Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 70 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Acura MDX, and it carries 8 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 8 | 11% |
| Unknown or other | 6 | 9% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 7% |
| Structure | 5 | 7% |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 6% |
| Engine | 3 | 4% |
| Steering | 3 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 3% |
| Visibility | 2 | 3% |
| Suspension | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
My 2015 AcuraMDX engine seized while driving creating an unsafe condition as it occurred on a busy roadway. I suspect a rod bearing failure. It has been reported to Honda. The same parts listed in the 2015 RDX recall are
NHTSA complaint: Engine
I saw previous warning when I pulled my credit report on Experian, but I am not seeing any recalls currently. My driver side taillight is malfunctioning. It appears there is a problem with the seal which is allowing wa
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2015 Acura MDX. It was later discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 82,000 and at the tim
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2015 Acura MDX. The contact stated that upon retrieving the Carfax report of the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
All of a sudden the brakes are automatically applied with collision avoidance amber coming on dash heads up display while I am on freeway approximate speed 30-40 mph with no apparent vehicle in front.this has also happen
NHTSA complaint: Forward collision avoidance
The contact owns a 2015 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the tailgate lid lights did not function as intended. The contact was pulled over by the local Police and was informed that the
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
The contact owns a 2015 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact pulled over onto the shoulder of the roadway. The contact attempted to restart the v
NHTSA complaint: Engine
For the last 50k miles we've taken our Acura MDX to the dealership for regular oil changes. Almost every visit results in a bad battery. We've had the dealership replace a side mirror due to the electrical and several
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2015 Acura MDX. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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.
Risk: Loss of the taillights reduces the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: 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
American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX and MDX AWD vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to December 16, 2014. The affected vehicles have air conditioning compressor clutch drive bolts that may not have received the proper anti-corrosion coating.
Risk: If a bolt was not coated, it may corrode and break as a result. If the bolt breaks, the compressor clutch plate may separate from the vehicle, possibly becoming a road hazard.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air conditioning compressor clutch drive bolt and install a new clutch plate if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 7, 2015.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura MDX 2WD and MDX 4WD vehicles, 2016 Acura MDX 4WD vehicles, 2015-2016 Honda Odyssey vehicles, and 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD and 4WD vehicles. The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that were manufactured with insufficient welds wh
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tanks, free of charge. Owners may contact Honda/Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. The recall began on July 29, 2016. Honda's numb
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX 2WD and AWD, RLX and 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid vehicles. In certain driving conditions, the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) may incorrectly interpret certain roadside objects such as metal fences or metal gu
Risk: If the CMBS unexpectedly applies emergency braking force while driving, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the CMBS software, free of charge. The recall began on July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's numbers f
| Reliability raw | 60 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 72 | good |
| Maintenance | 79 | good |
| Depreciation | 64 | average |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 37 | below average |
| Safety | 93 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 70 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 8 of them (11%). There are 8 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 60/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 72/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2015 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.