2012 ACURA MDX — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
4/5
Safety Rating
94
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
15
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2012 ACURA MDX
The 2012 ACURA MDX has received a total of 94 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY. 15 technical service bulletins have been issued by Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (20 complaints), Electrical System (12 complaints), and Power Train (12 complaints).
Recalls for the 2012 ACURA MDX
NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 2012 ACURA MDX, potentially affecting up to 8,709 vehicles.
Recall 12V063000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
| 8,709 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: AS A RESULT, FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE TANK, INCREASING THE RISK OF FIRE.
Remedy: HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VSF ASSEMBLY DATE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 13, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-999-1009.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2012 ACURA MDX
94 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 ACURA MDX. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 20 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 9 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptivemobility | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention Camera System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Back Over Preventionwarningsexternalpedestrian Alert | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systeminstrument Panelspeedometerodometer | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control Esc | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Otheri Am Not Sure | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmissionlever And Linkagecolumn Shift | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tirestemporaryemergency Spare Tire | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 126,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 159,000.
Does not have anchor for the seat. A recall was placed by NHTSA
See attached document for complaint.
On 11/30/24 I heard a slight whirling sound while driving. On 12/1/24 I drove from Point A towards my home. Along the way the oil light flashed. I stopped at Advance Auto Parts, 15 miles from Point A. I checked the oil and it read as it should on the dip stick. No oil was needed. I drove straight home, a distance of 30 miles, and parked the car. When my son arrived home he started the car and there was a knocking sound. He shut it off. He stated that he felt it to be the rod bearings. He then changed the oil as previously planned as supplies were already in the car. He checked the oil and found a slight glitter in it indicating the rod bearing issue. The car remained parked until 12/26/24 when it was taken to an independent service center, round trip of 18 miles, who confirmed that the rod bearings were the issue. The car was parked again and only started to move about 50 feet into the garage prior to a snow storm. It has not been started since. My safety was put at risk as the engine could have, and will, fail when driving. The engine had previously been repaired at an Acura dealer for an oil consumption issue in accordance with service bulletin 19-006. Honda refused to honor the recall previously offered due to this known failure. The car was picked up on 12/8/22 with 92,954 and purchased finalized on 1/4/23. The oil consumption issue was first noted on 2/12/23 at 97,088 miles. Car was serviced and oil changed on 2/16/23 at which time the oil consumption issue was diagnosed by the selling dealer. Oil was continually added until work was completed on 3/21/23 at 99,425 miles. The new issue with the rod bearings (that were not changed with the first repair as they should have been) was first noted at approximately 137,840 miles. This is now the second engine failure for this car. The car is available for inspection. The car has not been inspected by any entity other than the initial diagnosis on 12/26/24.
Safety Rating for the 2012 ACURA MDX
The 2012 ACURA MDX received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2012 ACURA MDX
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) has issued 15 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2012 ACURA MDX. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
B18-009 — EQUIPMENT
Service bulletin - The oil control rings may become clogged with carbon deposits. These deposits restrict the ability to scrape and return oil from the cylinder walls to the crankcase, which can result in engine oil consumption that may exceed client expectations.
B18-009 — ENGINE
Service bulletin - The oil control rings may become clogged with carbon deposits. These deposits restrict the ability to scrape and return oil from the cylinder walls to the crankcase, which can result in engine oil consumption that may exceed client expectations.
B16-044 — POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:LUBRICANT
"SERVICE BULLETIN - A JUDDER FROM THE TORQUE CONVERTER LOCK-UP CLUTCH MAY BE FELT WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20 AND 60MPH. THE PROBLEM IS TYPICALLY DIAGNOSED AS A BAD TORQUE CONVERTER. AMERICAN HONDA INVESTIGATED THE JUDDER AND FOUND THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS NOT CAUSING THE JUDDER, RATHER, IT WAS CAUSED...
B16-044 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SERVICE BULLETIN - A JUDDER FROM THE TORQUE CONVERTER LOCK-UP CLUTCH MAY BE FELT WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20 AND 60MPH. THE PROBLEM IS TYPICALLY DIAGNOSED AS A BAD TORQUE CONVERTER. AMERICAN HONDA INVESTIGATED THE JUDDER AND FOUND THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS NOT CAUSING THE JUDDER, RATHER, IT WAS CAUSED...
DLR MSG - RFV - — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
Dealer message - American Honda (AHM)is investigating certain 2012 MDXs with a complaint of the hazard warning button (hazard switch) sticking when pressed. To fully understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle and/or collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting any...
DLR MSG - RFV - — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Dealer message - American Honda (AHM)is investigating certain 2012 MDXs with a complaint of the hazard warning button (hazard switch) sticking when pressed. To fully understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle and/or collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting any...
IN-06-2620 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
ACURA: THE HAZARD WARNING BUTTON (HAZARD SWITCH), ON SOME VEHICLES, WHEN PRESSED WOULD STICK. MODEL 2012 MDX. *PE
DLR MSG - RFV - — TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
Dealer message - American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2012-2013 MDXs with a complaint of MIL on with the DTC P2101 (Throttle Control System Malfunction) stored.
IN-2014-09 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
ACURA: HAZARD WARNING BUTTON (HAZARD SWITCH) WOULD STICK WHEN PRESSED AND MANUFACTURER IS INVESTIGATING THE ISSUE. *PE
DLR MSG -RFV - 2 — PARKING BRAKE
Dealer message - American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2012 MDXs with a complaint of the hazard warning button (hazard switch) sticking when pressed. To fully understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle and/or collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting...
Showing 10 of 15 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2012 ACURA MDX
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the ACURA MDX
- 2007 ACURA MDX — 124 complaints
- 2008 ACURA MDX — 62 complaints
- 2009 ACURA MDX — 74 complaints
- 2010 ACURA MDX — 63 complaints
- 2011 ACURA MDX — 87 complaints
- 2012 ACURA MDX (current)
- 2013 ACURA MDX — 43 complaints
- 2014 ACURA MDX — 241 complaints
- 2015 ACURA MDX — 95 complaints
- 2016 ACURA MDX — 486 complaints
- 2017 ACURA MDX — 334 complaints
Other ACURA Models
- ACURA TL — 4,042 total complaints
- ACURA RDX — 2,499 total complaints
- ACURA TLX — 1,274 total complaints
- ACURA TSX — 849 total complaints
- ACURA INTEGRA — 755 total complaints
- ACURA CL — 730 total complaints
- ACURA RL — 523 total complaints
- ACURA LEGEND — 505 total complaints