2020 Acura MDX: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 188 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the engine, electrical, and transmission. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2020- Owner complaints
- 188
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes reported
- 2
- 2 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2020 Acura MDX: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/3
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which MDX is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2020 Acura MDX. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cylGas | AWD, FWD | 22–23 mpg |
| 3.0L 6-cylHybrid | AWD | 27 mpg |
- The 2020 Acura MDX was sold in two versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
- On the hybrid, watch for the car moving off on electric power at low speed and for any hybrid system warning on the dash.
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A MDX that averages well under the EPA 22 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Auto Idle Stop restart failure
20,000–46,000 miles
Front camera safety system failure
25,000–50,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2020 Acura MDX, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Engine51No crashes
Stalling is the dominant complaint. With Auto Idle Stop on, the engine shuts off at a light and either won't restart for up to a minute or drops into Neutral and refuses Drive until the car is turned off and back on. Some reports describe stalls while slowing or driving, with no warning light. A separate, costlier pattern is connecting rod bearing failure: ticking at idle, knocking or grinding on acceleration, and a flashing check engine light with power loss at highway speed. Dealers recommend engine replacement, and owners say their VINs are not covered by a recall.
Most of these filings are about a recall repair, not a failure. Owners received a notice for the engine and engine cooling recall, often alongside a fuel system recall, but dealers had no parts, and the wait stretched well past what owners consider reasonable. Several owners on that waitlist also report stalling at various speeds or at idle with no warning light, hard starts, and repeated restart attempts. One report describes a flashing check engine light followed by a stall and total loss of electrical power, and the car had to be towed.
Electrical311 crash
The engine dies at stoplights when Auto Idle Stop engages and won't restart right away. Several unknown warning lights often appear, and some drivers report locked steering and unresponsive brakes until the car restarts. Reported mileages run from 7,800 to 38,000. Dealers often can't reproduce the fault. Diagnoses vary between the starter, alternator, and battery, and repairs don't always stop it. Other reports describe Emissions System and Electric Parking Brake warnings appearing together, or flashing dash lights. One crash report describes sudden acceleration while braking into a parking spot, ending with the car hitting a building.
Transmission17No crashes
After Auto Idle Stop engages, the transmission slips into Neutral and won't go back into Drive or Park until the engine is restarted, sometimes several times. This happens at lights and in stop-and-go highway traffic, and drivers describe near rear-end collisions. One report adds a seized steering wheel. Others describe hesitation on acceleration that starts around 20,000 miles and gets worse, along with low-speed surging without pressing the gas. Dealers usually can't replicate these faults. One owner reports a bearing failure just outside the powertrain warranty, with a 10K estimate for a short block.
Automatic emergency braking16No crashes
The multipurpose windshield camera fails without warning and takes Collision Mitigation Braking, Lane Keeping Assist, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Auto High Beam offline at once. Dealers confirm an internal camera failure and quote roughly $1,800 to $2,300 to replace it, usually paid out of pocket on cars under 50k miles. Some warnings start out intermittent and become persistent. A smaller group describes false braking with no car ahead. One such event caused 2 injuries. Radar sensor warnings in snow also come up.
Acceleration and cruise control8No crashes
With adaptive cruise on at highway speed, the car brakes hard for vehicles in neighboring lanes. One new owner reports this happening more than eight times on a single commute. Other reports describe unintended acceleration: surging while coasting into a roundabout, jerky "hiccup" acceleration, or a sudden lunge when shifting into Drive. Some describe loss of power and hesitation while turning, a shift into Neutral at a stop sign, or a camera failure that disables cruise and lane keeping. Dealers can't duplicate the intermittent faults, and one reports long parts delays.
Brakes6No crashes
Several reports describe the Auto Idle Stop failure again. The engine won't restart when the brake is released, the brake pedal feels very hard, or the car sits in Neutral. Restarting can take several minutes or a jump start, and one owner says a software update didn't fix it. Other complaints include the electric parking brake refusing to release after Emissions System and parking brake warnings, and phantom automatic emergency braking while accelerating onto a freeway. One owner reports warped rotors with good pads.
Exterior lights4No crashes
Water gets into the rear tail light assemblies, leaving moisture and droplets inside and eventually dead LED sections. The LEDs have no replaceable bulbs, so the whole assembly has to be replaced. Owners note that the 2014–2019 models were recalled for this problem and the 2020 was not, even though the part is shared. One owner was denied warranty coverage at just over 51,000 miles. A separate report covers a lighting recall that the dealer could not complete because parts were unavailable.
