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Your vehicleHome›Acura›MDX› 2018
Acura · Compact SUV

2018 Acura MDX

Hybrid Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
5 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
F
Safety Signal
59 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Counts recalls, not crash safety — this vehicle earned 5 of 5 stars from NHTSA. A much-recalled best-seller scores low here; see the methodology.
RecallsNHTSA campaigns 10
Complaints3 crash · 4 fire · 3 injured reported 170
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 27 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2018 Acura MDX is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas compact SUV with 5 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the MDX Hybrid AWD, is EPA-rated at 27 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 170 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Acura MDX — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
Acura MDX (2000 generation) · Photo: Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
MDX Hybrid AWDHybridAWD3.0L 6-cyl + 259V Li-Ion262727$3,050
MDX FWDGasFWD3.5L 6-cyl202723$3,550
MDX AWDGasAWD3.5L 6-cyl192622$3,750
MDX FWDGasFWD3.5L 6-cyl192722$3,750
MDX AWDGasAWD3.5L 6-cyl182621$3,900

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 39870, 39541, 39548, 39542, 39549.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
MDX FWD, MDX Hybrid AWD3 / 10California LEV-III ULEV125 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 125All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
MDX AWD, MDX FWD3 / 10Federal Tier 3 Bin 125 / California LEV-III ULEV125All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body stylePickup
Doors5
GVWR classClass 2H: 9,001 - 10,000 lb (4,082 - 4,536 kg)

Engine Basics

Cylinders6
Displacement6.7 L
Engine configurationIn-Line

Engine Output

Horsepower370 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelDiesel

Seating

Seat rows3
Seating capacity7 seats

Transmission

Drivetrain4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
TransmissionAutomatic
Transmission speeds9

Driver assistance

Standard: Adaptive cruise control, Anti-lock brakes, Automatic emergency braking, Backup camera, Blind-spot monitoring, Electronic stability control, Forward collision warning, Lane departure warning, Lane keeping assist, Pedestrian automatic emergency braking

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: ADVANCE, Longhorn, SH-AWD (Advance), SH-AWD (Tech)). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length196.1 in
Width (body, without mirrors)77.2 in
Height67.3 in
Wheelbase111.0 in
Track, front66.5 in
Track, rear66.1 in
Curb weight4,343 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear58/42

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here one configuration: 4-door SUV AWD. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

Also on file Beside the 2018 MDX
Other years The 2021 MDX Recalls Acura recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2018 Acura MDX is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

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Recalls (10)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Structure

AOU, AOT
965,561 vehicles
Problem 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, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure. Risk Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. Fix 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. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) in
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFInterim owner letter PDFDealer notice PDF
NHTSA campaign 26V365000 reported Jun 4, 2026 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Air Bags

98,892 vehicles 32% reported repaired
Problem 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 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash. Risk Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury. Fix 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDFDealer notice PDF
NHTSA campaign 26V332000 reported May 21, 2026 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Exterior Lighting

FLI
152,800 vehicles 68% reported repaired built Oct 22, 2012 – Dec 22, 2020
Problem Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid light assembly and wiring harness, which can cause the interior and exterior lights to fail, including the lid lights, position lights, license plate lights and taillights. Risk Vehicle lights that fail to illuminate can decrease visibility and increase the risk of a crash. Fix 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. Owners may contact Acura's customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Acura's number for this recall is FLI. Vehicles included in this recall that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 19V-256 will need to have the new remedy completed.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V259000 reported Apr 17, 2025 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

KGC, KGD
2,490,460 vehicles 79% reported repaired
Problem 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 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. Risk Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix 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. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 23V858000 reported Dec 18, 2023 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Engine And Engine Cooling

XG1, GG0
248,999 vehicles 78% reported repaired built Jun 3, 2016 – Mar 20, 2020
Problem 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. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine. Risk A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury. Fix 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. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-December 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early Apr
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 23V751000 reported Nov 13, 2023 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Engine And Engine Cooling

L4M, Z4L
93,946 vehicles 94% reported repaired built Jul 10, 2018 – Aug 2, 2018
Problem Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura MDX and Honda Pilot vehicles and 2019 Acura RLX, RLX Sport Hybrid, TLX and Honda Odyssey and Ridgeline vehicles. The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt. Risk Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash. Fix Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected timing belt free of charge. Vehicles receiving a replacement timing belt will also have the engine inspected and any damaged components will be replaced for free. The recall began June 7, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is L4M. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is Z4L.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 19V298000 reported Apr 12, 2019 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Exterior Lighting

