Top 5 Problems Acura MDX SUV 2007-2013 2nd Generation

Here are the top problems with the 2nd generation Acura MDX, which you can find in model years 2007 to 2013. If you own an MDX, are thinking of getting one, or know someone else that does, you should check out this video! Len points out the 5 most common problems that occur with the Acura MDX, and offers tips on how you can prevent or solve those problems yourself!

0:00 Top 5 Problems Acura MDX SUV 2007-2013 2nd Generation
0:37 Idle Air Control System
2:37 Faulty EGR Valve
3:41 D4/Check Engine Light Flashing
4:48 Transmission Shuddering
5:35 Difficulty Starting
6:49 Hood Struts

This process should be similar on the following vehicles:
2007 Acura MDX
2008 Acura MDX
2009 Acura MDX
2010 Acura MDX
2011 Acura MDX
2012 Acura MDX
2013 Acura MDX

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[AAuto]

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[AcuraAddicted]

I've owned this vehicle for 11 years and never had an idle air control system issue. I know this car in and out and have performed nearly any possible maintenance and repair of a common problem that exists for these cars. In fact, I'm a part of multi thousand second gen owners FB clubs and forums and idle air control system issue you mention has never been reported as a common issue for these vehicles. EGR valve is also far from being a common issue on them. The torque converter is not a common issue as well, but at least it's known. The hood support argument is so on the nose that it's ridiculous. Like these are the only cars that use gas struts to support the hood?!

Now to the actually five common issues with these vehicles:
№1) Oil consumption issue on 2010-2013 vehicles due to redesigned piston rings. This is a truly most common issue on these vehicles which has been acknowledged by the manufacturer and even warranty extended for replacing pistons and rings.

№2) Parasitic draw from the battery by a) faulty HFL module, b) faulty AC relay and c) Faulty CD/DVD changer.

№3) Memory function stops working or works intermittently due to dried out side mirror actuator (restoring memory positions depend on all components including side mirrors positions, so if any of the components malfunction, memory position restoring algorithm halts).

№4) For 2007-2009 vehicles navigation and main entertainment system OS is stored and loads from a DVD disk that is in the DVD drive located under the driver seat. With time in high humidiry and with water intrusion the carpets get damp and stay damp, slowly rotting away at the DVD drive, eventually causing the mechanism to fail.

№5) Water intrusion - with time the factory sealants inevitably fail and start letting water into the vehicle through frame seals in the front quarter panels. It's really difficult to get rid of and in many cases require cutting some of the panels off to get to seal properly and then replacing the panels.

[chopkong]

I've owned several MDX's, a 2012 Advanced, 2014 Tech, 2017 Tech, 2017 Advanced and 2019 Advanced. The 2012 had gotten 310K miles before I sold it and the 2014 currently has 165k. 2017 Tech and Advance have roughly 100k now. (we drive alot) I've never experienced any of the issues they are talking about, except once I went over 220k on the 2012 model, the catalytic converter needed changing out. Also, whenever I went in for oil changes, the brilliant oil technicians would unlatch the connectors for the EGR-air sensors to check the air filter and failed to reconnect it properly causing a series of issues. Simply reconnect the cables tightly and no problem. The hood struts are easy to replace. I did have an issue with the 2012 burning oil though. I've owned close to 40 vehicles in my life and BY FAR, the Acura MDX's have been the most reliable, dependable, practical, and low maintenance vehicles I've ever owned. It's not even close.

[iyervikas]

Have a 2013 mdx i bought brand new and still running 70k miles 10 years later with just oil changes and one tranny fluid change at 60k miles. One of the best reliable cars i ever owned ❤

[melvinmezon]

He said a bunch of problems 🤦🏾🤦🏾 this is one of the most reliable SUV

[Jdawgzx]

He didn’t even mention the oil consumption issue from the bad piston rings, in the 3.7

[aaroncostello]

A really big problem is failure of the Active Damper struts on the Sport/Advance models. These struts are about $500-600 a corner and Acura might not even make them anymore. Door mirror actuators go bad and this results in a loss of functionality in other systems like the seat position memory. These vehicles are heavy, so sway bar links and bushings wear out quickly as well, causing knocks and clunks from the suspension. The Hands Free Link Bluetooth module can fail internally, causing a battery drain and possibly a no-start condition.

Generally, 2007-2009 is the 'sweet spot' for the MDX. Very few serious problems. Earlier ones had transmission issues and later ones had engine issues.

[maximoj.dominguezr.]

Mine is a 2009 Advanced package, had it for several years and still going strong. I'm driving that thing till its wheels fall off.

