2018 Acura MDX Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 14%of 169 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Acura MDX, 14% of the 169 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“6 months after delivery of my vehicle I stated noticing a jerking when my transmission shifts. I have taken my vehicle to the dealer indicating my concern. Each time the dealers said the could not duplicate. The problem continues. The second issue has to do with my brakes . On 9/23/2019 my brakes started emitting a loud persistent squeak. I am scheduling an appointment with my dealer. My vehicle is a little more than a year old and it seems to me that at 30,000 miles constitute premature brake ware.”
NHTSA complaint #11257621, filed 2019-09, 30,000 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“My vehicle started a couple of months ago making a noise like the transmission was having trouble shifting smoothly. I do not drive this vehicle that often so I thought it was maybe my ears. When researching I found out there to TSB's on Acura MDX's B20-015 & B19-004 to from 2016 to 2019. My wife does not feel safe driving this vehicle. Can you help ASAP. Thank you so much.”
NHTSA complaint #11672918, filed 2025-07“Vehicle stalls when accelerating from A stop. Has done this since first purchased. Acura charged me for transmission software but did not resolve issue. Vehicle hesitates and stalls when accelerating from a stop. My wife refuses to ever drive vehicle as we have had many close calls with accidents.”
NHTSA complaint #11650358, filed 2025-03“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 2022-04Related service bulletins
- 10182001Oct 28, 2020Service Bulletin - The transmission has intermittent harsh or jerky upshifts with steady acceleration.
- 10179400Aug 24, 2020Service Bulletin - The transmission has intermittent harsh or jerky upshifts with steady acceleration.
- 10154478Mar 7, 2019"Service Bulletin - The vehicle may exhibit several of the following symptoms: - Multiple indicators are on. - No communication with the i-HDS. - The option fuse (7.5 A) is…
- 10145396Sep 18, 2018Service bulletin - The transmission end cover leaks on vehicles with 9-speed A/T. During assembly, the transmission end cover sealing gasket gets torn.
- 10135108Apr 16, 2018Service bulletin - When adjusting seat height or tilt, the power seat does not move or moves just a small amount and clicks loudly during operation. The vertical transmission…
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 2018 Acura MDX
51 complaintsEngine
35 complaintsElectrical system
28 complaintsForward collision avoidance
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 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