Acura · MDX · 2011
0
Recalls
70
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2011 Acura MDX has no recalls and 70 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: engine (21 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
Frontal Crash Test

Side Crash Test

Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
14.0% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
Check engine light continues to come on after repair, lack of power and transmission skip at times. Reverse light dark, unable to see at all.
The hazard warning switch on my 2011 Acura MDX Technology & Entertainment Package VIN [XXX] sticks. It is due to a manufacturing defect and not because of normal wear and tear. That is a safety concern because when it is pressed and sticks, such as when giving the right of way to an emergency vehicle, or in bad weather, it not possible to make it unstuck while driving, and requires a screwdriver to pry it back to unstuck position, and if that option is not available then the stuck hazard switch will drain the battery when the vehicle is shut down. Please refer to enclosed Acura ServiceNews Article B15070C. On 8/9/2025, for my service at Hendrick Acura, I requested this known safety issue be fixed. I demonstrated by pressing the hazard switch that got stuck and required a screwdriver to unstick it. But the dealer unreasonably wanted me to pay $99 diagnostic fee to troubleshoot an obvious issue and even when I showed them the Acura ServiceNews Article B15070C. So, I was forced to confirm the issue indirectly myself. On 8/11/2025, I ordered a replacement hazard switch part number 33510-STX-A02 from another Acura dealer Contemporary Cars, for $37.02, per enclosed, even though it was a waste of my money. I swapped out the hazard switch and as expected it still got stuck. I have enclosed two pictures of my DIY diagnostic. I then searched for replacement dashboard center panel online from the Acura dealers, but I am unable to find any available. I then contacted Acura Client Relations on 8/25/2025, and they opened a Case # [XXX]. Kevin from Acura Client Relations called and stated that B15070C does not apply to my VIN. But I disagree because B15070C states for 'Affected Vehicles' - "2010-13 MDX (All trim levels except base." Hence, I am contacting NHTSA to ask Acura to cover my VIN as a saftey recall, and either provide me a replacement center panel that does not have the same manufacturing defect, or ask Hendrick Acura to replace it free of cost. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Unknown
The 2011 Acura MDX has a problem with the pistons in the engine which causes excessive oil consumption. This was subject of the matter of a class action suit described on the website entitled Acura Oil Consumption Settlement. This defect should be subject to recall and American Honda should be required to repair or replace this pistons.
Engine excessively consumes oil. No issue to the engine whatsoever no smoke at exhaust no burning oil. Check my oil after about 1000 miles and I’m missing a quart of oil. There was once a recall for this issue but the window to get repaired has expired. That does help people that purchased this car after the window. Issue need to be a permanent recall and not a temporary.
Moonroof / Sunroof glass spontaneously exploded as while driving on Interstate at approximately 65mph. This caused many small peices of glass to break inward some of which entered into the cabin and onto passengers including the driver. The glass exploding was very loud and caused me to jerk my steering wheel. It scared the passenger as well. Also small slivers of glass can be felt in the skin.
My sunroof shattered and exploded While I was driving
While driving Moon roof shattered. Available for inspection. Our lives were put at risk by the sudden onset of loud shattering sound, distraction while driving. Shattered glass could have caused impairment.
2011 Acura MDX Engine Oil Leak from Pan. Oil change and dip stick completely dry after 2 days. Many complaints of this common issue on 2011-2013 Acura MDX and no Recall. Reverse Lights not set properly When going in reverse it's remains dark and hard to see.
Vehicle lost power- all lights came on. After being towed to two separate mechanics, found out engine blew. Had to replace the following: Engine Radiator Motor mounts Timing belt Thermostat
This car burns oil at an insane rate. I have to go to Jiffy Lube after only 1500 miles, and they are in shock when they top me off each time. Two of the employees have said that my engine is at trial of exploding because this car burns through oil so fast. Your website says that there is no recall, but there actually WAS a recall for this car, but I was NEVER NOTIFIED about this dangerous issue. Acura refuses to honor the recall because they say the window to get the car fixed has expired. This is ridiculous and unsafe.
