What are the most common problems with the 2014 Acura MDX?

Steering has the most NHTSA complaints at 38, followed by power train and electrical system at 27 each. Owners in the samples we read describe steering lock-ups and noises, and the engine revving by itself.

How many recalls does the 2014 Acura MDX have?

NHTSA lists 8 recalls for this model year. The newest, 26V365, covers rear subframe corrosion and its final remedy was still anticipated for fall 2026.

What is the gas mileage of a 2014 Acura MDX?

EPA rates the 2WD at 20 city, 28 highway and 23 combined mpg. The 4WD gets 18, 27 and 21.

Is the 2014 Acura MDX safe?

NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall and 4 stars for rollover in both AWD and FWD versions. It also has 8 recalls, so check open ones by VIN.

Is 2014 a good year for the Acura MDX?

It has 172 complaints. Nine listed MDX years have more, including 2016 with 377, 2017 with 268, 2019 with 198 and 2020 with 229. It also has 8 recalls on file. Counts are not adjusted for sales. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

2014 Acura MDX Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 172 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Acura MDX^[1], and the model year has 8 recalls on file^[2]. Steering has the most complaints^[3], so check recall status before you buy.

172owner complaints^[1]

8recalls^[2]

21–23MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

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

Most reported problems

Owners filed 172 complaints with NHTSA^[1]. Ten mention a crash^[1], 3 a fire^[1] and 9 injuries^[1]. No deaths are reported^[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name more than one component. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Here are the component groups with the most complaints:

Component group	Complaints	Median mileage at failure
Steering^[3]	38	18,000
Power train^[6]	27	27,500
Electrical system^[7]	27	13,000
Brakes^[8]	26	8,750
Engine^[9]	26	12,250
Speed control^[10]	19	14,200
Structure^[11]	14	12,300
Exterior lighting^[12]	13	72,300

Steering. In a sample of steering complaints we read, owners describe the wheel locking up, resisting, or grinding and buzzing when turned at full lock or at low speed. A few describe power assist failing^[3]. Four steering complaints mention injuries and one mentions a crash^[3].

Power train. In the power train sample, some owners describe the engine revving up by itself while stopped or shifting, often in reverse or park. Others describe transmission trouble, torque converter noise or hesitation when accelerating^[6]. Three power train complaints mention a crash^[6].

Electrical system. In the electrical sample, owners describe several dashboard warning lights or driver assist warnings coming on at once. Some describe the engine cutting off^[7]. Two electrical complaints mention a fire and four mention injuries^[7].

Brakes and speed control. Brake complaints show a median mileage of 8,750 at failure^[8]. Speed control has fewer complaints than steering, but 6 of its 19 mention a crash^[10].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 8 recalls for this model year^[2], newest first. Ask a dealer to run the VIN to see which ones are still open on a specific car.

Remedy pending
Rear subframe corrosion (26V365). Filed June 4, 2026^[13]. The rear subframe may corrode where the suspension mounts, which can cause a rear suspension part such as the control arm to fail. That can mean a loss of handling and control. It applies to 2014 to 2020 MDX vehicles sold in the states listed in the recall^[13]. Interim owner letters were mailed July 27, 2026^[13]. The final remedy was still anticipated for fall 2026, so treat the fix as not yet available. The planned repair is a dealer inspection and a reinforcement kit, plus repairs as needed, free of charge^[13].
Tailgate lights and wiring (25V259). Filed April 17, 2025^[14]. Moisture can get into the tailgate light assembly and wiring, so interior and exterior lights including the taillights may fail. The fix is a dealer inspection, a fuse harness, a new lid light and a sealer repair as needed, free. Cars repaired under the earlier recall 19V256 need this newer remedy^[14].
Fuel pump (23V858). Filed December 18, 2023^[15]. The fuel pump in the tank may fail, which can stall the engine while driving and raise crash risk. Dealers replace the fuel pump module free of charge^[15].
Tailgate lights (19V256). Filed March 28, 2019^[16]. Moisture may get into the tailgate lights and cause the taillights to go out. Dealers modify or replace the lights, free of charge^[16].
A/C compressor bolts (15V417). Filed July 1, 2015^[17]. A clutch drive bolt may lack its anti-corrosion coating, corrode and break. The clutch plate could then come off and become a road hazard. Dealers replace the bolt and the clutch plate if needed, free^[17].
Automatic braking software (15V301). Filed May 20, 2015^[18]. The collision mitigation braking system may mistake metal fences or guardrails for obstacles and brake unexpectedly. Dealers update the software free of charge^[18].
Seat belts in cold (14V639). Filed October 10, 2014^[19]. In cold weather the driver and front passenger belts may stick instead of extending or retracting. Dealers replace both belts free of charge^[19].
Drive shaft bolts (13V571). Filed November 14, 2013^[20]. On certain AWD cars built May 6 to October 14, 2013^[20], the bolts holding the drive shaft to the transmission transfer assembly may not have been tightened properly. The shaft could detach while driving. Dealers inspect and tighten the bolts as needed, free^[20].

