10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
4,531 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2020 Acura MDX electrical problems

electrical problem

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2020 Acura MDX Owner Comments

problem #16

Dec 162023

MDX

  • 6,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate from a stop light, the engine did not restart after releasing the brake pedal. While attempting the restart the vehicle, the brake pedal was very hard while depressed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was previously repaired at the local dealer and a software update was performed but the failure persisted. No further information was available. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 6,000.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #15

Jan 012024

MDX

  • miles
I've experienced stop and stall issues with my vehicle three times and the Acura dealership said they couldn't locate but kept my vehicle for a few days and said it was the battery. I have a new battery but same issue occurred two more times. There is definitely an electrical problem with this vehicle's system. The radio randomly stops working, no sound or buttons stop at any given time and also heat/air buttons switch by themselves. Shift paddles sometimes does not slow down vehicle, in most cases it accelerates.

- Petaluma, CA, USA

problem #14

Dec 152022

MDX

  • 25,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the vehicle stalled and shifted into neutral. After shifting to the park, the vehicle was restarted and operated normally. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on numerous occasions while accelerating from a stop or while decelerating to a stop. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on multiple occasions and software updates had been performed, the battery and starter were replaced, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.

- Egg Harbor Township, NJ, USA

problem #13

Oct 152021

MDX

  • 10,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact stated that upon coming to a complete stop, the vehicle suddenly stalled. After which, the contact became aware that the vehicle briefly failed to detect that the key was present, preventing the vehicle from restarting. After a while, the vehicle was able to detect that the key was present, and the vehicle started. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 10,000.

- Franklin, NH, USA

problem #12

Dec 042023

MDX

  • miles
I was on a bridge heading into a tunnel stopped due to traffic and the car shut off completely. The screen said to put the car in park and restart it. I tried several times and after a few attempts it started back up. This is the third time this happened. I had a recall when I purchased it and had the recall addressed for the same issue. Now I am back at Acura again. And being told I may have to pay for diagnostics. The car is still under warranty.

- Newport News , VA, USA

problem #11

Nov 282023

MDX

  • miles
While coming to a stop the engine start stop engaged causing the engine to turn off completely and would not restart when the throttle was pressed. The transmission shifted into neutral and the push button start would not fire the engine. Car would not go back to park. After locking and unlocking the door 30 seconds later it reset and the engine refired. This occurred with traffic flowing behind me and caused the car to be placed in neutral and the driver having no control over the vehicle. If this had occurred in an intersection while turning, the driver and occupants of the vehicle could be in significant danger of an accident. I took the car to the Acura dealer the next day and was told they had several complaints of this kind but would need to duplicate the issue on my car to assist me. If they could not duplicate the issue then the could not help me. At this time, it has not been inspected by the manufacturer. There were several warning lamps that came on when the car turned off.

- Winchester, VA, USA

problem #10

Nov 262023

MDX

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Auto braking system engaged abruptly, without necessity. This occurred twice (December 2022 and November 2023) almost causing collisions on both occasions. The dealer could not reproduce the problem when it was brought in in December 2022 and said this could occur if the sensors are dirty and to ensure they are always clean. I have since done so, and the same thing happened again. There were no warning signs for this error prior to it occuring.

- Haddon Heights, NJ, USA

problem #9

Nov 062023

MDX

  • 31,500 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact stated while stopped at a stop light, the vehicle failed to restart, and the contact became aware the Auto START/STOP function was not operating properly. After manually restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular failure. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 23-008. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,500.

- Fontana, CA, USA

problem #8

Oct 182023

MDX

  • miles
Our 2020 MDX we lease has lost electrical 3x since Sep 1. Once while sitting at a stoplight. Twice while turning at intersection. Each time, there was a complete power loss. When the car was moving, it quickly slowed to a stop in the road. In each case, it took a few minutes to get the car restarted due to being startled at what happened. I checked the battery cables, and they are tight. The radio settings were not lost, so I do not think it was a battery connection failure. We are not sure what to do with this as, while there are a lot of similar reports for acuras, there is no consistent diagnosis.

- The Woodlands, TX, USA

problem #7

Sep 112023

MDX

  • miles
Purchased used vehicle from dealership last week who completed the outstanding recalls prior to picking it up. Vehicle only has ~7800 miles. Stopped in traffic for red light, engine idle turned on after applying brake fully and car completely died...would not turn back on and nothing worked, not even hazards which made it a very dangerous safety issue sitting in the middle of a busy street. Police would not wait for call to AAA for free tow due to current safety issue and had it towed to local towing company.

