2021 Acura MDX
The 2021 Acura MDX is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas compact SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The EPA did not publish a separate 2021 certification; fuel-economy figures below are carried over from the 2020 listing. The most efficient version, the MDX Hybrid AWD, is EPA-rated at 27 mpg combined. NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year so far (Safety Signal A).
Specs & fuel economy
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MDX Hybrid AWD | Hybrid | AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl + 259V Li-Ion | 26 | 27 | 27 | $2,850 |
| MDX FWD | Gas | FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 20 | 27 | 23 | $3,350 |
| MDX AWD | Gas | AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,500 |
| MDX AWD A-SPEC | Gas | AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,700 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 41665, 41658, 41663, 41664. Figures carried over from the 2020 EPA listing; no separate 2021 certification was published.
Factory warranty running out?
The 2021 Acura MDX is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.
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Recalls (0)
Source: NHTSA recall databaseNo NHTSA recall campaigns are on file for the 2021 Acura MDX. New campaigns appear here within a week of NHTSA posting them.
NHTSA defect investigations
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 �eld 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
Opened Mar 26, 2025 · action EA25004
Owner complaints
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseNo owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.
Crash ratings
Source: NHTSA NCAPNHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.
Other MDX model years
2026 Acura MDX
1 recalls · 7 complaints
D2025 Acura MDX
4 recalls · 96 complaints
C2024 Acura MDX
3 recalls · 41 complaints
C2023 Acura MDX
3 recalls · 44 complaints
C2022 Acura MDX
3 recalls · 171 complaints
F2020 Acura MDX
8 recalls · 222 complaints
F2019 Acura MDX
9 recalls · 193 complaints
F2018 Acura MDX
10 recalls · 165 complaints
F2017 Acura MDX
9 recalls · 261 complaints
F2016 Acura MDX
7 recalls · 371 complaints
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). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.
EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.