ACURA MDX · model year

2017 ACURA MDX

334 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2017ACURAMDX carries 334 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 9 crashes, 5 fires, 4 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 2017 MDX is engine with 69 filings, followed by power train (62) and electrical system (36). 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 6 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 2017 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.

334
Complaints
9
Crashes
5
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths
2017 ACURA MDX - NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2017 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

334 filings

Crashes Reported

9 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.

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

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE69
POWER TRAIN62
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM36
UNKNOWN OR OTHER27
SERVICE BRAKES20
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL18
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING17
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM14
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL10
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING8
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION6
STRUCTURE:BODY5
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST5
LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING5
EXTERIOR LIGHTING4

Recalls (6)

19V06000029/01/2019

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine. Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance.

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.

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.

23V75100013/11/2023

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.

18V77700001/11/2018

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Acura MDX, 2017-2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda HR-V and Honda Odyssey, and 2016 Honda HR-V vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating, causing gas pockets to form, reducing brake performance

Recent Complaints

20260218EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Manufacturer has not reimbursed recall repair paid out-of-pocket despite complete documentation and extended delay. Which was opened on 10/3/2025 the repair was done back in Feb 2024 !

20260212ENGINE

One or more connecting rod bearings are failing. There is a knocking noise coming from the lower end of the engine which is more pronounced under load. There is a risk of the engine failing completely while driving and causing risk to myself, my passengers, and other drivers. This issue is know to happen in the same engine (J35Y5) and certain VINs are already under recall.

20260208POWER TRAIN

There were several instances where my vehicle either accelerated or decelerated while I was driving. I first noticed the issue about a week after I purchased the car in May 2022. I took it back to Acura of Brookfield, and they said they couldn’t replicate the issue. I also took my car to Acura of Brookfield in September 2023 for the same jerking issue. They charged me for an update, but the issue did not change. I continued noticing the problem over the years, but it happened more frequently in 2025. In May 2025, I was driving down a hill in Brookfield, Wisconsin, when my car jerked aggressively and then accelerated on its own. Throughout the rest of the year, it would either accelerate or decelerate while I was on the highway. On January 20, while I was on my way to the gym, my car jerked and decelerated while I was on the highway. I was able to pick up speed again and continue driving to the gym. When I came back out, my car started, but it would not shift out of park. I had the

20260208VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

There were several instances where my vehicle either accelerated or decelerated while I was driving. I first noticed the issue about a week after I purchased the car in May 2022. I took it back to Acura of Brookfield, and they said they couldn’t replicate the issue. I also took my car to Acura of Brookfield in September 2023 for the same jerking issue. They charged me for an update, but the issue did not change. I continued noticing the problem over the years, but it happened more frequently in 2025. In May 2025, I was driving down a hill in Brookfield, Wisconsin, when my car jerked aggressively and then accelerated on its own. Throughout the rest of the year, it would either accelerate or decelerate while I was on the highway. On January 20, while I was on my way to the gym, my car jerked and decelerated while I was on the highway. I was able to pick up speed again and continue driving to the gym. When I came back out, my car started, but it would not shift out of park. I had the

20260121FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

Hello, I am writing to report that my 2017 vehicle is experiencing the same issue that was subject to a recall on the 2016 models. Despite the recall being associated with the 2016 year, my 2017 vehicle is showing identical symptoms and concerns. This raises serious questions about safety, reliability, and whether this issue extends beyond the originally recalled model year. I would like this concern formally documented and request a review of my vehicle to determine whether it qualifies for repair, inspection, or coverage related to the prior recall. Please advise on the next steps and whether this issue has been reported or addressed for 2017 models. Vehicle details: Year: 2017 I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to your response. Sincerely, [XXX] If I get killed me or my [XXX] son, you all will be responsible. You made these faulty vehicles. [XXX] I'm have to get a lawyer involved if issues are not addressed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT

20260121FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Hello, I am writing to report that my 2017 vehicle is experiencing the same issue that was subject to a recall on the 2016 models. Despite the recall being associated with the 2016 year, my 2017 vehicle is showing identical symptoms and concerns. This raises serious questions about safety, reliability, and whether this issue extends beyond the originally recalled model year. I would like this concern formally documented and request a review of my vehicle to determine whether it qualifies for repair, inspection, or coverage related to the prior recall. Please advise on the next steps and whether this issue has been reported or addressed for 2017 models. Vehicle details: Year: 2017 I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to your response. Sincerely, [XXX] If I get killed me or my [XXX] son, you all will be responsible. You made these faulty vehicles. [XXX] I'm have to get a lawyer involved if issues are not addressed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT

20260121ENGINE

Hello, I am writing to report that my 2017 vehicle is experiencing the same issue that was subject to a recall on the 2016 models. Despite the recall being associated with the 2016 year, my 2017 vehicle is showing identical symptoms and concerns. This raises serious questions about safety, reliability, and whether this issue extends beyond the originally recalled model year. I would like this concern formally documented and request a review of my vehicle to determine whether it qualifies for repair, inspection, or coverage related to the prior recall. Please advise on the next steps and whether this issue has been reported or addressed for 2017 models. Vehicle details: Year: 2017 I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to your response. Sincerely, [XXX] If I get killed me or my [XXX] son, you all will be responsible. You made these faulty vehicles. [XXX] I'm have to get a lawyer involved if issues are not addressed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT

20260116ENGINE

Our 2017 Acura MDX has developed a crank rod bearing knock. Fox Acura in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has advised that our vehicle’s VIN is not included in service bulletin 23 036 concerning connecting rod bearing failure, despite evidence that similar failures have occurred in Acura 3.5 liter engines outside the bulletin’s listed VIN range. I intend to submit a safety complaint to the NTSB regarding this issue. Fox Acura has recommended a full engine replacement. I respectfully request that Acura expand the scope of the service bulletin to include our vehicle and provide coverage for the recommended repair.