- North Reading, MA, USA

problem #6

Jun 292023

MDX

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Multiple times when I have come to a stop (traffic light, stop sign, etc.) my MDX has shifted itself into "Neutral" and it appears the engine has cut off by the battery power is still on, my MDX will not shift back into "Drive" or "Park"; I then have to press then "Engine On" button multiple times to get the battery power to shut off and then I can restart my MDX and then my MDX will shift into "Drive." I took it to my Acura Dealer and they said they checked it and there was nothing wrong and they also told me there had not been any recalls on my MDX.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #5

Jul 212023

MDX

  • miles
We purchased a certified pre-owned Acura MDX 2020 in Feb of this year. In four separate instances, after the auto engine idle feature is on, the car stalls out and shuts off. Two of the four times this has happened on a highway causing extreme stress. When I lift my foot of the brake to start moving, the car shifts into park and I get a message that I need to start the car before I can move the car back into Drive. I have to keep pumping the breaks and pushing the on button multiple times before the car will restart. This is extremely dangerous, especially with our two little girls in the car. When trying to restart the car, a red battery light will show up on the screen very briefly but goes away. After the car is successfully started, there are no battery warnings. In normal situations, the car starts with no issues. We have a service appointment tomorrow to have this checked by Acura.

- Pine Brook, NJ, USA

problem #4

Apr 252023

MDX

  • miles
While braking into a parking spot, vehicle experienced sudden unintended acceleration. Brake did not engage, car rapidly surged forward over parking block, sidewalk and hitting building. Previously in day, car would not recognized key fob, would not unlock and would not start even though stepping on brake that would not depress. I had no control over vehicle, and this could have hit pedestrians on sidewalk or storefront. Thankfully no one hurt, and did not occur in traffic or on the road. The dealership was contacted immediately, and they declined to inspect vehicle, codes or EDR statign that's not what they do. I have asked dealership 3 times. Insurance contacted immediately, and they to will not investigate, saying up to Honda and dealership. Honda stating they don't do investigations, and Insurance should do that. Round and round we go. No one assisting. Auto Body referred by dealership unable to investigate and do not have equipment to do so and stating dealership and Honda tech needs to do this investigation. Several messages displayed the day of incident prior to incident and electrical issues seem to have started immediately after recall or warranty work to reprogram auto stop function. First instance of electrical issue was on 4/1, when car would not open, or unlock even with new battery in key fob. This continued over next 3 weeks sporadically. 4/24 car would not start, displaying "must press down brake" to start, but brake would not depress. Finally worked. Same thing 4/25 in morning. In evening car would not unlock for some time, finally opened, then would not start displaying "Key fob not detected". Finally started. Message remained displayed. 15 min, after, when parking, car accelerated forward without warning. This is a short summary, and a detailed summary is available. Vehicle remains untouched at autonomy hoping to get investigation completed. Too scared to drive this vehicle now..

- Wildomar, CA, USA

problem #3

Feb 102023

MDX

  • miles
My 2020 Acura MDX shuts down and shifts to Neutral while stopped with the auto shut off feature engaged. This happens intermittently and the only remedy is to shut the car off and restart. It only seems to occur when the auto shutoff feature is engaged.

- Blue Bell, PA, USA

problem #2

Aug 182022

MDX

  • miles
Car will not restart from the Auto Idle Stop when at a stop light. The dash goes blank then flashes everything and it takes a minute or so to restart. It has happened 3-4 times in the last 6 months. Once on a 55 mph highway. Very dangerous safety issue. I have take it to the Acura dealership service department and they say diagnostics does not show why. However, They said it has happened to their TXL model and a software update was the solution and they are hopeful they will get on update soon. Service associate did say others have been calling in about the same issue. But do not know if Acura is working on a fix. I did report the incidents to the national Acura customer service department and have a case number.

- Nederland , TX, USA

problem #1

Jul 122022

MDX

  • miles
My car was stopped at a light with idle auto on. The car shut off and switched into neutral with check engines lights on the dash. I was not able to switch the car to drive. I had to restart the car. This has happened twice in 2 weeks at busy intersections. I have brought the car to the dealership but they are unable to replicate. There was no prior warning lamps or signs prior to this happening.

- Gainesville, FL, USA

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