M49
322,897 vehicles 86% reported repaired built Jun 21, 2017 – Aug 2, 2018
Problem Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Acura MDX and 2017-2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid lights, possibly causing a loss of the tailgate lid lights and the taillights. Risk Loss of the taillights reduces the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of crash. Fix Acura will notify owners, and dealers will modify the tailgate lid lights and install updated gaskets and a wiring sub-harness or will replace both tailgate lid lights. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is M49.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 19V256000 reported Mar 28, 2019 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Fuel System, Other

N3X, P3W
437,032 vehicles 90% reported repaired built Apr 26, 2017 – Aug 2, 2018
Problem Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine. Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance. Risk Reduced fuel pump performance can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash. Fix Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the fuel injection engine control unit (FI-ECU) software and, if necessary, replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019. Owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's recall number for this recall is P3W. Honda's recall number for this recall is N3X.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 19V060000 reported Jan 29, 2019 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

C31, L30
64,785 vehicles 92% reported repaired built Mar 22, 2018 – Aug 2, 2018
Problem Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Acura MDX, 2017-2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda HR-V and Honda Odyssey, and 2016 Honda HR-V vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating, causing gas pockets to form, reducing brake performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems." Risk A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash. Fix Owners will be notified, and Honda or Acura dealers will bleed the brakes, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are C31 and L30.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 18V777000 reported Nov 1, 2018 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Seats

D0S, T0T
5,810 vehicles 87% reported repaired built Jan 10, 2018 – Jan 10, 2018
Problem Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018 Honda Pilot and Ridgeline vehicles and 2018 Acura MDX vehicles. The front driver and passenger powered seats in the Honda vehicles and the driver powered seats in the Acura vehicles may have been assembled with improperly manufactured rivets. In the event of a crash, the rivets can break causing the seats not to be secured to the floor. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems," and 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages." Risk In the event of a crash, if the seat does not remain secured to the floor, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury. Fix Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver seat frame assembly in Acura MDX vehicles, and replace the driver and front passenger seat slide rail frames in Honda Pilot and Ridgeline vehicles, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall is D0S, and T0T.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 18V221000 reported Apr 5, 2018 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

NHTSA defect investigations

Engine — Engine failure open

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 414 reports of connecting rod bearing failures in the 3.5L V6 engine used in the following vehicles: Model Years (MY) 2018-2020 Acura TLX, MY2016-2020 Acura MDX, MY2016-2020 Honda Pilot, MY2018-2020 Honda Odyssey, and MY2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline.  The subject engine failures were analyzed as part of a Recall Query (RQ24013).  It was determined that these engine failures are outside the scope of Honda Recall 23V-751. Further, evidence gathered in conjunction with RQ24013 does not suggest this failure is caused by the same crankshaft manufacturing defect that is addressed by Honda in Recall 23V-751.  Based on analysis of data from RQ24013,

Opened Aug 20, 2025 · action PE25008 · the investigation’s page →

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine — No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages open

On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020

Opened Mar 26, 2025 · action EA25004 · the investigation’s page →

Engine — Engine failure closed

On November 8, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ24013 to assess the scope of Honda recall 23V-751 after receiving complaints that alleged connecting rod bearing failures in vehicles that were not within the scope of recall 23V-751. In November 2023, Honda recalled 248,999 various Model Year (MY)2016–2020 Honda and Acura vehicles equipped with the 3.5L V6 engine. Honda recalled these vehicles due to a crankshaft manufacturing defect that caused premature connecting rod bearing wear and engine seizure. While the out-of-scope failures involved in these complaints appear to have a very similar failure mechanism as the recalled engines, a thorough analysis of

Opened Nov 8, 2024 · closed Aug 20, 2025 · action RQ24013 · the investigation’s page →

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021. On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject mat

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005 · the investigation’s page →

Whether any of this applies to one specific MDX

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2018 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Acura publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Acura’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2018 Acura MDX, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2018 Acura MDX

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this MDX →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
170complaints filed

3 involved a crash · 4 a fire · 3 injuries · 0 deaths reported

41 per 10,000 built · Acura reported 41,596 MDX built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2017: 1 · 2018: 10 · 2019: 13 · 2020: 3 · 2021: 4 · 2022: 12 · 2023: 16 · 2024: 47 · 2025: 34 · 2026: 30

