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2025 Acura MDX engine problems

72 owner reports

This is a safety-related system. If you notice symptoms, stop driving and have it inspected.

What owners report

  • “I own a 2025 Acura MDX Advance with approximately 18,500 miles. While stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle's Auto Idle Stop feature engaged and shut off the engine as designed. However, when it was time for the vehicle to restart, the engine would not restart. The failure left me unable to move the vehicle at an intersection, creating a potentially dangerous situation and exposing me and other motorists to the risk of a traffic accident. A vehicle that automatically shuts off at a traffic li…”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 11/02/2026

  • “My vehicle is having on going start up issues a month after purchased. Failed to restart after the automatic idle-stop system They replaced the starter & starter rely and still never fix the issue. The battery on the vehicle passed the battery test and I feel like my safety and children safety is in danger! The vehicle is not even 2 years old. The vehicle has left me at a red light , stop sign , gas station stuck due to the vehicle not turning on/ struggling to turn on . The dash board would…”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 10/30/2026

  • “While driving and coming to a stop, the engine shuts down and will not restart. Error "To continue to drive, depress brake pedal and push Switch". After 10 minutes of trying to start the car it finally started.”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 10/26/2026

  • “On three separate occasions, 2/27/26, 9/9/26, and 9/23/26 the Idle stop/start feature was inoperable and caused the vehicle to shut down. Upon attempting to turn the vehicle back on, vehicle would not immediately start back up. Inoperable and a major safety concern since this happened at a red light that was turning green. This poses a great concern due to traffic approaching the light while green not noticing the vehicle is stopped, as the entire vehicle shuts off when this happens. There is no…”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 10/21/2026

  • “I have had a problem with the "Auto Idle Stop" in my 2025 Acura MDX. While at a stop light 2 different times and at a stop sign 1 time the car engine shut off as it should. Upon letting off the brake and pressing the gas the car would not go. It stayed in Park and I could not get it to go. The engine would not turn back on. I received a warning light that said "depress brake and push start". Upon doing this the car still would not start. I had to open the door, shut door, push brake and then st…”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 10/15/2026

  • “My 2025 Acura MDX A-Spec Advance (VIN [XXX]) twice failed to restart after the Auto Idle Stop system shut the engine off — on XXX (~2:00 PM CDT) and again on October 10, 2026 (2:20 PM CDT). The vehicle was immobilized and would not restart. Sterling Acura of Austin ([XXX]) diagnosed a failed starter on XXX: bench testing showed 9.7 amp draw with voltage drop below 7.3V. The dealer replaced the starter motor (part 31200-5MR-A03) under warranty, test drove 10+ miles, cleared codes, and verified t…”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 10/14/2026

  • “On two occasions my vehicle stalled out when the idle stop feature failed to restart the engine in traffic. I could not restart my vehicle initially and it took several attempts to restart. Because I was at a stop in an intersection waiting to turn this could have resulted in a serious accident. There was no warning light or other indication of an issue prior to, during, or after the first incident. This was subsequently reproduced and documented with the dealer. They indicated they are seeing i…”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 10/08/2026

  • “The Auto Idle Stop has activated normally at traffic lights, but on two occasions the engine shut off and then failed to automatically restart when I released the brake. A yellow warning light with an exclamation mark also appeared on the dashboard. The most recent incident happened yesterday, 09/25/2026. There have also been several other times when the engine did restart, but it took noticeably more effort or longer than normal to restart from Auto Idle Stop.”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 09/28/2026

Unverified owner reports from NHTSA's public complaint database.

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How common are 2025 Acura MDX engine problems?
72 owners reported engine issues to NHTSA for the 2025 Acura MDX. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Is there a recall for 2025 Acura MDX engine problems?
No matching recall is on file. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the latest.

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