KnownCarProblems2020 Acura Mdx Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 224 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Acura Mdx, most often about the engine (46% of complaints, typically around 54,500 miles). It is 4th of 25 Mdx model years by number of complaints and has 8 recalls.
Most common 2020 Acura Mdx problems
Engine
102 complaints · 46%Half of these problems showed up before 54,500 miles.
I had purchased this vehicle and was not aware there was a stop sale on this vehicle model. I took the 2020 Mdx to the dealer to get the recall service done, the connecting rod bearing and fuel pump issues. They were done back in march of 2024, j had taken the vehicle back to the dealer over 5 times for issues with…
The contact's wife owns a 2020 Acura Mdx. The contact stated that when his wife started the vehicle, he observed a clanking noise emanating from the engine compartment. A mobile mechanic was dispatched to the residence where a handheld diagnostic machine failed to retrieve any error codes. The mechanic advised the…
Electrical
40 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 25,000 miles. Parts named most often: alternator/generator/regulator, starter assembly.
The contact owns a 2020 Acura Mdx. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the vehicle stalled and shifted into neutral. After shifting to the park, the vehicle was restarted and operated normally. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on numerous occasions while accelerating from a stop or…
The contact owns a 2020 Acura Mdx. The contact stated while coming to a complete stop, the vehicle started to stall. The contact stated that after the vehicle came to a stop, the vehicle would not turn on until after several seconds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was stalling more frequently…
Other or unspecified
39 complaints · 17%Driver assistance
38 complaints · 17%Parts named most often: adaptive cruise control, warnings, automatic emergency braking, warning.
While driving at highway speeds with the adaptive cruise control engaged, the vehicle detects vehicles to the right (same direction of travel) or at times vehicles to the left (opposite direction of travel) and abruptly applied backing. No vehicles will actually be in lane of travel of the vehicle to cause action. On…
The contact owns a 2020 Acura Mdx. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the collision mitigation braking system inadvertently activated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact had since deactivated the collision mitigation braking system. The contact stated that the failure recurred…
Fuel system
23 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 25,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2020 Acura Mdx. The contact received notifications of NHTSA campaign numbers: 23v858000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 23v751000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving and came to a…
The contact owns a 2020 Acura Mdx. The contact received notifications of NHTSA campaign numbers: 23v858000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 23v751000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to start. There was no warning…
Transmission
21 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 26,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2020 Acura Mdx. The contact stated while coming to a stop, the contact noticed that the vehicle inadvertently slipped into neutral. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle several times to shift back into drive. The contact also noticed that the steering wheel had…
I have experienced sudden acceleration problem numerous times( 5 to six times. The latest one was march 1,2021. The vehicle would accelerate (RPM rapidly ) suddenly when driving at low speeds(around 10 to 15mph to a quick almost 30mph without pressing the gas pedal) that always require me to break immediately to avoid…
Brakes
15 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: pedals and linkages.
The contact owns a 2020 Acura Mdx. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate from a stop light, the engine did not restart after releasing the brake pedal. While attempting the restart the vehicle, the brake pedal was very hard while depressed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was…
Speed control
14 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
While driving at highway speeds with the adaptive cruise control engaged, the vehicle detects vehicles to the right (same direction of travel) or at times vehicles to the left (opposite direction of travel) and abruptly applied backing. No vehicles will actually be in lane of travel of the vehicle to cause action. On…
The contact owns a 2020 Acura Mdx. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The contact stated that later, while parking the vehicle, the vehicle unintended accelerated and drove over a curb and crashed into a tree. The vehicle crashed into the tree, and the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2020 Acura Mdx recalls
Suspension: rear
Risk: Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed july 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are aou and aot. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning june 10, 2026.
Full defect summary
American honda motor company (honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 honda pilot, 2017-2023 ridgeline, 2019-2023 passport, and 2014-2020 acura mdx vehicles that were sold in connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia, or wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
Air bags: front passenger
Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed july 7, 2026. Owners may contact honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are bol, wo9, ooa, wom, xoh, noc, pod, boe, uof, pob, eog, aoi, qo8, toj, do7, and sok. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24v064. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning may 29, 2026.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 acura tlx, 2019-2024 rdx, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 mdx, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 honda ridgeline, 2017-2022 pilot, 2019-2021 passport, 2018-2026 odyssey, 2019-2022 insight, 2019-2021 hr-v, 2018-2020 fit, 2020-2022 cr-v hybrid, 2017-2022 cr-v, 2017-2018, 2021 civic type r, 2017-2021 civic hatchback, 2016-2020 civic coupe, 2016-2022 civic, 2017-2022 accord hybrid, and 2016-2022 accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Lights: interior lighting
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: front passenger
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. 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: fuel pump
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
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 let
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: master cylinder
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: fuel pump
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Engine failure
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) has received 414 reports of connecting rod bearing failures in the 3.5l v6 engine used in the following vehicles: model years (my) 2018-2020 acura tlx, my2016-2020 acura mdx, my2016-2020 honda pilot, my2018-2020 honda odyssey, and my2017-2019 honda ridgeline.â the subject engine failures were analyzed as part of a recall query (rq24013).â it was determined that these engine failures are outside the scope of honda recall 23v-751. Further, evidence gathered in conjunction with rq24013 does not suggest this failure is caused by the same crankshaft manufacturing defect that is addressed by honda in recall 23v-751.â based on analysis of data from rq24013,
No restart after auto start/stop engages
Summary
On june 3, 2022, the oï¬ce of defects investigation (odi) opened preliminary evaluation pe22005 after the agency received voqs and several ï¬eld reports concerning the auto idle stop (ais) feature on 2016-2019my honda pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traï¬c light or road intersection with the ais function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5l engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On january 6, 2023, honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019my honda pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 acura tlx, 2016
Engine failure
Summary
On november 8, 2024, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened recall query rq24013 to assess the scope of honda recall 23v-751 after receiving complaints that alleged connecting rod bearing failures in vehicles that were not within the scope of recall 23v-751. In november 2023, honda recalled 248,999 various model year (my)2016â2020 honda and acura vehicles equipped with the 3.5l v6 engine. Honda recalled these vehicles due to a crankshaft manufacturing defect that caused premature connecting rod bearing wear and engine seizure. While the out-of-scope failures involved in these complaints appear to have a very similar failure mechanism as the recalled engines, a thorough analysis o
Questions about the 2020 Acura Mdx
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Acura Mdx?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (102 complaints, typically around 54,500 miles); electrical (40 complaints, typically around 25,000 miles); other or unspecified (39 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2020 Acura Mdx have?
- 8 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 4, 2026 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2020 a bad year for the Acura Mdx?
- It is 4th of 25 Mdx model years by number of complaints, with 224 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.