Most-cited components

Engine → 54
Fuel/Propulsion System → 51
Forward Collision Avoidance 37
Electrical System 28
Lane Departure 24
Power Train 23

In depth: engine problems → · fuel system problems →

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

I was driving down a state road. No vehicles or overpasses were nearby. Suddenly my sunroof shattered
Visibility/Wiper at 21,500 miles Jul 22, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11340992
When the car accelerator pedal is pressed, from either a stop or slowly rolling from a stop, there is no response from the vehicle, no transmission downshift, no sounds - it just sits as if the car is off for 1-3 seconds and THEN accelerates/lunges.
Vehicle Speed Control Feb 16, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11452260
Car miss shifts especially in the 25 to 40 mph range. Sometimes hesitates when taking off. Also stays in one gear and will not upshift when entering the Freeway. Very dangerous. I found numerous complaints on the web in reference to these problems, but still no recall???
Power Train Dec 20, 2021 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11444479
In San Diego on 11/15/2021, my daughter side swiped a parked vehicle in residential area driving about 30 miles. No airbags deployed. A minute later the car stopped and would not start and started to have smoke and flames come from under hood and through inside windshield and dash.
Electrical System Dec 6, 2021 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11442765
Ticking noises coming from engine. Confirmed with dealer Acura is looking into this. I'm also experiencing brief loss of power dealer states this is associated with engine
Engine at 25,345 miles Aug 31, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11352291
Merging onto a 6 lane highway, specifically the 3 northbound lanes, the collision mitigation braking system activated suddenly. I was moving from the right lane to the middle lane accelerating as needed to maintain the appropriate speed with the middle lane. As I began to ease off the accelerator, the cmbs slammed on the brakes.
Service Brakes at 24,300 miles Sep 24, 2019 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11257600

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Acura itself: 28 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 32 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 67 per 100,000 built. Every MDX model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 44k

miles, typically

Half the 40 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 15,000 and 87,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

under 10k 8
10k–20k 6
20k–30k 4
30k–40k 1
40k–50k 5
50k–60k 4
60k–70k 1
70k–80k 0
80k–90k 2
90k–100k 2
100k–150k 5
150k + 2

Across 2018–2020 model years the Acura MDX ranks 67 of 79 nameplates in the odometer-at-first-complaint study: owners reported problems at 1.89× the mileage of vehicles the same age (median 36,000 miles against a fleet 23,512).

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆16%
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆16%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆16%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning.

Driver-assist crash reports (1)

Source: NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01
1report filed

1 no injury reported

Nov 2021 to Nov 2021 · 0 with an air bag deployment · 1 towed

What was engaged, and what was hit

System named: not named in the filings

Crash partner: Unknown 1

Filed by: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

IncidentSystemStruckInjury allegedStateSpeedReport
Nov 2021Level 2Unknownno injury reportedCA—62-1803

From the manufacturer’s own filing

The reporting entity’s narrative as NHTSA published it, with anything identifying removed and nothing added. A narrative is a notice, written before the entity had verified what happened.

The customer made a sharp turn and swiped a parked vehicle. After driving approximately 50 feet, the customer noticed flames coming out of her vehicle's hood. The customer alleges that both the Lane Keep Assist System and Adaptive Cruise Control were engaged.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) report 62-1803 Nov 2021 NHTSA SGO filing

A report under the General Order is a notice the manufacturer or operator must file within days of hearing of a crash in which a Level 2 driver-assist or automated-driving system was engaged within 30 seconds of impact. It is filed before anything is verified, and entities with telematics hear of far more crashes than entities that rely on complaints, so counts say as much about the reporting as about the car and are not comparable across makes. Nothing is normalised by fleet size. Every report on file, by make and year → · NHTSA’s page and files

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Extended coverage on file 3 filings by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every Honda warranty extension (66) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 160
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-01-31
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 154 service bulletins, 6 others

Most often about: Engine, Fuel/Propulsion System, Electrical System, Service Brakes, Equipment.

