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ProblemsByVin Index / 2012-ACURA-MDX / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2012 Acura MDX owner complaints

73 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 1 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

engine 7 complaints shown

18 total in this category · severe · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
12/30/2020 90,000 mi ODI #11385644.0

My 2012 Acura mdx has an oil consumption issue that Acura is aware of being a problem, however it is not offering to cover the cost associated with fixing the issue. My vehicle burned through more than 2 quarts of oil in a matter of 1 month. This needs to be a recall as it's a safety issue with the operation of the vehicle. Lack of oil could cause the engine to fail.

10/28/2019 157,420 mi ODI #11271629.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Acura mdx. For the past three years, the contact noticed an oil consumption issue with the vehicle. The contact researched and discovered that the manufacturer issued technical service bulletin (tsb) number: b19-006 on may 18, 2019. The tsb was a warranty extension titled 'engine oil exceeds client expectations'. The contact took the vehicle to crown Acura richmond (8704 w broad st, henrico, va 23294) for an oil consumption test and was informed to come back when the oil was low after driving 3,000 miles. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer on october 17, 2019 and was informed that nothing could be done since it was close to 3,000 miles. The contact spoke with the manufacturer about the oil consumption failure over the past three years and felt like

10/27/2022 ODI #11491170.0

Consistently getting low oil notification shortly after getting oil changes. This has been happening since 2017. Dealer does a oil consumption test and says it is not a problem. However I cannot go between oil changes without getting the notification. I have no oil leaks. Furthermore, I have had 'oil' services done over the past 5 years that never fix the problem. I'm afraid this is doing damage to the vehicle and can put us in danger if oil level is too low. Dealer continues to say it isn't a problem. And when they try to fix it, it doesn't work. This began in 2017

10/19/2016 ODI #10917272.0

The engine oil on this models burns out very quickly. I have noticed that I get indicator to change engine oil in about every 6000 miles even though I use synthetic oil which has the life spam of up to 12000 miles. I use my car for normal drive from home to work and leisure.

10/13/2014 39,000 mi ODI #10644344.0

Like most treads that I come across on blogs, I also have notice a strong smell exhaust fumes under heavy acceleration inside the cabin. The smell for the fumes are nauseating and of course posse a real health risk in my opinion. We purchased the vehicle used but still under warranty. Model: advanced *tr

09/18/2022 ODI #11485029.0

This vehicle unrealistically burns oil. 5-6 quarts of oil is added to engine between oil changes.

09/06/2022 ODI #11483057.0

S25 S25 recall fuel system 2012 Campaign Number 12V063000

powertrain 6 complaints shown

13 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain cluster analysis →
12/07/2016 74,000 mi ODI #10933709.0

My 2012 mdx suffers from a torque converter rumbling sound and vibration common to the mdx series. As you accelerate the noise and vibration can be felt almost like a bearing noise which will eventually cause a lockup or failure possibly resulting in injuries to any drivers or pedestrians. The dealers are saying that this noise is indigenous to the inherent history of the vehicle . Fact: so I'm not alone in this and I know any vibrations in that area will definitely lessen the life of the vehicle and cost the car owners ! God forbid ! There refusal to simply replace the converter is a refusal to sell good vehicles and this should be a recall asap ! Updated 10/22/13 Acura client services informed the consumer was informed that all the mdx vehicles near the same year, have an inherent docume

11/23/2020 80,000 mi ODI #11375956.0

Shuddering when going between 20-40 miles.

11/13/2014 2,000 mi ODI #10654770.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Acura mdx. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle rpms suddenly increased as the vehicle lunged forward. The contact also stated that the vehicle experienced an unintentional acceleration and failed to shift properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on multiple occasions but the cause of the failure was not determined and the contact was informed that the vehicle was operating normally. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 2,000.

11/07/2020 80,000 mi ODI #11373555.0

The transmission broke even after the regular maintenance. Spent more than $5,000 with the dealer to fix it.

10/30/2018 107,000 mi ODI #11144197.0

While driving my car my rpms fluctuate and my car can't seem to get into gear. It is all over the place and very scary at times. It seems to be something with the transmission and also a very common problem. This should not be the consumers problem. Acura should be living up to there name by fixing this problem. Acuras should never have a transmission problem. Thats why my husband and I are loyal customers. I am very disappointing.

10/07/2013 15,100 mi ODI #10547132.0

My 2012 mdx suffers from a torque converter rumbling sound and vibration common to the mdx series. As you accelerate the noise and vibration can be felt almost like a bearing noise which will eventually cause a lockup or failure possibly resulting in injuries to any drivers or pedestrians. The dealers are saying that this noise is indigenous to the inherent history of the vehicle . Fact: so I'm not alone in this and I know any vibrations in that area will definitely lessen the life of the vehicle and cost the car owners ! God forbid ! There refusal to simply replace the converter is a refusal to sell good vehicles and this should be a recall asap ! Updated 10/22/13*lj Acura client services informed the consumer was informed that all the mdx vehicles near the same year, have an inheren

electrical 2 complaints shown

13 total in this category · severe · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
12/31/2019 106,000 mi Fire ODI #11292235.0

After driving the vehicle, I parked it, turned it off and it caught on fire.

11/02/2020 202,236 mi ODI #11372629.0

While driving down the highway my check airbag system indicator light came on. I reached my destination and turned off my vehicle, I then restarted my vehicle and the light was still on. I took a picture of the light for proof. Still on for 3 weeks now. I checked and my VIN is not on the recall list for the airbag.

other 2 complaints shown

10/14/2018 73,000 mi ODI #11140235.0

I was driving down the freeway when my sunroof spontaneously shattered. There were no other vehicles by me and I was not driving under an overpass

09/18/2022 ODI #11485025.0

This vehicle burns so much oil. I use 5 quarts of oil between oil changes in this vehicle. Unreal! So disappointed in Honda.

visibility 1 complaint shown

10/31/2016 129,080 mi ODI #10920145.0

The sunroof spontaneously exploded causing shattered glass to fall on the driver while driving down the highway. It sounded like a gun went off. There was not any debris or rock that could have caused the shattered glass. The glass was lifted upward, not downward as would have been the case if something came from the sky or air. The temperature was 55 degrees fahrenheit and the time was approximately 3:40. I had used the sunroof earlier in the morning without a problem and never had a problem before. *tr

airbags 1 complaint shown

8 total in this category · severe · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags cluster analysis →
10/27/2018 1,002 mi ODI #11143084.0

I am having problems with my air bag light keeps coming on the dash board, saying check air bag system. This happens everyday when driving.

Showing 300 of 73 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Acura/MDX#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-14. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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