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 253 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 47 | 19% |
| Power train | 33 | 13% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 18 | 7% |
| Unknown or other | 16 | 6% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 7 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 2% |
| Power train | 6 | 2% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 5 | 2% |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 2% |
| Power train | 5 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Moisture accumulating within the driver side headlight is limiting illumination and safe night driving. Photos compare driver side to passenger side.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
On my 2017 Acura MDX SH-AWD with approximately 112,000 miles, the engine experienced a sudden catastrophic failure while I was traveling at highway speed. The vehicle abruptly lost power, the accelerator became unrespons
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I am filing an official complaint against American Honda Motor Co., Inc. and the local dealership regarding their handling of a mandatory safety recall on my 2017 Acura MDX (VIN: [XXX] / Manufacturer Case # XXX). The man
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
The forward facing camera or monocular attached to the windshield has malfunctioned and is a wide spread issue across multiple models and years. When this item fails due to high heat which causes the camera (CMOS Image s
NHTSA complaint: Forward collision avoidance
I am reporting repeated failures of the front safety camera / Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) on my 2017 Acura MDX Tech (FWD). The vehicle has experienced intermittent and sudden loss of all ADAS safety functi
NHTSA complaint: Lane departure
I was driving home late at night with my family in the car. The car suddenly loss power and the check engine light came on and began flashing. I pulled over and turned the car off and back on. The light went away. I bega
NHTSA complaint: Engine
I was merging onto the highway and when I attempted to accelerate, the engine warning light began to flash and the car could not accelerate. The engine began to make a rattling noise. I called the dealer and they asked i
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Problem Description: I am reporting a safety-related issue affecting multiple driver assistance systems on my 2017 Acura MDX. While driving, the vehicle displays several warning messages at the same time, including: A
NHTSA complaint: Forward collision avoidance
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2017 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 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine. Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance.
Risk: Reduced fuel pump performance can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the fuel injection engine control unit (FI-ECU) software and, if necessary, replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 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.
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
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
Risk: A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 n
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
Risk: A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-20
| Reliability raw | 59 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 72 | good |
| Maintenance | 79 | good |
| Depreciation | 64 | average |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 39 | below average |
| Safety | 93 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 253 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine is the most reported area with 47 of them (19%). There are 8 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 59/100 (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 2017 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.