2017 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid lights, possibly causing a loss of the tailgate lid lights and the taillights.
What could happen: Loss of the taillights reduces the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
The 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 free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's n…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2017 MDX SPORT HYBRID.
- Book a repair at any authorized Acura dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V256000 (manufacturer code M49).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-888-234-2138.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
Summary: 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.
Consequence: Loss of the taillights reduces the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: 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 May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is M49.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating, causing gas pockets to form, reducing brake performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
What could happen: A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners will be notified, and Honda or Acura dealers will bleed the brakes, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are C31 and L30.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2017 MDX SPORT HYBRID.
- Book a repair at any authorized Acura dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V777000 (manufacturer code C31 and L30).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-888-234-2138.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Acura MDX, 2017-2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda HR-V and Honda Odyssey, and 2016 Honda HR-V vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating, causing gas pockets to form, reducing brake performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Consequence: A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners will be notified, and Honda or Acura dealers will bleed the brakes, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are C31 and L30.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
3. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. The affected vehicles have an engine fuel feed hose and a fuel purge hose that may have been misrouted during vehicle assembly.
What could happen: The misrouting can cause the hoses to be damaged from contact with other components, potentially resulting in a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Acura will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the routing of the fuel feed hose and the fuel purge hose. If misrouted, the hoses will be replaced and installed correctly, free of charge. The recall began on August 14, 2017. Owners may contact Acura Client Relations at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this rec…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2017 MDX SPORT HYBRID.
- Book a repair at any authorized Acura dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 17V424000 (manufacturer code KF8).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-888-234-2138.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid vehicles. The affected vehicles have an engine fuel feed hose and a fuel purge hose that may have been misrouted during vehicle assembly.
Consequence: The misrouting can cause the hoses to be damaged from contact with other components, potentially resulting in a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Acura will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the routing of the fuel feed hose and the fuel purge hose. If misrouted, the hoses will be replaced and installed correctly, free of charge. The recall began on August 14, 2017. Owners may contact Acura Client Relations at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KF8.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2017 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (5), Electrical system (2), Fuel system (2), Vehicle Speed Control (1), Engine (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
09/23/2025 · Transmission / drivetrain
The car has been experiencing roughness and shaking in reverse 50% of the time. Some times it shakes and jerks much more than other times, but either way it seems to be a common problem when searching forums and there doesn't seem to be any solution besides replacing the transmission. The dealership has recommended a full transmission replacement which cost…
04/16/2021 · Transmission / drivetrain
THE TRANSMISSION WILL JERK WHEN DRIVING UPON ACCELERATION AND HAS A CONTINUOUS SHIFTING SOUND AND FEELING AS THOUGH THE CAR IS IN NEUTRAL OR THE DRIVE MODE IS BEING CHANGED (LIKE THAT WHEN YOU SHIFT GEARS ON A BIKE). I AM UNABLE TO USE ALL DRIVE MODES AS THE ISSUE OCCURS IN EVERY MODE--BUT EVEN MORE IN THE SPORT MODES. WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS, I HAVE TO TUR…
04/07/2021 · Transmission / drivetrain
TRANSMISSION WILL JERK HEAVILY WHEN DRIVING AND HAS A CONTINUOUS SHIFTING SOUND LIKE IT STAYS NEUTRAL. WILL JUDDER WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPS AND ON ACCELERATION. THE CAR NEEDS TO BE TURNED OFF AND BACK ON TO RESET. I CAN'T USE ALL DRIVE SETTINGS AS IT HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY IN THE SPORT MODES. THE ISSUE FIRST STARTED HAPPENING AT 15K MILES. I HAVE REPORTED IT…
09/29/2020 · Vehicle Speed Control
THE VEHICLE CONSISTENTLY IGNORES THE MILES-PER-HOUR SET ON THE CRUISE CONTROLS - - EXCEEDING THE MPH BY OVER 5 MILES PER HOUR OR EVEN MORE. THIS IS A SAFELY HAZARD PLUS CAN EASILY LEAD TO SPEEDING TICKETS. I HAVE NOTICED THIS HAPPENING MANY TIMES ON HIGHWAYS (NORMALLY WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 55 - 65.
08/02/2020 · Electrical system
REAR BACK UP CAMERA HAS UP TO 1 MINUTE DELAY IN ACTIVATING WHEN I SELECTED REVERSE. ALSO DELAYS THE SAFETY SYSTEMS ASSOCIATED WITH IT LIKE CROSS TRAFFIC WARNINGS AND COLLISION AVOIDANCE.
01/07/2019 · Transmission / drivetrain
VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY BREAKS DOWN WITH "POWER SYSTEM" AND "AWD" WARNING LIGHTS TRIGGERING SAFE MODE OPERATION. SAFE MODE LIMITS POWER AND POTENTIALLY CREATES UNSAFE CONDITION AS CAR CANNOT BE OPERATED AT FULL POWER. ACURA REFUSES TO REPAIR. PROBLEM OCCURS BOTH WITH IN MOTION AND WHEN AT IDLE.
09/07/2018 · Transmission / drivetrain
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION - WHILE COASTING, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN UP TO 30MPH. THIS HAS OCCURRED WHILE APPROACHING TRAFFIC LIGHTS, STOP SIGNS, PARKING LOTS, CROSSWALKS AND PARKING IN THE GARAGE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITH TWO DIFFERENT DRIVERS AND EVEN THE DEALER HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLS WHIL…
04/12/2018 · Steering
THIS CAR HAS SERIOUS ISSUES. THE PREVIOUS BRAKING COMPLAINT IS ABSOLUTELY VALID! THE FIRST TWO ISSUES OUTLINED BELOW ARE MOST PROBLEMATIC AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SET. THAT BEING SAID, PROBLEM NUMBER ONE IN PARTICULAR OCCURS ON A REGULAR BASIS WHENEVER THE CRUISE CONTROL IS SET. 1. BRAKING - THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL WILL SEN…