[TheHienax]

Other common issue vibration at 80 or 90 mph at the highway.
The problem is not your wheel bearing, disc brake, wheel balance, tire deformation.
Is the rear u joint of your drive shaft!
New shave is 1000 at least and they said that it cant be rebuild..
This can be rebuild for cheap and rebalance.
Cost me 200 to do it in a shaft shop (only the rear u joint that collects all the road crap, the front one should be perfect)
To change the drive shaft takes around 30 minutes need 14mm, 12mm and 10 mm sockets. Also get some good socket extension.
You can take your old drive shaft, still use the vehicle and send it to be rebuild.
Them put it back when the rebuild is done.
Hope that this save some money guys..

[zacharymaclellan]

Have owned a 08 MDX for a few years, Water leaks are a common issue. There is a seam at the rear tailgate where it meets the roof that wasn't sealed right from the factory, this allows water to leak into the third row wall and soak the rear fuse box and AWD computer. My friend has fixed 50 or so of them at a bodyshop. I also had some in the roof rack mounting holes which caused water to soak my drivers side carpet. Power lock actuator failure in the rear can cause the tailgate to not open unless manually unlocking offending door first.

[msbs]

My 2013 MDX had 246000 miles only had to replace the battery and cooling fan only cause it was making noise still worked fine

[maphesto]

This is hilarious. My 2007 MDX is about to hit 200, 000 miles.

The check engine light was on, and I couldn’t figure out why and then I went to change the oil literally less than a half a quart of oil came out into the pan. It was black and sludgy and I was shocked at the car showed zero indication that there was an issue. It ran and started just as beautifully as when we purchased it with 62, 000 miles on it about 12 years ago.

No, I did put Amsoil synthetic when I last changed the oil which was about 25 to 30, 000 miles ago so maybe that helped in a way but it’s just a testament to the reliability of these cars.

The last few years have been played with financial problems and a bunch of other things, and even though the engine light came off and on, and I’ve had various error messages pop up here and there. I’ve never done anything to this car and it runs beautifully perfect. I’ve never changed the spark plugs. With the exception of pretty regular oil changes until recently the only time I’ve ever flushed out the coolant system or transmission was well over 100, 000 miles ago.

The only thing I replaced on this car was the alternator and a few batteries. I’ve never had any of the issues that are mentioned in this video and I have a really good scanner and for the first 3 years I had a Honda) warranty on it.

I now use it as a work vehicle for my tradesmen service and although it’s a tight fit to get all my tools in here, I’ve hauled stone and sand and many concrete bags in the back . I’ve towed travel trailers and utility trailers that were well over 5000 pounds on steep inclines in the Phoenix desert summer sun.

I will never get rid of this car. I will get an F150 in a few months and this car will go to my daughter.

Finally, the safety numbers on this car are ridiculous. You can feel it when you drive it. It feels like a German car. It’s one of the very few Japanese luxury cars, that I will say actually really feels like a German car.

All wheel drive system is the best on the planet better than Audi better than any other car I’ve ever driven and I’m sure the new Acura all drives system is far more advanced, but I’ve never been stuck in the snow ever. I’ve taken this thing off road I’ve hauled firewood with it, but I’ve never gotten stuck.

[fortunatedad]

I have a 2010 MDX elite and had a transmission shudder when it would gear down to 2nd sometimes 3rd. The transmission shift points had to be reprogrammed. Works great now
I even tried a drain and fill and resetting the transmission myself prior, but did not fix the problem.
My ADS shocks had to be replaced as one failed after only 70, 000km. Went with the regular shocks, it drives good, not as good as the electronic ones but good nevertheless. If you live in colder climates they don't last very long, but if you don't the ADS system is pretty sweet.
I don't experience an excessive oil consumption anymore after I did an engine flush with marvel mystery oil 🤷‍♂️. The flush did do some cleaning because my rocker control arm actuator got clogged up after, just replaced the part and runs great now.
Hopefully this helps someone.

[zreiba]

It’s surprising that the high oil consumption issue wasn’t on the list. MDX from 2010 to 2013 all suffer from high oil burning.

[BrandanZmaster]

Great video! Love the explanation of what stuff is supposed to do. Great personality as well!

[diegovalle]

I had the EGR problem on my 2011 mdx thank you for the video!

[trishsimon]

I’m having a lot of these problems thanks for sharing

[car-key-programming]

Bluetooth module draining battery, main one concern. Forgot that one huh 😅.

[BrownBoyCanadian]

Thank you and i will be heading towards Toyota Highlander

[clerrencegardner]

I wish he have a video on, why the check light, VSA light and check trailer stability control are on but the MDX drive smooth.