2014 ACURA MDX Complaints and Recall Information
The 2014 ACURA MDX has 11 complaints and 46 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues with fluctuating RPMs, erratic torque converter behavior, taillight failures due to moisture intrusion, and power steering system malfunctions. Multiple complaints mention unsafe driving conditions caused by these defects.
Common Issues
- Engine oil contamination. Aluminum pieces appear in the engine oil pan, suggesting internal engine wear possibly related to defects seen in similar engines.
- Electric power steering failure. The EPS system has failed while driving, causing manual steering and vehicle towing. Diagnostic codes disappear after resetting without resolution.
- Unstable RPM and torque converter failure. RPM fluctuations occur at low speeds with noticeable juddering during acceleration and deceleration, often linked to torque converter problems.
- Torque converter juttering. Powertrain issues persist after warranty expiry despite adherence to technical bulletins, requiring costly torque converter replacement.
- Taillight inoperability. Taillights fail repeatedly, requiring replacement of assemblies. Recalls related to lighting are notified but the VIN is sometimes excluded from affected vehicles.
- Headlight moisture intrusion. Headlight lenses accumulate moisture, severely reducing clarity and impairing nighttime visibility.
- Paint peeling. Large spots of paint peel off roof areas exposing bare metal.
There are 46 recalls affecting the 2014 ACURA MDX, involving multiple vehicle systems such as the powertrain, lighting, safety features, and fuel delivery. These recalls address defects ranging from transmission bolt tightening to lighting failures due to moisture intrusion, electronic braking system software errors, and air conditioning compressor issues.
Recalls
- Drive shaft bolts. (NHTSA Recall 13V571000, 19,197 vehicles) Bolts attaching the drive shaft to the transmission may loosen and detach, risking collision. Dealers tighten bolts free of charge.
- Trailer hitch wiring. (NHTSA Recall 13E040000, 2,779 vehicles) Incorrect wiring prevents power to trailer brake controllers, increasing stopping distances and crash risk. Dealers rewire kits at no cost.
- Collision Mitigation Braking System. (NHTSA Recall 15V301000, 19,502 vehicles) System brake application may activate unexpectedly due to misidentification of roadside metal objects, raising crash risk. Software updates are provided free.
- Air conditioning compressor bolt corrosion. (NHTSA Recall 15V417000, 106,439 vehicles) Bolts without proper anti-corrosion coating may break, potentially creating road hazards. Dealers replace bolts and clutch plates as needed at no charge.
- Front seat belts malfunction. (NHTSA Recall 14V639000, 43,481 vehicles) Seat belts may not extend or retract in low temperatures, increasing injury risk in crashes. Seat belts are replaced free of charge.
- Moisture in tailgate light assembly. (NHTSA Recalls 25V259000 and 19V256000, approximately 152,800 and 322,897 vehicles) Moisture causes failure of interior and exterior lights including taillights, reducing visibility and increasing crash risk. Dealers inspect and repair wiring and lights free of charge.
- Fuel pump failure. (NHTSA Recall 23V858000, 2,490,460 vehicles) Fuel pump in tank may fail causing engine stalls and crash risk. Fuel pump modules are replaced free of charge.
Owners dealing with repeated repairs, unresolved recall issues, or safety defects on their 2014 ACURA MDX may have rights under their state’s lemon law. It is advisable to consult legal resources or consumer protection agencies to understand options for remedy.
2014 ACURA MDX Summary
2014
Model Year
11
Total Complaints
8
Total Recalls
3157555
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2014 ACURA MDX
152800 vehicles affected
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid light assembly and wiring harness, which can cause the interior and exterior lights to fail, including the lid lights, position lights, license plate lights and taillights.
Risk: Vehicle lights that fail to illuminate can decrease visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
2014 ACURA MDX
2490460 vehicles affected
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
2014 ACURA MDX
322897 vehicles affected
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
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.
Risk: Loss of the taillights reduces the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
2014 ACURA MDX
106439 vehicles affected
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX and MDX AWD vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to December 16, 2014. The affected vehicles have air conditioning compressor clutch drive bolts that may not have received the proper anti-corrosion coating.
Risk: If a bolt was not coated, it may corrode and break as a result. If the bolt breaks, the compressor clutch plate may separate from the vehicle, possibly becoming a road hazard.
2014 ACURA MDX
19502 vehicles affected
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: CRASH IMMINENT BRAKING
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX 2WD and AWD, RLX and 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid vehicles. In certain driving conditions, the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) may incorrectly interpret certain roadside objects such as metal fences or metal guardrails as obstacles and unexpectedly apply the brakes.
Risk: If the CMBS unexpectedly applies emergency braking force while driving, there is an increased risk of a crash.
