Acura MDX VIN Number Check

Run a free NHTSA vPIC decode on an Acura MDX VIN to confirm the model year and engine, then see which of the 44 NHTSA recall campaigns for 2001–2026 cover that year.

VIN prefix2HN5J85FR

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Acura MDX

About the Acura MDX

Acura has sold the MDX in the US since the 2001 model year, and there have been four generations. YD1 first (2001–2006), then YD2 (2007–2013). The YD3/4/7 arrived for 2014–2020, and the YD8/9/YE1 took over for 2022–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 44 vehicle recall campaigns and 3,341 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the YD3/4/7. Its 2016 and 2017 model years alone account for 638 of them, with owners bringing up engine and cooling most often and the powertrain after that. EPA rates the YD1 at 17 mpg combined, while the YD8/9/YE1 gets 19–22 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2001–2026

GenerationsYD1 · YD2 · YD3/4/7 · YD8/9/YE1

NHTSA recall campaigns44

Owner complaints3,341 at NHTSA

Acura MDX photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Acura MDX generations

Four generations since the 2001 model year. The YD3/4/7 (2014–2020) has the most owner complaints, the YD1 (2001–2006) the most recall campaigns (20).

4 / 4

YD8/9/YE1

2022–20264th generation

Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

200120052010201520202025

2022–2026· Generation 4 of 4

YD8/9/YE1 · 4th generation

PlatformHonda PF7

EPA combined mpg19–22

NHTSA recalls5

Engines (EPA)

3.0 L 6-cyl (turbo) · 2022–2026
3.5 L 6-cyl · 2022–2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

AWD/4WD, FWD
automatic (2022–2026)

Known issues to check

Powertrain (transmission, driveline) (108)Electrical system (94)Engine and cooling (81)

Mentions in 376 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · YD8/9/YE15J8YE1H4?NL······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2022 Acura MDX TECH, built in East Liberty, Ohio

Check an MDX VIN

Sources: Wikipedia · EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which MDX model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 44 campaigns on file for MDX model years 2001–2026, and the 2003 and 2005 show up in the most (11 each). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Acura MDX owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Complaints peak with the 2016 (374 of 3,341). Tap any bar or generation.

3,341NHTSA complaints, 2001–2026

146mention a crash

51mention a fire

133injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearYD8/9/YE1: 376 complaints · most for the 2022 (176)

Top complaint areas · YD8/9/YE1

Mentions in 376 complaints, 2022–2026.

Powertrain (transmission, driveline)108

Electrical system94

Engine and cooling81

Forward collision avoidance46

Brakes42

Steering30

Crashes 12Fires 2Injuries 16

2022–2026 (YD8/9/YE1)

NHTSA data summary

The 2022 stands out. On its own it has 176 of the YD8/9/YE1’s 376 complaints (47%). By area, nothing stands out. Powertrain leads with 108, with the electrical system (94) and engine and cooling (81) close behind.

What MDX owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2022–present (4th generation)

The 2022 and 2025 draw the most complaints, and CarComplaints has only a few reports. About a quarter of NHTSA owners of the 2022 describe transfer case trouble, including fluid leaks at the joint with the transmission, grinding and failed splines, and many 2025 owners report the engine not restarting after an auto idle stop. CarComplaints lists failed transfer case splines for 2022 and a whine with gear grinding for 2023, and an r/Acura thread gathers owners with the same transfer case failures. Recalls cover passenger seat weight sensors on 2022–2026 models and rearview camera screens on some 2025 models. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

2014–2020 (3rd generation)

The 2016 and 2017 draw the most complaints. NHTSA owners of the 2016 most often describe the 9 speed automatic used from 2016 shifting roughly or erratically, sometimes dropping into neutral, along with hesitation, stalling and engine knocking. CarComplaints lists paint problems, stalling or lurching on light throttle and idle noise for 2014, and erratic shifting, engine rattle and hesitation for 2016. Recalls cover connecting rod bearings on 2016–2020 models that may seize, fuel pumps on 2016–2018 models and tailgate light wiring on 2014–2020 models that can let moisture in. [6] [7] [8]

2007–2013 (2nd generation)

The 2007 draws the most complaints. About a third of NHTSA owners of the 2007 report a battery that drains overnight, often blamed on the Bluetooth hands free module, and oil consumption complaints appear for 2011 and 2012. CarComplaints lists a parasitic battery drain, a broken sunroof and an air bag light for 2007, and excessive oil consumption for both 2011 and 2012. Recalls for this generation are few, including fuel tank vent valves on some 2012 models. [9] [10] [11] [12] [13]

What to check before buying

Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the connecting rod bearing and fuel pump recalls on 2016 to 2020 models.
Look under the car for fluid at the transmission and transfer case joint and ask for repair records.
On the drive, feel for rough or erratic shifts and confirm the engine restarts promptly after an idle stop.

