Reliable Auto DB

2014 Acura MDX reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2014 Acura MDX has 170 complaints with NHTSA after 13 years, or 28 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 13 MDX years on this site. NHTSA has 9 recalls on file, including Frame, Exterior lighting, and Fuel pump.

2012 Acura MDX
Photo by Navigator84, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
Complaints

170

Per year

28

Recalls

9

Years on the road

13

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Steering (38 of 170), then Electrical system (27) and Engine (26). Those filings include 10 that report a crash, 3 that report a fire, and 5 that report an injury.

Next to 2013 and 2015

The 2013 MDX has 29 complaints, 3 per year, and the 2015 has 71 complaints, 11 per year. The 2014 has more complaints per year than the 2013. The 2014 has more complaints per year than the 2015.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2014 Acura MDX. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (9)

Recall structure, frame 2026-06-04 · NHTSA campaign 26V365000
Summary American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
Remedy Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.
Recall Exterior lighting 2025-04-17 · NHTSA campaign 25V259000
Summary 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.
Remedy Dealers will inspect the wiring and install a fuse harness, replace the lid light, and repair the body dust sealer, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 30, 2025. Owners may contact Acura's customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Acura's number for this recall is FLI. Vehicles included in this recall that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 19V-256 will need to have the new remedy completed.
Recall Fuel pump 2023-12-18 · NHTSA campaign 23V858000
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.
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.
Recall exterior lighting, tail lights 2019-03-28 · NHTSA campaign 19V256000
Summary 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.
Remedy Acura will notify owners, and dealers will modify the tailgate lid lights and install updated gaskets and a wiring sub-harness or will replace both tailgate lid lights. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is M49.
Recall equipment, appliance, air conditioner 2015-07-01 · NHTSA campaign 15V417000
Summary American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX and MDX AWD vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to December 16, 2014. The affected vehicles have air conditioning compressor clutch drive bolts that may not have received the proper anti-corrosion coating.
Remedy Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air conditioning compressor clutch drive bolt and install a new clutch plate if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 7, 2015. Owners may contact Acura client relations at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's number for this recall is JQ7.
Recall forward collision avoidance, crash-imminent braking 2015-05-20 · NHTSA campaign 15V301000
Summary Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX 2WD and AWD, RLX and 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid vehicles. In certain driving conditions, the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) may incorrectly interpret certain roadside objects such as metal fences or metal guardrails as obstacles and unexpectedly apply the brakes.
Remedy Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the CMBS software, free of charge. The recall began on July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's numbers for this recall is JQ4, JQ5 and JQ6.
Recall Seat belts 2014-10-10 · NHTSA campaign 14V639000
Summary American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to August 25, 2014, and 2014 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured November 5, 2012, to November 25, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the driver and front passenger seat belt may not extend or retract in low temperatures.
Remedy Honda has notified owners, and dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belts, free of charge. The recall began in November 2014. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's number for this recall is JK7 for the MKX, and JK8 for the RLX.
Recall powertrain, automatic transmission 2013-11-14 · NHTSA campaign 13V571000
Summary American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Acura MDX AWD vehicles manufactured May 6, 2013, through October 14, 2013. The bolts that attach the drive shaft to the automatic transmission transfer assembly may not have been properly tightened. As a result, the bolts could loosen possibly allowing the shaft to detach.
Remedy Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the drive shaft attaching bolts as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on July 3, 2014. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009 or visit their website at www.recalls.honda.com. Honda's recall number is JC8.
Recall Electrical system 2013-07-22 · NHTSA campaign 13E040000
Summary American Honda Motor Co. is recalling certain Trailer Hitch Harness Kits, Part Number 08L91-TZ5-200. These kits are for use in 2014 model year Acura MDX vehicles. The trailer hitch kit has a subharness that is incorrectly wired such that there may be no power supplied to an accessory trailer brake controller.
Remedy Honda will notify owners and Acura dealers will correct the trailer hitch subharness wiring, free of charge. The recall began on August 23, 2013. Owners may contact Acura Customer Service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's number for this campaign is JB2.

