Owners filed 76 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 1 time.
When it fails
06900069,000 milesMedian miles at failure
46 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 0–10,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Engine
19
0
1
0
Power Train
11
0
0
0
Unknown or Other
9
0
0
0
Electrical System
9
0
2
0
Air Bags
9
2
0
2
Structure › Body
2
0
0
0
Service Brakes
2
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling
2
0
0
0
Wheels
1
1
0
0
Visibility/Wiper
1
0
0
0
1 safety recall
Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly12V063000
Filed Feb 17, 20128,709 vehiclesHonda (american Honda Motor Co.)
Defect. HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 PILOT AND ACURA MDX VEHICLES. THE VENT SHUT FLOAT (VSF) VALVE CASE IN THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY DOES NOT MEET THE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS.
Risk. AS A RESULT, FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE TANK, INCREASING THE RISK OF FIRE.
Remedy. HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VSF ASSEMBLY DATE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 13, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-999-1009.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Engine
Filed Jul 16, 2026NC
I have a 2012 MDX and it burns an extreme amount of oil. We took our MDX back to the dealership where we purchased it and had the oil issue fixed. Or so we thought. The problem was supposed to be fixed 3 months ago but the car is still burning a lot of oil. We have to add oil every 2 weeks. We did not drive the car much after "getting the oil issue repaired" so we did not realize that the problem still exists. Acura should know how to repair this issue and there should be a recall for this excessive oil consumption. Acura is a luxury brand but they are not taking care of their customers. Also the paint is peeling off our MDX badly. We had a couple of paint touch up jobs but it just keeps getting worst. I am embarrassed driving this car with the continuing paint peeling off. We cannot keep shelling out money to get this vehicle repainted. There should be a recall for the paint peeling also. I had a Honda and the Honda had a lot less issues and cost a lot less. We will not purchase another Acura unless Acura does right by their customers and put recalls out and fix the oil consumption and paint peeling issues.
Engine
Filed Jul 8, 2026OR
2012 ACURA MDX burns extreme amounts of oil between oil changes. Typically a warning indicator comes on about 1,000 miles before oil change is due. I continue to refill oil between oil changes.
Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 8, 2026OR
I bought a 2012 silver Acura MDX on March 3rd in 2022 from our local Acura dealership. Exterior paint was great, hardly any dings, scratches anywhere. I spent over $20,000 for this USED CAR and as of the past two years, the clear coat has worn out in various places on front hood, near the moon roof, near the rear side door windows, near the rack on top, near the back hatch window. It's absolutely embarrassing and I find it interesting/maddening that I have seen two others MDX's around town that have the same issues with paint. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL? MY 2011 HONDA ODYSSEY paint doesn't have this issue, why is Acura inferior to Honda? I always thought Acura was higher end. But clearly, they went cheap on paint and want their Acura MDX's to look like trash. WHAT IS A FIX FOR THIS? I CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPAINT CAR ON MY OWN.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed May 21, 2026WA
Our car eats a ton of oil and the piston rings failed, we owe a lot on it and I'm told there is no help for this issue even though there used to be because we are outside the guidelines in terms of mileage and purchase date. our car has 156k its a 2012 MDX. VIN [XXX] . Just checking with everyone everywhere to make sure I've exhausted all resources as it will take 13,000 to fix and we owe 12,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine
Filed Aug 27, 2025MD
Oil consumption/burning Cylinder rings
Electrical System › Instrument Panel › Speedometer/Odometer
Filed Apr 22, 2025159,000 milesWI
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 126,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 159,000.
Other/I Am Not Sure
Filed Mar 22, 2025AZ
Does not have anchor for the seat. A recall was placed by NHTSA
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 12, 2025WA
See attached document for complaint.
Engine
Filed Feb 3, 2025PA
On 11/30/24 I heard a slight whirling sound while driving. On 12/1/24 I drove from Point A towards my home. Along the way the oil light flashed. I stopped at Advance Auto Parts, 15 miles from Point A. I checked the oil and it read as it should on the dip stick. No oil was needed. I drove straight home, a distance of 30 miles, and parked the car. When my son arrived home he started the car and there was a knocking sound. He shut it off. He stated that he felt it to be the rod bearings. He then changed the oil as previously planned as supplies were already in the car. He checked the oil and found a slight glitter in it indicating the rod bearing issue. The car remained parked until 12/26/24 when it was taken to an independent service center, round trip of 18 miles, who confirmed that the rod bearings were the issue. The car was parked again and only started to move about 50 feet into the garage prior to a snow storm. It has not been started since. My safety was put at risk as the engine could have, and will, fail when driving. The engine had previously been repaired at an Acura dealer for an oil consumption issue in accordance with service bulletin 19-006. Honda refused to honor the recall previously offered due to this known failure. The car was picked up on 12/8/22 with 92,954 and purchased finalized on 1/4/23. The oil consumption issue was first noted on 2/12/23 at 97,088 miles. Car was serviced and oil changed on 2/16/23 at which time the oil consumption issue was diagnosed
Engine
Filed Jan 24, 2024TX
The engine consistently consumes too much oil between service events. The low oil light comes on. I had this problem for over 8 years and the dealership said it was not a problem until now and they want me to pay for it. The oil control rings have been clogged since 2016 and progressively gotten worse. The clogged rings cause restriction of oil to return to the crankcase. This causes a decrease in available oil and may cause overheating that could lead to engine fire. Acura should fix the oil control rings to function properly. They have identified this in the past, through a service bulletin (19-006). I have performed 97% of my oil changes at Acura dealerships.