Fuel economy

Both versions use the 3.5L 6-cylinder engine with an Automatic (S6) and premium fuel^[4]^[21]. EPA ratings:

Version	City	Highway	Combined	Est. annual fuel cost
MDX 2WD, front-wheel drive^[4]	20	28	23	$3,550
MDX 4WD, all-wheel drive^[21]	18	27	21	$3,900

EPA annual cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new^[4]^[21].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the all-wheel-drive version 5 stars overall, 5 for frontal and 5 for side crashes, and 4 stars for rollover, with a 15.5% rollover risk^[5]. The front-wheel-drive version gets the same star ratings and a 16.4% rollover risk^[22].

Engine and size

The EPA test car list rates the 3.5L 6-cylinder at 290 hp^[23]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications for the MDX 4DR SUV AWD/TECH/ELITE and can differ slightly from US models^[24].

Measure	Value
Length	194 in
Width	77 in
Height	67 in
Wheelbase	111 in
Curb weight	4,343 lb

Source for all rows:^[24].

How 2014 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each MDX model year. The 2014 is highlighted^[2].

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

The 2014 model year has 172 complaints and 8 recalls on file^[2]. Nine listed MDX years have more complaints than 2014. The highest is 2016 with 377, followed by 2017 with 268 and 2020 with 229^[2]. The years right before and after have fewer complaints. 2013 has 30 complaints and 1 recall, and 2015 has 71 complaints and 8 recalls^[2]. Among 2014 to 2020, the recall count is highest for 2018 at 10, and 2017 and 2019 each have 9^[2]. NHTSA's list has no 2021 entry. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2014 Acura MDX?

Merge or cut sentences to 5 (for example join the sample caveat into the owner sentence and drop the separate fuel cost sentence or merge it with the inspection sentence). The record also has real items to check. Run the VIN for open recalls, especially the rear subframe recall 26V365, whose final remedy was still pending^[13], and the tailgate light and fuel pump recalls^[14]^[15]. Owners also describe steering and engine revving problems in the complaint samples we read^[3]^[6]. These are small samples of unverified reports. A pre-purchase inspection that looks at steering, brakes and the transmission is a sensible step. Fuel cost is also worth a look, since the EPA estimate is $3,550 to $3,900 a year on premium fuel^[4]^[21].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2014 Acura MDX?: Steering has the most NHTSA complaints at 38, followed by power train and electrical system at 27 each^[3]^[6]^[7]. Owners in the samples we read describe steering lock-ups and noises, and the engine revving by itself^[3]^[6].
How many recalls does the 2014 Acura MDX have?: NHTSA lists 8 recalls for this model year^[2]. The newest, 26V365, covers rear subframe corrosion and its final remedy was still anticipated for fall 2026^[13].
What is the gas mileage of a 2014 Acura MDX?: EPA rates the 2WD at 20 city, 28 highway and 23 combined mpg^[4]. The 4WD gets 18, 27 and 21^[21].
Is the 2014 Acura MDX safe?: NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall and 4 stars for rollover in both AWD and FWD versions^[5]^[22]. It also has 8 recalls, so check open ones by VIN^[2].
Is 2014 a good year for the Acura MDX?: It has 172 complaints. Nine listed MDX years have more, including 2016 with 377, 2017 with 268, 2019 with 198 and 2020 with 229^[2]. It also has 8 recalls on file^[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 172 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Acura MDX (10 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 9 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Acura MDX model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
38 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 18,000). NHTSA vehicle records
EPA rating for MDX 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
27 complaints name the power train component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 27,500). NHTSA vehicle records
27 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 13,000). NHTSA vehicle records
26 complaints name the brakes component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 8,750). NHTSA vehicle records
26 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 12,250). NHTSA vehicle records
19 complaints name the speed control component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 14,200). NHTSA vehicle records
14 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 12,300). NHTSA vehicle records
13 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,300). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 26V365, filed June 4, 2026: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
Recall 25V259, filed April 17, 2025: Interior Lighting. NHTSA recall database
Recall 23V858, filed December 18, 2023: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V256, filed March 28, 2019: Exterior Lighting. NHTSA recall database
Recall 15V417, filed July 1, 2015: Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner. NHTSA recall database
Recall 15V301, filed May 20, 2015: Forward Collision Avoidance › Crash Imminent Braking. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V639, filed October 10, 2014: Seat Belts. NHTSA recall database
Recall 13V571, filed November 14, 2013: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for MDX 4WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2014 Acura MDX with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 290 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MDX 4DR SUV AWD/TECH/ELITE: length 194 in, width 77 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 4,343 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.

2014 Acura MDX: problems, recalls and fuel economy