2012 Acura MDX Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 30%of 76 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 87,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Acura MDX, 30% of the 76 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,500 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2012 Acura MDX has an oil consumption issue that Acura is aware of being a problem, however it is not offering to cover the cost associated with fixing the issue. My vehicle burned through more than 2 quarts of oil in a matter of 1 month. This needs to be a recall as it's a safety issue with the operation of the vehicle. Lack of oil could cause the engine to fail.”
NHTSA complaint #11385644, filed 2020-12, 90,000 miles“About 2 months ago, my SUV had a message alert come on while I was sitting still after just starting my vehicle in walmart parking lot after grocery shopping, saying to check the oil level; oil level low. Also, just recently, march 27th I had to add oil to my vehicle again; 3/4 of a quart low on oil. The very next morning, I had another alert come across my message board saying to check the oil level- oil level low. So I checked it again, it showed at the top of the hash marks on the dipstick as it should. …”
NHTSA complaint #11405875, filed 2021-03, 109,000 miles“When I am driving on the high at high speeds 80 MPH then I go to get off an exit the steering wheel vehicle shakes and vibrates the front of the car and tires.”
NHTSA complaint #11195252, filed 2019-04, 3,000 miles“Motor is consuming 1.5 to 2.5 quarts of oil every 1000 miles. There are no leaks and Acura has replaced the piston and rings once but the problem has continued and Acura is now claiming this normal for the vehicles.”
NHTSA complaint #11081042, filed 2018-03, 78,000 miles“My 2012 MDX model is consuming excessive motor oil, after 3000 miles driving , I'm down to 1 1/4 quarts. The test was done and oil changed on two occasions on 3k miles and 2k miles . All this is happened during 8 month of the my ownership.”
NHTSA complaint #11311015, filed 2020-02Related service bulletins
- 10159442Apr 30, 2019Service 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…
- 10153886Feb 21, 2019Service 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…
- 10152760Jan 16, 2019Dealer 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…
- 10152759Jan 16, 2019Service 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…
- 10142625May 11, 2018Service bulletin - The oil control rings may become clogged with carbon deposits. These deposits restrict the ability to scrape and return oil from the cylinder walls to the…
- 10136440May 2, 2018Service bulletin - The oil control rings may become clogged with carbon deposits. These deposits restrict the ability to scrape and return oil from the cylinder walls to the…
- 10133026Mar 16, 2018Service bulletin - The oil control rings may become clogged with carbon deposits. These deposits restrict the ability to scrape and return oil from the cylinder walls to the…
- 10130041Jan 10, 2018Servicenews article - Some clients may complain that the Low Oil Pressure indicator comes on, requiring engine oil to be added, while others who routinely check the oil level as…
- 10127355Jan 10, 2018Servicenews article - Some clients may complain that the Low Oil Pressure indicator comes on, requiring engine oil to be added, while others who routinely check the oil level as…
- 10115771Aug 2, 2017Techline summary article - Some clients may complain that the Low Oil Pressure indicator comes on, requiring engine oil to be added, while others who routinely check the oil…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 22% |
| 2025 | 69 | 62% |
| 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 2012 Acura MDX
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
2 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Acura MDX
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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