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2012 Acura MDX engine problems

25 complaints (33% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 85,000.

owner complaints
25
of this car's complaints
33%
typical mileage
85,000
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

Owners did not name a specific part.

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Acura MDX engine problems in other years

200120052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2012 Acura MDX engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Oil consumption 13

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2012 Acura MDX owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 16, 2026 · Body, Engine · NC

I have a 2012 MDX and it burns an extreme amount of oil. We took our MDX back to the dealership where we purchased it and had the oil issue fixed. Or so we thought. The problem was supposed to be fixed 3 months ago but the car is still burning a lot of oil. We have to add oil every 2 weeks. We did not drive the car much after "getting the oil issue repaired" so we did not realize that the problem still exists. Acura should know how to repair this issue and there should be a recall for this excessive oil consumption. Acura is a luxury brand but they are not taking care of their customers. Also the paint is peeling off our MDX badly. We had a couple of paint touch up jobs but it just keeps getting worst. I am embarrassed driving this car with the continuing paint peeling off. We cannot keep shelling out money to get this vehicle repainted. There should be a recall for the paint peeling also. I had a Honda and the Honda had a lot less issues and cost a lot less. We will not purchase another Acura unless Acura does right by their customers and put recalls out and fix the oil consumption and paint peeling issues.

Filed Jul 8, 2026 · Engine · OR

2012 ACURA MDX burns extreme amounts of oil between oil changes. Typically a warning indicator comes on about 1,000 miles before oil change is due. I continue to refill oil between oil changes.

Filed May 21, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · WA

our car eats a ton of oil and the piston rings failed, we owe a lot on it and I'm told there is no help for this issue even though there used to be because we are outside the guidelines in terms of mileage and purchase date. our car has 156k its a 2012 MDX. VIN [XXX] . Just checking with everyone everywhere to make sure I've exhausted all resources as it will take 13,000 to fix and we owe 12,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 27, 2025 · Engine · MD

Oil consumption/burning Cylinder rings

Filed Feb 12, 2025 · Engine · WA

See attached document for complaint.

Filed Feb 3, 2025 · Engine · PA

On 11/30/24 I heard a slight whirling sound while driving. On 12/1/24 I drove from Point A towards my home. Along the way the oil light flashed. I stopped at Advance Auto Parts, 15 miles from Point A. I checked the oil and it read as it should on the dip stick. No oil was needed. I drove straight home, a distance of 30 miles, and parked the car. When my son arrived home he started the car and there was a knocking sound. He shut it off. He stated that he felt it to be the rod bearings. He then changed the oil as previously planned as supplies were already in the car. He checked the oil and found a slight glitter in it indicating the rod bearing issue. The car remained parked until 12/26/24 when it was taken to an independent service center, round trip of 18 miles, who confirmed that the rod bearings were the issue. The car was parked again and only started to move about 50 feet into the garage prior to a snow storm. It has not been started since. My safety was put at risk as the engine could have, and will, fail when driving. The engine had previously been repaired at an Acura dealer for an oil consumption issue in accordance with service bulletin 19-006. Honda refused to honor the recall previously offered due to this known failure. The car was picked up on 12/8/22 with 92,954 and purchased finalized on 1/4/23. The oil consumption issue was first noted on 2/12/23 at 97,088 miles. Car was serviced and oil changed on 2/16/23 at which time the oil consumption issue was diagnosed by the selling dealer. Oil was continually added until work was completed on 3/21/23 at 99,425 miles. The new issue with the rod bearings (that were not changed with the first repair as they should have been) was first noted at approximately 137,840 miles. This is now the second engine failure for this car. The car is available for inspection. The car has not been inspected by any entity other than the initial diagnosis on 12/26/24.

Filed Jan 24, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · TX

The engine consistently consumes too much oil between service events. The low oil light comes on. I had this problem for over 8 years and the dealership said it was not a problem until now and they want me to pay for it. The oil control rings have been clogged since 2016 and progressively gotten worse. The clogged rings cause restriction of oil to return to the crankcase. This causes a decrease in available oil and may cause overheating that could lead to engine fire. Acura should fix the oil control rings to function properly. They have identified this in the past, through a service bulletin (19-006). I have performed 97% of my oil changes at Acura dealerships.

Filed Oct 27, 2022 · Engine · TX

Consistently getting low oil notification shortly after getting oil changes. This has been happening since 2017. Dealer does a oil consumption test and says it is not a problem. However I cannot go between oil changes without getting the notification. I have no oil leaks. Furthermore, I have had 'oil' services done over the past 5 years that never fix the problem. I'm afraid this is doing damage to the vehicle and can put us in danger if oil level is too low. Dealer continues to say it isn't a problem. And when they try to fix it, it doesn't work. This began in 2017

Filed Sep 18, 2022 · Engine · NY

This vehicle unrealistically burns oil. 5-6 quarts of oil is added to engine between oil changes.

Filed Sep 6, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · NY

S25 S25 recall fuel system 2012 Campaign Number 12V063000

Questions about the 2012 Acura MDX engine

Does the 2012 Acura MDX have engine problems?

Owners have filed 25 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Acura MDX, 33% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2012 Acura MDX engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 85,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2012 Acura MDX engine?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Acura MDX have bad engine?

The Acura MDX model years with the most engine complaints are 2016 (173 complaints), 2020 (104 complaints) and 2017 (97 complaints).

Other 2012 Acura MDX problems

Electrical 13Transmission 13Airbags 9Body 5Fuel system 4Driver assistance 3Visibility 3Acceleration 2Brakes 2Lights 2Steering 2Seat belts 1Seats 1Suspension 1Tires 1Wheels 1

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