The most-reported MDX run is 5FRYD4H41GB (2016 builds) with 25 complaints, 9.3× the typical run. Power train problems make up 29% of reports; 2016 is the worst model year at 5 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 45 recall campaigns for MDX model years 2001–2026.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Acura MDX has 1,116 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 3% of every MDX complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5FRYD4H41GB•••••• | 2016 | — | 1 | |
| 5FRYD4H42GB•••••• | 2016 | — | — | |
| 5FRYD4H46GB•••••• | 2016 | — | — | |
| 5FRYD4H40GB•••••• | 2016 | — | — | |
| 5FRYD4H43GB•••••• | 2016 | 1 | 1 | |
| 5J8YD4H59LL•••••• | 2020 | — | — | |
| 5FRYD4H48GB•••••• | 2016 | — | — | |
| 5J8YD4H56LL•••••• | 2020 | 1 | — | |
| 5J8YD4H51LL•••••• | 2020 | — | — | |
| 5FRYD4H4XGB•••••• | 2016 | — | — | |
| 5FRYD4H5XHB•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| 5FRYD4H49GB•••••• | 2016 | — | — |
Each of the other 1,104 MDX runs has 12 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 273 MDX VINs so far, most often 2026, 2023, 2024 builds; 7 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Acura MDX the gap between build years is 4.2×: a 2016 car draws 5 complaints per run, a 2013 one 1.2.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 5 | — | |
| 2025 | 105 | 50 | 2 | |
| 2024 | 40 | 28 | 1 | |
| 2023 | 41 | 30 | 2 | |
| 2022 | 152 | 61 | 6 | |
| 2020 | 220 | 57 | 4 | |
| 2019 | 185 | 69 | 3 | |
| 2018 | 162 | 65 | 3 | |
| 2017 | 251 | 94 | 7 | |
| 2016 | 368 | 74 | 10 | |
| 2015 | 62 | 35 | 4 | |
| 2014 | 161 | 60 | 7 | |
| 2013 | 27 | 22 | — | |
| 2012 | 72 | 39 | 4 | |
| 2011 | 63 | 33 | 2 | |
| 2010 | 40 | 26 | 6 | |
| 2009 | 47 | 23 | 4 | |
| 2008 | 39 | 27 | 1 | |
| 2007 | 82 | 39 | 2 | |
| 2006 | 75 | 42 | 8 |
Heaviest year here is 2016 at 5 complaints per run; lightest is 2026 at 1. The 2026 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 29% of everything Acura MDX owners report: Power Train, 877 of 3,013 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 26 | 2 | |
| Engine | 8 | 19 | |
| Electrical System | 12 | 22 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 12 | 8 | |
| Air Bags | 39 | 5 | |
| Service Brakes | 27 | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 5 | 1 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 23 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 45 recall campaigns on the Acura MDX; the 6 below cover build years 2003 to 2026. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 26V332000 | Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger | 2017–2026 |
| 23V858000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump | 2013–2020 |
| 25V259000 | Exterior Lighting | 2014–2020 |
| 26V365000 | Structure:frame And Members | 2014–2020 |
| 19V256000 | Exterior Lighting:tail Lights | 2014–2019 |
| 08E013000 | Equipment:mechanical:carrier/rack | 2003–2008 |
26V332000 was opened in 2026 on cars built from 2017: 9 years on the road before the recall.
The MDX against its rivals
The MDX draws 2.7 complaints per production run; the Honda Pilot 3.9, the Hyundai Santa Fe 3.4 and the Kia Sorento 5.6. That is the lowest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acura MDX | 3,013 | 1,116 | 4.2% | |
| Honda Pilot | 8,694 | 2,227 | 3.6% | |
| Hyundai Santa Fe | 7,010 | 2,088 | 4.6% | |
| Kia Sorento | 9,261 | 1,665 | 2.9% |
How serious were they
Of the 3,013 reports on the Acura MDX, 4.2% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Acura MDX | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 3,013 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 128 (4.2%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 47 (1.6%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 119 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Acura MDX share of that is 3,013 complaints over 1,116 runs, 0.27% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Acura MDX VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 3,013 NHTSA complaints from 1,116 MDX runs and 45 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which MDX production run has the most complaints?
5FRYD4H41GB, a 2016 build, with 25 complaints. The typical MDX run has 2.7.
Which MDX years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2016 is heaviest at 5 complaints per run and 2026 lightest at 1.
Does the MDX get more complaints than the Honda Pilot?
No: 2.7 complaints per production run for the MDX against 3.9 for the Honda Pilot.
How many MDX complaints involve a crash?
4.2% of 3,013 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 47 involved a fire.
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