2015 Acura MDX Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 2015 MDX most often describe two patterns: automatic tailgate and electrical oddities (tailgate opening by itself, keyless entry not responding, warning lights or infotainment glitches) and a low-speed shudder or hesitation from the transmission, often described as a torque converter issue. A separate cluster of complaints involves the tailgate lid lights failing, sometimes after moisture gets into the assemblies, and rear-suspension noise over bumps reported early in ownership.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shudder / hesitation at low speed

   • 9 complaints (13%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 4.3 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2016–2022

   Owners describe the vehicle shuddering, jerking or hesitating around 30-50 mph, often on a slight incline or during light acceleration, as if the transmission is slow to shift. Some say a transmission fluid change reduces the shudder for a while but that it returns, and complaints note that dealers had no fault code or could not reproduce the symptom. Others report the vehicle holding first gear and jerking with warning lights on. Mostly described between roughly 50,000 and 80,000 miles, with some reports at higher mileage; occurs during steady cruise and light acceleration.

   What to check: Test drive at steady 35-45 mph and on a mild uphill grade, feeling for shudder or uneven acceleration, and ask for transmission fluid service records and any stored codes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Bought our 2015 Acura MDX less then 6 months ago from a certified used Acura dealer. Last week, the ems, power steering and transmission light came on. Car stays in first gear and jerks while driving. Speedometer is weird. Brought to Acura dealer, of course the lights were off by then. Was told we need to do special transmission flush. A week later lights are lol back on! I drive my kids to and from school and don't feel safe anymore with my car”

   NHTSA complaint #11166773, filed 2019-01, 1 miles

   “Torque converter shutter at speeds of 30mph - 45mph causing erratic acceleration fluctuations. I addressed the concern with the dealership at around 72,000 miles (just out of manufacturers warranty). I told there was a fluid recall. They changed the fluid which remedies the issue. The transmission fluid has to be changed every 5,000-10,000 for the vehicle to perform with a less noticeable transmission shudder. Manufacturers recommends changing every 30,000 miles to prevent transmission slipping. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11442215, filed 2021-12
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Warning lights, sensors and keyless entry glitches

   • 13 complaints (18%)
   • median 24,500 mi at 2.2 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2026

   Complaints describe multiple dashboard warnings appearing at once, including stability assist, power steering, lane departure, hill start assist and check-engine lights, sometimes with the engine shutting off or the vehicle vibrating and refusing to restart normally. Others describe keyless entry not unlocking or locking when the fob is near a phone or inside a bag, and dealers citing phone interference or finding no stored codes. Cold-weather operation is a common theme. Reported from low mileage up to the 85,000-mile range, often in cold weather or after several restarts.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Start the vehicle from cold and watch for any warning lamps that stay on, and test keyless lock/unlock with the fob in different positions; scan for stored codes before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was approaching the red light about make complete stop , suddenly my car shake violently and then the engines shut off, I have to put it back into park start up again, I start for couples time before it let me engage to drive mode. I took the car to the dealer they check but they found nothing. Few days later it happen again.”

   NHTSA complaint #11089732, filed 2018-04, 64,210 miles

   “On particularly cold days in texas between 30 and 45 degrees fahrenheit, my Acura will not start. The electronic components work, but the engine revs up for about 5 seconds then it turns off. After that the warning lights for stability control, power steering eps, lane departure assist, check engine light, emission systems, hill start assist, come on and stay on but the engine is off. After I try to turn it on and turn it off completely for over five times, then the engine came on and the MDX was driveable. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11184340, filed 2019-03, 65,925 miles
3. 3
   Body and structure

   Automatic tailgate opens by itself / objects to closing

   • 8 complaints (11%)
   • median 12,000 mi at 1.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2014–2018

   Owners describe the power tailgate opening on its own while the vehicle is parked, sometimes repeatedly, and in other cases starting to close and then reversing on its own during power operation. Complaints say dealers either could not reproduce the behavior or had no remedy, and an Acura dealer message describes an investigation into this exact symptom on 2014-2017 MDX vehicles. Several owners also tie the tailgate to broader electrical and infotainment complaints. Reported from near-new mileage up through the 20,000-mile range, in parked and unattended situations rather than while driving.

