2020 Acura Mdx problems
The Acura MDX is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV with three-row seating produced by the Japanese automaker Honda under its luxury Acura division since 2000. The alphanumeric moniker stands for "Multi-Dimensional" luxury. It has ranked as the second-best selling mid-size luxury SUV after the Lexus RX in the U.S.
The MDX is the first luxury crossover SUV to have standard third-row seating, and shares its platform with the Honda Pilot. The Pilot was made available with an eight person seating configuration, while the MDX exclusively seats seven, with two seating positions in the third row. The MDX was introduced on October 5, 2000 as a 2001 model, replacing the slow-selling U.S.-only body-on-frame SLX, based on the Isuzu Trooper. In Japan, it was made to replace the Honda Horizon (also based on the Trooper) which was discontinued in 1999. In 2003, the vehicle went on sale in Japan and Australia as the Honda MDX; sales with Honda badges ended with the introduction of the second generation three years later.
First generation (YD1; 2001)
Derived from Honda's Global mid-size platform which underpins cars like the Honda Accord, Acura TL, TSX and Odyssey, it is powered by a J35A3 3.5 L SOHC 24 valve V6 engine with VTEC. Curb weight is 4,451 lb (2,019 kg), with a 106.3 in (2,700 mm) wheelbase and 8 in (200 mm) of ground clearance. The cargo floor can flip up to provide two additional seats. The vehicle is designed to hold 7 passengers, but the third row seats are small and only seat two, in contrast to the Odyssey and Pilot whose third row holds three passengers.
The vehicle features an automatic four wheel drive system (named VTM-4) that engages during off the line acceleration as well as when wheel slippage is detected. Additionally, the system offers a lock mode which can be activated and operated at low speeds and provides permanent 4WD and the equivalent of a locked rear differential; designed for climbing steep hills and getting out of stuck situations. To reduce drivetrain noise and increase fuel efficiency, the system runs as front wheel drive during normal cruising. The VTM-4 AWD system in the MDX has the same design as the VTM-4 systems found in the Honda Pilot and Honda Ridgeline. It is different than Honda's "RealTime AWD" system in the Honda CR-V and other models in that it can lock and it attempts to predict when traction will be lost and apply power to all four wheels before slippage occurs (by monitoring throttle inputs).
The navigation system and DVD entertainment system (also popular on other Honda/Acura models, such as the CR-V and Odyssey) options were mutually exclusive in the 2002 model. Both could be ordered at the same time since the 2003 model. The navigation option comes with a backup camera since the 2003 model. Since 2005, the navigation system featured information from Zagat about restaurants and other points of interest. The 2003 model was rated as Ultra Low Emission Vehicle. The United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates 23 mpg‑US (10 L/100 km; 28 mpg‑imp) highway and 17 mpg‑US (14 L/100 km; 20 mpg‑imp) city.
The first two model years' 3.5-liter V6 engine produces 240 hp (179 kW) and 245 lb⋅ft (332 N⋅m) of torque from 3000 to 5000 rpm. For the 2003 model, the engine was improved to produce 20 hp (15 kW) more power than the earlier models, and the wheel designs were updated. The 2004 through 2006 engine received a modest increase in power and produces 265 hp (198 kW) and 253 lb⋅ft (343 N⋅m). The 2004 model is credited with a top speed of 137 mph, and a 0-60 time of 7.1 seconds. The 2004 model features dual tail pipes instead of the single pipe in earlier models, side curtain airbags, new head lights and tail lights, and new wheels. Some chrome trimmings on the 2004 model use matte finish to distinguish from the polished shiny finish on earlier models. Little changed for the MDX during the 2006 model year with a few minor revisions to the vehicle's chrome and faux wood interior trim which could now be had with a dark grey wood (as opposed to reddish wood on earlier models), and also a black dash and steering wheel in tan interiors.
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Common 2020 Acura Mdx problems
The 2020 Acura MDX has received generally positive reviews for its reliability, with J.D. Power giving it a rating of 78 out of 100 in terms of reliability. However, there are still some common problems that owners have reported.
One of the most common issues is poor acceleration or hesitation, particularly in the 2016 and 2017 models. This problem seems to be related to the transmission, with owners reporting that their vehicle would have issues with poor or jerky acceleration, which would gradually get worse until they couldn't get their vehicle to move. Affected owners reported that they were advised by their dealerships to have their transmission control module (TCM) software updated. In October 2020, Honda/Acura released a technical service bulletin (TSB) that contained repair information for this issue, which affected 2016-2019 MDXs, as well as the AWD and 2WD variants of the 2020 MDX.
