ACURA MDX · model year

2015 ACURA MDX

95 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2015ACURAMDX carries 95 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 4 fires, 12 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2015 MDX is unknown or other with 14 filings, followed by electrical system (13) and power train (12). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 7 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2015 MDX, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

95
Complaints
6
Crashes
4
Fires
12
Injuries
0
Deaths
2015 ACURA MDX - NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2015 ACURA MDX. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 5.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

95 filings

Crashes Reported

6 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 - Top NCAP rating · Front: 5/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
UNKNOWN OR OTHER14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM13
POWER TRAIN12
STEERING8
STRUCTURE:BODY7
SERVICE BRAKES6
ENGINE6
AIR BAGS4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING4
SUSPENSION3
VISIBILITY/WIPER2
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
SEATS2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2

Recalls (7)

19V25600028/03/2019

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Acura MDX and 2017-2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid lights, possibly causing a loss of the tailgate lid lights and the taillights.

15V30100020/05/2015

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: CRASH IMMINENT BRAKING

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX 2WD and AWD, RLX and 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid vehicles. In certain driving conditions, the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) may incorrectly interpret certain roadside objects such as metal fences or metal gu

23V85800018/12/2023

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, F

25V25900017/04/2025

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid light assembly and wiring harness, which can cause the interior and exterior lights to fail, including the lid lights, position lights, license plate lights and taillights.

14V63900010/10/2014

SEAT BELTS

American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to August 25, 2014, and 2014 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured November 5, 2012, to November 25, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the driver and front passenger seat belt may

16V41700009/06/2016

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura MDX 2WD and MDX 4WD vehicles, 2016 Acura MDX 4WD vehicles, 2015-2016 Honda Odyssey vehicles, and 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD and 4WD vehicles. The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that were manufactured with insufficient welds wh

15V41700001/07/2015

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX and MDX AWD vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to December 16, 2014. The affected vehicles have air conditioning compressor clutch drive bolts that may not have received the proper anti-corrosion coating.

Recent Complaints

20251119ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2015 Acura MDX. The contact stated that upon retrieving the Carfax report of the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 105,000, and the mileage on the Carfax report was 215,000 in July 2025. The MVA was contacted and referred the contact to the Police Department, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance.

Mileage: 215,000

20250617FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

All of a sudden the brakes are automatically applied with collision avoidance amber coming on dash heads up display while I am on freeway approximate speed 30-40 mph with no apparent vehicle in front.this has also happened at lower speeds in local driving roads.Braking is pretty severe and dangerous could be rear ended by other vehicles ..This is a Collision mitigating system falsely coming on with no vehicle in front very dangerous.It has happened about 3 times intermittently. Taking in vehicle to local Acura dealer on 24 th June 2025 for check up

20250312EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The contact owns a 2015 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the tailgate lid lights did not function as intended. The contact was pulled over by the local Police and was informed that the taillights were not operating. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with failed tailgate lid lights. The contact was informed that the tailgate lid lights needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised that the manufacturer had denied the repair under warranty or unknown recall repairs. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced by the dealer, and the previous dealer performed a recall repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V256000(Exterior Lighting); however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The manufacturer denied the repair under warranty because of the failed recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.

Mileage: 185,000

20250130ENGINE

The contact owns a 2015 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact pulled over onto the shoulder of the roadway. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. In addition, the contact stated that the engine had been repaired by the dealer less than a month before the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,700.

Mileage: 85,700

20250116STRUCTURE:BODY

Paint peeling on roof (white diamond pearl paint).

20240826ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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. Now we've taken it to another place for diagnosing, they have said the inter taillight assembly and wiring needs replaced. Seems like this has been the issue the entire 6 yrs we've been complaining. The dealership says they took care of the problem already, clearly this is a safety issue when driving at night especially. Having a taillight that works off and on is not my idea of safe or "fixed" according to the dealership.

20240826EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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. Now we've taken it to another place for diagnosing, they have said the inter taillight assembly and wiring needs replaced. Seems like this has been the issue the entire 6 yrs we've been complaining. The dealership says they took care of the problem already, clearly this is a safety issue when driving at night especially. Having a taillight that works off and on is not my idea of safe or "fixed" according to the dealership.

20240814UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Acura issued Warranty Extension TSB 19-029 on 2014-2016 MDX with white diamond pearl paint. The extension covers the roof and rear door. My roof began peeling in or around 2022 and the roof was repainted without issue. The rear door just showed signs of the defect in August 2024, and the issue is clearly the same manufacturer defect as identified in the document, however, Acura is unwilling to correct the defect due to the warranty period now being expired.

20240326EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

The contact owns a 2015 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, he observed condensation in both taillights and the taillights did not illuminate as intended. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the lid light needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred with the right taillights. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,163.

