2010 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.
- 9 of its 45 complaints were filed by the end of 2012.
- Most reported part: Engine (11 complaints, median 89,000 mi).
- 1 recall campaign on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
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
- 45filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 67,000miles, 30 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 3.7L 6-cyl AWD · 16 city / 21 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2010 Acura MDX (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 45 consumer complaints for the 2010 Acura MDX. The part named most often is engine, with 11 complaints (24% of the total), followed by electrical system (9) and steering (6). 30 of the complaints include a mileage, and 40% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 67,000 miles. Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 8 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 77 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 18 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 6 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.
- Engine11 24%
- Electrical system9 20%
- Steering6 13%
- Body and structure6 13%
- Other or unknown5 11%
- Seat belts4 8.9%
- Air bags3 6.7%
- Brakes3 6.7%
- Exterior lighting2 4.4%
Also reported: Fuel system (2), Latches, locks and linkages (2), Seats (2), Electronic stability control (1), Suspension (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Engine: “Engine has quit suddenly without warning while driving on 3 or 4 occasions. Have been able to restart by turning ignition switch to off (which requires vehicle to be put into park) then turned back to start. Latest incident was on a divided city street yesterday while stopped at a traffic light just past a railroad crossing; vehicle behind me had stopped on the railroad track. As the traffic light changed to green a train was approaching...with crossing gates coming down and red lights flashing. That's when my engine just suddenly stopped running. …”
NHTSA complaint #11232788, filed 2019-07, 99,300 milesElectrical system: “Vehicle: 2010 Acura MDX. I was on hwy 395 at night and the check battery light came on. We recently replaced the battery and I felt it safe to drive to the next town to have the battery checked before continuing. Within about 50 miles, all of the other warning lights coming on in succession. There was no shoulder or area to pull on this section of highway near mono lake and within 30 seconds the car lost all power and all the lights went out. I tried to turn on the emergency flashers and they wouldn't work. …”
NHTSA complaint #11388720, filed 2021-01, 103,000 milesSteering: “Began leaking fluid, the Acura dealership said it is the steering rack and pinion. Repair cost $1800!!! This is after having the power steering pump replaced x3. I am not impressed with Acura at all and will probably trade this money pit in :( I do not know how Acura has such a reputation for being a well made vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10573765, filed 2014-03, 78,000 milesBody and structure: “On 2 different times my vehicle accelerated on its own resulting in an accident. The first time was on or about may 24, 2011. I was pulling into a parking space of an apartment complex. It was around 5:30 pm. I was driving slowly (between 2-3 MPH) as there was a construction crew working directly behind the parking space in which I was going to park. I was making a right hand turn into the parking space. As I proceeded into the parking space my left foot was on the floor and my right foot was on the brake, alternating between braking and idling. …”
NHTSA complaint #10553749, filed 2013-11, 18,167 milesMileage when problems were reported
40% of the 30 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 29,612 and 99,200 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 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 |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2010 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning not available, automatic emergency braking not available.
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 2010 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 | 6-speed automatic | 16 | 21 | 18 | $4,550 |
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
- 10V002000Jan 4, 2010Air bagsCovers: Acura MDX 2010
Honda is recalling certain model year acura 2010 mdx vehicles manufactured between october 7, 2009 and november 14, 2009. A bolt used to attach an interior trim piece to either the driver's or passenger's side a-pillar may not have been installed during…
Recall details for the 2010 Acura MDX → · Check a 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. 77 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10177599Jun 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…
- 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…
- 10165772Oct 2, 2019Engine cooling. Service Bulletin - Due to high demand for repairs under this warranty extension, pistons and rings required to complete this repair are currently backordered. Acura has provided this service…
- 10164476Aug 31, 2019Engine cooling. Dealer Message - On January 16, 2019, Acura announced a warranty extension for certain 2009-14 Acura vehicles equipped with a 3.7L V6 engine to address client concerns related to excessive oil…
- 10163804Aug 10, 2019Engine cooling. Service Bulletin - The oil control rings may become clogged with carbon deposits. These deposits restrict the ring's ability to scrape and return oil from the cylinder wall to the crankcase, which…
- 10160547May 18, 2019Engine cooling. Service Bulletin - The oil control rings may become clogged with carbon deposits. These deposits restrict the ring's ability to scrape and return oil from the cylinder wall to the crankcase, which…
- 10159442Apr 30, 2019Engine. Service Bulletin - The oil control rings may become clogged with carbon deposits. These deposits restrict the ring's ability to scrape and return oil from the cylinder wall to the crankcase, which…
- 10153886Feb 21, 2019Engine. Service Bulletin - The oil control rings may become clogged with carbon deposits. These deposits restrict the ring's ability to scrape and return oil from the cylinder wall to the crankcase, which…
- 10153515Feb 14, 2019Engine cooling. Owner Notification Letter - On certain 2009-14 Acura vehicles equipped with the 3.7L V6 engine, the oil control rings may become clogged with carbon deposits during normal engine operation. These…
- 10152760Jan 16, 2019Engine. Dealer message - Today, January 16, 2019, Acura is announcing a warranty extension for certain 2009-14 Acura vehicles equipped with the 3.7L V6 engine to address client concerns related to excessive…
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 | 115 | 14,000 | 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 2010 Acura MDX have?
NHTSA recorded 45 consumer complaints for the 2010 Acura MDX as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2010 Acura MDX is reported most often?
Engine is named most often, in 11 complaints (24% of the total), followed by electrical system with 9.
Has the 2010 Acura MDX been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2010 Acura MDX get?
The EPA rates the 2010 Acura MDX (MDX 4WD, 3.7L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2010 Acura MDX reported?
Among the 30 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 67,000 miles and the middle half falls between 29,612 and 99,200 miles; 40% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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.