"CUSTOMER LETTER - ON SOME 200713 MDX AND 201012 ZDX VEHICLES LOCATED IN COLD AREAS, THE FRONT AND REAR ACTIVE DAMPERS MAY LEAK. WHILE LEAKS ON THE REAR ACTIVE SUSPENSION ARE VISIBLE, THE FRONT ACTIVE DAMPERS ARE MOUNTED IN AN INVERTED POSITION AND THE LEAK IS NOT VISIBLE ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE DAMPER. IF AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF DAMPER OIL HAS LEAKED, THE ACTIVE DAMPERS MAY MAKE A CLUNK OR A BANG SOUND WHEN DRIVING ON ROUGH ROADS OR OVER SPEED BUMPS."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Acura MDX suspension problems
moderate Owners of the 2011 Acura MDX have filed 3 NHTSA complaints about the suspension at roughly $900 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See suspension across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
| Model year | suspension complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 MDX | 12 |
| 2008 MDX | 6 |
| 2011 MDX (this page) | 3 |
| 2014 MDX | 4 |
| 2015 MDX | 3 |
What stands out
Of the 8 model years of Acura MDX we track for suspension problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (3).
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
"REIMBURSEMENT FORM - ON SOME 200713 MDX AND 201012 ZDX VEHICLES LOCATED IN COLD AREAS, THE FRONT AND REAR ACTIVE DAMPERS MAY LEAK. WHILE LEAKS ON THE REAR ACTIVE SUSPENSION ARE VISIBLE, THE FRONT ACTIVE DAMPERS ARE MOUNTED IN AN INVERTED POSITION AND THE LEAK IS NOT VISIBLE ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE DAMPER. IF AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF DAMPER OIL HAS LEAKED, THE ACTIVE DAMPERS MAY MAKE A CLUNK OR A BANG SOUND WHEN DRIVING ON ROUGH ROADS OR OVER SPEED BUMPS."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Customer letter - owner notification for the front and rear active dampers may leak. While leaks on the rear active suspension are visible, the front active dampers are mounted in an inverted position and the leak is not visible on the exterior of the damper. If an excessive amount of damper oil has leaked, the active dampers may make a clunk or a bang sound when driving on rough roads or over speed bumps.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Reimbursement form - the front and rear active dampers may leak. While leaks on the rear active suspension are visible, the front active dampers are mounted in an inverted position and the leak is not visible on the exterior of the damper. If an excessive amount of damper oil has leaked, the active dampers may make a clunk or a bang sound when driving on rough roads or over speed bumps.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗ACURA: WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING WOULD HAVE A NOISE OR VIBRATION. LIKE MOANING, DRONING, OR HUMMING, COMING FROM IT, AND IS BEING INVESTIGATED. MODEL 2007-2013 MDX.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had suspension trouble with your 2011 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 suspension problem on the 2011 Acura MDX?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, suspension issues most often appear around 43,667 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 $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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/2011/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.