Complaints by component (170 total)

Steering
38
Electrical system
27
Engine
26
Powertrain
26
Service brakes
26
Speed control
19
Structure
14
Exterior lighting
13
Fuel and propulsion system
7
Suspension
6
Electronic stability control (ESC)
5
Visibility
4
Adaptive and mobility equipment
3
Air bags
3
Fuel system, gasoline
3
Wheels
3
Equipment
2
Seats
2
Forward collision avoidance
1
Interior lighting
1
Lane departure
1
Latches, locks, and linkages
1
Seat belts
1
Visibility and wipers
1
Show 16 more Show less
Crash-flagged

10

Fire-flagged

3

Injury reports

5

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

3201341201424201517201682017920181820191020205202152022320231120249202572026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The contact owns a 2014 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed an abnormal sound, the vehicle lost motive power, and the contact noticed a fuel odor inside the…"
    Fuel system, gasoline · filed 2026-08-27
  • "Recall/Campaign Reference: Rear subframe/rear suspension safety recall, ~880,000+ Acura MDX vehicles (MY 2014–2020), due to risk of rear suspension component failure causing loss of vehicle control. Complaint Narrative:…"
    Suspension · filed 2026-07-28
  • "I discovered my back taillight is foggy and the lights are not seen. Capital City Honda provided an estimate: driver side taillight assembly replacement. Foggy taillight assembly affecting brightness and visibility.…"
    Structure · filed 2026-06-23
  • "OnXXX I was sold an “As is” vehicle under a Christmas special that was deemed unsafe to drive by a licensed mechanic a week later because of the rear subframe is bent from premature corrosion the dealer denied knowing…"
    Steering, Suspension, Structure · filed 2026-06-13
  • "A connecting rod bearing is failing in my 2014 Acura MDX which could have led to complete engine failure while driving my family. Absolute Auto Center of Berlin, CT confirmed the issue and noted that Acura has recalled…"
    Engine · filed 2026-05-06

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2014 Acura MDX SUV AWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2014 Acura MDX SUV FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
MDX two-wheel drive 3.5L, 6-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 20 28 23 MPG $3450
MDX four-wheel drive 3.5L, 6-cyl Automatic (6-speed) All-wheel drive 18 27 21 MPG $3800

Specs and fitment

3rd generation (YD3), 2014–2020
Body styles SUV
Oil 0W-20 (3.5L V6) , 4.5 qt capacity
Tire size 265/45R20, 245/50R20, 245/60R18 (trim dependent)
Towing capacity 5,000 lbs

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA safety recall 21V215000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that 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. 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.

Compare

Previous year 2013 Acura MDX Next year 2015 Acura MDX See every Acura MDX model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Acura MDX reliable?

The 2014 Acura MDX has 170 complaints with NHTSA after 13 years, or 28 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 13 MDX years on this site. NHTSA has 9 recalls on file, including Frame, Exterior lighting, and Fuel pump.

What are common problems with a 2014 Acura MDX?

The complaints owners file most often name Steering (38 of 170), then Electrical system (27) and Engine (26). Those filings include 10 that report a crash, 3 that report a fire, and 5 that report an injury.

Is the 2014 Acura MDX more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 MDX has 29 complaints, 3 per year, and the 2015 has 71 complaints, 11 per year. The 2014 has more complaints per year than the 2013. The 2014 has more complaints per year than the 2015.

Has the 2014 Acura MDX been recalled?

The 2014 Acura MDX has 9 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2014 Acura MDX?

Owners have filed 170 complaints about the 2014 Acura MDX with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2014 Acura MDX get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2014 Acura MDX is 22 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a Acura MDX use?

US MDX manuals specify 0W-20 for recent V6 engines unless another grade is listed for your model year.

What generation is the 2019 Acura MDX?

3rd generation / YD3 (2014-2020).

What tire sizes does an Acura MDX use?

Sizes vary by generation and trim; examples include 255/55R18, 245/60R18, and 255/50R20.