2012 Acura MDX Reliability
The 2012 Acura MDX has 76 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. Compared with other MDX model years, it rates as a solid year: complaints are in line with the MDX's typical year, while the 2014 drew 172 complaints.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
76
NHTSA owner complaints
1
Recall campaigns
4
Complaints citing a crash
3
Complaints citing a fire
2012 Acura MDX complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 model year, filed between 2013 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 23 | 30% |
| Electrical system | 13 | 17% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 13 | 17% |
| Unknown or other | 10 | 13% |
| Air bags | 9 | 12% |
| Body structure | 5 | 7% |
| Fuel / propulsion system | 4 | 5% |
| Visibility / wipers | 3 | 4% |
2012 Acura MDX recalls
1 recall campaign on NHTSA record for the 2012 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12V063000 | Feb 17, 2012 | Fuel system — storage / tank assembly | Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 pilot and Acura MDX vehicles. The vent shut float (vsf) valve case in the fuel tank assembly does not meet the design specifications. |
How the 2012 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 45 | 1 | Engine | Better year |
| 2011 | 70 | 0 | Engine | Better year |
| 2012 (this page) | 76 | 1 | Engine | Solid |
| 2013 | 30 | 1 | Engine | Better year |
| 2014 | 172 | 9 | Steering | Avoid |
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 2012 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 1 campaign above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- 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 2012 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.
2012 Acura MDX reliability FAQ
Is the 2012 Acura MDX reliable?
The 2012 Acura MDX has 76 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. Compared with other MDX model years, it rates as a solid year: complaints are in line with the MDX's typical year, while the 2014 drew 172 complaints.
What are the most common 2012 Acura MDX problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Acura MDX are engine (23), electrical system (13), powertrain / transmission (13), unknown or other (10). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2012 Acura MDX have recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2012 Acura MDX, including 12V063000 (fuel system — storage / tank assembly). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2012 Acura MDX compare with the 2011 and 2013 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2011 has 70 complaints and 0 recalls (better year); the 2013 has 30 complaints and 1 recall (better year). The 2012 has 76 complaints and 1 recall.
How do I check a specific used 2012 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 2012 MDX, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.