2018 Acura MDX SPORT HYBRID: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
25 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Visibility/Wiper is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 1 | 100.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 |
Visibility/Wiper: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 |
2018: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility/Wiper leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11129399 · 2018-09-13 (September 13, 2018)
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW, IN LATE MARCH 2018; I BELIEVE WE TOOK DELIVERY ON MARCH 29, 2018. WE HAVE HAD AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE MEMORY POSITIONING OF THE STEERING WHEEL. OUR VEHICLE HAS THE ADVANCED PACKAGE. INTERMITTENTLY, THE SEAT WILL GO TO THE MEMORIZED POSITION, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WILL STAY IN THE POSITION FOR EXITING THE VEHICLE. THAT POSITION IS IN THE HIGHEST POSITION THE STEERING WHEEL CAN BE PLACED IN. WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE AT BAKERSFIELD ACURA FOUR SEPARATE TIMES TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. BAKERSFIELD ACURA HAS BEEN UN…
Owner-reported narrative. 25 miles reported. Look up ODI 11129399 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
18V777000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
Reported: 2018-11-01 (November 1, 2018)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Acura MDX, 2017-2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda HR-V and Honda Odyssey, and 2016 Honda HR-V vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating, causing gas pockets to form, reducing brake performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Consequence: A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners will be notified, and Honda or Acura dealers will bleed the brakes, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are C31 and L30.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V256000 · Exterior Lighting | Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights
Reported: 2019-03-28 (March 28, 2019)
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.
Consequence: Loss of the taillights reduces the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
1 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 225.0%ODI 11084738 · 16,000 miTHIS CAR HAS SERIOUS ISSUES. THE PREVIOUS BRAKING COMPLAINT IS ABSOLUTELY VALID! THE FIRST TWO ISSUES OUTLINED BELOW ARE MOST PROBLEMATIC AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SET. THAT BEING SAID, PROBLEM NUMBER ONE IN PARTICULAR OCCURS ON A REGULAR BASIS WHENEVER THE CRUISE CONTROL IS SET. 1. BRAKING - THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL WILL SENSE LARGE VEHICLES IN ADJACENT LANES AND ABRUPTLY APPLY BRAKES. IT SEEMS THE MDX 'THINKS' THESE VEHICLES ARE IN YOUR LANE WHEN THEY ARE IN FACT IN THE LANE NEXT TO YOU. THE SAME WILL OCCUR WHE… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 225.0%ODI 11586052I have a recall on my 2019 Acura MDX for a faulty fuel pump. I have called 2 different dealers in my area, the first said they wouldn't have the parts to fix the car until December 2024 at the earliest, the second just stated that they don't have the parts. It seems to me this is quite a bit of time to be driving with a suspected faulty fuel pump. It is April 30,2024. | 480.0%ODI 11386211THE CAR DOES HAVE SMOOTH ACCELERATING FROM A STOP; IT FEELS AS IF ITS SEARCHING THROUGH GEARS. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING A HUMMING NOISE IS PRESENT AS IF THE BATTERY OR ELECTRIC PARKING BAKE IS BEING ENGAGED OR DISENGAGED. THE CAR IDLES WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP INSTEAD OF ENGAGING AUTO SHUT OFF FEATURE. |
