2nd generation (YD2) · YD2 · 561 complaints, 404 with mileage
Owners filed 561 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007–2013 Acura Mdx, and 404 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
This generation has two distinct failure patterns rather than one, which is the most useful thing on this page. 17% of failures occur before 12,000 miles, which looks like a manufacturing defect, and a further 26% occur after 100,000, which looks like wear. Two different problems share one name in the complaint data — and an average of the two describes neither.
The most-reported areas are the electrical system (20.3% of complaints, typically around 90,000 miles), the engine (16.6% of complaints, typically around 90,000 miles), the transmission and driveline (8.7% of complaints, typically around 60,867 miles).
3 recall campaigns cover this generation.
| System | Complaints | Share | Typical mileage | Middle half |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 114 | 20.3% | 90,000 | 51,000–121,953 |
| Engine | 93 | 16.6% | 90,000 | 45,000–121,953 |
| Power Train | 49 | 8.7% | 60,867 | 20,000–90,213 |
| Unknown Or Other | 40 | 7.1% | 70,500 | 50,000–107,000 |
| Air Bags | 36 | 6.4% | 85,000 | 60,000–125,000 |
| Steering | 28 | 5.0% | 51,750 | 7,400–99,200 |
| Suspension | 25 | 4.5% | 73,682 | 50,000–97,000 |
| Structure | 24 | 4.3% | 65,500 | 35,000–133,400 |
| Exterior Lighting | 19 | 3.4% | 49,520 | 10,000–72,000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 18 | 3.2% | 14,093 | 3,469–67,567 |
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 126 | 112 |
| 2008 | 62 | 48 |
| 2009 | 76 | 55 |
| 2010 | 63 | 44 |
| 2011 | 87 | 55 |
| 2012 | 101 | 63 |
| 2013 | 46 | 27 |
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 66,283 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The electrical system accounts for 20.3% of complaints (114 reports, 96 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 90,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 51,000 and 121,953 miles.
The engine accounts for 16.6% of complaints (93 reports, 51 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 90,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 45,000 and 121,953 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 8.7% of complaints (49 reports, 36 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 60,867 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 20,000 and 90,213 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 7.1% of complaints (40 reports, 21 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 70,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 50,000 and 107,000 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 6.4% of complaints (36 reports, 19 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 85,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 60,000 and 125,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 5.0% of complaints (28 reports, 26 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 51,750 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 7,400 and 99,200 miles.
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2007 model year drew the most — 126 complaints — while 2013 drew the fewest at 46. The median year sits at 76.
The first year of the generation, 2007, sits above the median. That is a common pattern — early production of a redesigned vehicle tends to surface problems that later years do not repeat — and it is worth weighing when choosing between years.
NHTSA records 3 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the fuel system (2), the airbag system (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Of the 561 complaints filed against this generation, 29 reported a crash; 26 reported a fire; 28 reported an injury. Crash-involved reports represent 5.2% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
For a buyer, the two-peak pattern is the useful part. The early cluster — 17% of failures below 12,000 miles — will already have happened on any example you are looking at today, and either been repaired under warranty or not. Ask what was done. The late cluster, 26% above 100,000 miles, is the one still ahead of you if the car has lower mileage than that.
On inspection, the electrical system and the engine are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The electrical system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 90,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
The cylinder-deactivation system causes excessive oil consumption as oil passes the rings on deactivated cylinders; the consumed oil fouls spark plugs, producing misfires and a check-engine light. Secondary effects include repeated engine/motor mount failure from the vibration of running on three cylinders, and torque converter damage. Owners report stalling or lurching under light acceleration in the 35-45 mph range where VCM cycles.
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 23V858000 | 2024-03-29 | Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump |
| 12V063000 | 2012-03-13 | Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly |
| 10V002000 | 2009-12-23 | Air Bags |