Another common problem is stalling or lurching on light acceleration, particularly in the 2014 model. Owners have reported that their vehicle would hesitate when accelerating and then lurch forward, as if trying to catch up for hesitating. This issue is said to first occur at around 28,000 miles. While there are no TSBs or recalls that address this specific issue, Acura has released a Service News Article in June 2016 regarding the intermittent rattling in some Acura MDX models. This article says that some drivers may experience rattling or their vehicle running rough when driving at 30-65 mph. This is said to be caused by sticking VCM rocker arms. Acura advises dealerships to replace the faulty VCM rocker arms to fix the issue.
Excessive oil consumption is also a common problem in the 2020 Acura MDX, particularly in the 2010 and 2011 models. According to owners, not only is it a hassle to diagnose, but this problem is also particularly expensive to fix. On average, 2010 Acura MDX owners spent $6,800 to have this issue fixed.
In addition to these common problems, there are also some other issues that have been reported by owners of the 2020 Acura MDX. For example, some 2019 and 2020 models were recalled in the U.S due to a defective in-tank fuel pump that is prone to malfunction and experienced pretty much a failure causing the engine of the vehicle to stall while driving due to lack of fuel. The repair consists in replacing the defective fuel pump with a new improved replacement in a new wiring harness
The white diamond pearl exterior paint in some 2014-2016 models is prone to bubble and peel off causing the need to have the vehicle repainted
. The timing belt in some 2014 to 2019 models tends to make a chirping sound after the engine warms up, installing a shin behind the timing belt idle pulley usually solves the problem
. The internal components of the steering column gearbox in some 2014 to 2016 models are prone to experience premature wear causing screeching noises when the steering wheel is turned or adjusted. Replacing the wand's steering column gearbox with a new one solves the problem
. The front brake rotors in some of these SUVs are prone to warp when exposed to heavy and frequent braking conditions. Replacing the OEM brake rotors with high quality vented aftermarket replacements like the set shown on the screen solves the problem
. The engine mounted high pressure fuel pump in some 2014 to 2018 models is prone to become noisy over time and needs to be replaced
. The front sway bar end links in some of these SUVs are prone to experience rapid wear causing suspension rattling noises when driving on uneven roads and when driving over bumps. Replacing the wand sway bar end links with new ones solves the problem
. The CV boots are prone to tear over time causing dirt and water to enter damaging the CV joint. Replacing the damaged CV joint and installing a new boot or replacing the complete CV axle with a new one solves the problem
. The batteries inside the TPMS sensors tend to lose the charge over time causing the TPMS light to illuminate in the instrument panel. Replacing the old TPMS sensors with new ones and programming them to the vehicle solves the problem
In summary, while the 2020 Acura MDX is generally considered to be a reliable vehicle, there are still some common problems that owners have reported. These include poor acceleration or hesitation, stalling or lurching on light acceleration, and excessive oil consumption. Additionally, there have been some recalls and other issues that have affected certain models and years of the MDX. Owners are advised to stay up-to-date with any recalls or TSBs that may affect their vehicle, and to address any issues as soon as they arise to help ensure the safe and reliable operation of their MDX.
Is 2020 Acura MDX reliable?
The 2020 Acura MDX has a predicted reliability score of 80 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average, and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.
What is the common problem with Acura MDX?
One of the most common issues with Acura MDX vehicles, especially those built between 2003 and 2007, is transmission problems. Owners have reported issues such as harsh shifting, slipping gears, and even complete transmission failure.
Are there any recalls on 2020 Acura MDX?
2020 Acura MDX Recall
Action Need To Fix It: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Is the Acura MDX a reliable car?
The Acura MDX follows suit with four out of five stars from RepairPal for reliability, putting it second among 14 luxury midsize SUVs. This Acura SUV costs $571 annually to maintain. Average repair shop visits total 0.4 times yearly, with an 11% chance of severe repair.
