2020 Acura MDX Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2020 Acura MDX. Part of Generation 3 — 2014–2020.

20192022
Complaints
322
per 10K Sold
67.3
US Sales
47,816
Crashes
5
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Fatalities
Recalls
6

Worst 2020 Acura MDX Problems

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

#175 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:48,024 mi
#234 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:27,449 mi
Crash-related:1
#320 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:33,425 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2020 Acura MDX.

Engine Problems
75
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
48,024
Electrical Faults
34
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
27,449
Transmission / Drivetrain
20
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
33,425
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
19
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
1,420
Engine & Cooling
14
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
33,567
Fuel System
14
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
13,400
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
19,725
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
1,420
Lane Departure: Warning
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
44,227
Headlight/Taillight Failures
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Assist
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Airbags
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Warnings
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Starter Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Sensing System: Camera
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Interior Lighting
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belts:Pretensioner
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2020 Acura MDX. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2020 Acura MDX

6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~4,391,002 vehicles.

25V259000Interior Lighting · Exterior Lighting
~152,800 affected

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.

24V064000Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger
~750,114 affected

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.

23V858000Fuel Pump
~2,490,460 affected

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, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

23V751000Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:hard Parts Internal/mechanical
~248,999 affected

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.

23V458000Brake Master Cylinder
~124,077 affected

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.

21V215000Fuel Pump
~624,552 affected

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Other Acura MDX Years

2020 Acura MDX — FAQ

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

Is the 2020 Acura MDX reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2020 Acura MDX has 322 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash-related, and 6 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 75 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2020 Acura MDX?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (75 complaints, avg 48,024 mi); Electrical Faults (34 complaints, avg 27,449 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (20 complaints, avg 33,425 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 2020 Acura MDX?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 31,174 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2020 Acura MDX?
NHTSA complaints for the 2020 Acura MDX include 5 crash-related reports, 0 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 2020 Acura MDX have any recalls?
Yes — 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 4,391,002 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 2020 Acura MDX?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.

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.

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