORM. I CALLED ACURA TODAY AS I LOST BATTERY POWER YESTERDAY AND HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND I SUSPECT THIS IS RELATED TO THE PROBLEM I HAD THE WEEK BEFORE. THEY DENY ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THE SITUATION EVEN THOUGH I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP, MIAMI ACURA, THAT THEY HAD NOTIFIED ACURA AND THAT ACURA FIXED THE PROBLEM IN NEWER MODELS BUT HAD NO SOLUTION FOR THOSE WHO WERE DRIVING THESE MODELS. I ASKED THEM IF THEY WERE, LIKE TOYOTA, GOING TO WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE DIED BEFORE THEY WO

Visibility
Filed Sep 20, 201026,700 milesTX

WE WERE DRIVING OUR 2008 ACURA MDX ON THE OPEN HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH WITH THE MOONROOF IN THE TILT POSITION. NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE CLOSE. THE MOONROOF GLASS SUDDENLY EXPLODED, SENDING GLASS BOTH OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE MOONROOF HAD A JAGGED HOLE ABOUT 8" BY 18" WITH SOME OUTWARD BULGE. GLASS SHARDS WERE THROUGH OUR HAIR, BUT FORTUNATELY DID NOT GET INTO OUR EYES. IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY VISIBLE OBJECT HITTING THE GLASS, WE CONCLUDE THAT THE MOONROOF GLASS WAS LIKELY DEFECTIVE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF THE FLYING SHARDS HAD BLINDED THE DRIVER. ACURA HAS DENIED COVERAGE UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

Structure
Filed Jul 30, 201022,000 milesWA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA MDX. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 TO 65 MPH, A LOUD BANGING NOISE WAS IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE THE SPARE TIRE CABLE WELD WAS HANGING UNDERNEATH THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TIGHTENED THE WELD CABLE TO TEMPORARILY SECURE THE TIRE. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. UPDATED 10/15/10 *BF UPDATED 10/21/10

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jun 4, 201010,000 milesCA

MY BRAKES HAVE BEEN SPONGY. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS A LOT OF TRAVEL AND ON A FEW OCCASIONS, IT ACTUALLY WHEN ALL THE WAY DOWN. THE CAR STOPS BUT I FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE. IT FEELS LIKE THAT HYDRAULIC FLUID COMPRESSED WAY TOO MUCH. BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS OK. CAN I GET THE ACURA TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? *TR

Structure › Body
Filed May 8, 201040,000 milesCA

HOOD ON 2008 ACURA MDX FLUTTERS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Mar 22, 201024,000 milesCA

2008 ACURA MDX SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE HONDA BRAKE RECALL. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING VERY SPONGY BRAKE AND TAKES MORE PRESSURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I QUICKLY HAD MY BRAKE FLUSHED AFTER SEEING RECALLS ON OTHER HONDA VEHICLE. WE DISCOVERED LOTS OF AIR HAD ENTERED THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND SPONGY BRAKE FREEING WAS GONE AFTER THE SYSTEM FLUSH. MY CONCERN IS THIS PROBLEM WILL CONTINUE TO OCCUR ON THIS MODEL UNLESS THE HONDA RECALL GET UPDATED TO INCLUDE THIS MODEL. *DT

Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems
Filed Dec 19, 2009250 milesNJ

ACURA MDX-2008. IN FALL AND WINTER TIME TIRE PRESSURE READ LOW AND SIGNAL POPS. COMPLAINT WITH DEALER JACKS THE TIRE PRESSURE TO 32-33 PSI TO CLEAR THE SIGNAL. IN ROAD CONDITION SUV STATS FLUTTERING AND PRESSURE RAISE TO 37-38 PSI AUTOMATICALLY WHILE RUNNING. WITH THIS PRESSURE APPLYING BREAKS, CAR SKIDS AND LOSE CONTROL ENDANGERING PASSENGERS INSIDE. COMPLAINT RAISED TO ACURA, BUT NO ACTION. APPEAR FAULTY SENSOR LEADING THIS. REPORTING BY VIJU VARGHESE *TR