2020 Acura Mdx car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Acura Mdx problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Electrical system problems
- Power train problems
- Fuel/propulsion system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2020 Acura Mdx vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2020 Acura Mdx
The NHTSA has received 98 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2020 Acura Mdx. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2020 Acura Mdx vehicles.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-22
- VIN: 5J8YD4H88LL
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
- Summary: I came to a stop at a stop sign. The start/stop feature activated and the engine shut off. When I lifted my foot off the brake, the engine did not restart (as it's supposed to), and then vehicle automatically shifted itself into neutral (without any of my doing). I put the emergency flashers on to alert other motorists, hoping to avoid a rear-end collision as I was stopped in the middle of an intersection in rush hour traffic. At this time, the battery light illuminated. The engine light illluminated as well. I had to forcefully and unusually push the brakew pedal towards the floor as the vehicle was drifting backwards. At this time, the vehicle would not shift into park. Then "PARK" illuminated, so I attempted to reapply the brake hoping that when I let up from the brake the car would start again (like the usual procedure). The vehicle then shifted into park, but the engine had not restarted. I pressed the on/off red button to follow normal procedures for turning the vehicle off. With my foot remaining on the brake, I pressed the off/on red button to start the engine as usual and the engine finally restarted. Afraid for the safety for myself and other motorists, I put the vehicle into drive and I pushed the button to stop the stop/start system from engaging. No codes generated during this. This is a safety issue for several reasons. First, I was stuck in the middle of a busy intersection where a large volume of cars travel through each day. It was rush hour, so the roads couldn't be more filled. Someone coming around the corner who might not have been prepared to stop could have hit me. Likewise, I could have been hit while in the intersection. Secondly, once the vehicle failed to turn back on, the Washington Grove (Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services - MCFRS) was responding to a vehicular file nearby on I-270 and had I not have been able to move in time, some of their vehicles likely wouldn't have made it through because my vehicle was blocking the lane.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-05
- VIN: 5J8YD4H50LL
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: I was in a stop and go traffic on the highway. When at a complete stop car shifted into neutral, I know that I didn’t push neutral because both of my hands were on the steering wheel. Step on gas pedal and car will not go. Tried putting into Drive but will not shift into Drive. Lots of vehicle behind me. It was very scary and dangerous, I could have been rear ended. I had to turn the engine off and restarted again then I was able to put it Drive and go. This issue happened twice, once at a stop sign about a month earlier.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-05
- VIN: 5J8YD4H50LL
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Issue with Auto Idle Stop. I have had multiple instances of the auto idle stop kicking in and shutting the car off while I am at a stoplight. This has resulted in VERY close calls with me getting rear ended. I have taken the vehicle in to be inspected at an Acura dealership only to be told that they cannot replicate the issue. When this issue occurs, it takes about a minute to get the car working again. The dashboard lights up with a lot of different flashing lights. There was no warning prior to this issue occurring. You cannot permanently shut off the auto idle stop and I should not be expected to remember to do it every time I get into the vehicle. I am afraid that one day this will cause a bad car accident that will lead to myself or my family getting severely injured/killed as other drivers are not aware that the car won't be going. The most recent incident occurred last weekend.
SEATS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-29
- VIN: 5J8YD4H51LL
- Components: SEATS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: My 2020 MDX with less than 52,000 miles (VIN [XXX] ) has a transmission problem. I serviced the SUV as recommended by the dealer regularly and I take very good care . The transmission jerks several times when taking my foot off the gas to slow down within my short drive to and from work. If I parked on a little uphill or downhill roads and switch gear (either forward or reverse), the car jerks and jumps. I mentioned the issue to the dealer 3 weeks ago but of course couldn’t find any issues. Please advise. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-05
- VIN: 5J8YD3H33LL
- Components: POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: Hello, so far 4 to 5 times my MDX automatically shifted to Neutral gear at traffic signals. THen vehicle stops and not moves, i wouldn't be able to change the gear, the vehicle just seems stuck. COuple of times the cars behind almost crashed with my family in the car. ONly options is to power off the car and restart. I took to the dealer, they ran all the tests and nothing found in the debugging. Looking online, looks like many customers have experienced the problem with Acura vehicles [XXX] ). This is a huge safety concern as i feel we are sitting ducks for any fast moving vehicle. Can you please get Honda/Acura to rectify this problem for existing cars and not to play with customer lives INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-27
- VIN: 5J8YD4H59LL
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and attempting to stop, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond, and the engine shut off unintendedly. The “Idle Stop” message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-23
- VIN: 5J8YD4H5XLL
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: When the vehicle is idle, for instance at a light, it will shut down. It idles a little, goes into neutral and shuts completely down having to be restarted. I always turn off the automatic start on the vehicle after I start it, so it is not that. It has also done it while driving. It is very unsafe to be driving in traffic and have your vehicle shut down with no warning. Please advise on what actions should be taken to correct this issue.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-12
