My 2009 mdx with 3500+ miles has been taken to dealer 3 times in the last month. Once I had to get it towed to dealership. First time I was told that they was issue with poor quality timing belt pulley. So timing belt got shredded. They had to replace the both. They took almost week to replace it. With in a day, 2009 mdx developed issue. This time there was an issue with catalytic converter. They…
2009 Acura MDX engine problems
severe 6 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 6 engine complaints filed for the 2009 Acura MDX, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 16 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
2009 Acura mdx with less than 4000 miles developed an issue with timing belt pulleys, timing belt and front part of engine. *tr
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Acura mdx. While driving 25 MPH, the check engine indicator flashed. The contact pulled the vehicle over to a shoulder lane and exited the vehicle prior to the engine compartment catching fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. The insurance company towed the vehicle to a storage area. The vehicle was…
Had engine trouble with your 2009 Acura MDX?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2009 Acura MDX?
It's a meaningful issue. 6 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 6 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 67,160 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Acura/MDX.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.