Suspension
Filed Nov 24, 200923,000 milesNY

AUTO DAMPER SYSTEM ON 2008 MDX STOPS WORKING DUE TO SENSOR PROBLEMS IN SHOCKS/ STRUTS. AUTO DAMPER SYSTEM ADJUSTS SHOCK SENSITIVITY TO ROAD CONDITIONS AND HAS TWO MODES, COMFORT AND SPORT. WHEN THE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS THE SHOCKS/STRUTS DEFAULT TO A GIVEN SENSITIVITY. THE DANGER OCCURS IF THE DRIVER BELIEVES THAT HE/SHE IS IN SPORT MODE AND THE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS WHILE DRIVING IT COULD CAUSE A WRONG INTERPRETATION OF THE ROAD AND POTENTIALLY HAMPER THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER/PASSENGERS. MY MDX HAS HAD REGULAR FAILURES IN THE SENSORS, I HAVE CONVERSED WITH SEVERAL OTHER MDX OWNERS AND THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT OCCURS ON A REGULAR BASIS. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Nov 2, 200913,610 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA MDX. WHILE SHE WAS REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVE-WAY SHE STOPPED BECAUSE SHE RAN OVER SOME SMALL TOYS. HOWEVER HER FOOT SLIPPED OFF OF THE BRAKES, AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS. CONSEQUENTLY SHE RAN OVER MORE TOYS AND RECEIVED $3000.00 OF DAMAGE. SHE WAS AFRAID TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BECAUSE THEY MAY HAVE AN UNBIASED APPROACH WHEN OFFERING HER RECOURSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,610. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jul 31, 200927,000 milesNY

2008 ACURA MDX WITH 27,000 MILES. A HOLE HAS APPEARED IN THE CONDENSER REGULATING THE A/C UNIT INOPERATIVE. THE HOLE HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED SPEWING OUT LARGE AMOUNT OF FREON STEAM SCARING MY WIFE, THE DRIVER. SHE MADE AN EMERGENCY STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH A LAWSUIT INVOLVED. *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 27, 200914,000 milesWA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS STICKING OUT AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER STEERING LINKAGE FAILED. THE DEALER SPECULATED THAT THE FAILURE RESULTED FROM A CRASH WITHOUT EVEN PROPERLY INSPECTING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER FURTHER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY REPAIRS. AS OF JANUARY 27, 2009, THERE ARE NO KNOWN CRASHES WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND IS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 14,000.

Seat Belts › Integrated Child Seat
Filed Sep 3, 2008CA

THE ISSUE IS A POSSIBLE DESIGN COMPATIBILITY WITH A LATCH ANCHOR SYSTEM AND MY RECENTLY PURCHASED ACURA 08 MDX. (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=2008, MAKE=ACURA, MODEL=MDX) *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jul 25, 200830 milesNH

2008 ACURA MDX - TOOK DELIVERY OF THIS NEW VEHICLE ON JULY 1, 2008 FROM SUNNYSIDE ACURA DEALERSHIP IN NASHUA NH. VEHICLE HAD 14 MILES ON IT. AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES BRAKES FAILED. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS CONTAMINATED BRAKE FLUID IN RESERVOIR AND ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM MUST BE REPLACED. AS RESTITUTION, ACURA REPLACED MY VEHICLE WITH A NEW ONE. DEALERSHIP ADMITTED THAT OTHER NEW ACURA VEHICLES ON LOT CONTAINED CONTAMINATED BRAKE FLUID. DUE TO ACURA'S DECISION TO REPLACE VEHICLE WITHOUT COMPLAINT AND THERE NEED FOR THIS TO GO AWAY QUIETLY, THIS MAY BE A LARGER MORE MACRO ISSUE AND COULD POTENTIALLY IMPACT OTHER INNOCENT VICTIMS. *TR

