2018 Acura MDX Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 35about this part
- Share
- 21%of 169 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 44,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the engine of the 2018 Acura MDX, 21% of the 169 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 44,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Starter failed with auto start/stop while stopped in traffic. Since engine wouldn't start, car shifted to park automatically and can not shift to neutral with the engine off and unable to start. The battery was fine and could go into aux mode, but still won't shift to neutral. Aside from quality issues related to starter, significant safety design flaw.”
NHTSA complaint #11099303, filed 2018-06, 1,900 miles“Ticking noises coming from engine. Confirmed with dealer Acura is looking into this. I'm also experiencing brief loss of power dealer states this is associated with engine.”
NHTSA complaint #11352291, filed 2020-08, 25,345 miles“We have two stop sale safety recalls on our 2018 Acura MDX that have gone over a year without being addressed. I have contacted Acura and the dealership multiple times. Acura refers me to the dealer and the dealer refers me to Acura. Apparently there is no accountability for important safety recalls. Would appreciate some help from NHTSA”
NHTSA complaint #11628987, filed 2024-12“On a regular basis, if accelerating to cross an intersection, car stops or hesitates for several seconds. We have almost been hit by cars several times in the past year. Dealership states everytime i have it serviced, they are unable to replicate and they have never heard of this. In a 5 minute internet search I have found many references to the same issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11461251, filed 2022-04“I want to say that the engine or transmission is faulty. Sometimes while at a complete stop, the car will not advance and tries to stall or lose power. It takes about 2 or 3 seconds to finally go after I push the accelerator pedal almost 3/4 throttle. No it has not been reproduced at the dealer. I took it May of 2024 for the engine recall repair. They said that the repairs should fix the problem but it has maybe even worsened. No warning lamps appear when the problems happen.”
NHTSA complaint #11700212, filed 2025-11Related service bulletins
- 11020584Jul 7, 2025Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or…
- 11015014Feb 19, 2025Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on with one or more AWD DTCs having been set due to water intrusion into the electric oil pump motor connector area corrodes the…
- 11000723May 29, 2024Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engaging, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Acura is providing…
- 10210096Mar 28, 2022Dealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on…
- 10206804Jan 21, 2022Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on…
- 10167167Oct 28, 2019Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2018-2019 MDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of a chirp noise heard from inside the cabin or…
- 10165018Sep 9, 2019Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2018-2019 MDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of a chirp noise heard from inside the cabin or…
- 10163191Jul 19, 2019Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2018-2019 MDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of a chirp noise heard from inside the cabin or…
- 10143347Jul 12, 2018Servicenews article - Until recently, Tech Line had only two categories for auto idle stop system issues. That made it hard for our engineering staff to understand what was…
- 10136425Apr 26, 2018Service bulletin - The high pressure fuel pump area chirps after the engine is warm. The high pressure fuel pump is making a chirp noise. NOTE: This noise does not impact the…
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 2018 Acura MDX
51 complaintsElectrical system
28 complaintsForward collision avoidance
23 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsOther or unknown
21 complaintsEngine cooling
19 complaintsLane departure
18 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsSeats
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 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