| Power Train | 562.5%ODI 11128155 · 3,000 miUNINTENDED ACCELERATION - WHILE COASTING, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN UP TO 30MPH. THIS HAS OCCURRED WHILE APPROACHING TRAFFIC LIGHTS, STOP SIGNS, PARKING LOTS, CROSSWALKS AND PARKING IN THE GARAGE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITH TWO DIFFERENT DRIVERS AND EVEN THE DEALER HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLS WHILE STOPPED IN THE ROADWAY TO TURN. ACURA SENT A REGIONAL SERVICE DIRECTOR TO TEST THE VEHICLE AND MY DRIVING SKILLS AND STATES THAT SINCE THERE ARE NO TROUBLE CODES FROM THE COMPUTER, ALL SYS… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 112.5%ODI 11568719 · 47,000 miThe contact owns a 2019 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission experienced rough shifting and would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. Also, the vehicle would jerk when shifting into reverse with a whining, howling sound coming from the transmission while reversing. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 47,000. | 120.0%ODI 11386211THE CAR DOES HAVE SMOOTH ACCELERATING FROM A STOP; IT FEELS AS IF ITS SEARCHING THROUGH GEARS. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING A HUMMING NOISE IS PRESENT AS IF THE BATTERY OR ELECTRIC PARKING BAKE IS BEING ENGAGED OR DISENGAGED. THE CAR IDLES WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP INSTEAD OF ENGAGING AUTO SHUT OFF FEATURE. |
| Electrical System | 225.0%ODI 11164832 · 6,500 miVEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY BREAKS DOWN WITH "POWER SYSTEM" AND "AWD" WARNING LIGHTS TRIGGERING SAFE MODE OPERATION. SAFE MODE LIMITS POWER AND POTENTIALLY CREATES UNSAFE CONDITION AS CAR CANNOT BE OPERATED AT FULL POWER. ACURA REFUSES TO REPAIR. PROBLEM OCCURS BOTH WITH IN MOTION AND WHEN AT IDLE. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 11630480There is a recall on my 2020 Acura MDX and I have been going to the local Acura dealer to get the part for the last 6 months and every time I go they tell me they are still waiting for the part. Periodically, the vehicle lurches while I am driving causing a major back and forth tugging and jerking. This is very unsafe. I am demanding that Acura prioritizes my need to get this fixed. I do not know if the jerking of the vehicle is due to the recall, but regardless, Acura needs to do the right thing and send the part to the Acura dealership so I … |
| Engine | 112.5%ODI 11128155 · 3,000 miUNINTENDED ACCELERATION - WHILE COASTING, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN UP TO 30MPH. THIS HAS OCCURRED WHILE APPROACHING TRAFFIC LIGHTS, STOP SIGNS, PARKING LOTS, CROSSWALKS AND PARKING IN THE GARAGE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITH TWO DIFFERENT DRIVERS AND EVEN THE DEALER HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLS WHILE STOPPED IN THE ROADWAY TO TURN. ACURA SENT A REGIONAL SERVICE DIRECTOR TO TEST THE VEHICLE AND MY DRIVING SKILLS AND STATES THAT SINCE THERE ARE NO TROUBLE CODES FROM THE COMPUTER, ALL SYS… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 11630480There is a recall on my 2020 Acura MDX and I have been going to the local Acura dealer to get the part for the last 6 months and every time I go they tell me they are still waiting for the part. Periodically, the vehicle lurches while I am driving causing a major back and forth tugging and jerking. This is very unsafe. I am demanding that Acura prioritizes my need to get this fixed. I do not know if the jerking of the vehicle is due to the recall, but regardless, Acura needs to do the right thing and send the part to the Acura dealership so I … |
| Seat Belts | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 112.5%ODI 11245828THIS COMPLAINT IS AGAINST ALL AUTOMOBILES SOLD IN THE US. JUST LEASED A NEW ONE, AND THIS SEATBELT PROBLEM PERSISTS. I AM SOOOO TIRED OF IT. WOMEN SHOULD HAVE SAFE SEATBELTS, TOO. WOMEN (50% OF POPULATION) SHOULD BE PROVIDED JUST AS SAFE SEATBELTS AS MEN (50% OF POPULATION) ' BUT WE ARE NOT. WE ARE OF SHORTER STATURE, SO CURRENT SEATBELTS COME ACROSS OUR BODY AT A HIGHER ANGLE AND THEREFORE CUT INTO THE SIDE OF THE NECK RATHER THAN THE MIDDLE OF OUR SHOULDER. THE SEATBELT ADJUSTMENT NEEDS TO COME DOWN ON THE SIDE POST ANOTHER 2 INCHES T… | 120.0%ODI 11621163Middle row passenger seatbelt malfunctioning. Waiting on part on back order. Available for inspection until it gets replaced. Numerous occasions noticed the belt would lock when getting children out of car and didn’t think anything of it. Had to move middle row seat to get it to retract out of the lock position. Today my child got tangled in the seatbelt and he was trying to get out of car and it retracted and locked and kept getting tighter around his chest. I tried slacking the belt back to loosen it and it wouldn’t retract out and only got … |
