What are the most common problems with the 2010 Acura MDX?

In the stories we read, owners name the engine and the electrical system most often. Steering and structure come next.

Has the 2010 Acura MDX been recalled?

Yes. The by-year facts show 1 recall for this model year. Details are in the Recalls section on this page.

Is the 2010 Acura MDX reliable?

Owners report a mix of issues across several groups. The engine group is the largest. See the problems section and the year comparison on this page.

What is the gas mileage of the 2010 Acura MDX?

See the fuel economy section on this page.

2010 Acura MDX Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints does the 2010 Acura MDX have?

NHTSA has 45 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 45 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Acura MDX^[1]. The biggest groups name the engine and the electrical system^[2]^[3].

45owner complaints^[1]

1recalls^[4]

18MPG combined (EPA)^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups owners report for this model year, biggest first.

Engine. 11 complaints^[2]. Owners describe oil use that needs topping up between changes, a warning light that stays on, and exhaust smell inside the cabin. One owner describes an engine fire while driving.
Electrical System. 9 complaints^[3]. Owners describe a key that comes out when the car is not in park, a low battery message that keeps coming back, and a car that will not start. One owner says power shut down while the car was moving.
Steering. 6 complaints^[6]. Owners describe a wheel that gets hard to turn, fluid leaks, and repairs that did not hold. One owner says the wheel locked up during a turn.
Structure. 6 complaints^[7]. Owners describe fumes getting into the cabin and doors that close on their own or will not open.
Power Train. 5 complaints^[8].
Unknown Or Other. 5 complaints^[9].
Seat Belts. 4 complaints^[10].
Brakes. 3 complaints^[11].

These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and one complaint can name several parts.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2010 MDX is necessarily included.

Air Bags (10V002), January 2010. About 644 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
MDX 4WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, All-Wheel Drive^[5]	16 / 21 / 18	$4,550

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR AWD^[13]	n/a	n/a	n/a	4	14.0%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2010 Acura MDX with 3.7L 6-cylinder^[14]	300 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
MDX 4DR SUV AWD /TECH/ELITE^[15]	191 in	78 in	68 in	108 in	4,550 lb

How 2010 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each MDX model year. The 2010 is highlighted^[4].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2001	224	4
2002	205	4
2003	206	11
2004	171	8
2005	180	11
2006	87	9
2007	99	0
2008	49	0
2009	52	0
2010	45	1
2011	70	0
2012	76	1
2013	30	1
2014	172	8
2015	71	8
2016	377	7
2017	268	9
2018	170	10
2019	198	9
2020	229	8
2022	180	3
2023	48	3
2024	43	3
2025	111	4
2026	9	1

NHTSA's counts for the MDX show 45 complaints and 1 recalls for 2010^[4]. Among the 25 model years listed, 3 have fewer complaints than 2010 and 21 have more^[4]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (9) and the most are for 2016 (377)^[4]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2010 MDX?

The 2010 MDX has 45 complaints on file^[1]. Engine and electrical reports lead the list^[2]^[3]. Some owners also describe fires, and the file lists 0 deaths^[1]. The complaint counts are not adjusted for how many were sold, so treat them as a guide and not a score. Check the recall section on this page and have any used example looked over by a mechanic you trust.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Acura MDX?: In the stories we read, owners name the engine and the electrical system most often^[2]^[3]. Steering and structure come next^[6]^[7].
Has the 2010 Acura MDX been recalled?: Yes. The by-year facts show 1 recall for this model year^[4]. Details are in the Recalls section on this page.
How many complaints does the 2010 Acura MDX have?: NHTSA has 45 owner complaints on file^[1].
Is the 2010 Acura MDX reliable?: Owners report a mix of issues across several groups^[1]. The engine group is the largest^[2]. See the problems section and the year comparison on this page.
What is the gas mileage of the 2010 Acura MDX?: See the fuel economy section on this page.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Acura MDX

2007 99 complaints, 0 recalls
2008 49 complaints, 0 recalls
2009 52 complaints, 0 recalls
2010 this page
2011 70 complaints, 0 recalls
2012 76 complaints, 1 recall
2013 30 complaints, 1 recall
2014 172 complaints, 8 recalls
2015 71 complaints, 8 recalls
2016 377 complaints, 7 recalls
2017 268 complaints, 9 recalls
2018 170 complaints, 10 recalls
2019 198 complaints, 9 recalls
2020 229 complaints, 8 recalls
2025 111 complaints, 4 recalls
2026 9 complaints, 1 recall

Compare all model years of the Acura MDX

Other Acura models from 2010

2010 Acura TL 64 complaints, 3 recalls

All Acura models

Similar cars from 2010: suvs

2010 Nissan Armada 48 complaints, 4 recalls
2010 Nissan Murano 193 complaints, 0 recalls
2010 Nissan Xterra 38 complaints, 4 recalls
2010 Subaru Forester 262 complaints, 17 recalls
2010 Toyota 4Runner 147 complaints, 12 recalls
2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser 66 complaints, 10 recalls

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 45 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Acura MDX (6 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 8 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
11 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 89,000). NHTSA vehicle records
9 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 54,750). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Acura MDX model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for MDX 4WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 21 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
6 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 78,000). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,000). NHTSA vehicle records
5 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
5 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
4 complaints name the seat belts component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 10V002, filed January 4, 2010: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.0%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2010 Acura MDX with 3.7L 6-cylinder: rated 300 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MDX 4DR SUV AWD /TECH/ELITE: length 191 in, width 78 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 108 in, curb weight 4,550 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2010 Acura MDX: problems, recalls and fuel economy