2014 Acura MDX Problems, Recalls & Reliability

248 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2014 Acura MDX, alongside 9 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 57/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Electrical leads the reports, typically around 45,000 miles.

248Complaints
57/100Trouble index
9Recalls
20,000Typical trouble mileage

Below average

Where 2014 sits among all MDX years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Electrical 41 complaints (17%) · typically ~45,000 miles
“The driver side head lights are brighter than the passenger side head lights. I get bright lighted all the time. It looks like my bright lights are on and their not. The from air conditioning / heat fan works off and on. The blower is acting up. The back heat fan ( blower) works all the time. I…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2014 MDX
Steering 39 complaints (16%) · typically ~29,000 miles
“Eps ! Pop up as i try to start my car. Power n light is on as normal but won't start, steering wheel lock”— owner report to NHTSA, 2014 MDX
Transmission & drivetrain 26 complaints (10%) · typically ~35,000 miles
“Transmission and torque converter problem. Experiencing shutter when shifting from 2nd gear into 3rd gear. Starting at 40,000k miles. Low idling rpm hovering around 500rpm and tries to regain the appropriate idling rpm to around 600-700rpm. Hard downshifts occasionally from 2nd to 1st gear,…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2014 MDX
Brakes & stability 26 complaints (10%) · typically ~8,750 miles
“Upon startup the following warning lights come on and remain active: Brake System Problem, Power Steering Problem, Hill Start Assist Problem, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) Problem, Anti-Lock Break System Problem. Additionally, intermittingly a loud grinding noise can be heard from the button of…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2014 MDX
Engine 26 complaints (10%) · typically ~14,200 miles
“Not long after purchasing vehicle used it started this lurching and hesitations in movement, this can also be observed (the jumps and hesitations) in rpms on the tac. This is occurring consistently primarily when driving between 30-40 mph; this does not stop unless you accelerate quickly or allow…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2014 MDX
Other 23 complaints (9%) · typically ~36,340 miles

Mileage when trouble shows up

Among the 159 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 20,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 4,800 and 58,500 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.

Recalls (9)

STRUCTURE 26V365000 2026

American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine,…

Fix: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying…

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 25V259000 2025

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid light assembly and wiring harness, which can cause the interior and exterior lights to fail, including the lid lights, position lights,…

Fix: Dealers will inspect the wiring and install a fuse harness, replace the lid light, and repair the body dust sealer, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 30, 2025.…

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 23V858000 2023

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda…

Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall…

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 19V256000 2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Acura MDX and 2017-2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid lights, possibly causing a loss of the tailgate lid lights and the taillights.

Fix: Acura will notify owners, and dealers will modify the tailgate lid lights and install updated gaskets and a wiring sub-harness or will replace both tailgate lid lights. The repairs will be performed…

EQUIPMENT 15V417000 2015

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX and MDX AWD vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to December 16, 2014. The affected vehicles have air conditioning compressor clutch drive bolts that may not have received…

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air conditioning compressor clutch drive bolt and install a new clutch plate if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 7, 2015.…

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 15V301000 2015

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX 2WD and AWD, RLX and 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid vehicles. In certain driving conditions, the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) may incorrectly interpret certain roadside…

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the CMBS software, free of charge. The recall began on July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's numbers…

SEAT BELTS 14V639000 2014

American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to August 25, 2014, and 2014 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured November 5, 2012, to November 25, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the…

Fix: Honda has notified owners, and dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belts, free of charge. The recall began in November 2014. Owners may contact Acura customer service at…

POWER TRAIN 13V571000 2013

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Acura MDX AWD vehicles manufactured May 6, 2013, through October 14, 2013. The bolts that attach the drive shaft to the automatic transmission transfer assembly may not have been…

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the drive shaft attaching bolts as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on July 3, 2014. Owners may contact Honda at…

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13E040000 2013

American Honda Motor Co. is recalling certain Trailer Hitch Harness Kits, Part Number 08L91-TZ5-200. These kits are for use in 2014 model year Acura MDX vehicles. The trailer hitch kit has a subharness that is incorrectly wired such that there may be no power…

Fix: Honda will notify owners and Acura dealers will correct the trailer hitch subharness wiring, free of charge. The recall began on August 23, 2013. Owners may contact Acura Customer Service at…

Technical service bulletins

270 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2014 Acura MDX. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 2014 MDX TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

2013peak 63 in 20142026

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2014 Acura MDX reliable?

The 2014 Acura MDX drew 248 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 57/100, scored against the model's worst year (2016).

What are the most common 2014 Acura MDX problems?

The top reported problems for the 2014 Acura MDX are electrical (41 complaints), steering (39), and transmission & drivetrain (26).

At what mileage do 2014 Acura MDX problems show up?

Owners most often report 2014 Acura MDX problems around 20,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 4,800 and 58,500 miles.

Does the 2014 Acura MDX have recalls?

9 recall campaigns apply to the 2014 Acura MDX. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.

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Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.