NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

2014 Acura MDX (Page 1 of 2)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
31,156 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2014 Acura MDX electrical problems

electrical problem

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2014 Acura MDX Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #25

Feb 082021

MDX

  • 123,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When attempting to start the vehicle, there was only a repetitive click, click, click sound. The engine would not turn over. This indicated a battery issue that was contradicted by the fact that everything else was working I.e. horn, lights, blower, radio. A quick search of the internet diagnosed the problem as an issue with the hands free module weakening the battery just enough to not start.

- Desoto, TX, USA

problem #24

Apr 262019

MDX

  • 195,000 miles
The driver side head lights are brighter than the passenger side head lights. I get bright lighted all the time. It looks like my bright lights are on and their not. The from air conditioning / heat fan works off and on. The blower is acting up. The back heat fan ( blower) works all the time. I have to crack the front windows and fly down the highway to get the front fan to work.

- West Chester, OH, USA

problem #23

Nov 132019

MDX

  • 81,000 miles
Eps ! pop up as I try to start my car. Power N light is on as normal but won't start, steering wheel lock

- Rochester, MN, USA

problem #22

Jun 282019

MDX

  • 40,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Flames and fire shot out from the front passenger side vents and under the dashboard and glove compartment, engulfing the vehicle into flames resulting in a total loss. The vehicle was in motion on a neighborhood street.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #21

Jun 282019

MDX

  • 65,000 miles
I was driving on a residential street back home when a haze started coming out of the air conditioning vents. That turned into black smoke coming from the front passenger side, underneath/behind the glove compartment. From that smoke, a fire started in the front passenger side, inside the vehicle. I pulled over to the side of the street, turned the car off, grabbed my son who was in a car seat in the back and got out of the car safely. Not a minute after we got out of the car, the entire car was engulfed in flames. The fire department did an investigation and classified it as undetermined, but mechanical in nature. We bought our Acura brand new from the dealer in 2014 and have only had it serviced at the Acura dealer. We have not experienced any issues with the car, other than regular maintenance. I'm extremely concerned that the car would burst into flames while driving.

- Arlington Heights, IL, USA

problem #20

Aug 072018

MDX

  • 50,822 miles
Car batteries run out power well within their warranty period to the point where the vehicle stalls without any advance notification / alert

- Sugar Land, TX, USA

problem #19

Apr 252017

MDX

  • 66,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2014 Acura MDX. When attempting to start the vehicle, the power steering failure error message displayed and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,000.

- Marysville, OH, USA

problem #18

Jul 032016

MDX 6-cyl

  • 32,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Acura MDX. While making a left turn out of a parking space, a sudden clicking noise was heard from the steering column. The steering wheel suddenly became locked and could not be turned to the right. The driver immediately depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle lunged to the right and hit the curb. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 32,000. Updated 10/26/16

- Kent, WA, USA

problem #17

Mar 072016

MDX

  • 13,000 miles
Forward collision warning (fcw) system: Sometimes going on a smooth road fcw activates all of a sudden and flashed in the dashboard with an alarm. You have to press brakes in order to ensure that you are getting into an accident. Acura need to fix this warning system and ensure its more reliable. Brakes and rotors are warped at 13000 miles. Went to dealer and they told that it needs resurfacing. Continuous whistling noise from engine when your foot is on gas and when its off it stops. Acura hasn't been able to figure out where is the problem

- El Dorado Hills, CA, USA

problem #16

Nov 302015

MDX

  • 58,500 miles
First, I have had the vehicle for a little over a year. I have driven to Florida and nc without issue. Today will be the 4th time taking my car to the Acura dealership in less than 3 months. Today the car started to kickback when I reach 20mph. Also, at 80mph the car is jerky when I accelerate or decrease and go again. Also when I release the gas, the speed decreases quickly as opposed to gradually. Around 60mph the car tends to have a slight jerk which ive notified Acura but they said I need a wheel alignment which ive done. The issue prior was all the lights in the dash came on the the drive function was almost paused while the vehicle was in motion. Acura claimed the issue was minor yet I am going again today. Prior to that issue, something near the tires was scratching or something which they claimed the issue was fixed. What led me to the dealership the first time was the vehicle was jerky at different times while accelerating. Acura performed a software upgrade which fixed the issue for a couple days. At some point, the vehicle needs to be re-assessed and possibly totaled out or something. I have 3 kids and always on the run. I used to trust Acura and the reliability but the issues seem to get worse and worse.