- VIN: 5J8YD4H36LL
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-25
- VIN: 5J8YD4H54LL
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Auto Idle Mode - After we've stopped and released the brake to go forward, the car will then shift to neutral by itself instead of restarting to drive. This has happened frequently and is now starting to happen more often. This is a safety issue, especially if you're the last car in line and other cars are traveling 55-60 miles behind you on a major road and see a green light ahead. Each time this happens, we have to turn off the car and try to restart the car, and sometimes this has been iffy and we've had to repeat the process a couple of times. There were no warning lights of problems with any of car components. There have been similar reports of this occurring: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-08
- VIN: 5J8YD4H59LL
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The auto idle engine stop malfuctions routinely shutting the engine off completely and requiring the driver to engage PARK, hit STOP, and RESTART engine before engaging DRIVE to proceed. We have experienced several near miss accidents or potentially caused accidents because drivers behind you have no idea what is going on. This issue is not just at stop lights but also interstate driving where traffic comes to a complete stop. I requested my Acura dealer permanantly disable this feature- they declined - I believe because it is an "Emission" feature that has gone wrong. I have seen "hack" options on line to disable this feature but fear for my safety - either way.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-08
- VIN: 5J8YD4H56LL
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) contact however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-31
- VIN: 5J8YD4H59LL
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: My MDX will randomly shut itself off while at a red light. It takes MULTIPLE attempts to get it restarted. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My safety and the safety of others was put at risk and continues to be at risk! This has happened at a highway red light multiple times. I am impeding the flow of traffic at an intersection with EIGHT lanes and FOUR lanes cross traffic. People move through this intersection extremely fast. This puts me at risk of causing an accident, injury the occupants of my vehicle and the occupants of the other involved vehicles. There is no warning as to when this will occur and there are no warnings at the time of the actual event either. I called the dealership and the service department acknowledged there have been others with the same issue. Acura is aware of the issue yet there is NO RECALL?? There is a Service Bulletin issued January 2023 by Acura admitting to the issue and it shows how Acura will resolve the issue for affected vehicles. If Acura is aware of the issue and the dangers of it, why have they not issued a recall to rectify the situation? The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. I have a service appointment with the local dealership. There are no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the failure. The first occurrence was about four months ago. The second occurred three months ago. It occurred again today. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT AND LAWSUIT WAITING TO HAPPEN. SOMEONE COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED DUE TO ACURA’S NEGLIGENCE!!!
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-11
- VIN: 5J8YD4H37LL
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
- Summary: WHEN I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IN TRAFFIC (MY VEHICLE WAS IN IDLE STOP MODE), MY CAR SIMPLY DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART WHEN THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL TO MOVE FORWARD WITH TRAFFIC. IT TOOK NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO RE START THE VEHICLE WHILE STUCK IN VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC BEFORE IT GAINED POWER AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FORWARD. MY SAFETY WAS COMPROMISED I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF MULTIPLE LANES OF MOVING TRAFFIC, IT WAS SCARY. NO WARNING LAMPS OR MESSAGES OCCURED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT.
POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-23
- VIN: 5J8YD4H35LL
- Components: POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
- Summary: I was in traffic and we slowed down to a stop. Suddenly my car went to neutral and it didn’t want to go to Drive. I put emergency lights, as many cars were behind in the highway. I turned the car off and turned it back on. Then I was able to drive again! This has happened twice in the last 3 months.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-19
- VIN: 5J8YD4H83LL
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Sunroof Explosion. On [XXX], I was driving southbound on [XXX] north of the [XXX] exit (about 15 miles north of Chicago, Illinois). It was mid to late morning, sunny, 75 degrees. I drove over some pavement that was under repair but was not marked as being under repair. Within 60 seconds I heard a loud bang or explosion. My sunroof cover was closed and heard glass falling onto the cover. I exited the highway and saw that the glass was broken in the center of the sunroof. There were no rocks or objects in the sunroof and no evidence that anything had impacted the sunroof. The vehicle is available for inspection however, I am in the process of clearing the glass so that I can operate the vehicle during the month that it will take for a replacement glass to arrive. The problem has not been confirmed by a dealer, the component has not been inspected by anyone other than myself. There were no warnings prior to the incident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-05
- VIN: 5J8YD4H55LL