| Visibility/Wiper | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 11129399 · 25 miI PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW, IN LATE MARCH 2018; I BELIEVE WE TOOK DELIVERY ON MARCH 29, 2018. WE HAVE HAD AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE MEMORY POSITIONING OF THE STEERING WHEEL. OUR VEHICLE HAS THE ADVANCED PACKAGE. INTERMITTENTLY, THE SEAT WILL GO TO THE MEMORIZED POSITION, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WILL STAY IN THE POSITION FOR EXITING THE VEHICLE. THAT POSITION IS IN THE HIGHEST POSITION THE STEERING WHEEL CAN BE PLACED IN. WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE AT BAKERSFIELD ACURA FOUR SEPARATE TIMES TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. BAKERSFIELD ACURA HAS BEEN UN… | 112.5%ODI 11498148At night the camera on the rear hatch produces a blurry picture. During the day it is clear. It always happens. I’ve taken it to two dealerships and they could not reproduce the issue because it needs to be dark around the car. I’ve brought in photographs. And they still can’t find an issue. On line there are many complaints about this issue. I can’t see if someone walks behind my vehicle. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 112.5%ODI 11084738 · 16,000 miTHIS CAR HAS SERIOUS ISSUES. THE PREVIOUS BRAKING COMPLAINT IS ABSOLUTELY VALID! THE FIRST TWO ISSUES OUTLINED BELOW ARE MOST PROBLEMATIC AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SET. THAT BEING SAID, PROBLEM NUMBER ONE IN PARTICULAR OCCURS ON A REGULAR BASIS WHENEVER THE CRUISE CONTROL IS SET. 1. BRAKING - THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL WILL SENSE LARGE VEHICLES IN ADJACENT LANES AND ABRUPTLY APPLY BRAKES. IT SEEMS THE MDX 'THINKS' THESE VEHICLES ARE IN YOUR LANE WHEN THEY ARE IN FACT IN THE LANE NEXT TO YOU. THE SAME WILL OCCUR WHE… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 112.5%ODI 11446751My FCW/Auto-brake settings are all set to minimum interference. In approaching a left turn (via green arrow) the car in front of mine abruptly stopped, and immediately moved again. I stopped, just as the system did. It however, held the brake for 2-3 seconds and I was almost rear-ended by the person behind me for not moving again with traffic. The following has happened at least 3 times: on a 2-lane curvy road the FCW has abruptly engaged the brake for an oncoming vehicle when we are both in our own lanes. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility/Wiper | Too few reports for a range | 25 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 11129399 · 25 miI PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW, IN LATE MARCH 2018; I BELIEVE WE TOOK DELIVERY ON MARCH 29, 2018. WE HAVE HAD AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE MEMORY POSITIONING OF THE STEERING WHEEL. OUR VEHICLE HAS THE ADVANCED PACKAGE. INTERMITTENTLY, THE SEAT WILL GO TO THE MEMORIZED POSITION, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WILL STAY IN THE POSITION FOR EXITING THE VEHICLE. THAT POSITION IS IN THE HIGHEST POSITION THE STEERING WHEEL CAN BE PLACED IN. WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE AT BAKERSFIELD ACURA FOUR SEPARATE TIMES TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. BAKERSFIELD ACURA HAS BEEN UN… |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2019: 4 complaints · 2020: 1 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 2020 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Visibility/Wiper |
|---|---|
| Visibility/Wiper | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.