Seat belts21 crash
A second-row belt locks, keeps tightening, and won't release. In one report it tightened around a child's chest until the parent had to cut it. Replacement belts are on back order. A crash-related report says a seat belt stopped working after an accident, which left the repaired car undrivable while the owner waited months for a replacement belt with no delivery date. Both complaints show parts availability as a recurring problem.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints MDX owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
At a red light or stop sign, my MDX switches into Neutral without me knowing it. When I press the gas to go, my car won't move. Other vehicles behind me almost hit me as they expect me to go. I can't switch into drive. I must turn off car and then turn it back on. I feel this is very dangerous. This happens about once a week now. The MDX was just in for service and recalls a few months ago. Nothing was noted about the engine on the reports.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2025
Car stalls when auto idle at stop lights. There is a recall for my make and model however, I called Acura and they said my vin was later removed from the recall. The service bulletin states all trim levels and my MDX falls within the parameters. They could not tell me why my car had the recall once listed and then removed. This is very dangerous because it takes a few minutes for the car to start again.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2024
The vehicle stalled and was unable to start again, Called AAA , they jump started but when I went to dealership they said it wasn't the battery. The car electrical electric system was flashing. The breaks won't release. This is not the first time. My car is currently in Acura service for 5 days and they can't figure out what the problem is. My friends car also has had similar issues. I have a video of the flashing indicators. The car has only 33k miles.
Filed with NHTSA, November 2024
I was on a bridge heading into a tunnel stopped due to traffic and the car shut off completely. The screen said to put the car in park and restart it. I tried several times and after a few attempts it started back up. This is the third time this happened. I had a recall when I purchased it and had the recall addressed for the same issue. Now I am back at Acura again. And being told I may have to pay for diagnostics. The car is still under warranty.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2023
Engine noise on Monday sounded like thumping - didn't drive car on Tuesday and stated up today sounded like chewing metal in engine bay. 2020 MDX Advanced. Drove to dealership and they confirmed needs small block and is only 2K miles outside of powertrain warranty. Honda claims this isn't under their recall, but dealership is saying all signs point to the same bearing failure. 10K costs for the small block, but could lead to entire engine required.
Filed with NHTSA, March 2025
I was in traffic and we slowed down to a stop. Suddenly my car went to neutral and it didn’t want to go to Drive. I put emergency lights, as many cars were behind in the highway. I turned the car off and turned it back on. Then I was able to drive again! This has happened twice in the last 3 months.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2024
UKNOWN ACC,LKAS, brake system warning lights intermittently come on. Started around 25000. More persistent now. Dealer advisor checked windshield/wiped over where the camera is and since it was not on at the dealership no problem found. Just stated the camera is funky sometimes. Vehicle has 59000 now. Not sure exactly what components are effected but the safety features of the vehicle no longer work properly such as the breaking warning.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2025
How the 2020 compares with other MDX years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2020 has the most owner complaints of the 8 MDX years we cover, about 2.6 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Engine5111
- Electrical3111
- Transmission1711
- Automatic emergency braking162
- Acceleration and cruise control83
- Brakes63
Where the 2020 fits in the MDX's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2020 is the seventh model year of the MDX's third generation (2014–2020).
It includes the 2017 update.
What changed for 2017
- Diamond pentagon front grille introduced
- Front fenders switched to aluminum panel
- Standardization of AcuraWatch™ technologies
Recalls to confirm (6)
Recall repairs are free at any Acura dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
25V259000Exterior lightsApr 2025
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid light assembly and wiring harness, which can cause the interior and exterior lights to fail, including the lid lights, position lights, license plate lights and taillights.
Risk: Vehicle lights that fail to illuminate can decrease visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the wiring and install a fuse harness, replace the lid light, and repair the body dust sealer, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 30, 2025. Owners may contact Acura's customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Acura's number for this recall is FLI. Vehicles included in this recall that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 19V-256 will need to have the new remedy completed.
24V064000AirbagsFeb 2024
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
Risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, October 18, 2024, and August 2025. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
23V858000Fuel systemDec 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
23V751000EngineNov 2023
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. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-December 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early April 2024, 2019 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-May 2024, 2020 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-June 2024, and 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed January 27, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XG1 and GG0.
23V458000BrakesJun 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.
Risk: Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.
21V215000Fuel systemMar 2021
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 Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.
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