2008 Acura MDX recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Equipment
What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. A PINCH BOLT EXISTS BETWEEN THE BIKE ARM BRACKET AND THE UPRIGHT ASSEMBLY OF THE "HITCH" STYLE BICYCLE RACK.
What could happen: WHEN MOVING THE BIKE ARM BRACKET TO ITS DOWN POSITION, THIS PINCH BOLT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF CAUSING SEVERE LACERATION OR AMPUTATION TO THE USER'S FINGERTIPS OR HAND.
The fix: OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THULE AT 800-THULE91 (800-848-5391) TO OBTAIN A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS OR OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
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 2008 MDX.
- Book a repair at any authorized Acura dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 08E013000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-999-1009.
- 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: EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
Summary: HONDA IS RECALLING 2,032 HITCH STYLE BIKE RACKS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE ON MY 2003-2007 AND SOME MY 2008 HONDA PILOT, RIDGELINE, AND ACURA MDX VEHICLES. A PINCH BOLT EXISTS BETWEEN THE BIKE ARM BRACKET AND THE UPRIGHT ASSEMBLY OF THE "HITCH" STYLE BICYCLE RACK.
Consequence: WHEN MOVING THE BIKE ARM BRACKET TO ITS DOWN POSITION, THIS PINCH BOLT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF CAUSING SEVERE LACERATION OR AMPUTATION TO THE USER'S FINGERTIPS OR HAND.
Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THULE AT 800-THULE91 (800-848-5391) TO OBTAIN A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS OR OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
Notes: CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2008 Acura MDX owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Body / structure (8), Electrical system (8), Brakes (6), Suspension (6), Airbags (5).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
01/18/2026 · Body / structure
My car exterior paint has poor quality. It has been for years. It clear coat peeling and bubbling due to poor factory adhesion between paint layers, Fading & Chalking. This happens for so many years ago but I don’t know this happened because the manufacturers problem until recently a friend told me this
04/30/2025 · Unknown Or Other
About maybe 2 months ago my tailgate open light comes on. When the exterior light is left on when I get in the car. .. it will go out but the tailgate light open will come on while driving and you will a ding then the light comes on while drive ng. As a result the car alarm.goes.off several times. I have checked the tailgate and it is closed I have take…
05/14/2023 · Electrical system
The clock in the 2008 Acura MDX stopped working over 18 months ago. This occurred after an Acura Day-light-Savings time update. In order to check the time now you have to take your eyes off the road. There are thousands of Acura vehicles with this problem. ACURA REFUSES TO HELP. They state there is no solution to the problem. They caused the problem!
03/26/2023 · Airbags
I was at stoplight waiting to make a right turn and the Check Air Bag System turned on. No accident, just the error came on for no reason. This is safety issue and it should have lifetime warranty! I called the dealer and they told me that its will cost me $295 just to diagnose the error. I feel like this should be recall. I understand that it’s an electro…
04/11/2022 · Airbags · crash
Had front collision with another vehicle and hit their passenger side of the vehicle and their Airbags Deployed on that side but my Airbags didn’t Deploy in the Front. I suffered injuries because it didn’t work.
03/05/2021 · Body / structure · fire
MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING, IT SEAMS TO SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE.
07/22/2020 · Airbags
AN AIRBAG SYSTEM WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED OUT OF NOWHERE WHEN I TURNED MY PARKED 2008 ACURA MDX ON IN MY DRIVEWAY. MY CAR HAD/HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR HIT. IT SEEMS LIKE IT SHOULD BE POLICY FOR AN ACURA DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM FOR FREE BUT I'VE BEEN TOLD I'LL BE CHARGED FOR A DIAGNOSIS. PLEASE ADVISE.
05/29/2020 · Airbags
"CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM" LIGHT CAME ON. NO ACCIDENTS, NOTHING THAT SHOULD HAVE CAUSED THE LIGHT TO COME ON. IT WAS STATIONARY WHEN IT CAME ON, PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. *TR