Engine
Filed Oct 27, 2022TX
Consistently getting low oil notification shortly after getting oil changes. This has been happening since 2017. Dealer does a oil consumption test and says it is not a problem. However I cannot go between oil changes without getting the notification. I have no oil leaks. Furthermore, I have had 'oil' services done over the past 5 years that never fix the problem. I'm afraid this is doing damage to the vehicle and can put us in danger if oil level is too low. Dealer continues to say it isn't a problem. And when they try to fix it, it doesn't work. This began in 2017
Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 18, 2022NY
THIS VEHICLE BURNS SO MUCH OIL. I USE 5 QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES IN THIS VEHICLE. UNREAL! SO DISAPPOINTED IN HONDA.
Engine
Filed Sep 18, 2022NY
This vehicle unrealistically burns oil. 5-6 quarts of oil is added to engine between oil changes.
Engine
Filed Sep 6, 2022NY
S25 S25 recall fuel system 2012 Campaign Number 12V063000
Electrical System
Filed Jun 29, 2022GA
DONE everything Dealer suggested and still having problems with random misfires in 1,2 and 3 cylinders, changed spark plugs, fuel injectors, ignition coils and compression test and changed rear CAT. Still check engine light come on sometime then the SUV driving good, and sometimes it drive ruff, check engine light come on then go off then come back on with same codes: random misfire.
Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 27, 2022WA
My Sunroof exploded.
Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 8, 2021AR
11/17/2020 Acura battery of our 2012 Acura MDX failed & was replaced under manufacturer warranty, via comp was provided. 6/29/2021 Acura battery failed again. Dealership did not honor warranty claiming manufacturer Acura would not pay for replacement. Dealership said I needed to contact Acura Client Relationship which I did. ACR initially said dealership was at fault & the battery should be replaced under warranty. I asked for a client number & was placed on 10 minute hold. When agent returned she changed her story saying battery was not under warranty even though it had been replaced under warranty in November 2020. Their reason was I ‘did not pay for the battery.’ This is not true as I did pay a prorate portion of the replacement in November & the original battery I purchased with the certified vehicle purchase. The ACR agent declined to provide me a claim number. I talked to the dealer service manager Andrew Jackson & the service tech writer Tevin Jackson. I requested contact information for an Acura Zone or Regional Manager. Andrew stated he would speak to general manager - Cecil Turner. I followed up with Andrew, was told that Acura Client Relations have no record of my call (I have itemized billing & therefore proof of the call including duration) & he asked me to call back to get a claim number. I did this & obtained a claim number which I provided to Mr. Jackson. I followed up again & was told the Regional representative was going to try & obtain an Acura Loyalty Card
Air Bags
Filed Jul 15, 2021OH
The airbag light is on I went to have the airbag replaced. I was told I couldn't get my airbag replaced because it was a CANADIAN vehicle and they couldn't get the part etc. to replace it. So I have a Canadian vehicle that was not disclosed to me at the time of purchase. What can I do to resolve this issue? I purchased the Suv from Walt Sweeny 6315 Harrison Avenue Cincinnati Ohio 45247Auto Center 877- 300-3930. I spoke with the owner once and other person. No resolution has come about yet.
Air Bags
Filed May 5, 202114,300 milesGA
MY AIRBAG LIGHT WON'T GO OFF. SHOWING AN ERROR WHEN HOOKED UP TO THE MACHINE
Engine
Filed Mar 31, 2021109,000 milesKY
ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, MY SUV HAD A MESSAGE ALERT COME ON WHILE I WAS SITTING STILL AFTER JUST STARTING MY VEHICLE IN WALMART PARKING LOT AFTER GROCERY SHOPPING, SAYING TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL; OIL LEVEL LOW. ALSO, JUST RECENTLY, MARCH 27TH I HAD TO ADD OIL TO MY VEHICLE AGAIN; 3/4 OF A QUART LOW ON OIL. THE VERY NEXT MORNING, I HAD ANOTHER ALERT COME ACROSS MY MESSAGE BOARD SAYING TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL- OIL LEVEL LOW. SO I CHECKED IT AGAIN, IT SHOWED AT THE TOP OF THE HASH MARKS ON THE DIPSTICK AS IT SHOULD. SO I'M NOT SURE WHAT'S GOING ON THERE UNLESS IT'S A MALFUNCTION OF SORTS OR A SENSOR ISSUE. I CHECK MY OIL WHEN I FILL UP MY GAS TANK. ALL OF A SUDDEN, MY SUV WAS BURNING/ USING OIL. I HAVE TO KEEP PUTTING OIL IN DUE TO A LOW OIL LEVEL LOOK ENTIRELY TOO OFTEN. I'VE HAD TO PUT OIL IN MY ENGINE AT LEAST TWICE A MONTH. AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT JUST ENOUGH TO TOP IT OFF, I'M TALKING ANYWHERE FROM 3/4 OF A QUART TO 3 QUARTS OR MORE AT TIMES. THERE ARE NO LEAKS, NO PUDDLES OR OIL SPLATTER ON THE BOTTOM OF MY TRUCK OR IN MY DRIVEWAY. MY TRUCK IS HAVING A SEVERE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM. I KNOW THERE WAS AN EXTENDED VEHICLE WARRANTY THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX THIS THAT EXPIRED APRIL OF 2021-I DID NOT GET THIS VEHICLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER OF 2020. ALSO, I DID DO THE THOUSAND MILE TEST AND IT FAILED MISERABLY. NO ONE CAN TELL ME IF IT WAS FIXED OR NOT, BUT OBVIOUSLY, EITHER WAY, IT DID NOT GET FIXED OR THE FIX DID NOT WORK. IT IS A COSTLY FIX AND IT IS A MANUFACTURER FAIL, NOT MINE. THIS NE
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 17, 2012. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.