2008 Acura MDX Problems
Compared with other Acura MDX years
Fewer complaints than typical for this model
0/100 0.2× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.2× that of a typical Acura MDX year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 16 of its 49 complaints were filed by the end of 2010.
- Most reported part: Electrical system (8 complaints, median 117,500 mi).
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 49filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles, 35 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 17 mpgcombined, 3.7L 6-cyl 4WD/AWD · 15 city / 20 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Acura MDX (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 49 consumer complaints for the 2008 Acura MDX. The part named most often is electrical system, with 8 complaints (16% of the total), followed by body and structure (8) and brakes (6). 35 of the complaints include a mileage, and 51% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 40,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 41 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 14 Acura MDX model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 0 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system8 16%
- Body and structure8 16%
- Brakes6 12%
- Suspension6 12%
- Air bags5 10%
- Steering4 8.2%
- Engine3 6.1%
- Other or unknown3 6.1%
- Vehicle speed control3 6.1%
Also reported: Engine cooling (2), Latches, locks and linkages (2), Tires (2), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Electronic stability control (1), Equipment (1), Seat belts (1), Seats (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “On saturday, june 2, 2018, I was driving north on interstate 95 and my console lights started blinking and the car just turned off. Luckily, I was able to coast over to the shoulder and watched as the console lights blinked--vsa, brake, information light navigation system screen turned on and off repeatedly, and speedometer and rmp gauges went crazy. I sat on the shoulder and the console lights and navigation system lights continued to blink on and off, and then I saw that the system reset as if the battery had been disconnected. …”
NHTSA complaint #11099315, filed 2018-06, 125,000 milesBody and structure: “I purchased this car used in october 2014. Ever since I had the car I notice that the hood starts vibrating as if it is going to open. I have pulled off to the side of the road several times to check that the hood is not open. I have contacted Acura headquarters and they have told me to go to the dealer. What I have notice is that the latch moves back and forth easily and the hood flexes when you open it and pull on it. I have seen several complaints about this and people go to the dealerships and we get told the same thing. Everything is normal. …”
NHTSA complaint #10680478, filed 2015-02, 150,965 milesBrakes: “The brakes began to have an awful squeaking sound at 28,000 miles. I called Acura's customer representative. The rep on the phone said that the warranty did not cover brake pads since it was considered normal wear and tear. The front brakes were in good shape, still has 75%, but rear brakes pad only has 30% left. The same case with my honda accord 2008, rear brake wears out more than the front one.”
NHTSA complaint #10498410, filed 2013-02, 31,500 milesSuspension: “In january 2013 my ads light in my MDX went on. We researched and found that Acura had sent a service request to certain VIN numbers for this very problem. The problem is in the design of the ads system for the MDX's was poor and it allowed salt and moisture into the sensor control for the strut thus causing corrosion in the sensor and strut. Eventually the strut fails. When we called Acura and I spoke with frank swartwot in Acura customer service in california, he told us that our VIN was not included in the service request. …”
NHTSA complaint #10510588, filed 2013-05, 82,136 milesMileage when problems were reported
51% of the 35 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 23,000 and 88,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Acura MDX. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MDX · sedan AWD | not rated | 5 / 5 | — | — | 4 · 14.0% risk |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2008 Acura MDX version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MDX 4WD | 3.7L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $4,850 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2008 Acura MDX in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 41 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10237044May 17, 2023Electrical system. Service News - The navigation clock and date are incorrect. This is due to a limited GPS receiver capacity resulting in rollover of internal chip memory. The rollover occurred on January 1, 2022 at…
- 10207004Jan 25, 2022Electrical system. ServiceNews Article - The clock shows the incorrect time. This issue is due to a limited GPS receiver capacity resulting in "rollover" of the internal chip memory; the "rollover" will occur on…
- 10177598Jun 3, 2020Engine cooling. These SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to a loss of CARB certification. These SKUs can no longer be sold as…
- 10139576May 24, 2018Air bags, Equipment. Dealer message - Today, May 24, 2018, Acura is announcing a warranty extension for 2002-17 Acura vehicles. This warranty extension applies in cases where any of the replacement driver?s and/or front…
- 10100462Nov 23, 2016Equipment. Service bulletin - navigation system information.
- 10100505Nov 21, 2016Suspension. "reimbursement form - on some 200713 mdx and 201012 zdx vehicles located in cold areas, the front and rear active dampers may leak. While leaks on the rear active suspension are visible, the front…
- 10100504Nov 21, 2016Suspension. "customer letter - on some 200713 mdx and 201012 zdx vehicles located in cold areas, the front and rear active dampers may leak. While leaks on the rear active suspension are visible, the front…
- 10099141Nov 17, 2016Suspension. Service bulletin - in cold areas, the rear active dampers may be susceptible to leaking. If an excessive amount of damper oil has leaked, the active dampers may make a clunk or a bang when driving…
- 10099129Nov 17, 2016Suspension. "service bulletin - in cold areas, the front active dampers may be susceptible to leaking. Since these dampers are mounted in an inverted position, the leak is not visible on the exterior of the…
- 10116783Nov 8, 2016Equipment. Dealer message - Today, November 8, 2016 Acura is announcing four warranty extensions for model years 2007-2013 Acura MDX and model years 2010-2012 Acura ZDX vehicles to address Active Damper…
Other model years of the Acura MDX
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 9 | 1,800 | 1 | 5 | 22 | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 114 | 13,000 | 3 | 5 | 22 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 41 | 9,810 | 2 | 5 | 22 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 43 | 32,454 | 2 | 5 | 22 | 13 · Fewer | Too new |
| 2022 | 158 | 60,000 | 2 | 5 | 22 | 51 · Typical | Rising |
| 2020 | 226 | 44,500 | 8 | 5 | 23 | 69 · More | Rising |
| 2019 | 191 | 21,114 | 9 | 5 | 23 | 73 · More | Rising |
| 2018 | 169 | 40,000 | 10 | 5 | 23 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2017 | 260 | 37,000 | 8 | 5 | 23 | 75 · More | Rising |
| 2016 | 377 | 37,884 | 7 | 5 | 23 | 94 · More | Rising |
| 2015 | 71 | 23,000 | 8 | 5 | 23 | 52 · Typical | Rising |
| 2014 | 172 | 23,412 | 8 | 5 | 23 | 86 · More | Stable |
| 2013 | 30 | 50,000 | 1 | 4 | 18 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2012 | 76 | 62,500 | 1 | 4 | 18 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2011 | 70 | 66,000 | 0 | 5 | 18 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2010 | 45 | 67,000 | 1 | — | 18 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2009 | 52 | 55,000 | 0 | — | 17 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2008 | 49 | 40,000 | 0 | — | 17 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2007 | 99 | 92,500 | 0 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 87 | 76,000 | 9 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 180 | 82,197 | 11 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 171 | 94,000 | 8 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 206 | 108,000 | 11 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 205 | 98,000 | 4 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 224 | 100,000 | 4 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
All Acura MDX model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Acura MDX have?
NHTSA recorded 49 consumer complaints for the 2008 Acura MDX as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2008 Acura MDX is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 8 complaints (16% of the total), followed by body and structure with 8.
Has the 2008 Acura MDX been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Acura MDX get?
The EPA rates the 2008 Acura MDX (MDX 4WD, 3.7L 6-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 15 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Acura MDX reported?
Among the 35 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 40,000 miles and the middle half falls between 23,000 and 88,000 miles; 51% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.