2013 Acura MDX Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 30%of 30 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 14,592miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the engine of the 2013 Acura MDX, 30% of the 30 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 14,592 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 received notification of excessive oil consumption affecting my vehicle from Acura (2013 MDX) I took the car as instructed to bridgewater Acura and they performed an oil consumption test. According to the manufacturer the car had to consume at least 1 quart of oil per 1,000 miles. The dealer stated that my car showed that my car consumed 1 quart at the first 1,000 miles, and 1/2 quart each time at the following 3 -1,000 mile mark. So Acura would not pay for the repair necessary to correct the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #11291712, filed 2019-12, 13 miles“Purchased this a at a used car from Acura of los gatos an picked the car up late on jan 27th 2016. At noon on feb 5th (just about 7 days) the car suddenly stop when trying to pull up to the drive way of my friend house. The entire car is in the middle of a small street, blocking cars from moving. Car can't get started even with jumper from a towing company. The car was towed back to los gatos Acura and few hours later we were told the the entire engine is gone. …”
NHTSA complaint #10836993, filed 2016-02, 25,913 miles“A 2013 Acura MDX vehicle (advance model) was bought in the Acura dealer on july 27, 2013. Starting on october 2013, strong smell of fumes has sporadically been sensed inside the vehicle, making it uncomfortable to breathe. Since november 5, 2013, the vehicle has been in and out of the shop (three times) to target the cause of the fumes. …”
NHTSA complaint #10560389, filed 2014-01, 3,272 miles“I changed the oil in my car with synthetic 4k miles ago. About 1k miles ago I started getting an error that said low oil level. I went back into the lube shop to see what was going on, they said there was no leakage or issues there but there was hardly any oil in my car and that it was probably burning oil. I searched for issues with my 2013 MDX burning oil and an issue in 2019 with clogged oil control rings came up but said that the warranty extension would only be good to 2021. I found out this will be $5k to fix. …”
NHTSA complaint #11492600, filed 2022-11“I have a 2013 Acura MDX with an estimated 87k miles. Over the past 3 months, the engine will cut off while I'm driving and the steering wheel and brakes lock up. This has happened about 5 times in a three-month period. There are no warning lamps on my dashboard and no codes appeared during the diagnostic tests. My mechanic is unable to reproduce the issue. I have two young sons and am terrified of driving them in the MDX. The engine failure happens very randomly as it's cut off while driving at varying speeds.”
NHTSA complaint #11424043, filed 2021-07Related 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 2013 Acura MDX
8 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsForward collision avoidance
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 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