2018 Acura MDX: sudden unintended acceleration

Filed Nov 11, 2025 · Acceleration · MA

When you press the accelerator pedal there is a significant delay in the pedal response particularly at low speed. As you press accelerator pedal nothing happens for a second or two. Then the vehicles accelerates not a gradual rate but at the rate of where the accelerator pedal is at when the vehicle begins to speed up. This causes sudden and hard acceleration. This delay and or sudden acceleration is dangerous when trying to pull into traffic. The Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Was brought to dealer and after a very short inspection, was told nothing was wrong. They did do a transmission software update. This did not change anything. This is an issue reported in on-long blogs frequently. No warning lamps to error codes related to this issue according to the dealer. This has been an ongoing issue for as long I have owned the vehicle but gets worse as the vehicle gets older.

Filed Sep 3, 2024 · Driver assistance, Electrical · MA

1.) I have had repeated, on-going issues with the fuel propulsion system since the day I bought the car. When I step on the accelerator it randomly (lately more constant than random) does not respond, then it will shoot me out into traffic. For example when I am entering the highway from an onramp, I see my opportunity to merge into traffic and I step on the gas - nothing - no response, then it suddenly accelerates and shoots me into oncoming traffic. This is SO BAD that I am afraid to drive the vehicle. It is DEADLY. I have reported the issue every time I have had the car serviced (always dealer serviced, from same dealer where I bought it.) 2.) The vehicle will randomly decide that I am going to hit a car in another lane, and will forcefully apply the brakes (when there is no issue, no danger, no possible way I am going to even be close to hitting another car) causing the cars behind me to come extremely close to rear-ending me! Or the car will decide I am going off the road when I am taking a soft curve, and it will sound a warning and try to turn the wheel. 3.) The display panel will go black for no reason. I then cannot use the navigation screen. It will randomly return after a few hours or after a day or two. 4.) The camera/display will get stuck on the reverse camera causing a visual disconnect as I drive forward, but can only see what is in reverse. (like seasickness). No idea what causes it or how to fix it. Eventually it corrects itself after a few hours/day+. 5.) Car will occasionally make a strange squealing noise after it has been turned off - no idea what that is, or what causes it. As a salesperson who spends many, many hours in her car, this vehicle has become a constant danger to both my livelihood and my life. I am afraid to drive it and I will not let family members drive it as I am afraid for their lives due to the issues stated above.

Filed Feb 24, 2023 · Fuel system · 50,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2018 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, which caused the vehicle to lunge forward. Additionally, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a faulty fuel system. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Jan 30, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

The vehicle has experienced an acceleration hesitation issue on a number of occasions. When I depress the accelerator from a stop and take my foot off the brake the vehicle does not respond. If I take my foot off the accelerator then depress it again all the way to the floor the vehicle after 3 or 4 seconds will lunge forward. In an intersection this "stall" may cause a collision with another vehicle. This has happened on a number of occasions but fortunately no accidents yet. I have taken the car to the dealer on no less than three times for this issue and been advised that no repair is necessary and that it was simply "a characteristics to this vehicle model and no repairs are needed."

Filed May 22, 2021 · Transmission · IL

This is the exact problem I am experiencing: https://carbuzz.com/news/some-acura-rdx-and-mdx-owners-have-a-troubling-problem https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2020/acura-mdx-and-rdx-acceleration-problems-lawsuit.shtml https://www.wirtzlaw.com/2020/04/19/defects-in-2016-2017-2018-2019-and-2020-acura-mdx-and-rdx-cause-acceleration-problems-are-subject-to-california-lemon-laws/#:~:text=Model%20years%202016%2C%202017%2C%202018%2C%202019%2C%20and%202020,neutral%2C%20and%20engines%20that%20stall. Transmission slip: sudden hesitation on acceleration, sudden deceleration then acceleration on low speed, 'hiccup' on transmission shifting The issue happened since day one I leased the car. At the first oil change service, I reported to the dealership. The dealer performed transmission check and told me everything was 'normal'. However the issue has become persistent and more obvious - it now happens every time I drive. I now feel the sudden acceleration, and decelerationI makes it very dangerous to drive.

Filed Jan 27, 2021 · Electrical, Fuel system · 45,000 miles · MD

Multiple times I have been traveling on the highway and my car would suddenly decrease in speed and stall out. I would go from 75mph to 45mph very quickly. It would then suddenly accelerate again and go back to normal. This is extremely dangerous and could lead to a deadly accident.