Mileage: 35,163

20240318STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

See attached letter for complaint

20240213CrashENGINE

The contact owned a 2015 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while exiting the car wash parking lot, the vehicle was in neutral. The contact entered the vehicle. The contact attempted to shift the gear into drive, however the gear shifter was inoperable and did not move. The contact stated the vehicle independently accelerated and was unstoppable. The vehicle crossed a busy parking lot, the vehicle went up two embankments, crashed into a lamp pool, and then into a tree before coming to a complete stop. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. All the air bags deployed. The contact sustained several injuries and received medical attention at the local hospital. The vehicle was deemed as a total loss. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.

Mileage: 141,000

20231101EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Tail lights (rear running lights) don’t work, when break light and turn lights work

20230621VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

The sun/moon roof glass on our 2015 Acura MDX spontaneously shattered while my wife was driving down a major thoroughfare in our area. If the inside cover below the glass had been open, my wife could have been seriously injured by falling shards of glass. Furthermore, she could have been easily distracted and involved in an accident by the loud, exploding sound of the glass shattering. An inspection by myself and the dealer service department determined no external force or object caused the glass to shatter. It happened spontaneously. Nevertheless, the dealer's assessment is that the shattering was not caused by a manufacturing defect. When I contacted Acura Owner Support, I was told no other incidents of this kind have been reported even though I pointed out the the representative that a Class Action lawsuit has been filed against Acura for this very same issue.

20220917UNKNOWN OR OTHER

transmission torque converter shudder during 20 to 45 mph.

20220512POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION SLIPS,AND HESITATES TO SHIFT NORMALLY AND THEN GOES NORMAL AGAIN. VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WHEN THIS OCCURED ,IT HAPPENED WHILE CRUSING AT 35 MPH, AND AT 50 MPH, STREET ,AND HIGHWAY. I HAVE TAKEN IT INTO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES TO FIND THE ISSUE AND ANYWAYS END UP WITH NO ANSWERS, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND MULTIPLE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUES WITH THEIR VEHICLE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH 25,000 MILES AND IT NOW HAS 125,000 PROBLEM HAS NOT GOTTEN BETTER OR WORSE HAS BEEN THE SAME. THE BRAKE WARNING ALSO POPS UP RANDOMLY WHEN NO OTHER CARS ARE NEAR.

20220512FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

TRANSMISSION SLIPS,AND HESITATES TO SHIFT NORMALLY AND THEN GOES NORMAL AGAIN. VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WHEN THIS OCCURED ,IT HAPPENED WHILE CRUSING AT 35 MPH, AND AT 50 MPH, STREET ,AND HIGHWAY. I HAVE TAKEN IT INTO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES TO FIND THE ISSUE AND ANYWAYS END UP WITH NO ANSWERS, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND MULTIPLE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUES WITH THEIR VEHICLE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH 25,000 MILES AND IT NOW HAS 125,000 PROBLEM HAS NOT GOTTEN BETTER OR WORSE HAS BEEN THE SAME. THE BRAKE WARNING ALSO POPS UP RANDOMLY WHEN NO OTHER CARS ARE NEAR.

20211201POWER TRAIN

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. I did contact Acura and they dismissed my concerns, stating I drove the vehicle too much. After researching online this seems to be a common concern/problem other Acura MDX owners are experiencing.

20210501POWER TRAIN

WHILE CAR IS SHIFTING IDLE HANGS AND SHUTTERS AROUND 1600-2000 RPM. LEFT FRONT AND REAR SHOCKS HAVE LOUD NOISES WHEN TRAVELING OVER BUMPS.

Mileage: 109,000

20210501SUSPENSION

WHILE CAR IS SHIFTING IDLE HANGS AND SHUTTERS AROUND 1600-2000 RPM. LEFT FRONT AND REAR SHOCKS HAVE LOUD NOISES WHEN TRAVELING OVER BUMPS.

Mileage: 109,000

20201213POWER TRAIN

APPEARS TO HAVE ISSUES SHIFTING FROM D4 TO D5 OR WHILE IN D5. ROUGHLY AROUND 1.6K RPM THE VEHICLE SOUNDS LIKE IT IS DRIVING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS. I THINK IT MIGHT BE A TORQUE CONVERTER PROBLEM.

Mileage: 52,000

Compare 2015ACURAMDX to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2015 ACURA MDX have?
The 2015 ACURA MDX has 95 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 4 fires, 12 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2015 ACURA MDX?
The 2015 ACURA MDX received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 5/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2015 ACURA MDX?
Yes, the 2015 ACURA MDX has 7 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 ACURA MDX?
The most-complained component for the 2015 ACURA MDX is UNKNOWN OR OTHER with 14 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2015 ACURA MDX safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2015 ACURA MDX has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.