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: This vehicle engine has shut down in traffic on 6 separate occasions over the course of a year. Each time, the car locked up and would not restart until 1-3 minutes passed. This happened in stop and go traffic on the interstate. The other instances were at stoplights. I believe this is an issue with the auto idle stop feature. The dealership is unable to recreate the issue, thus no resolution was offering during the warranty period.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-19
- VIN: 5J8YD4H88LL
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
- Summary: No warning lights or other indications occurred. This is the 2nd time while sitting at a stop light that the car has gone into neutral gear and it was unknown until the traffic signal turned green and I could not go. I could not shift into drive. The remedy required that I shut the car off and restarted (very little time between) before putting it in gear. Both occurrences were with idle stop function on. There is an entire discussion forum on this exact issue on [XXX] . Being first in line at a stop with 4 other passengers and a line of drivers expecting me to go on green is a sure way to result in an accident. The car goes in for regular service next week and I will bring it to the dealer’s attention. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-01-03
- VIN: 5J8YD4H56LL
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
- Summary: The car's Auto Start/Stop (AST) function is malfunctioning. It frequently fails to restart the engine after stopping, causing the engine to completely shut down at traffic signals. When this occurs, the car must be shifted to park and the engine manually restarted.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-30
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 5J8YD4H33LL
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: On May 30, 2024, the vehicle associated with the VIN associated with the report was involved in an accident. The vehicle is inoperable due to the seatbelt no longer working since the accident. The vehicle is at the collision center of my choice, and all repairs except for the seatbelt have been made. The collision center and I have reached out to American Honda Motor Company, Inc. and Acura several times. As of date, there has been no resolution and no estimated date of when a seatbelt will be issued by American Honda Motor Company, Inc. and/or Acura. I was told by an employee at American Honda Motor Company, Inc. that the seatbelt will become inoperable whenever the vehicle is in an accident or collision. I feel American Honda Motor Company, Inc. has and continues to produce unsafe vehicles and vehicles where repairs cannot be made promptly. Seatbelts are important, and I honestly believe seatbelts save lives. But, for a company to have a shortage of seatbelts with no estimated time of when one will be issued is unacceptable. And for the company to produce vehicles with seatbelts destined to not function after an accident is a problem. As a consumer, I would like this company to be held accountable for producing vehicles with problems and additional problems if the vehicles are in an accident. I've tried resolving this matter by contacting American Honda Motor Company, Inc., Better Business Bureau, and now NHTSA. I feel this is way beyond what a consumer should have to do.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-10
- VIN: 5J8YD4H36LL
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-08
- VIN: 5J8YD4H59LL
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Engine shuts off at red light as auto idle stop got activated. Then at green light when I press the accelerator my car was in”neutral”mode and it didn’t allow me to move. I had to put my car into parking then switch it off and restart it. People behind me were agitated and honking.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-18
- VIN: 5J8YD4H97LL
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-03
- VIN: 5J8YD4H57LL
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: the vehicle shut down while at a red light and went the transmission went into neutral and should not start until i place the vehicle into park and then i had to press the start button two or three times to get the vehicle to start again. this is the second time this same problem has occurred in a two week span
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-01
- VIN: 5J8YD3H57LL
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Persistent Idle Start issue not being addressed by the Acura dealership despite multiple trips to the dealership with the same issue. My SUV intermittently shuts down in the middle of busy intersections leaving me at great risk for a crash and bodily harm. There is a Service Bulletin issued in January 2023 by Acura admitting to the issue and it shows how Acura will resolve the issue for affected vehicles. Unfortunately Acura is not following their own Service Bulletin, and a recall of these vehicles needs to be issued to address the affected vehicles. I am requesting the NHTSA to take immediate action and issue a recall for this known idle start issue that is putting many Acura drivers at increased risk for bodily harm.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-24
- VIN: 5J8YD3H52LL
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: upon turning right, the car lost power, degraded acceleration as if someone is holding and pulling the car to move forward. The traffic behind me expected me to cathup with the speed on the road but due to loss of power and engine hesitation i got honked and was luck to avoid a crash from behind on a busy road. Acura dealership in Dallas dont have parts since a very long time. They have pleant of new cars to sell but not repair.
2020 Acura Mdx recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 5 recalls for different components of the 2020 Acura Mdx.
- Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- Components: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, and October 18, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
- Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
- Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-December 2024, 2017 Acura owner letters are expected to be mail late-September 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early April 2024, 2019 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-May 2024, 2020 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-June 2024, and 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XG1 and GG0.
- Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.
- Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.
