2025 Acura MDX Problems

What owners report

Most 2025 Acura MDX complaints in this sample concern the automatic engine idle stop system: owners describe the engine shutting off at a stop and then not restarting when they release the brake, sometimes requiring the vehicle to be fully powered down and restarted. A second, smaller group of complaints covers brake feel, infotainment and power loss symptoms, and the reported mileages span from a few thousand miles to the mid-20,000s.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine does not restart after auto idle stop

   • 99 complaints (86%)
   • median 14,000 mi at 1.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2025–2026

   Owners describe stopping at a light, drive-thru or off-ramp with the auto idle stop active, then finding the engine will not restart when they release the brake or press the accelerator. Some say the vehicle goes completely dead or shifts into park and only recovers after cycling the ignition, sometimes after several attempts or a wait of up to a minute. Complaints frequently mention that dealers replaced the battery and/or starter, or told owners there were no stored codes and nothing could be done; some owners were advised to switch the feature off each drive. Reported across the sample from a few thousand miles up to roughly the mid-20,000s, typically during stops in traffic rather than in any particular weather.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: On a test drive, stop with the idle stop active and confirm the engine restarts promptly when the brake is released. Ask for the service history on battery and starter replacements and whether the vehicle has had any related software updates.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On June 9, 2026, my 2025 Acura MDX, with only 9,139 miles, stalled at a red traffic light after the Auto Idle Stop feature activated. The engine would not restart, leaving the vehicle disabled in an active traffic lane. I was unable to shift the vehicle out of Park and was stranded for approximately 5 to 10 minutes with my two young children in the back seat. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11747615, filed 2026-07

   “Hello… this has happened at least four times.. the car goes to stand by/idle mode when the auto shut off is engaged. I was at a light and car went to idle and when it goes to green. Car just goes to idle mode. I had to put hazards on and restart car. People honking while I’m trying to restart car from this state. It’s like the car does not return on after the gas is engaged.”

   NHTSA complaint #11727802, filed 2026-03
2. 2
   Engine

   Stalling or loss of power while driving

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Some owners describe the engine cutting out while the vehicle was moving or idling, with warning lights flashing and power steering and braking assist lost. In one case a throttle body was diagnosed as damaged by an independent shop; another involved a transmission system failure message and a starter replacement. Complaints state that some vehicles restarted only after being shut down and that a dealer could not identify a cause in others. Reported from around 6,000 to 24,000 miles in the sample, in ordinary driving and at stops.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for any stored diagnostic codes and service records related to stalling, and confirm the vehicle starts readily from cold and after short trips.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “20 minutes after parking my car, it would not start. Several different codes came up on the gauges - BRAKE issue; hill issue;stabilization issue - multiple icons and warnings. I ended up having to be jumped off.”

   NHTSA complaint #11763280, filed 2026-09

   “While driving in traffic, my vehicle suddenly shut down without warning. The engine stalled, and I lost power to steering and braking, creating a serious safety risk for myself and other drivers around me. The problem has occurred more than three time. At the time of the failure, there were no warning lamps a message display showing to continue to drive depress brake pedal and push switch there was no check engine light showing. I had to shut the whole car off open the door and re start the car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11684351, filed 2025-09
3. 3
   Brakes

   Soft or uneven brake pedal feel

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   A few owners describe the brake pedal as soft, engaging low in its travel, or requiring long stopping distances, and one notes rough, uneven braking with the engine surging. One complaint describes the pedal moving close to the accelerator level under hard braking or when adaptive cruise applies the brakes. According to the complaints, dealers inspected the brakes and reported that operation was normal. Complaints in the sample do not state a consistent mileage or condition; reports appear early in ownership and during normal driving.

   Recall 25V391000

   What to check: Test the brakes at low and moderate speeds and feel for a low or spongy pedal; ask the seller whether the brake pedal pivot pin recall work has been completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My new Acura MDX has very soft braking under normal braking and with harder braking the pedal normally is at the same level as the accelerator pedal which I feel could be a safety issue if your foot is then pressing both pedals at the same time. Also, when driving with adaptive cruise activated, when the car starts to brake on its own following another slower car, with my foot resting on the accelerator, the brake petal will activate and sometimes trap my foot between brake and accelerator petals. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11636296, filed 2025-01

   “Brakes are too soft . Hard to bring the car to a halt without crashing unless you are at very long distance . Brakes engage at a very low level . Dealer says everything is OK and can't do anything about it . Car is dangerous to drive.”

   NHTSA complaint #11746076, filed 2026-06
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Center touchscreen blank or rear camera not showing

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report the center touchscreen going blank, which also leaves the rearview camera image unavailable when reversing, and one notes the vehicle did not respond as expected while shifted into reverse. Complaints describe the failure as intermittent and say dealers could not duplicate it. Others mention infotainment glitches such as SMS messages reappearing after each start and calls with no sound. Reported from around 12,000 miles upward in the sample, and described as intermittent rather than tied to specific weather.

   Recall 25V0320005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check that the touchscreen powers up promptly and that the rear camera displays in reverse; ask whether the touchscreen recall and available over-the-air software updates have been performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am a three-time Acura owner currently leasing a 2025 Acura MDX through Honda/Acura. On or about 12/02/2025, at approximately 16,297 miles, a front parking sensor fell out of the front bumper while I was driving. I am concerned that this reduces the reliability of the front parking/safety system and could put safety at risk if a driver relies on the sensors to detect obstacles at low speeds (parking, maneuvering, etc.) while the hardware is no longer properly secured. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11705339, filed 2025-12

   “The vehicle will turn off when it comes to a stop without being put in park. This has happened on busy city roads, highways in traffic and residential areas at stop signs. The vehicle will also periodically not turn on, with multiple indicators lighting up on the dashboard. This has been reported to the dealership, who states if there are no active error codes or indicators at the time of service there is nothing they can do. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11750848, filed 2026-07

Buying note. This model year is recent, so the sample is small and skewed toward the idle stop complaints; a thorough test drive that includes several full stops with the idle stop active, plus a check of the recall and service history, is the most practical way to assess one of these vehicles.

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.