20260116POWER TRAIN

Since 2020 the transmission does not shift properly from second to third gear. The power drops and the car shutters and makes noise like gear teeth are missing. This does not happen every time though. Sometimes multiple days will pass before the problem arises again. There have been a couple of times where I barely avoided a wreck because of the drop in power and underperformance of the transmission.

20260109ENGINE

On my way home from work one evening, the car started making a loud knocking noise, then the car started losing power, the rpms jumping up and down and the dashboard lit up with warnings of all kinds. The traffic was somewhat heavy and and cars were speeding pass me, brakes screeching, horns blowing and my car steadily losing power. I was afraid, I didn't know what to do. I was trying to find a safe place to pull off the road. It was a traumatic experience as a large truck swerved into the other lane of traffic to avoid hitting me, almost causing an accident. Luckily I made it home safely. I had a mechanic look at it the next day and he said the engine needed to be replaced. Not convinced of the diagnosis, I had the car towed to another mechanic who confirmed the engine would have to be replaced. I had no issues with the car or the mechanics of the car prior to this. I could not for the life of me understand how my 2017 Acura MDX with only 74,000 miles on it, could possibly need a new

20260103LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST

Dear Acura, My MDX is showing many lights on the dashboard (LKAS, ACC, Break System, CMBS, RDM) associates with the code U3000-49 and all those features are deactivated due to the failure mentioned. I was searching on the website for this error and found many Acura MDX oweners experiencing the same issue which apparently the Windshield Lane Departure Camera. Honestly, Acura should take a look into this since this issue is getting worse and those are safety features on the vehicle. Regards,

20260103LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING

Dear Acura, My MDX is showing many lights on the dashboard (LKAS, ACC, Break System, CMBS, RDM) associates with the code U3000-49 and all those features are deactivated due to the failure mentioned. I was searching on the website for this error and found many Acura MDX oweners experiencing the same issue which apparently the Windshield Lane Departure Camera. Honestly, Acura should take a look into this since this issue is getting worse and those are safety features on the vehicle. Regards,

20260103FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

Dear Acura, My MDX is showing many lights on the dashboard (LKAS, ACC, Break System, CMBS, RDM) associates with the code U3000-49 and all those features are deactivated due to the failure mentioned. I was searching on the website for this error and found many Acura MDX oweners experiencing the same issue which apparently the Windshield Lane Departure Camera. Honestly, Acura should take a look into this since this issue is getting worse and those are safety features on the vehicle. Regards,

20260101FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

Automatic transmission. The car does not go to park when selecting park, it goes into neutral mode. It does not park at all.

20260101UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Automatic transmission. The car does not go to park when selecting park, it goes into neutral mode. It does not park at all.

20251230ENGINE

Engine completely seized due to connecting rod bearing failure. This happened while driving, and I was stuck in traffic for almost an hour due to the vehicle being inoperable. vehicle was unable to be put in neutral due to a special tool being needed. Technicians from a third-party shop and Acura dealership stated this part does not break very often. The Vin does not fall in the parameters for the recall. The issue started the day prior with the engine, sounding like it needed a tuneup. After conducting the tuneup, the engine seized 20 miles after. The engine had to be completely replaced at the owners expense. Accurate did cover 50% of the replacement engine.

20251217ENGINE

My 2017 Acura MDX has an engine failure due to connecting rod bearing seizure in the 3.5L V6 engine. Recall 23V-751 covered model year 2016-2020 Acura MDX vehicles and mine is a 2017. But, my VIN is not in Honda's recall range. The ODI had apparently received 414 reports of connecting rod bearing failures in the 3.5L V6 engine that are outside of 23V-751. There is now an ODI Resume with number PE25008. See the two linked PDF documents below. [XXX] [XXX] The Acura dealer said that this is definitely the same problem they have seen on vehicles under the recall range. In their computer system where it says "Cause" they wrote "Cylinder 6 spun causing the knocking noise. excessive material in oil pan. if under the rod recall, it would need a long block." I have a screenshot of this if you would like it. My service representative at the dealership texted me the following "The engineer from Acura was here today and our District Manager - the engineer said they will not be expanding th

20251213LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION

Blind spot warning, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keep assistance, and high beam lights keep flashing on dash giving a code of: U3000-49. The dealership quoted me $2000 to fix a faulty front facing camera. Research shows this is happening to thousands of people.

20251213FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

Blind spot warning, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keep assistance, and high beam lights keep flashing on dash giving a code of: U3000-49. The dealership quoted me $2000 to fix a faulty front facing camera. Research shows this is happening to thousands of people.

20251213LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING

Blind spot warning, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keep assistance, and high beam lights keep flashing on dash giving a code of: U3000-49. The dealership quoted me $2000 to fix a faulty front facing camera. Research shows this is happening to thousands of people.

Compare 2017ACURAMDX to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2017 ACURA MDX have?
The 2017 ACURA MDX has 334 NHTSA complaints, 9 crashes, 5 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2017 ACURA MDX?
The 2017 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 2017 ACURA MDX?
Yes, the 2017 ACURA MDX has 6 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 ACURA MDX?
The most-complained component for the 2017 ACURA MDX is ENGINE with 69 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2017 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 2017 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.