Acura MDX transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2026
365 of the 1,605 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Acura MDX 2016–2026 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2016 (111), 2022 (85), 2017 (69). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Acura MDX transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 14% | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 5 | 5% | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 2 | 5% | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 15 | 34% | — | 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2022 in depth | 85 | 48% | — | 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2021 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2020 | 22 | 10% | — | — | the year → |
| 2019 | 32 | 16% | — | — | the year → |
| 2018 | 23 | 14% | — | — | the year → |
| 2017 | 69 | 26% | 36k | — | the year → |
| 2016 in depth | 111 | 30% | 32k | 64 TSBs | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2015: 4 · 2016: 11 · 2017: 10 · 2018: 21 · 2019: 30 · 2020: 27 · 2021: 27 · 2022: 22 · 2023: 26 · 2024: 33 · 2025: 58 · 2026: 96
Across the model years, half of the 132 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 15,000 and 60,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
I have purchased the vehicle on 3/23/16 and from day one I have been having issues with the transmission. When I come to a stop and wait for oncoming traffic to give me chance to cross the street. When I finally get the chance to cross I press the gas pedal and the car just does not want to go, it stalls.
Transmission failed causing engine to overheat. This 9 speed transmission has a fluid heater in it that has radiator water supplied to it. Car was not shifting correctly and making a beeping noise at 20 to 25 MPH. Car was taken to deal on 2/13/16 with 5,635 miles they test drove and said they could not find anything wrong.
My Acura service department notified me at my last oil change that they discovered (accidentally) my transmission / transfer case is damaged and is not transferring power to the rear wheels, rendering the vehicle as 2 wheel drive only. This requires a total replacement costing $16,000 +/-.
When the vehicle decelerates—either from high speed or while already moving slowly—it frequently jerks just before coming to a complete stop. This issue is especially noticeable at very low speeds or during final braking, where the vehicle may lurch forward by a few inches unless the brakes are applied firmly.
The car has been experiencing roughness and shaking in reverse 50% of the time. Some times it shakes and jerks much more than other times, but either way it seems to be a common problem when searching forums and there doesn't seem to be any solution besides replacing the transmission.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsNHTSA investigation
- DP26001 All wheel drive allegationopened Mar 6, 2026 · closed Aug 4, 2026
- The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has completed its review of a Petition dated January 9, 2026, requesting an investigation into the loss of the optional all-wheel drive capability in model year (MY) 2021-2023 Acura TLX and MY 2022-2023 Acura MDX vehicles. The Petition alleges failures in the interfacing splines between the front wheel drive transaxle and the rear wheel drive power take of…
Other systems with a record on the Acura MDX
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Acura MDX problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Acura MDX years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2016, 111; 2022, 85; 2017, 69. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2022 (48%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Acura MDX?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading on any of these model years. A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Acura MDX?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 35,649 miles across the model years; half of them between 15,000 and 60,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.