   Recall 25V2590004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Operate the power tailgate several times, including with the key fob from a distance, and ask whether any dealer investigation or latch/light assembly work has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Our 2015 Acura MDX has been at the dealership 8 times. Our vehicle has been out of service for approximately 64 days total. It has been at the dealer for electrical glitches starting with seats, steering wheel, GPS and for rautomatic braking issues. Steering wheel and power seats repeatedly not setting to appropriate key fob settings. Car has been to dealer for this issue 4 times. Dealer unable to reproduce issue or show trouble codes until 4th time in shop. The next glitch moved into the GPS system and controls on GPS screen. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10980532, filed 2017-04, 24,000 miles

   “1.tail gate issue: after purchasing the brand new Acura MDX, next morning I saw tail gate was open by itself. I assumed I might have unknowingly pushed the wrong button. Few weeks later, my wife saw the tail gate open in her garage. We again thought something on our end. Few weeks later, my wife's co worker sends her text showing the tail gate being open , while my wife was not present in the building. In one occasion when I was at target, I came out saw my tailgate open. At least 8 occurrences had taken place in last 8 months. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10747690, filed 2015-08, 50 miles
4. 4
   Exterior lighting

   Tailgate lid lights fail or take on moisture

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report the tailgate lid lights and taillights not lighting, sometimes after condensation or water appears inside the lamp assemblies. Some had a lid light replaced only for the failure to return, and one owner was stopped and told the taillights were out. Complaints also describe a failed lamp being denied under warranty. Reported across a wide mileage spread, from the 35,000-mile range to well past 100,000 miles.

   Recall 25V259000Recall 19V256000

   What to check: With the lights on, walk around the rear of the vehicle and confirm every lid and taillight segment works, and look for water droplets or fogging inside the lamp lenses.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I saw previous warning when I pulled my credit report on Experian, but I am not seeing any recalls currently. My driver side taillight is malfunctioning. It appears there is a problem with the seal which is allowing water to get inside the assembly, causing it to short out. I realize this vehicle is a 2015 but thought I would mention in case this is still an issue under recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #11728195, filed 2026-03

   “For the last 50k miles we've taken our Acura MDX to the dealership for regular oil changes. Almost every visit results in a bad battery. We've had the dealership replace a side mirror due to the electrical and several batteries as well. They've kept it for several days diagnosing issues but haven't to this day found out what's wrong with it. Now my back taillight stopped working, we bought another one and replaced it for it to work for a couple months and stop working again. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11611045, filed 2024-08
5. 5
   Other or unknown

   Rear or front suspension noise over bumps

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe a thump, knocking or creaking noise from the suspension when driving over bumps or turning slowly, sometimes present with very low mileage. Complaints say dealers could not reproduce the noise or attributed it to the model generally, while other reports describe being quoted for front axle replacement without a clear diagnosis. Reported from as little as a few thousand miles up through roughly 70,000-110,000 miles.

   Recall 26V365000

   What to check: Drive over broken pavement and speed bumps at low speed with the windows down, listening for thumps, and ask whether rear subframe inspection under the regional corrosion recall has been completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Mdx with 8000 miles on it makes a lout thump noise coming front the rear suspension. Had dealer check but said there is nothing wrong and everything appears correct. Issue has gotten louder. After looking online for similar issues this appears to be common on all MDX cars from 2014 on and appears to be a design flaw. Not sure how this relates to the safety of the vehicle with regards to the suspension potentially collapsing etc.”

   NHTSA complaint #10794682, filed 2015-11, 8,000 miles

   “When turning slowly (ie parking lots), there is knocking/creaking sound heard on the driver's side. Dealer confirmed noise but not able to say exactly what is wrong or why other than to say that it needs fronts axles on both sides replaced at cost of $1200+. In my opinion, they didn't properly diagnose it (and really are just guessing at problem). They only test drove it and that is not only way to diagnose problem with vehicle. It appears to be a product quality issue in manufacturing. The car is 5 years old and has 70,000 miles. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11331362, filed 2020-06, 70,000 miles

Buying note. Before buying, drive the vehicle at low and steady highway speeds to check for transmission shudder, cycle the power tailgate, and confirm all rear lights work. Ask for transmission fluid service history and any records of repairs to the tailgate, lamps or suspension.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.