Seats
Filed Apr 25, 2008FL

THE NEW HEAD RESTRAINTS THAT YOU REQUIRE BECAUSE OF THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY EVALUATIONS HAVE CREATED A HEAD RESTRAINT THAT IS NOT USABLE. I WENT TO SEE ABOUT PURCHASING A NEW VEHICLE BUT FOUND WITH THE NEW HEAD RESTRAINT I CAN NOT SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD OF THE VEHICLE, I CAN SEE THE HOOD BUT THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE HEAD RESTRAINT PREVENTS MY HEAD FROM MOVING TO A POSITION TO SEE OUT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE ONLY I COULD SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD WITH THE SEAT POSITIONED WHERE I WANT IT WAS TO REMOVE THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE DESIGNED HEAD RESTRAINT, THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM CREATED BY THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE. I THINK THE RESEARCH THEY DID IS FLAWED BECAUSE MOST OF THE TIME PEOPLE ARE HIT IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IS WHEN THEY ARE STOPPED AND WHAT I SEE WHEN PEOPLE ARE STOPPED IS THEY ARE LEANING OVER PLAYING WITH THE RADIO OR CELL PHONE, IN A POSITION WHERE THEIR HEAD IS NO WHERE NEAR THE HEAD RESTRAINT. CONTRARY TO WHAT THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR SAFETY THINKS PEOPLE DO NOT SIT-UP STRAIGHT WHEN THEY ARE DRIVING. EITHER I WILL KEEP MY OLD CARS TILL I DIE, NOT HELPING THE ECONOMY, OR DRIVE A NEW ONE WITH THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR SAFETY HEAD RESTRAINTS REMOVED AND LET THE AMBULANCE CHASER HANDLE IT IF I GET REAR ENDED. MAY BE THEY CAN CO AFTER THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR THEIR GREAT DESIGN. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hatchback/Liftgate › Lock
Filed Feb 25, 2008GA

2008 ACURA MDX -ENTERTAINMENT PACKAGE REAR TAILGATE DOOR HAS TWO MODES OF CLOSING. AUTO AND MANUAL. AFTER LOADING CARGO SPACE I WANTED TO CLOSE TAILGATE MANUALLY VERY SLOWLY TO ENSURE THAT CARGO WOULD NOT DAMAGE DOOR, OR DOOR DAMAGE CARGO. I GRASPED THE TAILGATE DOOR ON LOWER EDGE AND BEGAN SLOWLY CLOSING TAILGATE DOOR TO MAKE SURE DOOR WOULD CLEAR ANY POSSIBLE OBSTRUCTIONS BEFORE ACTUALLY CLOSING DOOR SECURELY. WHAT HAPPENS WITH THIS DESIGN IS AS YOU GET CLOSE TO THE POINT WHERE THE DOOR IS ALMOST ALL THE WAY DOWN, AN AUTOMATIC SENSOR IS TRIPPED AND BEGINS TO AUTOMATICALLY CLOSE THE DOOR TO IT FULLY CLOSED POSITION. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS AND AS A RESULT THE DOOR CRUSHED BY FINGERS. THERE ARE NO PERMANENT DAMAGES. JUST A VERY PAINFUL EXPERIENCE. *TR

All 49 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2016
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20269100Routine
2025115300Routine
202441200Routine
202344200Routine
2022159220Routine
2020226800Above average
2019192930Routine
20181691040Routine
2017260840Above average
2016377750Above average
201571820Routine
2014172930Routine
201330130Routine
201276130Routine
201170010Routine
201045140Routine
200952010Routine
2008 — this page49110Routine
200799120Routine
2006871100Routine
20051801310Routine
20041711040Routine
20032061350Above average
2002205420Above average
2001224410Above average

Compare every MDX year →

2008 Acura MDX: questions buyers ask

Is the 2008 Acura MDX a good car?

It is not among the MDX years to avoid. Owners filed 49 complaints, against about 159 for a typical MDX year.

How many recalls does the 2008 Acura MDX have?

1 safety recall on file with NHTSA, the most recent filed Feb 5, 2008. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

At what mileage do 2008 Acura MDX problems start?

Half of the complaints that record an odometer reading came in before 40,000 miles.

Are there service bulletins for the 2008 Acura MDX?

The manufacturer filed 41 technical service bulletins and other notices for it with NHTSA, most of them about the suspension (9), the electrical system (5) and the equipment adaptive/mobility (5). They include a warranty extension, BBOM05242018901, filed May 24, 2018. A bulletin is a repair instruction to dealers, not a recall: the fix is usually free only under warranty.

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Feb 5, 2008. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.