- Frederick, MD, USA

problem #15

Jun 102014

MDX

  • 2,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought 2014 Acura MDX brand new and after 2000 mile a noise came out from engine I went dealer they ordered the part and fixed and the same problem happened after 5000 miles. I have lots of headaches since I bought this car. The suspensions are very bad even when I bought it from the dealer as a first day. And now I have all lights on such as battery, brake, hill stability problem, steering wheel problem, engine emission stability problem writing, shown all wheel drive problem. Whenever I go to dealer they reset the signs and say its ok now. They charge me but after a while again happens and this time saying different problem.. really has too much problem. Suspensions and brake a worst. Now I am afraid to drive this car with my little baby and family. 100% I believe car stops in middle of the way.. its very dangerous.. please inform Acura because they aren't careening and especially every new MDX drivers have problems with this brand new expensive cars. Thank you very much for your time and understanding us.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #14

Dec 122014

MDX 6-cyl

  • 7,000 miles
All dash lights came on and power steering went. Dealership says it is okay and a misfire. 2/2/15 same thing happened, AWD, power steering, and brakes went. Then the car stopped running and wouldn't start. An hour later it started again and alarms were off. The dealership also had to replace the transmission at 4K miles. Car doesn't sense key sometimes and won't start. Locks on its own. Heated seats won't turn on/off. Car makes weird noise when making sharp turns and wheels pull straight.

- Pine Bush, NY, USA

problem #13

Sep 012014

MDX 6-cyl

  • 3,000 miles
While traveling on a city street, the computer started to change radio stations, fan speeds, temperature, and heated seats without any operator input and in a very rapid manner for approximately 5 minutes. By the time we got the vehicle to the dealership, the system had reset and the dealer advised they could not find any issues with the vehicle. Since then, we continue to have problems and they now include the collision warning system going off while sitting still, the rear view camera will keep operating while driving forward, the touchscreen panels quit working for up to 10 minutes at a time, the navigation system will show inaccurate information, and the panels have gone blank and then showed the message hdd error, contact service. Acura service and client relations has advised that they do not believe there is a problem because the vehicle does not exhibit the problems while in their shop and have stated that unless they see the problem, there is no problem.

- Savannah, GA, USA

problem #12

May 251999

MDX 6-cyl

  • 4,800 miles
Defect shows as immediate loss of toe alignment in both front tires, lane keep assist computerized feature in unable to turn steering wheel right, and steering wheel position sensor is unable to remain fixed at zero. Steering wheel position sensor: Forces the vehicle into oncoming traffic by automatically during front wheels two and five degrees with maximum turning force applied when the road presents any combination of curved, tilted, and bumpy condition. Steering wheel hand sensor ? computer applied over-steer forces the car left or right several degrees depending on hand position. Ids: Three settings force steering wheel several degrees left or right during braking depending on last applied steering adjustment. When the road is a combination of curved, substantially sloped, or bumpy the computer will apply maximum computerized turning force to move steering wheel up to 45 degrees left into oncoming traffic even when the road slopes and/or curves away from oncoming traffic. A series of software command conflicts and overrides between ids, steering wheel position sensor, steering wheel sensor for hand position, radar, and road position sensor, and other-vehicle sensors routinely cause the computer to perform unintended drive into incoming traffic with maximum computer applied force. Manufacturer refused to provide dealers computer diagnostic equipment that aligns steering wheel sensor with navigation computer, radar, internal/external sensors, ids, and steering wheel hand sensor unless the consumer is willing to pay $700 in equipment transfer costs. Manufacturer demands dealers deny service or avoid writing work orders that contain any indication of a problem with steering wheel sensor, radar, computer-integrated hardware, or ids. Instead verbalize computer-related issues with repair techs to avoid regulatory reporting and California lemon law requirements.

