2020 Acura MDX

◆ Worse than typical
2020 Acura MDX
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Acura MDX Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2020 highlighted. 2001: 224 complaints 2001 2002: 204 complaints 2003: 206 complaints 2004: 171 complaints 2005: 180 complaints 2005 2006: 87 complaints 2007: 99 complaints 2008: 49 complaints 2009: 50 complaints 2009 2010: 45 complaints 2011: 70 complaints 2012: 75 complaints 2013: 29 complaints 2013 2014: 168 complaints 2015: 69 complaints 2016: 357 complaints 2017: 244 complaints 2017 2018: 158 complaints 2019: 182 complaints 2020: 209 complaints 2020 2021: 0 complaints 2021 2022: 128 complaints 2023: 34 complaints 2024: 35 complaints 2025: 66 complaints 2025 2026: 5 complaints 2026
2020: 209 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
2001224
2002204
2003206
2004171
2005180
200687
200799
200849
200950
201045
201170
201275
201329
2014168
201569
2016357
2017244
2018158
2019182
2020209
20210
2022128
202334
202435
202566
20265

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 37%

37% of complaints: engine — 77 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%

17% of complaints: electrical system — 35 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

While braking into a parking spot, vehicle experienced sudden unintended acceleration. Brake did not engage, car rapidly surged forward over parking block, sidewalk and hitting building.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230504

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 11%

11% of complaints: forward collision avoidance — 22 distinct reports on file.

POWER TRAIN 10%

10% of complaints: power train — 20 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 8%

8% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 16 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

2020 — complaint volume: 209
R 20210518 — fuel system, gasoline

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.

Campaign 21V215000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20230807 — service brakes, hydraulic

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 23V458000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20240328 — engine and engine cooling

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024.

Campaign 23V751000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20240328 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid,...

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, October 18, 2024, and August 2025. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 24V064000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20240329 — fuel system, gasoline

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020...

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD.

Campaign 23V858000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20241108 — RQ (closed 20250820)

Engine failure

I 20250326 — EA (open)

No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages

R 20250528 — exterior lighting, interior lighting

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wiring and install a fuse harness, replace the lid light, and repair the body dust sealer, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 30, 2025.

Campaign 25V259000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20250820 — PE (open)

Engine failure

R 20260706 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021...

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 26V332000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — structure, suspension

American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,...

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 7, 2026.

Campaign 26V365000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2020 Acura MDX — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine issues (77 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (35 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for forward collision avoidance issues (22 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 26V365000 (structure, suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V215000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 23V458000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 23V751000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 24V064000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 23V858000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 25V259000 (exterior lighting, interior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 26V332000 (air bags) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2023 ▲ 2024 ▲ 2010

WORST YEARS

■ 2016 ■ 2017 ◆ 2001

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2020 Acura MDX reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2020 Acura MDX is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Acura MDX?

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2020 Acura MDX have?

8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.