  • 2026-01-31 · Fuel/Propulsion System
  • Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engaging, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Acura is providing a product update with a new PGM-FI software update to fix this issue.
  • B25-003 Service bulletin
    2025-09-04 · Visibility/Wiper
  • Service Bulletin - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one or both of the inner taillights not to work.
  • B25-003 Service bulletin
    2025-07-09 · Visibility/Wiper
  • Service Bulletin - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one or both of the inner taillights not to work.
  • B23-002 Service bulletin
    2025-07-07 · Engine
  • Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or low cranking torque. Typically, the client can immediately restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pressing the ENGINE START/STOP button.
  • 2025-06-05 · Exterior Lighting
  • Owner Notification Letter - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one or both of the inner taillights not to work.
  • 2025-06-05 · Exterior Lighting
  • Owner Notification Letter - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one or both of the inner taillights not to work.
  • B25-003 Service bulletin
    2025-04-18 · Visibility/Wiper
  • Service Bulletin - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one or both of the inner taillights not to work.
  • B24-022 Service bulletin
    2025-02-19 · Engine
  • Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on with one or more AWD DTCs having been set due to water intrusion into the electric oil pump motor connector area corrodes the terminals.

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
P0171
P0171 on Acura →		The engine is running lean on bank 1: too much air, or not enough fuel, for the mixture the computer wants.Fuel/Propulsion System · Mass air flow sensor →16 bulletins
P0174
P0174 on Acura →		The engine is running lean on bank 2.Fuel/Propulsion System · Mass air flow sensor →16 bulletins
P219A
P219A on Acura →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Fuel/Propulsion System · Fuel pump →16 bulletins
P0441
P0441 on Acura →		The evaporative purge is not flowing the way it should.Engine · EVAP purge valve →4 bulletins · 1 owner report
P0159Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine2 owner reports

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

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At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2018 Acura MDX failed the emissions check on 3.2% of first inspections — close to the 3.0% for every 2018 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.3% (every 2018 vehicle: 1.9%).

New York inspections 3.2%

failed emissions

1,946 initial inspections of 1,895 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2018 MDXEvery 2018 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check3.2%3.0%1,944
Failed the safety inspection1.3%1.9%1,946
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.41%0.22%1,946
Miles driven a year10,39210,002odometer at inspection
Average odometer86,19682,833odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2018 vehicle” is every 2018 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

MDX by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2026 A 1 9 22 mpg2025 C 4 112 22 mpg2024 C 3 43 22 mpg2023 C 3 48 22 mpg2022 C 3 180 22 mpg2021 A 0 0 27 mpg2020 F 8 230 27 mpg2019 D 9 198 27 mpg2018 this page F 10 170 27 mpg2017 D 9 268 27 mpg2016 D 7 377 23 mpg

Common questions about the 2018 MDX

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2018 Acura MDX have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 10 recall campaigns for the 2018 Acura MDX. The most serious on file is 26V365000, covering Structure. 1 of them was filed with no repair available at the time — NHTSA's file records what the manufacturer had in hand on the filing date, not what exists today. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2018 Acura MDX?

NHTSA gave the 2018 Acura MDX 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 5-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it F (59/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Acura MDX?

Across the 5 EPA-rated configurations of the 2018 Acura MDX, the best EPA combined figure is 27 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2018 Acura MDX?

Transport Canada measured it at 196.1 in long, 77.2 in wide (body, without mirrors), 67.3 in tall, on a 111.0 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 4,343 lb. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2018 Acura MDX?

Owners have filed 170 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Acura MDX, most often about engine, fuel/propulsion system, forward collision avoidance. Of those, 3 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 3 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2018 Acura MDX?

The EPA smog rating for the 2018 Acura MDX is 3 out of 10. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III ULEV125, Federal Tier 3 Bin 125 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2018 Acura MDX?

The manufacturer has filed 160 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2018 Acura MDX, most often covering engine, fuel/propulsion system, electrical system. The most recent is dated 2026-01-31. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2018 Acura MDX do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2018 Acura MDX failed the emissions check on 3.2% of first inspections — close to the 3.0% for every 2018 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.3% (every 2018 vehicle: 1.9%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations5 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates5 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls10NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints170NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings3 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins160NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations4NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationOpen and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative.
Driver-assist crash reports1NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01Crashes the manufacturer or operator reported with a Level 2 or automated-driving system engaged. Notices, filed before verification; not comparable across makes.
Specifications filed with NHTSA13 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Other years The 2021 MDX The MDX model year with the cleanest record on file — grade A, 0 recalls.Recalls Every Acura recall on file All campaigns filed against Acura vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this MDX by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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