Last updated: 2026-03-04
2023 Acura MDX Reliability Score & Common Problems
The 2023 Acura MDX scores 79/100 ("Good"). With 1 recall and 29 owner complaints, reliability is acceptable but not class-leading.
2023 is the last model year of the Fourth generation (YD8/9/YE1; 2022).
Recalls
1
Complaints
29
Complaint Rate
6.5
per 10k sold
Below avgEst. Annual Cost
$571
Below avgMajor Repair Risk
8%
NHTSA Rating
5/5
Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
Acceptable reliability — worth considering with a pre-purchase inspection.
Top Issues
1 recall on record
Generation & Refresh (US)
2023 is the last model year of the Fourth generation (YD8/9/YE1; 2022).
- Final-year models are typically the most refined version of a generation.
- 4th generation MDX (US).
What this means for buyers
Final-year models are usually the most polished version of a generation, but resale value may dip as buyers anticipate the next redesign.
Fourth generation (YD8/9/YE1; 2022)
Should You Buy the 2023 Acura MDX?
The 2023 Acura MDX scores 79/100 ("Good"), placing it in acceptable but not class-leading territory. 2023 is the last model year of the Fourth generation (YD8/9/YE1; 2022).
With 29 owner complaints, some reported issues may need attention, but we don't yet see evidence of a single dominant failure mode.
A pre-purchase inspection is recommended for used examples, with particular attention to power train (5). An extended warranty may provide additional peace of mind.
Compared to the 2024 Acura MDX, which scored the same. See also the 2022 Acura MDX for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- Acceptable reliability score
- $236 cheaper to maintain than avg luxury midsize SUVs
- Low major repair risk (8%)
- Low recall count
Cons
- POWER TRAIN: Transfer case and transmission (5 complaints)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: System failures and warning lights (5 complaints)
Compare 2023 Acura MDX With
Common Problem Categories
Safety
- 1 manufacturer recall issued
Other
- POWER TRAIN (5)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5)
- SERVICE BRAKES (4)
- STEERING (4)
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (4)
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (2)
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1)
- VISIBILITY/WIPER (1)
- STRUCTURE (1)
- SEATS (1)
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (1)
Recall Overview
1
recall on record
The 2023 Acura MDX has 1 recall on record. This is a low count. Recalls are manufacturer-initiated fixes for safety or compliance issues and are repaired at no cost to the owner at authorized dealerships.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
6.5
per 10k soldSegment avg: 12.7
Safety Incidents
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2023 Acura MDX Recall Details
1 recall has been issued for the 2023 Acura MDX. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Acura TLX, 2023-2025 Acura MDX, and 2023-2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin was not secured properly, which can cause the pedal to shift out of position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Consequence
A brake pedal that shifts out of position can prevent the driver from applying the brakes as intended, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pedal assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are FLX and XLY.
2023 Acura MDX NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 15.1%
Safety Technologies
Acura MDX Repair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
4Maintenance rating: 4 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$571
vs $807 avg for luxury midsize SUVs
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
0.4
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
8%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
When Buying a Used 2023 Acura MDX
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing, based on the most common reported issues.
- Inspect transfer case and transmission for leaks or damage
- Test all electrical systems and check for warning lights
- Check for uneven brake pad wear, especially rear passenger side
- Test automatic braking system for unexpected activation
- Listen for abnormal steering noises and test power steering
- Verify all safety systems are operational, including collision avoidance
Check Any 2023 Acura MDX's History Before You Buy
Reliability scores tell you what to expect from the 2023 MDX in general — but every car has its own story. Uncover past accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and service records for a specific Acura MDX with a free VIN lookup.
Powered by VINExposed.com — free vehicle history reports using public title and safety data.
2023 Acura MDX Common Problems by Component
29 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
POWER TRAIN
5 complaintsOwners of the 2023 Acura MDX frequently report issues with the power train, particularly involving the transfer case and transmission. Common symptoms include transfer case fluid leaks, loud bangs or clunking noises, and high engine revving without proper gear shifting. These problems are often observed at mileage as low as 38,000 and up to 87,000 miles. Several complaints highlight that these issues can occur without any warning lights or alerts, posing potential safety risks, especially if failures happen during highway driving. Used car buyers should be aware of these patterns and consider inspecting the transfer case and transmission thoroughly before purchasing.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
5 complaintsOwners report multiple electrical issues with the 2023 Acura MDX, primarily involving system failures and warning lights. Complaints frequently mention warning lights for brake, power steering, and other systems illuminating unexpectedly, often accompanied by the vehicle entering LIMP Mode, which restricts acceleration. These issues are sometimes linked to sensor failures or incomplete calibrations, with some owners experiencing these problems within the first 15,000 miles. Additionally, several owners describe safety system malfunctions, such as lane keeping and adaptive cruise control failures, which may pose safety risks, especially if they occur at higher speeds. These reports suggest potential concerns for used car buyers regarding the reliability of the vehicle's electrical systems and safety features.
