2014 Acura MDX Problems And Complaints

2014 Acura MDX User Complaints and Problems

Mechanical Complaints

• Engine – Exhaust pipe heat shield vibrations on the2014 Acura MDX are usually misinterpreted for engine noise. Owners complain about this issue occurring while idling for long or during low-speed drives. Expansion of the attachment points due to heat from the exhaust causes the shield to become slightly loose, which is hard as a clicking or ringing sound in the cabin.
• Transmission problems- The initial batches of the2014 Acura MDX has transmission shuddering and jerking issues. It is mostly noticed when rolling off from a standstill or in between shifts, mostly on lower gear ratios. The dealerships did provide a TCU firmware update with a fluid flush, but the owners complain about the issue persists even after that. Reports on some dealers employing improper diagnostic methods and dismissing the issue due to the inability to replicate the issue is something that has been troubling users.

Electric System complaints

• Bluetooth issues- The infotainment system on the 2014 Acura MDX has Bluetooth connectivity issues and as reported, has data transmission issues. Owners complain about the intermittent drop in connectivity and also the inability to manage phone calls with in-car physical controls. They are either forced to restart the system or completely erase connection history from the phone to regain normal functionality.
• Tail lamp condensation- Tail lamp condensation is a common issue on the 2014 Acura MDX. It took a long time for Acura to admit it as a factory defect, initiating a recall later in 2019 (19V256000) to replace the light cluster and wiring harnesses with updated units.

Structural complaints

• Steering Problems- The electric power steering system on the 2014 Acura MDX is known to fail. Owners do report instances of increased steering effort or complete lockup of the steering in relation to this complaint. The average mileage of failure is around 35,000-miles. The issue mainly occurs due to blown fused or a power steering faulty control module, both of which require replacement if found faulty.
• Liftgate Problems- The power liftgate on the 2014 Acura MDX is known to showcase a variety of problems. Unintended opening, lid stuck halfway, closing while the trunk is in access and completely failing to open are some commonly reported issues. Niggles with the control module software have been the usual fault and the requirement for replacement of driver unit is pretty rare. This problem in some cases is also reported to drain out batteries due to unwanted triggering of the gate by the system.

 Safety Complaints

• Forward mitigation brake issues- Faulty triggering of the collision mitigation braking system on the 2014 Acura MDX has been reported by multiple owners. Although this was initially dismissed as debris affecting the radar system, it was later traced to be a software glitch that accidentally engages the system when sensing objects that are not in the path of the vehicle. The issue was later fixed under a recall (15V301000), which included updated software and inspection of accompanying sensing elements.

2014 Acura MDX Recalls

S. No	Date	NHTSA ID	Issues Noticed	Additional Remarks	Remedy
1	28th March 2019	19V256000	Possible loss of tailgate lid light	Moisture may enter the tailgate lid lights, possibly causing a loss of the tailgate lid lights and the taillights, reducing the vehicle’s visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.	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 free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2019.
2	1st July 2015	15V417000	A/C compressor clutch drive bolts may corrode.	The air conditioning compressor clutch drive bolts may not have received the proper anti-corrosion coating, causing them to corrode and separate from the vehicle which becomes a road hazard.	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.
3	20th May 2015	15V301000	Activation of collision mitigation braking system	In certain driving conditions, the Collision Mitigation Braking System may incorrectly interpret certain roadside objects such as metal fences or metal guardrails as obstacles and unexpectedly apply the brakes, which increases the risk of a crash.	Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the CMBS software, free of charge. The recall began on July 6, 2015.
4	10th October 2014	14V639000	The front seatbelt may not function in the cold.	The driver and front passenger seat belt may not extend or retract in low temperatures, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.	Honda has notified owners, and dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belts, free of charge. The recall began in November 2014.
5	14th November 2013	13V571000	The drive shaft may detach	The bolts that attach the drive shaft to the automatic transmission transfer assembly may not have been properly tightened. As a result, the bolts could loosen possibly allowing the shaft to detach, increasing the risk of a crash.	The dealers will inspect and tighten the drive shaft attaching bolts as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on July 3, 2014.
6	22nd July 2013	13E040000	Trailer hitch harness kit issues	The trailer hitch kit has a sub-harness that is incorrectly wired such that there may be no power supplied to an accessory trailer brake controller, increasing braking distances and the risk of a crash.	The dealers will correct the trailer hitch sub-harness wiring, free of charge. The recall began on August 23, 2013.

Should you buy a used 2014 Acura MDX?

Even though the new Acura MDX comes in with a bunch of niggles, we are willing to look past it given how new the product is. Also compared to some long-running competitors, the new MDX still manages to look better when it comes to complaints and recalls registering similar or lower numbers, only losing to the Lexus RX 350. Moreover, Acura has a name for being one of the more economical premium options which should help you keep the maintenance costs on a leash if something were to go wrong. That said, even though this premium midsize SUV gets a thumbs up from us, it is up to you on making sure that all the aforementioned resolutions have been carried out at proper timeframes to ensure trouble-free ownership when buying used or new.