2012 Acura MDX Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 17%of 76 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Acura MDX, 17% of the 76 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,000 miles.
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.
“While driving my car my rpms fluctuate and my car can't seem to get into gear. It is all over the place and very scary at times. It seems to be something with the transmission and also a very common problem. This should not be the consumers problem. Acura should be living up to there name by fixing this problem. Acuras should never have a transmission problem. Thats why my husband and I are loyal customers. I am very disappointing.”
NHTSA complaint #11144197, filed 2018-10, 107,000 miles“Rpm's fluctuate on the tachometer while accelerating. They jump up and down and you can feel the vehicle hesitate. Based on what I am reading, this appears to be a well known issue with programming and with the torque converter that can result in transmission damage. Even if the torque converter is replaced, which is an expensive repair, this appears to be a re-occurring issue. Our 2012 MDX has 79,365 miles on it which is just outside the power train warranty and well before a transmission should be going on an Acura vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11061527, filed 2018-01, 69,000 miles“Ever since I bought the car I try to take it back to get it was because the car RPM fluctuate about 1500-2500 RPM range and 30-40mph causes the car to jerks like its trying to go and braking at the same time. It does this consistently in city streets sometimes it does that on the highway. Especially going up hills. I just don't feel safe at all when the car acts up like that. I take it back to where I bought it from they keep saying is normal I even took it to Acura dealer and the technician says its normal and that I need to press on gas harder. This is bullsh*t.”
NHTSA complaint #11310054, filed 2020-02, 113,000 miles“My 2012 MDX suffers from a torque converter rumbling sound and vibration common to the MDX series. As you accelerate the noise and vibration can be felt almost like a bearing noise which will eventually cause a lockup or failure possibly resulting in injuries to any drivers or pedestrians. The dealers are saying that this noise is indigenous to the inherent history of the vehicle . Fact: so I'm not alone in this and I know any vibrations in that area will definitely lessen the life of the vehicle and cost the car owners ! God forbid ! …”
NHTSA complaint #10933709, filed 2016-12, 74,000 miles“My 2012 MDX suffers from a torque converter rumbling sound and vibration common to the MDX series. As you accelerate the noise and vibration can be felt almost like a bearing noise which will eventually cause a lockup or failure possibly resulting in injuries to any drivers or pedestrians. The dealers are saying that this noise is indigenous to the inherent history of the vehicle . Fact: so I'm not alone in this and I know any vibrations in that area will definitely lessen the life of the vehicle and cost the car owners ! God forbid ! …”
NHTSA complaint #10547132, filed 2013-10, 15,100 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10145420Sep 28, 2018Service bulletin - A judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60 mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque…
- 10133008Mar 9, 2018Service bulletin - After the software update, some vehicles based on how they are driven (extreme conditions) may still experience ATF deterioration after updating the PGM-FI or…
- 10133007Mar 9, 2018Service bulletin - A judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60 mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque…
- 10129342Feb 14, 2018Dealer message - Every Service Bulletin requires you to take an HDS snap shot and use the job aid or Tech2Tech to confirm the judder/shudder is coming from the torque converter.
- 10108030Feb 11, 2017"service bulletin - after the software update, some vehicles based on how they are driven (extreme conditions) may still experience atf deterioration after updating the pgm-fi or…
- 10108029Feb 11, 2017"service bulletin - a judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60 mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque…
- 10099142Nov 17, 2016"service bulletin - a judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque…
- 10100125Nov 2, 2016Service bulletin - a judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque converter…
- 10085026Aug 3, 2016Service bulletin - a judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque converter…
- 10054806Jan 29, 2014Honda: the malfunction indicator lamp is illuminated. Stored p2101 (throttle control system malfunction). Ahm is attempting to collect specific parts from the vehicle before any…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 11% |
| 2025 | 6 | 5% |
| 2024 | 2 | 5% |
| 2023 | 12 | 27% |
| 2022 | 71 | 45% |
| 2020 | 21 | 9% |
| 2019 | 32 | 17% |
| 2018 | 23 | 14% |
| 2017 | 64 | 25% |
| 2016 | 113 | 30% |
| 2015 | 12 | 17% |
| 2014 | 27 | 16% |
| 2013 | 4 | 13% |
| 2012 | 13 | 17% |
| 2011 | 8 | 11% |
| 2010 | 5 | 11% |
| 2009 | 8 | 15% |
| 2008 | 3 | 6% |
| 2007 | 8 | 8% |
| 2006 | 38 | 44% |
| 2005 | 87 | 48% |
| 2004 | 77 | 45% |
| 2003 | 104 | 50% |
| 2002 | 125 | 61% |
| 2001 | 131 | 58% |
Other parts of the 2012 Acura MDX
23 complaintsElectrical system
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 31, 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