2009 Acura MDX Reliability
The 2009 Acura MDX has 52 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and powertrain / transmission. Compared with other MDX model years, it rates as one of the better years: complaints run below the MDX's typical year.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
52
NHTSA owner complaints
0
Recall campaigns
4
Complaints citing a crash
1
Complaints citing a fire
2009 Acura MDX complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 model year, filed between 2009 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 18 | 35% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 8 | 15% |
| Engine | 8 | 15% |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 12% |
| Speed control / throttle | 5 | 10% |
| Air bags | 4 | 8% |
| Wheels | 3 | 6% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 6% |
2009 Acura MDX recalls
No recall campaigns are listed for the 2009 Acura MDX in NHTSA's recall database.
How the 2009 compares with nearby MDX years
Verdicts come from CarWhere's year-by-year MDX analysis where it covers the year, otherwise from the years shown here.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 99 | 1 | Electrical system | Solid |
| 2008 | 49 | 1 | Body structure | Better year |
| 2009 (this page) | 52 | 0 | Electrical system | Better year |
| 2010 | 45 | 1 | Engine | Better year |
| 2011 | 70 | 0 | Engine | Better year |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2009 Acura MDX
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Lights: check headlights (low and high), brake lights and turn signals; condensation inside the housings is worth noting.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2009 Acura MDX can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2009 Acura MDX reliability FAQ
Is the 2009 Acura MDX reliable?
The 2009 Acura MDX has 52 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and powertrain / transmission. Compared with other MDX model years, it rates as one of the better years: complaints run below the MDX's typical year.
What are the most common 2009 Acura MDX problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2009 Acura MDX are electrical system (18), powertrain / transmission (8), engine (8), exterior lighting (6). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2009 Acura MDX have recalls?
No recall campaigns are listed for the 2009 Acura MDX in NHTSA's recall database.
How does the 2009 Acura MDX compare with the 2008 and 2010 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2008 has 49 complaints and 1 recall (better year); the 2010 has 45 complaints and 1 recall (better year). The 2009 has 52 complaints and 0 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2009 Acura MDX?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Acura MDX research
Other Acura MDX model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2009 MDX, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.