Negative 2020 Acura Mdx car reviews
Positive 2020 Acura Mdx car reviews
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I've been doing a lot of research lately to find the perfect SUV for me. I've owned a variety of cars in the past, including Saab, Mercedes, Audi, Volvo, and Porsche, as well as Honda and Subaru. While the European models were impressive in terms of appearance and performance, they were quite expensive to maintain once the warranty expired. Repairs and services for these cars can be a huge expense, with a Porsche oil change costing $275. As someone who typically buys cars outright and keeps them for at least 8 years, I consulted my mechanic for advice. He has been in the auto repair business for 28 years and believes that, while some Euro cars are beautiful, Japanese cars are unbeatable in terms of reliability, dependability, and cost efficiency. After checking out Lexus, Infinity, and Volvo, I decided to test drive the MDX and was thoroughly impressed. It offers great value at around $10,000-$15,000 less than most European models. I've only had this car for a few weeks, but I already love it. It's spacious, looks great, handles excellently for an SUV, has many standard safety features, and provides a very smooth ride. Despite some reviews mentioning that the info system is non-intuitive, I found it to be quite user-friendly. With this car, I feel confident taking road trips and driving to Florida once a year without worrying about high maintenance costs or finding the right facility to service my vehicle. Overall, I am very pleased with my purchase and will provide another update in a few months.
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I can understand how the idle stop while in traffic might be unsettling at first. It was the same for my wife.
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I had a 2008 MDX for many years and absolutely loved it! In 2018, I decided to shop around and test drive the Volvo XC60, just for fun. I was initially drawn to its sporty look and wood-trimmed interior. However, during the first week of driving it, my whole family was annoyed by the engine noise level on the highway, the rigid back seats, the handling in snow, cumbersome tech and more. So, about a year later, I decided to test drive an MDX again on a whim. It felt like returning to an old boyfriend who was so warm and strong, so good at hugs, tough and adventurous, and capable of making me feel taken care of. He's not the first one you notice, but why had I left this man? That day, I ended my Volvo fling and brought home the MDX. The whole family was so relieved and happy!
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The MDX will be upgraded in 2021. Although the styling is dated, it is still appealing. While the navigation screen is smaller than other cars in the class, I'm sure that will change in 2021. Power, performance, and handling are good, and the comfort is also very good. However, the start-stop feature on this and all other makes of vehicles needs to go away! It interferes with climate control comfort and will be a maintenance issue down the road. The gas savings are minimal and don't justify the inconvenience. There must be a better way! Overall, the Acura MDX is a quality vehicle.
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The Acura MDX is a fantastic value, not just in terms of performance, but also when compared to other SUVs in its class.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2020 Acura Mdx problems:
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Transmission Issues-2020 | Acura MDX SUV Forums
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2020 Acura MDX Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2020 Acura MDX? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
Other years of Acura Mdx
Are you having problems with your 2020 Acura Mdx?
Wilber Hermiston 2024-10-25
The 9-speed transmission exhibits hesitation and pauses, while the sensing features are not reliable. The infotainment and dash telematics are outdated, and the vehicle has a high fuel consumption, averaging 18 mpg. Unfortunately, there is no spare tire included. Despite my disappointment, I believe that Acura's client relations team will take my concerns seriously and work towards a resolution. While this has been a challenging car purchase experience, I will learn from my mistakes and consider other luxury brands such as Infinity or Lexus in the future. Best regards, Peter.
Willy Rice 2024-05-04
I traded in my car due to issues with Apple CarPlay, but in hindsight, I should have just used Bluetooth. Despite the CarPlay issues, I still think it's a great car to drive and would consider purchasing an Acura again if the prices were more reasonable. However, I have experienced some issues with the AC not being as cold as my previous cars, and the heat and AC controls on the screen are a bit confusing compared to the traditional buttons/controls. Overall, the car rides nicely, but I have decided not to keep it after the lease is up. Unfortunately, there seems to be no fix for the CarPlay issues.
Billy Rodriguez 2024-04-11
It seems like the device may not have enough power and it feels small on the inside.
Kevin Kshlerin 2024-03-23
This car may not be the most modern, but it still has some great features. While the two screen system may take some getting used to, it offers a lot of functionality, including Apple CarPlay. Although it may not be a touch screen, the dial is intuitive and easy to use. The cabin has a unique design that some may appreciate. It's always important to do your own research, but don't let negative reviews discourage you from considering this car.
Nicolas Funk 2024-02-20
The sound system and interior space could use some improvement, as well as the lack of basic features that are standard on other vehicles in this price range. Additionally, the carpet mats could be of better quality.