2012 Acura MDX
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 25 of 76 complaints (33%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 70 in 2011 to 76 in 2012.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | vs. 2012 Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,300 | 4,300 | 4,300 | 4,300 | 3,350–3,700 | |
| Combined MPG | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21–23 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16 / 21 | 16 / 21 | 16 / 21 | 16 / 21 | 18–20 / 27–28 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 494 | 494 | 494 | 500 | 390–418 | |
| Complaints filed | 45 | 70 | 76 | 29 | 170 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 9 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 6 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 10 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 9 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Acura MDX have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Acura MDX?
Engine: 25 of 76 NHTSA complaints (33%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Acura MDX get?
EPA rates it 18 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Acura MDX?
EPA estimates $4,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (1)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.7L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 16 mpg | 21 mpg | 18 mpg | $4,300 | 494 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 25 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 13 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 10 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY · Campaign 12V063000 · Feb 17, 2012
Defect: HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 PILOT AND ACURA MDX VEHICLES. THE VENT SHUT FLOAT (VSF) VALVE CASE IN THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY DOES NOT MEET THE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS.
Consequence: AS A RESULT, FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE TANK, INCREASING THE RISK OF FIRE.
Remedy: HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VSF ASSEMBLY DATE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 13, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-999-1009.