SERVICE BRAKES
4 complaintsOwners of the 2023 Acura MDX report several issues related to the service brakes. Commonly, they describe the automatic braking system activating unexpectedly while parking, causing abrupt stops and discomfort for passengers. Another frequent issue involves uneven brake pad wear, particularly on the rear passenger side, attributed by a dealership to a defective brake caliper. Additionally, some owners experience a spongy brake pedal that depresses to the floor, even after multiple repairs, with occurrences noted around 3,000 to 4,000 miles. Safety implications include potential loss of control and unintended acceleration events, with one owner describing a failure to stop while traveling at high speeds. These reports suggest prospective buyers should be aware of potential brake system reliability concerns.
STEERING (4 complaints)
STEERING
4 complaintsOwners of the 2023 Acura MDX report issues primarily related to power steering loss and abnormal noises when turning the steering wheel. Multiple complaints describe incidents where power steering fails after driving over bumps or tracks, accompanied by numerous system warnings on the dashboard, suggesting a possible issue with a wheel speed sensor. Additionally, some owners report persistent ticking or clicking noises during steering, which remain unresolved despite multiple dealer visits and part replacements. These issues appear at various mileage points, including shortly after routine maintenance. Safety concerns are noted, with owners expressing difficulty steering during power loss, which could pose risks in busy or high-speed situations.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (4 complaints)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
4 complaintsSafety-relatedOwners of the 2023 Acura MDX report experiencing sudden and total power loss while driving, with dashboard warning lights illuminating and the vehicle unable to accelerate beyond 20 mph. This issue poses a significant safety risk as it occurs during high-speed driving, and dealers have been unable to resolve it. Additionally, multiple owners describe persistent problems with system warning lights indicating potential power loss, often linked to unresolved software issues. A separate complaint details a crash resulting from unintended acceleration in a parking scenario, despite the driver's attempts to brake. These issues typically arise early in the vehicle's lifespan, with some occurring within the first year of ownership, highlighting potential safety concerns for prospective buyers.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (2 complaints)
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
2 complaintsOwners of the 2023 Acura MDX report issues with the forward collision avoidance system, specifically citing false collision warnings and unexpected automatic braking. Complaints frequently mention that these incidents occur without any obstruction ahead, on both city streets and highways, and in clear weather conditions. One owner describes the automatic braking system engaging suddenly at approximately 25 mph, causing a near stop and a significant jolt, though no injuries were reported. The safety implications include potential risk of rear-end collisions due to sudden braking. The reported issues have not been consistently reproduced or confirmed by service centers, and no specific mileage range is noted.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1 complaints)
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaintThe transmission of this model car is very poorly programmed a low speeds. it is constantly jerking in and out of gears making it difficult to moderate speed. There is also a substantial delay between hitting the pedal and accelerating the vehicle. The issues with the transmission paired with the very delayed accelleration leads to very ineffective control of the vehicles speed, leading to what I believe is dangerous driving scenarios. Turning through inersections, braking at a light, accellerating out of the way of traffic, are all made much more difficult/unpredictible due to how unpredictible and inconsitent the transmission behaves. It feels impossible to 'learn' how it behaves. Here is a forumn of other users confirming similar issues: https://www.mdxers.org/threads/jerky-transmission.181658/ I believe this should be addressed via software update or recall as it i'm sure will lead to accidents/injuries.
VISIBILITY/WIPER (1 complaints)
VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 complaintThe windshield washer fluid pump is weak and half the time does not spray when needed and left me on the highway with a dirty smeared windshield nearly making it impossible to see while driving. I understand it’s a known issue and also a new pump and reservoir is on backorder after checking with dealer.. I believe it’s a poor design and a revision should be considered as this is a safety hazard. Thank you !!
STRUCTURE (1 complaints)
STRUCTURE
1 complaintBought the car brand new, at only 10k miles, found out that the fender liner is falling off from the frame. During the rain, it gets heavier and pulls further down. Eventually fabric will fall off and will hit the tire while driving and possibly cause an accident. Tried to get it fixed by Acura dealership but they're saying it cannot be fixed because it's manufacturing defect.
SEATS (1 complaints)
SEATS
1 complaintI have a 2023 Acura mdx type s advanced with 16k miles on it and the front driver seat at the bolster is starting to separate and many other owners is having this same issue on their type s models I attached multiple pictures of my seat which is the white seat and other owners seats
When Do 2023 Acura MDX Problems Start?
Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.
Best & Worst Acura MDX Years
Best Acura MDX Years to Buy
The best Acura MDX year is 2024 with a reliability score of 79/100, rated good. Other strong picks include 2023 (79/100) and 2025 (76/100).
2024
1 recall · 30 complaints
2023(this page)
1 recall · 29 complaints
2025
2 recalls · 32 complaints
Acura MDX Years to Avoid
The worst Acura MDX year is 2020 with a score of 62/100, primarily due to engine (38) issues. Also avoid 2019 (64/100).
2020
7 recalls · 188 complaints
2019
9 recalls · 175 complaints
Acura MDX Reliability Score Trend
Acura MDX reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 77/100 compared to 63/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 64/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 64/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 62/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 73/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 79/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 79/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 76/100 | Good |
Acura MDX Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2023 Acura MDX reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Acura MDX?
How many recalls does the 2023 Acura MDX have?
Is the 2023 Acura MDX expensive to maintain?
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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