CarBrief

NHTSA has no recalls on file for the 2011 Acura MDX[1]. Owner complaints total 70, and the engine is the biggest group with 29[2][3].

70owner complaints[2]
18MPG combined (EPA)[4]
5★NHTSA overall rating[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 70 owner complaints on file for this model year[2]. Four mention a crash, one a fire and six an injury[2]. None report a death[2]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

Component group Complaints
Engine[3] 29
Power train[6] 8
Electrical system[7] 7
Unknown or other[8] 7
Air bags[9] 6
Speed control[10] 4
Exterior lighting[11] 3
Fuel system, gasoline[12] 3

Engine. This group has 29 complaints, one with a crash and one with an injury[3]. The median mileage at failure is 90,213[3]. In a sample of 12 complaint texts we read, 9 describe oil use that the owner considers too high[3]. One mentions an oil warning light and a nearly dry dipstick[3]. Treat this as a theme worth checking on a used car, not as a measured rate.

Power train. There are 8 complaints, with one crash and one injury[6]. The median mileage is 44,390[6]. In a sample of 8 texts we read, some describe lurching, shuddering or rough shifting at low speeds[6].

Electrical system. There are 7 complaints, including one crash, one fire and two injuries[7]. The median mileage is 101,700[7]. The 5 texts we read describe different issues, so we see no shared theme[7].

Air bags. There are 6 complaints with no crashes, fires or injuries[9]. In the sample of 5 texts we read, all 5 describe the air bag warning light staying on[9].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2011 MDX[1]. That does not mean nothing can go wrong. It means no safety recall is on file for this model year.

Fuel economy

The EPA rates the MDX 4WD with the 3.7L 6-cylinder and Automatic (S6) at 16 mpg city, 21 highway and 18 combined[4]. It uses premium fuel[4]. The EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $4,550[4]. That estimate uses current EPA fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the AWD SUV 5 stars overall[5]. Side crash is 5 stars[5]. Frontal crash and rollover are 4 stars each[5]. The rollover risk is 14.0%[5].

Engine and size

The 3.7L 6-cylinder is rated at 300 hp[13]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models[14].

Measure Value
Length 191 in
Width 78 in
Height 68 in
Wheelbase 108 in
Curb weight 4,550 lb

Source:[14].

How 2011 compares with other years

2001: 224 complaints, 4 recalls20012002: 205 complaints, 4 recalls2003: 206 complaints, 11 recalls2004: 171 complaints, 8 recalls20042005: 180 complaints, 11 recalls2006: 87 complaints, 9 recalls2007: 99 complaints, 0 recalls20072008: 49 complaints, 0 recalls2009: 52 complaints, 0 recalls2010: 45 complaints, 1 recalls20102011: 70 complaints, 0 recalls7020112012: 76 complaints, 1 recalls2013: 30 complaints, 1 recalls20132014: 172 complaints, 8 recalls2015: 71 complaints, 8 recalls2016: 377 complaints, 7 recalls20162017: 268 complaints, 9 recalls2018: 170 complaints, 10 recalls2019: 198 complaints, 9 recalls20192020: 229 complaints, 8 recalls2022: 180 complaints, 3 recalls2023: 48 complaints, 3 recalls20232024: 43 complaints, 3 recalls2025: 111 complaints, 4 recalls2026: 9 complaints, 1 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each MDX model year. The 2011 is highlighted[1].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20012244
20022054
200320611
20041718
200518011
2006879
2007990
2008490
2009520
2010451
2011700
2012761
2013301
20141728
2015718
20163777
20172689
201817010
20191989
20202298
20221803
2023483
2024433
20251114
202691

The 2011 model year has 70 complaints and 0 recalls[1]. Seven years have fewer complaints: 2008 (49), 2009 (52), 2010 (45), 2013 (30), 2023 (48), 2024 (43) and 2026 (9)[1]. The rest have more, including 2015 with 71 and 2012 with 76[1]. For recalls, 2011 matches 2007, 2008 and 2009, which also have 0[1]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so read them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2011 MDX?

It has no recalls and 70 complaints, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall[2][1][5]. The engine group is the one to look at, because it has 29 complaints, and 9 of the 12 texts we read describe oil use[3]. Ask for service records and check the oil level history. Have the transmission checked on a test drive, since some power train complaints describe rough shifting at low speeds[6]. Budget for premium fuel at an EPA estimate of $4,550 a year[4].

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2011 Acura MDX have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for this model year[1].
What are common problems with the 2011 Acura MDX?
Engine is the largest complaint group with 29 of 70 complaints[2][3]. In a sample of 12 engine complaint texts, 9 describe oil use[3].
What is the gas mileage of a 2011 Acura MDX?
The EPA rates it at 16 city, 21 highway and 18 combined mpg[4].
How safe is the 2011 Acura MDX?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for frontal crash and rollover[5].
How much horsepower does the 2011 MDX have?
The 3.7L 6-cylinder is rated at 300 hp[13].

Facts and sources

  1. Owner complaints and recalls for every Acura MDX model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  2. NHTSA has 70 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Acura MDX (4 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 6 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 29 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,213). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 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
  5. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.0%. NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 8 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,390). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 7 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 101,700). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 7 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 6 complaints name the air bags component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 4 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 3 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 3 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. EPA Test Car List, 2011 Acura MDX with 3.7L 6-cylinder: rated 300 hp. www.epa.gov
  14. 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.