- Brentwood, CA, USA

problem #11

Sep 052014

MDX 6-cyl

  • miles
Last may, I have purchased a 2014 MDX( tech+advanced) at Acura dealership in valencia, ca. Its current mileage clocks at 7200 miles. So far, I have visited the dealership for maintenance request for over 10 occasions.I have recently noticed the A/C indicator randomly blink.and now after driving 6,500 miles my engine started making this cricketing sound inside. But, the service manager I spoke to still says it's normal.he said all 2014, 2015 MDX are like that. But I can't help to express my concern over this. It this was normal, the sound should've been around since I first purchased the car instead of after 6,500 miles of driving. At this moment the sound has been growing as well. Anyway I have left my car after receiving a call from the valencia dealership to fix the issues of my vehicle on Oct.21 I have been informed the following to be resolved: First, the air conditioning will be fully replaced the A/C unit for the A/C monitor light that has been one. Second, in-depth checkup for the cricketing sound from my engine. However, on Nov 4 after receiving back my MDX, I noticed the A/C monitor back on and again, and the cricketing sound came back. I went back to the dealership in search of answers on exactly what they have fixed', and their response was that they didn't know how to replace the A/C and the engine sound is normal. I also contacted Honda corporate office on the Nov 12th and I was informed that the A/C was in fact not replaced and rearranged the placement of the engine to minimize the cricketing sound. Our family feel very cheated with these responses when I was promised that the A/C will be fixed, and engine sound will be resolved through various ways like water pump replacement. What upsets me most is that the dealership did not make actual effort to at least try to resolve their customer's concerns.

- Stevenson Ranch , CA, USA

problem #10

Apr 112014

MDX 6-cyl

  • 12,300 miles
Noticed bubbling paint on drivers side near back tire...emailed salesman with no response. Took car in for oil change, mentioned problem but paint had chipped off...took a picture to send to Acura for their determination whether it was going to be repaired free of charge....asked again in septmeber...no answer yet...no phone call to date to let me know if covered or not. July 24 was driving when for no reason all warning lights came on with warning beep...called dealership... was on my way to the airport for vacation and scared to keep driving..was told just a fluke and it would probably re-set...in August.took car to dealership and warning lights came on enroute...still on when I arrived...again told it was just a fluke happened again while parked with engine running in late August but noticed it was also idling quite high for no reason...called dealership again right away...left a message with no return call..it again re-set itself....in September I was driving 35mph and all warning lights came on, lost power and steering...called dealership, they had me look at message center but it did not say any code....took to dealership..told them I had been reading on line that other owners had same issue with no results...he said Acura was working on issue....nervous that it will happen while driving on expressway and I lose steering and power.....tired on hearing there is no code and no answer....very expensive car to have this type of issue with no fix...thank you

- Ripon, WI, USA

problem #9

May 232014

MDX 6-cyl

  • miles
2014 Acura MDX. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle cuts off while driving and electrical system problems. The consumer stated the vehicle cut off three times. On one separate occasion, while driving, the multi-information display warning and information messages illuminated on the screen. The mid was rotating continuously through a series of problems, such as; engine oil low, emission system problem, 12 volt battery charging system problems, etc. When the dealer tried to the turn the steering wheel, while the vehicle was in idle, it cut off again. The dealer assured the consumer, he wouldn't have any more problems. However, one month later, the vehicle cut off again; twice. On June 16, 2014, the multi-information display warning and information messages illuminated on the screen again.

- Dumfries, VA, USA

problem #8

Jul 012014

MDX

  • 1,575 miles
Dash warning lights coming on : brake problems. ABS light problems, hill asst. Problem, lane departure warning, front collision warning, these system stop working when driving at various speeds! dealer can't find the problem!

- Southlake, TX, USA

problem #7

Jun 182014

MDX 6-cyl

  • 4,900 miles
While trying to accelerate during a left turn, the engine completely lost power and the accelerator would not work. All engine warning lights came on. We nearly avoided an accident by coasting into the center lane. I had to turn off the car and restart in order to gain the ability to accelerate again, but all the warning lights remained on. Drove it to the dealer, but they have yet to be able to determine what the problem is. This is the 3rd time this has happened - all during the first 5 minutes of driving during the morning. The last incident could have resulted in a serious crash.

- Naperville, IL, USA

problem #6

Apr 292014

MDX 6-cyl

  • 2,359 miles
This is the third incident of unintended engine revving with this vehicle. This third incident occurred at 5925 miles. Was pulling out of a parking space in "reverse" and came to a complete stop with my foot firmly on the brake pedal when, in an instant, the vehicle unexpectedly revved up while I was still holding the brake pedal firmly and shifting into drive. The vehicle jolted into drive.

- Goodyear, AZ, USA

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