Watch This Before Buying an Acura MDX 2007-2013

Hey! Welcome to Watch This First where I educate you about some of the most common issues within particular cars. In reality, every car has issues that will pop up at some point and the Acura MDX from 2007-2013 is no different.

The MDX is probably one of the most reliable luxury SUVs you can buy used affordably, so please do not let these issues deter you. Its really a great car. But, like all used cars, saving money and learning about the car is definitely a good idea.

Parts and such:

Video per issues:

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Time Frames:
0:00 2007-2013 Acura MDX
0:35 Draining Battery
1:25 Seat not moving
1:48 Burning oil
2:18 Torque Converter Issues
2:39 Power Steering Rack
2:54 Other Mentionables!
3:38 My Final thoughts

[chrisenglish]

I got a 2012 through work for my wife. Had 70k on it. Switched it to full synth and premium filter and change at 4k. No oil loss in that time frame. Now at 202k and all is good. A 3x3 for the trans helps. I do it every 50k. Only rack issues I’ve seen at work is people using non-Honda fluid.

[shanduxui]

I love this car. I have a 2009 with 240000 miles on it. I used this car repeatedly until 2015. My only issue was the battery drain. With the first 6 months battery kept draining. The battery drain was due to the A/C relay being stuck on on. I think it blew the compressor. Replaced at the stealership. I search the net for reasons for battery drain and found it to be related to the Bluetooth thing in the mid hand rest. Disconnected it but for some reason my battery still drained. I have to note that sometime when I close the door while sitting in the car I can hear like an electrical arch through the radio. Still this is the best car I have. It grips the road like a panther. I drove 120 plus miles per day since 2010 to 2015 boy did I feel safe in that beast. I have had a Subaru with two transmission replacement and now highlander, but none could top this MDX

[Coronet__]

2010 MDX owner for 4 years now....agreed on the engine burning oil but I am also seeing the backup camera dying along with some major electric issues related to the sunroof drains cracking and that water getting into the rear fuse box and electronic modules under the rear floor deck, a real mess. Car still drives fine with 105k miles but cannot pass my state inspection because of all the wacky messages thrown out on the dashboard related to XM and other modules in the rear that may be water damaged. I did the timing belt and water pump at 95k miles. Oh, and the mpg is poor at around 16 so be aware of that going in on a used car.

[bobsmith]

Gas mileage is NOT THAT BAD. I have a 2012 and yes it’s not great compared to today’s standards. But let’s put this into perspective. It seems today’s MPG calculations/algorithms are different compared to 2012. You recall the VW MPG scandal? They’re not the only ones that over inflate MPG. Secondly yes it’s horrible when you’re driving city and your foot is heavy on the gas. On a well-maintained, smooth riding 2012 with 80, 000 miles on it, I get about 13 to 16 city. But highway I can get up to 23. For a 300hp V6 heavy car, I don’t think that’s horrible. Power when you want it and It tows great. Aside its little problems, I love this suv. Thankfully I haven’t had any of the issues he’s mentioned here. Other ones yes, none mentioned here. The issues are minor compared to many newer cars. Like he says every car has their issues. I think this is the best balance of luxury price and dependability. We’re keeping it as a third car. If you can find a good one, I wouldn’t sweat these issues.

[AllenManor]

We've had our 2011 since 2017. Only issue has been 1 bad fuel injector. Car does consume oil. I went in twice to the Acura dealership to do an oil consumption test, and each time the result came back as "acceptable" (about 1 quart every 1500 miles). That wasn't acceptable to me. I did some research and ended up running Liqui-Moly Engine Flush through the oil twice over a period of 3, 000 miles. Oil came out black as ink. Oil consumption reduced dramatically after this (maybe 1 quart every 3000 miles now). I also now only use high-mileage oil and I change it every 3000 miles instead of the interval recommended by the trip computer. I am convinced most of the issues can be avoided with more frequent oil changes. Engine is high compression though so some oil consumption is not unusual. Otherwise they are excellent cars.

[SlikLizrd]

Thanks-a-ton for the info -- I just got a **FREE** 2007 ACURA MDX Tech, and need to go through it and get it ready for another 100, 000 miles.
Will run Pennzoil Ultra Platinum, 5-W-20, with a Bosch Premium Oil Filter # 3323.
New genuine Honda PCV Valve # 17130-RYE- A01 going in right away -- must head off any "oil issues".

[appolloscreed]

I have a 2008 with 195k on the dash and only had to replace the timing belt and water pump. You have to drive it hard every once in a while to keep the catalyst system clean. If you get a code for that system … fill it with 93 octane and drive the hell out of it . The code will clear

[mellimel]

This did happen to me and I just unplugged it, got a new battery. It’s been a great car! I have over 200k miles on it and I have been hard on it tbh. I have replaced starter, alternator and radiator that’s it, they were reasonable enough n price. I haven’t spent more than $1000 in repairs on it.

[tomread]

2009 MDX has blend and mode door issues with the ac and heater. I have replaced all and it’s time again. 190K. No other issues. Original owner.

[howards]

Acura actually rebuilt my engine at 100k miles for this issue. There is a recall that fixes this. Took them 2 weeks…

[justicethegsd]

I have a 2011 with 78, 000 miles

It's SUCH a great car!

I will only own Honda products for the rest of my life.

Great video!

[shawnnorfleet]

2007- constant warnings of old or overly sensitive sensors are;; Emission sensor always going on and off. Oil check sensor sometimes going on/off in warmer months. Gas Cap not tight warning is a new one recently. Warnings that don’t mean anything lol

[watchman]

I bought my 2011 MDX 3 years ago with 138, 000 miles. Noticed shortly after it was using oil @ a rate of 1Qt per 1000 miles. Yikes! Discovered this was a common problem for this generation but made some attempts to solve the issue. Changed pcv valve, nothing, used seafoam in the crankcase and gas, nothing. So I gave up for awhile till I was adding a Qt every third fill up or 600 miles. Hitting the web again I ran across Marvel Mystery Oil. Sounds interesting but still sceptical since seafoam didn’t phase it any. But the more I read about it and many old school mechanics swore by it, won’t hurt to try it. I was down a Quart at 5he time so I put a quart in crankcase and 8 Oz in the tank on each fill. And ran it for the last 1000 miles of my oil change. After that one time incident I am now at 3000 miles per Qt. I will definitely be treating my oil again with Marvel Mystery Oil and see if we get to no adding between oil changes. I am totally amazed. This stuff works.

[Dressaloup]

if you just get the oil changed regularly, you will be good. i’ve had my acura mdx for awhile, no problems at all!

[chrisyork]

I have a 2013 MDX and it has at times a long start problem I just can’t seem to fix. Other than that, it’s an awesome car.

[danwemet]

Bro THANK YOU for the info on the bluetooth/battery! 🙏🏼

[doctorjayny-tv]

For 2010-2013 MDXs see service bulletin 14-032. Rear side body plugs fall out and you get exhaust gas in the cabin!!! There is a YouTube video showing how to feel behind the side rear bumper on both sides to check for this. There was no recall so there were no notifications and you need to pay for the repair unless you have a relationship with a dealer.

[Branhawk]

My 2008 burns oil so that year is not free from that issue. It’s a gas hog and I unplugged the Bluetooth. Other than that great car over 200k. Just doing the timing maintenance maybe even ahead of schedule for good reasons.

[DwayneDurling]

Had I known ahead of time before I bought mine. Now it just sits in my driveway.

[miguelangelgatica]

Great video doing my research because im about to buy a 2010 model and see what i need to look out for and what I have to check if something wrong with the vehicle