2011 Acura MDX Reliability
The 2011 Acura MDX has 70 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine 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
70
NHTSA owner complaints
0
Recall campaigns
4
Complaints citing a crash
1
Complaints citing a fire
2011 Acura MDX complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 model year, filed between 2011 and 2025. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 28 | 40% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 8 | 11% |
| Unknown or other | 7 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 10% |
| Air bags | 6 | 9% |
| Speed control / throttle | 4 | 6% |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 4% |
| Body structure | 3 | 4% |
2011 Acura MDX recalls
No recall campaigns are listed for the 2011 Acura MDX in NHTSA's recall database.
How the 2011 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 52 | 0 | Electrical system | Better year |
| 2010 | 45 | 1 | Engine | Better year |
| 2011 (this page) | 70 | 0 | Engine | Better year |
| 2012 | 76 | 1 | Engine | Solid |
| 2013 | 30 | 1 | 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.
The 2011 Acura MDX on the used market
- 29 of 241 2011 Acura MDX listings in CarWhere's lifespan study showed 200,000 miles or more.
What to check on a used 2011 Acura MDX
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- 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.
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Air bags: make sure the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that any air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
- 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 2011 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.
2011 Acura MDX reliability FAQ
Is the 2011 Acura MDX reliable?
The 2011 Acura MDX has 70 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine 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 2011 Acura MDX problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2011 Acura MDX are engine (28), powertrain / transmission (8), unknown or other (7), electrical system (7). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2011 Acura MDX have recalls?
No recall campaigns are listed for the 2011 Acura MDX in NHTSA's recall database.
How does the 2011 Acura MDX compare with the 2010 and 2012 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2010 has 45 complaints and 1 recall (better year); the 2012 has 76 complaints and 1 recall (solid). The 2011 has 70 complaints and 0 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2011 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 2011 MDX, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.