2009 Acura MDX: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 52 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (28% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days
0
recalls
52
owner complaints
1
fire reports
55,000
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Among the quietest MDX years (#21 of 24 by complaints, age-adjusted)No recall campaignsWeak spot: electrical system (28%)1 fire report
Common problems
Computed from 52 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)28% · 14 complaints
Engine (engine mechanics)14% · 7 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)8% · 4 complaints
Exterior Lighting (headlights, taillights)8% · 4 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control (unintended acceleration, cruise control)8% · 4 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)6% · 3 complaints
“No major incidents, hits, or bumps no off roading only drove on city roads and highways. Tread and all rubber on the outside half of the tire has completely seperated from the inner tire on a section.”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2026
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2009 Acura MDX. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 117,500. At the time of the vehicle registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 140,223.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2026
“On Jan 21, 2025 the drivers side air bag deployed as I was driving. I did not hit or get hit by anyone or anything, I did not run over anything either the airbag deployed on drivers side from the front to the back of my Acura MDX it was sudden it was random Nd damn scary. I was injured from the impact of the air bag ... I have had my car approximately 6 months I am purchasing from Drive now in Wichita, KS and am still making payments on this vehicle..”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“I just got this car in September and it is now throwing all kinds of different codes to the point where I can't drive it sh-awd /check charging station / emission light etc”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2024
“While driving vehicle, all power shut off after all lights(airbag, tire, engine, etc. came on the dashboard) not able to start vehicle now at all. Has power but will not run, turn over, stay running, etc. has brand new battery so that's not the problem no problems until today.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2022
“I was driving onto an exit ramp around 50 to 60 mph on Rt 50 yo 495 south and VSA light appeared on dash. Also steering felt extremely loose. No control to steer and could not accelerate either.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2022
“Vehicle produced a dash warning light for airbag/supplemental restraint system on January 29th or 30th, 2022. Went away and back on again 3 times in the following week. No prior issues related to this. Vehicle has never been in an accident. Acura dealer scanned vehicle 2/5/2022 to find vehicle code 11-11, meaning bad airbag and possibly bad cable reel. No recalls or effort by Acura (contacted by me) to assist with fix. Replacement isn't readily available, nor is a dealer loaner. Part is $1202.75. Vehicle is 2009 with only 89,7XX miles.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2022
“The contact owns a 2009 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and approaching a stop sign, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact shifted the vehicle to neutral and back to drive and the vehicle responded slowly. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,061.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2021
“My headlights in my 2009 mdx are getting very foggy like they turnnig white in outside surface is hard to see at night time whit the low beans I use the high beans to be able to see I take it to a repair shop and they cannot do nothing I think this is a safety hazard I see others acura whit the same problem they sure put this problem in recall...thanks”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2020
“Low beam headlight is extremely dim, can barely see at night. Changing the light bulb does not solve. Headlight cover is not foggy or cloudy, it is clear. Suspecting internal reflector issue as acura has done recalls on other models for the same issue but not on rdx.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2020
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2009 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
Cylinders6
FuelGasoline
TransmissionAutomatic
Body stylesSport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
How other years compare
Check your exact MDX by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Acura MDX reliable?
NHTSA has 52 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 2009 Acura MDX. The most complained-about area is electrical system (28% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2009 Acura MDX problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 55,000 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.