Is the 2018 Acura MDX reliable?

The 2018 Acura MDX has 268 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.6x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Acura MDX?

Top problems: ENGINE (52 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (50 complaints, avg repair $500); DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS (36 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Acura MDX?

Yes, there are 10 recall(s): FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER, SEATS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS. Contact any Acura dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Acura MDX?

The 2018 Acura MDX gets 22 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2182. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Is the 2018 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 2018 Acura MDX?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Acura MDX is approximately $1,912/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.

2018 Acura MDX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Acura MDX has 268 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.6x the segment average of 105. The most common issue is engine problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: starter failed with auto start/stop while stopped in traffic. since engine wouldn't start, car shifted to park automatically and can not shift to neutral with the engine off and unable to start. the battery was fine and could go into aux mode, but still won't shift to neutral. aside from quality iss. There are 10 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 7 fire reports filed.

7 fire reports 4 crash reports 1 injury

268

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

2.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

52 complaints

19%

• STARTER FAILED WITH AUTO START/STOP WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. SINCE ENGINE WOULDN'T START, CAR SHIFTED TO PARK AUTOMATICALLY AND CAN NOT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND UNABLE TO START. THE BATTERY WAS FINE AND COULD GO INTO AUX MODE, BUT STILL WON'T SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. ASIDE FROM QUALITY ISS
• TICKING NOISES COMING FROM ENGINE. CONFIRMED WITH DEALER ACURA IS LOOKING INTO THIS. I'M ALSO EXPERIENCING BRIEF LOSS OF POWER DEALER STATES THIS IS ASSOCIATED WITH ENGINE.
• In San Diego on 11/15/2021, my daughter side swiped a parked vehicle in residential area driving about 30 miles. No airbags deployed. A minute later the car stopped and would not start and started to have smoke and flames come from under hood and through inside windshield and dash. My daughter was a

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports💥 2 crashes

“STARTER FAILED WITH AUTO START/STOP WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. SINCE ENGINE WOULDN'T START, CAR SHIFTED TO PARK AUTOMATICALLY AND CAN NOT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND UNABLE TO START. THE BATTERY WAS FINE AND COULD GO INTO AUX MODE, BUT STILL WON'T SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. ASIDE FROM QUALITY ISS”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Acura MDX

Based on 59 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 30K 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

In line with typicalmedian 12K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 11K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 18K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 12K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Later than typicalmedian 58K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

Later than typicalmedian 50K mi · 9 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 (10)

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP29/01/2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine. Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance.

Risk: Reduced fuel pump performance can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the fuel injection engine control unit (FI-ECU) software and, if necessary, replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019. Owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's recall number for this recall is P3W. Honda's recall number for this recall is N3X.

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 2018 Acura MDX

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,182

Per month

$182

Per mile

18.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,667/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,847/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 2018 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

$1,912

Full coverage / month

$159

Liability only / year

$688

vs US avg

+14%

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 rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1912

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 2018 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

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 268 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: STARTER FAILED WITH AUTO START/STOP WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. SINCE ENGINE WOULDN'T START, CAR SHIFTED TO PARK AUTOMATICALLY AND CAN NOT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND UNABLE TO START. THE BATTERY WAS FINE AND COULD GO INTO AUX MODE, BUT STILL WON'T SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. ASIDE FROM QUALITY ISS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: GAS STATION FUEL GAS NOZZLE STUCKED/STICKING IN CAPLESS GAS TANK FILLER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: My vehicle has similar behaviors to the most recent investigation that is happening with the investigation of the Honda Accord and CRV noted in this article: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/inv/2022/INOA-PE22003-5540.PDF. On a handful of times while driving on the freeway, my car has unexpectedly decel
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 10 recalls have been completed — free at any Acura dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)