Makes›Acura›MDX›2014

2014 Acura MDX

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2014 models.

Acura MDX
Pictured: 2022 Acura MDX Technology, front 7.2.22. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV AWD/Tech/Elite
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
23 combined · 20 city / 28 hwy
Length
193.7 in
Curb weight
4,343 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
8 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • Many owner complaints128 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 17 for similar models — most often about the steering.
  • 8 recallsMore than similar models (about 2). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 17 similar 2014 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2014 Acura MDX is a small SUV offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 194 inches long and 77 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,343 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (20 city / 28 highway), 0% better than the 2014 small SUV average of 23.1 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 8 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 128 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the steering.

What changed for 2014

  • New body dimensions: 2.8 in longer, wheelbase +2.7 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
  • Engine added: 3.5L 6-cyl
  • Engine dropped: 3.7L 6-cyl
  • Best combined MPG up from 18 to 23

Compared with 2013; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2013 MDX →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV AWD/Tech/Elite193.7 in77.2 in67.3 in111 in66.5 / 66.1 in4,343 lb58/42

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
MDX 2WD3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 230%$3,550390
MDX 4WD3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive18 / 27 / 21-4%$3,900418
6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
6/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $5,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
23.1 MPG2014 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2014 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2014 Acura MDX.

Similar 2014 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2014 Acura MDX (this car)23 MPGNot rated8
2014 Porsche Cayenne23 MPGNot rated3
2014 BMW X526 MPGNot rated8
2014 Cadillac Escalade16 MPGNot rated2
2014 Lexus RX29 MPGNot rated0
2014 Volvo XC9019 MPGNot rated0
2014 Audi Q722 MPGNot rated2

Recalls (8)

Structure › Frame And Members · Jun 4, 2026

NHTSA campaign 26V365000 · 965,561 vehicles

Problem
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
Risk
Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix
Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.
Interior Lighting · Apr 17, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V259000 · 152,800 vehicles

Problem
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid light assembly and wiring harness, which can cause the interior and exterior lights to fail, including the lid lights, position lights, license plate lights and taillights.
Risk
Vehicle lights that fail to illuminate can decrease visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect the wiring and install a fuse harness, replace the lid light, and repair the body dust sealer, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 30, 2025. Owners may contact Acura's customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Acura's number for this recall is FLI. Vehicles included in this recall that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 19V-256 will need to have the new remedy completed.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Dec 18, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V858000 · 2,490,460 vehicles

Problem
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Exterior Lighting · Mar 28, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V256000 · 322,897 vehicles

Problem
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Acura MDX and 2017-2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid lights, possibly causing a loss of the tailgate lid lights and the taillights.
Risk
Loss of the taillights reduces the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix
Acura will notify owners, and dealers will modify the tailgate lid lights and install updated gaskets and a wiring sub-harness or will replace both tailgate lid lights. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is M49.
Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner · Jul 1, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V417000 · 106,439 vehicles

Problem
American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX and MDX AWD vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to December 16, 2014. The affected vehicles have air conditioning compressor clutch drive bolts that may not have received the proper anti-corrosion coating.
Risk
If a bolt was not coated, it may corrode and break as a result. If the bolt breaks, the compressor clutch plate may separate from the vehicle, possibly becoming a road hazard.
Fix
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air conditioning compressor clutch drive bolt and install a new clutch plate if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 7, 2015. Owners may contact Acura client relations at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's number for this recall is JQ7.
Forward Collision Avoidance › Crash Imminent Braking · May 20, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V301000 · 19,502 vehicles

Problem
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX 2WD and AWD, RLX and 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid vehicles. In certain driving conditions, the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) may incorrectly interpret certain roadside objects such as metal fences or metal guardrails as obstacles and unexpectedly apply the brakes.
Risk
If the CMBS unexpectedly applies emergency braking force while driving, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Fix
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the CMBS software, free of charge. The recall began on July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's numbers for this recall is JQ4, JQ5 and JQ6.
Seat Belts · Oct 10, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V639000 · 43,481 vehicles

Problem
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to August 25, 2014, and 2014 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured November 5, 2012, to November 25, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the driver and front passenger seat belt may not extend or retract in low temperatures.
Risk
A seatbelt that does not function increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix
Honda has notified owners, and dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belts, free of charge. The recall began in November 2014. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's number for this recall is JK7 for the MKX, and JK8 for the RLX.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · Nov 14, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V571000 · 19,197 vehicles

Problem
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Acura MDX AWD vehicles manufactured May 6, 2013, through October 14, 2013. The bolts that attach the drive shaft to the automatic transmission transfer assembly may not have been properly tightened. As a result, the bolts could loosen possibly allowing the shaft to detach.
Risk
If the drive shaft detaches while driving it could cause excessive noise and possibly damage the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the drive shaft attaching bolts as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on July 3, 2014. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009 or visit their website at www.recalls.honda.com. Honda's recall number is JC8.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2014 Acura MDX is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

128Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
8Involved a crash
3Involved a fire
9Injuries reported
40,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Steering27
Power Train22
Engine18
Service Brakes15
Electrical System15
Vehicle Speed Control13
Unknown Or Other13
Exterior Lighting12
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
22/09: 122/10: 223/07: 123/10: 224/01: 124/04: 224/05: 124/07: 124/08: 324/09: 124/11: 225/01: 225/03: 225/04: 225/08: 125/11: 125/12: 126/02: 126/04: 126/05: 126/06: 226/07: 126/08: 126/10: 222/0923/1024/0524/0925/0325/1126/0426/07max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2014 Acura MDX buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 8 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Steering — 27 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  3. Power Train — 22 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  4. Engine — 18 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 40,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2014 Acura MDX. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other MDX years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 MDX22198.4 inNot rated19
2025 MDX22198.4 in★★★★★4112
2024 MDX22198.4 in★★★★★343
2023 MDX22198.4 in★★★★★348
2022 MDX22198.4 in★★★★★3181
2020 MDX27196.1 in★★★★★8231
2019 MDX27196.1 in★★★★★9198
2018 MDX27196.1 in★★★★★10170
2017 MDX27196.1 inNot rated9268
2016 MDX23193.7 inNot rated7377
2015 MDX23193.7 inNot rated867
2013 MDX18190.9 inNot rated124

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Acura. How we calculate this →