2009 Acura MDX Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 15%of 52 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 74,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the engine of the 2009 Acura MDX, 15% of the 52 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I brought the car into the dealer because I was having transmission problems or power steering problems. I indicated that the car makes a whine at about 1500 RPM. The dealer chose to treat it as a power steering problem. The power steering pump was replaced. There was still a whine although less. The car RPM hangs up on deceleration to a stop. Some times when going down hill the car does not upshift until the car is accelerated even though the road slope is zero. …”
NHTSA complaint #10480630, filed 2012-10, 34,095 miles“Approximately 3 months ago I went to start the medic and it would not start. No lights or any other accessories were left on. The car was jumped and started. Being the car was 4 years old and I had reviews of battery problems in the medic, I had the battery replaced. About two weeks later it would not start again. It was jumped again and taken to an auto repair shop to be tested. The repair shop said the battery was weak, so it was replaced again. It's been about 2 months now and today when I went to start it, the battery was dead again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10553906, filed 2013-11, 45,000 miles“The message center came on telling me to check the oil level and pressure. Pull over asap and have it towed to nearest dealer. This has happened several times now and each time they say its a sensor but how many can there be and how can they keep going out. When this is happening the wipers will short out as well and radio will fade in and out. This has to be a defect within the electrical.”
NHTSA complaint #10713005, filed 2015-04, 90,000 miles“Ongoing problem with 2009 Acura MDX- the check engine warning light sporadically illuminates while driving indicating that the vehicle should be brought to an Acura repair facility. The dealership service department stated that it is a faulty sensor and it is a common problem with the 2009 Acura MDX. The dealership further stated that it would be approximately $700.00 for them to make the repair as Acura has not yet issued a recall notice for the sensor.”
NHTSA complaint #10717681, filed 2015-05, 45,000 miles“Vehicle was running normal. After sitting outside on a very cold day in wisconsin, the car would not start. It was towed to bergstrom Acura in appleton, wi where a new starter was installed and it started. There was an immediate loud knocking noise. Inspection indicated a large piece of the #5 piston broke off due to a latent manufacturing defect and destroyed the engine. Although this failure occurred in the shop, the piston could have failed on the road which could have seized the engine and caused an accident. …”
NHTSA complaint #10690992, filed 2015-02, 124,900 milesEngine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 22% |
| 2025 | 70 | 61% |
| 2024 | 6 | 15% |
| 2023 | 1 | 2% |
| 2022 | 9 | 6% |
| 2020 | 86 | 38% |
| 2019 | 48 | 25% |
| 2018 | 35 | 21% |
| 2017 | 79 | 30% |
| 2016 | 163 | 43% |
| 2015 | 7 | 10% |
| 2014 | 26 | 15% |
| 2013 | 9 | 30% |
| 2012 | 23 | 30% |
| 2011 | 28 | 40% |
| 2010 | 11 | 24% |
| 2009 | 8 | 15% |
| 2008 | 3 | 6% |
| 2007 | 11 | 11% |
| 2006 | 9 | 10% |
| 2005 | 7 | 4% |
| 2004 | 13 | 8% |
| 2003 | 10 | 5% |
| 2002 | 5 | 2% |
| 2001 | 3 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2009 Acura MDX
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Acura MDX
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology