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2014 Acura MDX: problems, recalls and reliability

9 recalls and 169 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (18% of complaints); the 2012 and 2013 and 2015 model years look more trouble-free.

Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Jun 2026

9
recalls
169
owner complaints
3
fire reports
29,000
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

NHTSA crash testOverall ★★★★★Front ★★★★★Side ★★★★★Rollover ★★★★
5-star NHTSA overall safety rating3 fire reportsProblems reported early (median 29,000 mi)

Common problems

Computed from 169 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Steering (steering wheel, rack, power assist)18% · 28 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)14% · 22 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)11% · 18 complaints
Service Brakes (brakes)10% · 16 complaints
Engine (engine mechanics)9% · 15 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control (unintended acceleration, cruise control)8% · 12 complaints
A connecting rod bearing is failing in my 2014 Acura MDX which could have led to complete engine failure while driving my family. Absolute Auto Center of Berlin, CT confirmed the issue and noted that Acura has recalled 2016-2020 MDX models due to connecting rod bearing defects but have not expanded the recall to include earlier model years that are also impacted. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to or during the issue, it was identified due to a loud knocking with the engine around 3-4,000 RPMs.Owner report · Engine · May 2026
Car jerked badly on highway when trying to accelerate. It puckered to a stop after a few hours. But started in a few mins and we got home. Mechanic suggested that fuel pressure is low. No repair done. But problem did not surface again for a little bit. Now emissions problem light has come on. This is the third time in 4 months. Once again mechanic suggested low fuel pressure and also pointed to the recall. Writing to request being includedOwner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2026
This car is consistently garaged. It was pulled out one morning and a large sheet of paint peeled off roof while it was sitting in the driveway. This is a major concern as I don't feel comfortable driving the car for fear more will come off, affecting another driver on the highway. I've had to borrow a car until it can be fixed. Spoke to ACURA and this is a KNOWN issue for this color paint but they will not stand by their product. We have received no information from ACURA regarding this issue as they claim.Owner report · Structure · Jan 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
Upon startup the following warning lights come on and remain active: Brake System Problem, Power Steering Problem, Hill Start Assist Problem, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) Problem, Anti-Lock Break System Problem. Additionally, intermittingly a loud grinding noise can be heard from the button of the vehicle.Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2024
The car is un safe to drive, the RPM fluctuations, gos up and down at low speed, doesn't potential problems with the torque converter clutch, is juddering and unstable RPMs, noticeable during acceleration or decelerationOwner report · Power Train · Nov 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, and while driving up an incline, the vehicle briefly hesitated and lost motive power before returning to normal functionality. The AWD and emission system warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V215000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 2024
The fuel pump impeller was improperly moulded, resulting in low density impellers. Over time, the low-density impeller can deform and interfere with the fuel pump body, rendering the fuel pump inoperative. If the fuel pump module is inoperative, the engine may not start or can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. difficulty starting, engine hesitation while driving, or an illuminated check engine lightOwner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2024
Recall (M49) Moisture may enter the tailgate lid lights, possibly causing a loss of the tailgate lid lights and the taillights. Acura dealership confirmed repair back in 2019. I am currently having the same issue with the loss of my taillight. I raised concern with Acura and they confirmed that they release me part number that they didn't use for the initial repair, which leads me to believe this issue was never fixed. The dealership then told me that they would not be able to repair this issue unless I had an extended warranty. I am requesting a review as this is a major safety issue and a traffic citation concern on the same grounds that the M49 recall was initiated.Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, the steering wheel jerked to the left. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.Owner report · Steering · Apr 2024
Paint. Delaminating at the sealer. Paint flakes randomly fall off car over the years. Acura verified this was a factory defect and the common area is occurred was the roof. This was covered for my car 03.2019 under an extended warranty but was only limited to the roof. I specifically asked to fix the whole paint job since this was a FACTORY defect and they stated they will only fix the area with the current damage. Well now time has passed and this has now happened on my left passenger door and Acura will not cover any part of fixing their factory defect. Terrible on Acura for selling a product they know has a FACTORY defect and they will not stand by their product.Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2024

When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 9 campaigns

SEAT BELTS14V639000 · Oct 2014

American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to August 25, 2014, and 2014 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured November 5, 2012, to November 25, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the driver and front passenger seat belt may not extend or retract in low temperatures.

Remedy: Honda has notified owners, and dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belts, free of charge. The recall began in November 2014. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's number for this recall is JK7 for the MKX, and JK8 for the RLX.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION13V571000 · Nov 2013

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Acura MDX AWD vehicles manufactured May 6, 2013, through October 14, 2013. The bolts that attach the drive shaft to the automatic transmission transfer assembly may not have been properly tightened. As a result, the bolts could loosen possibly allowing the shaft to detach.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the drive shaft attaching bolts as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on July 3, 2014. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009 or visit their website at www.recalls.honda.com. Honda's recall number is JC8.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: CRASH IMMINENT BRAKING15V301000 · May 2015

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX 2WD and AWD, RLX and 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid vehicles. In certain driving conditions, the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) may incorrectly interpret certain roadside objects such as metal fences or metal guardrails as obstacles and unexpectedly apply the brakes.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the CMBS software, free of charge. The recall began on July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's numbers for this recall is JQ4, JQ5 and JQ6.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS19V256000 · Mar 2019

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.

Remedy: 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.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS26V365000 · Jun 2026

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.

Remedy: 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) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER15V417000 · Jul 2015

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX and MDX AWD vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to December 16, 2014. The affected vehicles have air conditioning compressor clutch drive bolts that may not have received the proper anti-corrosion coating.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air conditioning compressor clutch drive bolt and install a new clutch plate if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 7, 2015. Owners may contact Acura client relations at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's number for this recall is JQ7.

EQUIPMENT13E040000 · Jul 2013

American Honda Motor Co. is recalling certain Trailer Hitch Harness Kits, Part Number 08L91-TZ5-200. These kits are for use in 2014 model year Acura MDX vehicles. The trailer hitch kit has a subharness that is incorrectly wired such that there may be no power supplied to an accessory trailer brake controller.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners and Acura dealers will correct the trailer hitch subharness wiring, free of charge. The recall began on August 23, 2013. Owners may contact Acura Customer Service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's number for this campaign is JB2.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP23V858000 · Dec 2023

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.

Remedy: 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.

INTERIOR LIGHTING25V259000 · Apr 2025

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.

Remedy: 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.

Specifications

Factory options offered for the 2014 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 decoder

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Acura MDX reliable?

NHTSA has 169 owner complaints and 9 recall campaigns on record for the 2014 Acura MDX. The most complained-about area is steering (18% of complaints).

At what mileage do 2014 Acura MDX problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 29,000 miles or less.

Does the 2014 Acura MDX have open recalls?

9 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.