Is the 2013 Acura MDX reliable?

The 2013 Acura MDX has 46 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.4x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: excellent. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Acura MDX?

Top problems: ENGINE (10 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (8 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (6 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Acura MDX?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. Contact any Acura dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Acura MDX?

The 2013 Acura MDX gets 18 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2667. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Is the 2013 Acura MDX often stolen?

Theft risk tier for the Acura MDX: low. HLDI insurance loss data suggests lower-than-average theft claims for this model.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Acura MDX?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Acura MDX is approximately $1,834/year (suv-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2013 Acura MDX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2013 Acura MDX has 46 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.4x the segment average of 105. The most common issue is engine problems (22% of all complaints), specifically: a 2013 acura mdx vehicle (advance model) was bought in the acura dealer on july 27, 2013. starting on october 2013, strong smell of fumes has sporadically been sensed inside the vehicle, making it uncomfortable to breathe. since november 5, 2013, the vehicle has been in and out of the shop (three . There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 6 fire reports filed.

6 fire reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

0.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

10 complaints

22%

• A 2013 ACURA MDX VEHICLE (ADVANCE MODEL) WAS BOUGHT IN THE ACURA DEALER ON JULY 27, 2013. STARTING ON OCTOBER 2013, STRONG SMELL OF FUMES HAS SPORADICALLY BEEN SENSED INSIDE THE VEHICLE, MAKING IT UNCOMFORTABLE TO BREATHE. SINCE NOVEMBER 5, 2013, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP (THREE
• I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE, THE IGNITION ON, WHEN IT SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN AND DECELERATED. I MANAGED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ONTO MY STREET, ALTHOUGH THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK A
• TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FL

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“A 2013 ACURA MDX VEHICLE (ADVANCE MODEL) WAS BOUGHT IN THE ACURA DEALER ON JULY 27, 2013. STARTING ON OCTOBER 2013, STRONG SMELL OF FUMES HAS SPORADICALLY BEEN SENSED INSIDE THE VEHICLE, MAKING IT UNCOMFORTABLE TO BREATHE. SINCE NOVEMBER 5, 2013, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP (THREE ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Acura MDX

Based on 27 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 50K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

High-mileage issuemedian 78K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (1)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP18/12/2023

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 CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

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 are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

Low theft risk

Low theft rates typically correlate with lower comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Acura MDX

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,667

Per month

$222

Per mile

22.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,286/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Acura MDX

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,834

Full coverage / month

$153

Liability only / year

$717

vs US avg

+10%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-luxury)1.35x

× theft risk0.90x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1834

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Acura MDX Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Uses Maintenance Minder — actual intervals adjust based on driving conditions. Values shown are typical.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Acura New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / 50K mi

Includes 3 years complimentary maintenance for 2025+

These are the terms for a new Acura. If you're buying a used 2013 MDX, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Acura dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 46 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: A 2013 ACURA MDX VEHICLE (ADVANCE MODEL) WAS BOUGHT IN THE ACURA DEALER ON JULY 27, 2013. STARTING ON OCTOBER 2013, STRONG SMELL OF FUMES HAS SPORADICALLY BEEN SENSED INSIDE THE VEHICLE, MAKING IT UNCOMFORTABLE TO BREATHE. SINCE NOVEMBER 5, 2013, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP (THREE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: BACK-UP CAMERA VIDEO / NAVIGATION MODULE, AND STEREO / CLOCK SCREENS REMAINED BLANK AFTER STARTING ENGINE, PLACING CAR IN REVERSE GEAR AND MOVING SLOWLY DOWN DRIVEWAY IN AN APPROXIMATE TIME FRAME OF 3-4 MINUTES. ALL SCREENS CONTINUED TO BE BLANK AFTER EXITING DRIVEWAY, STOPPING, THEN PLACING CAR IN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: BACK-UP CAMERA VIDEO / NAVIGATION MODULE, AND STEREO / CLOCK SCREENS REMAINED BLANK AFTER STARTING ENGINE, PLACING CAR IN REVERSE GEAR AND MOVING SLOWLY DOWN DRIVEWAY IN AN APPROXIMATE TIME FRAME OF 3-4 MINUTES. ALL SCREENS CONTINUED TO BE BLANK AFTER EXITING DRIVEWAY, STOPPING, THEN PLACING CAR IN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: THE VEHICLE SHOWS ALL TROUBLE CODES, VSA STABILITY, TRAILER STABILITY, ALL WHEEL DRIVE, ENGINE SYSTEM. ERROR. ONCE CODE COMES ON LOSS OF POWER AND STABILITY CONTROL. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Acura dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)