The contact owns a 2011 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the airbag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the driver's side airbag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Car airbag system check light is on all times, garage ran diagnostic check airbag inflator malfunction
Excessive oil consumption. I have the oil changed when the maintenance minder gets to 10%. Usually this is about 5,000 miles between oil changes. I will add oil to the engine at 50% oil life or 2,500 miles. I have contacted Acura and they are unwilling to address this problem. These engines need to be recalled. This is a reoccurring event.
Car was going at 75 miles down to 40 miles then engine died.
The SUV was taken to an Acura dealer Ponce P.R. for inspection due to the fact that the engine was consuming too much oil and they didn't bother to check it as they told me that the warranty period had expired. The MDX had 75,000 miles and 10 years when I took it for inspection.
I HAVE A 2011 ACURA MDX AND JUST RECENTLY MY AIRBAG SRS LIGHT HAS CAME ON WHEN I TURNED MY VEHICLE ON. I WAS TOLD BY THE ACURA DEALERSHIP THAT THIS WAS DUE TO A MALFUNCTIONING AIRBAG SENSOR. DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTION NONE OF MY AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY IF I WERE TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. WHICH I THINK IS ABSOLUTELY INSANE. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY STATED IT WOULD COST OVER $1500 TO FIX IT. AS A SINGLE MOTHER I AM NOT ABLE TO AFFORD TO HAVE THIS ISSUE FIXED. I CALLED ACURA AND THE LADY I SPOKE TOO WAS VERY RUDE AND SAID THAT THERE WAS NOT ANY RECALLS REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND THAT ACURA WOULD NOT HELP WITH THE REPAIRS. MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND I ALWAYS MAINTAIN THE OIL, TIRES, MAINTENANCE ON THIS CAR. NO ONE SHOULD EVER HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT GETTING IN THE CAR WITH THEIR CHILDREN AND FEELING UNSAFE BECAUSE OF MALFUNCTION AIR BAG SENSOR OR COMPUTER. THE ACURA DEALERSHIP SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS MALFUNCTIONING SYSTEM.
USING OIL, NO LEAKS, NO SMOKE. LESS THAN 1000 MILES PUTTING MORE OIL IN. NEED TO RECALL THESE ENGINES
BURNING EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. I CHECK IT EVERY TWO WEEKS AND EVERY TIME I HAVE TO TOP OFF.
I'VE HAD A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH OIL BURNING THROUGH AT A MUCH FASTER RATE THAN EXPECTED. FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS SINCE MY LAST OIL CHANGE WITH AN ACURA SERVICE/REPAIR CENTER, THE OIL INDICATOR LIGHT HAS COME ON REPEATEDLY. ALSO, THE 'CHECK EMISSIONS SYSTEM' HAS ALSO DISPLAYED AFTER DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. IT SMELLED LIKED SOMETHING WAS BURNING IN THE ENGINE. I CHECKED THE OIL ONLY TO FIND OUT NO OIL WAS EMPTY. I ADDRESSED THE OIL INDICATOR LIGHT TO ACURA SEVERAL MONTHS AGO DURING A PREVIOUS OIL CHANGE. THEY TOLD ME EVERYTHING IS FINE. I TALKED TO A SEPARATE MECHANIC AND HE STATED HE HAS SEEN PROBLEMS WITH THE MDX ON OTHER MAKES AND MODELS OF CARS WHERE SCRATCHES ON THE CYLINDER WALL WERE CAUSING THE INCREASED OIL USAGE. IN ORDER TO FIX IT WOULD COST AROUND $4,000. I'VE BEEN LOYAL TO ACURA IN SERVICING MY CAR. NONE OF THEM HAS STATED THAT THIS COULD BE AN ISSUE. ALSO, SHOULDN'T A PROBLEM LIKE THIS WARRANT A RECALL? JUST LOOKING FOR SOME ANSWERS ON AN ISSUE I THINK IS WRONG IN THE WAY CUSTOMERS HAVE BEEN INFORMED AND TREATED ALONG WITH POTENTIALLY A SAFETY ISSUE.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2011 Acura MDX has 0 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 70 owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Acura MDX.
The 2011 Acura MDX received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2011 Acura MDX are engine (21 reports), unknown or other (5 reports), power train (5 reports).
NHTSA does not currently list any recalls on record for the 2011 Acura MDX. To verify the status of your specific vehicle, check nhtsa.gov/recalls with your VIN.
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This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.