What 70 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Acura MDX

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.

NHTSA ODI 11687765

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)

NHTSA ODI 11686570

Unknown

NHTSA ODI 11683178

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.

NHTSA ODI 11657296

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.

NHTSA ODI 11647285

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

NHTSA ODI 11626892

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.

NHTSA ODI 11560490

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.

NHTSA ODI 11528882

My sunroof shattered and exploded While I was driving

NHTSA ODI 11519157

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.

NHTSA ODI 11513136

Driver side seat functions stop working: - up and down (tilt) - forward and back Acura had no explanation for it and to just replace the seat (which is costly). At your earliest convenience please advise if this suffice for a recall.

NHTSA ODI 11498621

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.

NHTSA ODI 11487564

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.

NHTSA ODI 11452053

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.

NHTSA ODI 11446592

Car airbag system check light is on all times, garage ran diagnostic check airbag inflator malfunction

NHTSA ODI 11439753

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.

NHTSA ODI 11434526

Car was going at 75 miles down to 40 miles then engine died.

NHTSA ODI 11432074

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.

NHTSA ODI 11377082

BURNING EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. I CHECK IT EVERY TWO WEEKS AND EVERY TIME I HAVE TO TOP OFF.

NHTSA ODI 11374711

USING OIL, NO LEAKS, NO SMOKE. LESS THAN 1000 MILES PUTTING MORE OIL IN. NEED TO RECALL THESE ENGINES

NHTSA ODI 11361967

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE PRESSING ON THE HORN PAD, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER COGGIN ACURA OF FT. PIERCE LOCATED AT 4400 US-1, FORT PIERCE, FL 34982, (772) 742-4342, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,421. *BF*JB*JB

NHTSA ODI 11350061

I CHANGE ENGINE OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES, BUT I HAVE TO CHANGE EVERY 1,000 MILES IN THE LAST YEAR. EXPLAIN TO THE TECHNICIAN EVERY TIME THAT IT IS BECAUSE THE OIL CIRCULATES AND DOES NOT RETURN AND BURNS OUT IN THE MIDDLE AND DISAPPEARS. SO I CHECK THE AMOUNT OF OIL ONCE A WEEK AND ALWAYS REPLENISH THE AMOUNT. ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING OVER LONG DISTANCES, IT'S SO ANXIOUS, YOU CAN'T STOP THE ANXIETY THAT THE OIL BURNS OUT AND STANDS ON THE STREET OR THE ENGINE ITSELF BURNS OUT AND BECOMES USELESS.

NHTSA ODI 11340015

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.

NHTSA ODI 11319087

I OWN TWO ACURA MDXS. 2009 SPORT AND 2011 ADVANCE. BOTH THESE VEHICLES ACTIVE DAMPER SYSTEMS HAVE FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES. ACURA OR AMERICAN HONDA KEEPS REPLACING THESE FAILED PARTS WITH THE SAME FAILED PART # 51606-STX-A59. THESE PARTS ARE FAILING PREMATURELY. WE SHOULD NOT BE REPLACING THESE PARTS AT 50,000 MILES. THIS IS A SUSPENSION PART AND A REAL SAFETY CONCERN. I HAVE REPLACED THESE ADS STRUTS NOW 5 TIMES ON MY 2009. 3 FRONTS AND 2 REARS. I RECENTLY HAD 2 STRUTS REPLACED ON MY 2011 MDX ADVANCE. I TAKE THE TIME NOW TO POINT OUT THIS MAJOR GLARING ISSUE SO THE NHTSA CAN LOOK INTO THIS MATTER FURTHER. PLEASE LOOK AT MDXER'S AND ACURAZINE COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE. EVERY PERSON WHO OWNS THESE HIGHER PRICED MODELS IS HAVING THESE SAME ISSUES. MANY ARE DRIVING AROUND WITH THIS ISSUE NOT KNOWING. I DID FOR 20,000 MILES ON MY 2009 MDX NOT KNOWING WHY MY VEHICLE WAS MAKING CLUNKING NOISES AND HAD A SUSPENSION LIKE A TRUCK. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE. ACURA SOMETIMES COVERS THESE FAILED PARTS 100%, SOME 50%, BUT MOST THEY LET THE CUSTOMER PAY 100%. THE GLARING FACT IS THAT THESE ADS STRUTS SEEM TO FAIL JUST OUTSIDE THE VEHICLES WARRANTY. ACURA KNOWS THIS IS AN ISSUE, THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THESE LONGER BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I FEEL STRONGLY THAT THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE AND THAT ALL ADS STRUTS SHOULD BE COVERED BY AMERICAN HONDA 100%. I URGE YOU TO LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE. I HAVE REPLACED 7 ADS STRUTS ,SO FAR, ON BOTH MY MDXS WHICH I STILL BOTH OWN. PLEASE I URGE YOU TO LOOK INTO THIS MAJOR ISSUE

NHTSA ODI 11310728

CHECK AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON AT ALL TIMES. CAR CONSUMES WAY TOO MUCH OIL. CLOSE TO 3.5 QUARTS BETWEEN OIL CHANGES

NHTSA ODI 11308464