Sources (13) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

MDX complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Hybrid MDX versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.

3,341complaints, 2001–2026

146mention a crash

51mention a fire

133injuries reported

Most complaints: 2016 (374), 2017 (264), 2020 (227)

2016 · 374 complaints

Crashes 10 · fires 5 · injuries 5

Engine161

Power train111

Unknown or other40

Electrical system37

Fuel/propulsion system27

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

MDX CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 54 MDX versions for model years 2001–2026 (gas and hybrid). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 329 g/mi, for the 2017 hybrid. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

YD12001–2006

17 mpg · CO₂ 523 g/mi

YD22007–2013

17–18 mpg · CO₂ 494–523 g/mi

YD3/4/72014–2020

21–27 mpg · CO₂ 329–424 g/mi

YD8/9/YE12022–2026

19–22 mpg · CO₂ 411–474 g/mi

Model year2025

22combined MPG

411CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$3,750EPA yearly fuel cost

4/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

5/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III ULEV70 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 70Emission standard

Cleanest gas version of 2025: MDX FWD · Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L — 22 MPG · 411 g/mi

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

GasHybrid

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

MDX vs Volvo XC90 vs Audi Q7

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2007–2013. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the MDX, against 5 for the Volvo XC90 and 7 for the Audi Q7. Pick a range to compare.

Acura MDXYD8/9/YE1

Model years 2022–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 5
NHTSA owner complaints: 376
EPA combined mpg: 19–22
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 3.0, 3.5 L
Also listed: turbo
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 108
Electrical system 94
Engine and cooling 81

Volvo XC90

Model years 2022–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 9
NHTSA owner complaints: 141
EPA combined mpg: 22–27
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0 L
Also listed: turbo, supercharged, plug-in hybrid, mild hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 48
Rear camera / back-over prevention 36
Fuel system 16

Audi Q7

Model years 2022–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 6
NHTSA owner complaints: 55
EPA combined mpg: 20–22
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0 L · 6-cyl 3.0 L
Also listed: turbo, mild hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Forward collision avoidance 14
Engine and cooling 13
Electrical system 11

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Acura MDX VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on an MDX

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Grey Acura MDX (fourth generation) SUV, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Gold Pony, CC BY 3.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

Before completing an MDX purchase, locate the VIN at the lower driver's windshield and cross-check it against the door jamb sticker, B-pillar label, and cargo area sticker. The YD8/9/YE1 generation starts with the 2022 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (N for 2022) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Acura MDX VIN questions

Which Acura MDX model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2016 leads with 374, ahead of the 2017 (264) and 2020 (227). Those first two alone make up 19% of the 3,341 MDX complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Acura MDX had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 44 vehicle campaigns for model years 2001–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, YD1 leads with 20. Then come the YD3/4/7 (19), YD8/9/YE1 (5) and YD2 (3), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which Acura MDX recalls are high risk?

20V-026, 20V-027, 15V-320, 15V-370, 16V-344 and 17V-029 cover air bag inflators that can rupture. 19V-182, 19V-499 and 19V-501 cover air bag inflator modules and how they deploy. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 04V-541, 12V-063, 16V-417, 23V-751 and 17V-424. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which MDX generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the YD1 is 2001–2006 and the YD2 2007–2013. YD3/4/7 spans 2014–2020, YD8/9/YE1 2022–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (N is 2022).

What fuel economy does the Acura MDX get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2022–2026 YD8/9/YE1 at 19–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 17 mpg for the 2001–2006 YD1 (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Acura MDX compare with the Volvo XC90 and Audi Q7 on recalls?

For 2022–2026 models the MDX has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Volvo XC90 has 9, the Audi Q7 6. Complaints run 376, 141 and 55 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Acura MDX have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 MDX 5 stars overall. One version, FWD, is rated. NHTSA lists 2 versions for that year, 1 of them rated.

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Acura MDX generations