2012 Acura MDX Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Acura MDX. Part of Generation 2 — 2007–2013.

20112013
Complaints
94
per 10K Sold
17.3
US Sales
54,437
Crashes
5
Fires
5
Injuries
2
Fatalities
—
Recalls
1

Worst 2012 Acura MDX Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#120 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:88,802 mi
Fires:2
#212 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:49,612 mi
Fires:2
#312 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:71,853 mi
Considering a 2012 Acura MDX?

Check the actual VIN — every car is different.

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

Check VIN Free

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Acura MDX.

Engine Problems
20
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
88,802
Electrical Faults
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
49,612
Transmission / Drivetrain
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
71,853
Airbags
9
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
261,513
Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Headlight/Taillight Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wipers & Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Back Over Prevention: Camera System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Back Over Prevention:Warnings:External/Pedestrian Alert
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electronic Stability Control
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Other/I Am Not Sure
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Sunroof/Moonroof
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheel Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Acura MDX. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2012 Acura MDX

1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~8,709 vehicles.

12V063000Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
~8,709 affected

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 PILOT AND ACURA MDX VEHICLES. THE VENT SHUT FLOAT (VSF) VALVE CASE IN THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY DOES NOT MEET THE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS.

Other Acura MDX Years

2001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020222023202420252026

2012 Acura MDX — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2012 Acura MDX reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2012 Acura MDX has 94 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 20 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2012 Acura MDX?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (20 complaints, avg 88,802 mi); Electrical Faults (12 complaints, avg 49,612 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (12 complaints, avg 71,853 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Acura MDX?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 105,420 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2012 Acura MDX?
NHTSA complaints for the 2012 Acura MDX include 5 crash-related reports, 5 fire reports, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2012 Acura MDX have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 8,709 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2012 Acura MDX?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Acura MDX reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2012 Acura MDX

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

Check Any VIN — $4.99