2014 ACURA MDX
43481 vehicles affected
SEAT BELTS
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to August 25, 2014, and 2014 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured November 5, 2012, to November 25, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the driver and front passenger seat belt may not extend or retract in low temperatures.
Risk: A seatbelt that does not function increases the risk of injury in a crash.
2014 ACURA MDX
2779 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
American Honda Motor Co. is recalling certain Trailer Hitch Harness Kits, Part Number 08L91-TZ5-200. These kits are for use in 2014 model year Acura MDX vehicles. The trailer hitch kit has a subharness that is incorrectly wired such that there may be no power supplied to an accessory trailer brake controller.
Risk: If the trailer brake controller is not powered, when towing a trailer, longer stopping distances could be required, increasing the risk of a crash.
2014 ACURA MDX
19197 vehicles affected
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Acura MDX AWD vehicles manufactured May 6, 2013, through October 14, 2013. 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.
Risk: If the drive shaft detaches while driving it could cause excessive noise and possibly damage the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Complaints
2014 ACURA MDX
ID: 2121378FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Headlights somehow may be taking on moisture. The clarity is down to almost nothing. Driving at night is unsafe! The RPM’s have never been smooth or consistent. There is almost a micro-revving effect. I’ve had all of the fluids and filters changed…… dealership thought it was a recall.
2014 ACURA MDX
ID: 2121377EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Headlights somehow may be taking on moisture. The clarity is down to almost nothing. Driving at night is unsafe! The RPM’s have never been smooth or consistent. There is almost a micro-revving effect. I’ve had all of the fluids and filters changed…… dealership thought it was a recall.
2014 ACURA MDX
ID: 2086720INTERIOR LIGHTING
The contact owns a 2014 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while approaching the vehicle after the vehicle had been started, the contact noticed that the taillights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the taillights assemblies needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred approximately two months later. The contact received an email notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V259000 (Exterior Lighting, Interior Lighting), which the contact related to the failure; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.
2014 ACURA MDX
ID: 2086719EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The contact owns a 2014 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while approaching the vehicle after the vehicle had been started, the contact noticed that the taillights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the taillights assemblies needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred approximately two months later. The contact received an email notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V259000 (Exterior Lighting, Interior Lighting), which the contact related to the failure; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.
2014 ACURA MDX
ID: 2085802POWER TRAIN
The power train experiences jutters. Known issue and many torque converters have been replaced while under warranty. Our vehicle had minimal miles when warranty expired and now this problem has occurred. Have followed all of the recommended technical bulletins from Honda and the issue is not resolved. They now say to replace the torque converter at own expense.
2014 ACURA MDX
ID: 2073550STRUCTURE:BODY
Large spot of paint has peeled off, exposing bare metal in front of the sunroof and above the windshield in the center of the roof.
2014 ACURA MDX
ID: 2071422STEERING
The car is un safe to drive, the RPM fluctuations, gos up and down at low speed, doesn’t potential problems with the torque converter clutch, is juddering and unstable RPMs, noticeable during acceleration or deceleration
2014 ACURA MDX
ID: 2071421POWER TRAIN
The car is un safe to drive, the RPM fluctuations, gos up and down at low speed, doesn’t potential problems with the torque converter clutch, is juddering and unstable RPMs, noticeable during acceleration or deceleration
2014 ACURA MDX
ID: 2071420ENGINE
The car is un safe to drive, the RPM fluctuations, gos up and down at low speed, doesn’t potential problems with the torque converter clutch, is juddering and unstable RPMs, noticeable during acceleration or deceleration
2014 ACURA MDX
ID: 2055183STEERING
The EPS system failed while driving on a major highway. I was in the passing (left) lane, and had to manually steer the vehicle. I had to have the vehicle towed to the dealership. The service department has had the vehicle for almost 2 weeks. They said that when they ran the diagnostic, there was a code. They cleared the code, and drove the vehicle. They were unable to duplicate the incident. The service advisor said it may have been a “glitch.” That’s an extremely dangerous “glitch.” I have read that many other people have had the same issue with the same vehicle. This may have fatal consequences. If I had not been strong enough to steer the vehicle, I may have experienced a relatively high-speed collision.
2014 ACURA MDX
ID: 2052322ENGINE
I change my own engine oil every 3,000 miles. During the past year with three oil changes completed, I have observed aluminum pieces in the bottom of the oil change black pan. Because my wife's 2017 Acura TLX was the subject of the crankshaft and connecting rod campaign (the dealer had to replace the crankshaft and all of the connecting rod and main bearings) I am familiar with the issue of non-concentric crankshaft connecting rod journals, and so have been surprised that my 2014 MDX with the same 3.5 L V6 has not yet been included. I am pretty sure it does suffer from the same defect as evidenced by the aluminum in the engine oil. If it fails at hihway speeds, that would possibly cause a safety incident.