The Acura MDX punches above its class with the opulence and driving characteristics on offer. The three-row SUV gets every box ticked for its target segment and has a very lucrative price of $45,295 for one trim. At that price, it goes against the likes of the BMW X5, the Lincoln Nautilus, and the Audi Q7. Although known for its reliability, the MDX has gathered much criticism for its flawed infotainment system and other miscellaneous electrical issues. The crossover also sees three recalls for the 2019 model year. Let’s see what the most recurring issues were and what all the recalls entailed.
2019 Acura MDX Problems
Electrical issues:
- Electrical failure: Many 2019 MDX owners have reported a complete electrical shutdown of their vehicles while driving. This shutdown affects the momentum and kills all the safety assists. Various dealerships have diagnosed different causes for this issue, including a wiring harness replacement, but the issue persisted for many owners.
- Electrical short circuits behind the navigation display: A handful of owners have complained of a “pop” sound emitting from behind the navigation display. This sound blacked the visuals out on the infotainment screen. The owners have also reported a burning smell emitting from the area while one owner had to see his/her car burn down.
- Auto start/stop gear slippage: Many complainants have listed that the gear shifts to neutral on its own accord when the auto start/stop is engaged. This failure to maintain a gear leads to unnecessary revving and stalls the engine in the process. The issue has led to some rear-end mishaps in the past.
Mechanical failure:
- Transmission inconsistencies: This issue is rather rampant in Acura vehicles, let alone the MDX. the 2019 MDX transmission is very jerky at low speeds and stalls the vehicle. Some complainants state that the transmission shifts to neutral while on highway speeds. There have also been complaints of a loss of motive power at highway speeds.
- Suspension clicking noise: Some owners have come across a clicking noise emitting from the suspension of the MDX. The noise doesn't affect anything but is an unacceptable thing on cars less than 1,000 miles old.
Safety issues:
- Forward Collision-Avoidance (FCA) issues: The 2019 MDX forward collision-avoidance system is reported to abruptly activate. The issue is more noticeable at lower speeds while being fatal at highway speeds since there is an increased risk of a rear-end crash. A handful of complainants have also reported the system to be over-intrusive despite being on the minimum settings.
2019 Acura MDX Recalls
|
S. No |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
November 1, 2018 |
18V777000 |
Service Brakes |
Insufficient coating on the rear brake calipers may form gas bubbles and affect the braking performance, increasing the risk of a crash. The affected vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS Number 135, “Light Vehicle Brake Systems”. |
The recall for this issue began on December 11, 2018. The dealers will bleed the brakes at no extra cost. . |
|
2. |
March 28, 2019 |
19V256000 |
Exterior Lighting |
Moisture in the tailgate lid lights may cause them to malfunction. This affects the rearwards visibility and increases the risk of a crash. |
The recall for this issue began on May 7, 2019. The dealers will bleed the brakes at no extra cost. . |
|
3. |
April 12, 2019 |
19V298000 |
Engine and Engine Cooling |
Separation of the timing belt teeth from the belt may stall the engine, increasing the risk of a crash. |
The recall for this issue began on June 7, 2019. The dealers will inspect the engine and replace the damaged parts at no extra cost. |
|
4. |
March 25, 2021 |
21V215000 |
Fuel System |
Failure of the low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may stall the engine, increasing the risk of a crash. |
The recall for this issue began on May 18, 2021. The dealers will inspect the engine and replace the damaged parts at no extra cost. |
Should you buy the 2019 Acura MDX?
On paper, the 2019 Acura MDX is worth every penny the Japanese carmaker is charging for. It is a pretty good mix of what the American people want. The MDX has its downsides as well with the slew of electrical issues and FCA problems reported on the NHTSA. If you want to buy a used MDX, consider going through the history of the recall and checking for any electrical issues that might re-appear and ruin the ownership experience.
