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2019 Acura MDX: engine and transmission complaints

HIGH COMPLAINT SIGNAL
56%
100 of 185 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system

56% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2019 Acura MDX are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is a model-level pattern, not bad luck.

Worse than 74% of the 1,230 model years we track (2010–2023).

NHTSA data checked September 13, 2026
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Drivetrain complaints
100
engine, transmission, fuel
Total complaints
185
this model year
Fires reported
3
owner-reported
Recall campaigns
9
4 crashes · 3 injuries

Complaints by component

ENGINE46 · 25%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM39 · 21%
POWER TRAIN31 · 17%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING30 · 16%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER25 · 14%
FUEL SYSTEM22 · 12%

The years either side

2010
43%
16 of 45
2011
54%
34 of 70
2012
58%
37 of 76
2013
46%
11 of 29
2014
36%
55 of 170
2015
33%
20 of 70
2016
74%
262 of 371
2017
64%
156 of 253
2018
51%
81 of 164
2019
56%
100 of 185
2020
56%
116 of 218
2021
no data
2022
55%
91 of 171
2023
39%
17 of 44

Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.

Cleaner alternatives

Other luxury SUVs with no elevated signal

The percentage is each model year's drivetrain complaint share. No elevated signal describes the model year, not any one car; a well-kept example of a flagged model can still be the right buy, and any of these still needs an inspection.

What owners reported

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM06/24/2026
While driving, the vehicle experienced a sudden internal mechanical and electronic transmission failure. Without warning, the vehicle shifted itself directly into Park while navigating the busy intersection of [XXX] and [XXX]. This caused a complete loss of propulsion and left the vehicle entirely immobilized in the mi…
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM06/22/2026
On [XXX], while traveling at highway speeds on [XXX], the vehicle suffered a sudden, complete loss of engine propulsion. The vehicle rapidly decelerated, refused to respond to accelerator input, and forced itself into a dangerous "Limp Mode" in live traffic, creating an immediate highway safety hazard. Multiple warning…
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION06/15/2026
Under normal driving conditions warning lights for "electric parking brake" and "emissions system problem" came on the dashboard and the 'brake' light began flashing. No change in performance. Auto parts store diagnostic indicated EVAP valve as the possible problem code, along with two other unrelated codes - none co…

Three of 100 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows more, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.

Recall campaigns on this model year (9)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accor…
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
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, possi…
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura MDX and Honda Pilot vehicles and 2019 Acura RLX, RLX Sport Hybrid, TLX and Honda Odyssey and Ridgeli…

This does not say whether a particular car has an open, unrepaired recall. That depends on the VIN.

Before you buy a 2019 Acura MDX

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Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.