2018 Acura MDX: won't start

Filed Apr 28, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · MD

February 2024 several issues started to occur with my 2018 acura awd mdx. On two occasions I tried to start the vehicle, wouldnt start till the third attempt. I was driving not even 25 miles when the vehicle accelerated. Another occasion I was exiting a parking spot when the vehicle deccelerated, couldnt pick up speed almost crashed into a parked vehicle. I called acura dealership to report concerns. Spoke to donna tipton. She cut me off stating acura doesnt have the fuel pump or connecting rod in stock call back in the spring. I called acura care to report was given a case number and advised to take my vehicle to acura for priority service based on the issues. The dealership gave me the run around for over a month trying to get an appointment. In the meantime, the issues with the vehicle worsened. I called acura care they advised to call the dealership trying to get a supervisor. Donna wouldnt get the manager or take my information. I called again [xxx] spoke to shawn and was scheduled april [xxx]. My vehicle was there all day for them to say they didnt experienced any issues and they have no control over the issues im having or the fact acura won't have parts the fall of 2024. I cannot drive a vehicle with engine issues till fall without being at risk for a crash, injury or death to myself or others. I need my vehicle repaired or replaced immediately. Acura need to expedite this process. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Jan 9, 2024 · Electrical · PA · fire

Fire under the hood of my 2018 MDX - caused by weak battery and overloaded starter. My car was parked in the garage right under my daughter’s bedroom. I pressed the "Start" button on the car and the dashboard started to flash on and off quickly and I heard clicking sounds and other swooshing noises. The car did NOT start but it seemed to keep trying over and over again. I pressed the start/off button repeatedly but the car did not shut off. My wife came out and asked what I was doing and she smelled and saw smoke coming from under my hood. She ran into the house and called 911. I popped the hood and got out of the car. At this point, there was more smoke and a VERY strong burning electrical odor. The car continued to try to start and the only thing I could think of was to disconnect the battery. Just as I disconnected the battery, The fire department showed up and the smoke started to slowly subside since the car was no longer trying to start. I called AAA and had the car towed to the local Acura dealership that I just had it serviced at. Upon their evaluation, it was determined that the battery was not completely dead, but not strong enough to engage the starter. Therefore, the car continued to try to start and overloaded the starter, burning it out. I strongly feel that this is a catastrophic failure for Acura and completely unacceptable for a vehicle with all kinds of safeguards. It should not have caught on fire from a weak battery in the garage/under my daughter’s bedroom – The whole car and house could have burned down. After several weeks of discussions with the dealership and Acura customer care, it was determined they would split the cost of ~ $2000 for repairs. I felt I had no choice but to pay it and get my car back with a new starter and battery. I asked the dealership to give me the starter - I do have it - I also noticed the replacement starter is a new model - Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 24, 2022 · Electrical · MD

The car was bought in November, 2018, and is still under warranty. In the morning of October 3, 2022, The car would not start. The voltage of the battery was measured to be about 11.5 V. A new battery was bought and put in by myself on October 4, 2022, since I did not realize that the battery was still under warranty. Everything looked normal on October 5, 2022. But in the morning of October 6, 2022, the headlights were found to be on even though nobody was around the car parked in the garage. Sometimes the alarm would go off. This happens randomly but frequently ever since. An appointment was made with the dealer, and the car was checked out on October 10, 2022. The dealer determined that the Keyless Module Unit was faulty, but the part was on back order. The service advisor assured me that it should be safe to drive the car. Ever since, the car has been trying to start itself frequently and randomly. It would turn on the headlights, move the driver seat, go through the engine turnover cycle, etc. Sometimes it also moved the window shield wipers, or sounded the alarm even though the car was not locked. Being afraid of driving the car, I started to ask for a loaner or rental car from the the dealer on October 12, 2022, and have been talking to both Acura warranty department and the dealership since. Today (October 24, 2022) the car would not start, and had been towed to the dealership. Now it has been more than a week, I still cannot get a rental car from Acura, even though the service director from the dealership also had a concern about the safety of driving the car or leaving the car unattended.

Filed Dec 6, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · CA · crash · fire

In San Diego on 11/15/2021, my daughter side swiped a parked vehicle in residential area driving about 30 miles. No airbags deployed. A minute later the car stopped and would not start and started to have smoke and flames come from under hood and through inside windshield and dash. My daughter was able to get out and take her 3 year old son out of his carseat and run for their lives as the car completely became engulfed in flames.Thank God they made it out alive. Police and Fire department showed up. Car was a total loss, everything was burnt. One day the Acura MDX fires will take someone's life. Called Hoehn Acura in Carlsbad Ca and sent service manager Skip about 12 pictures of the completely burnt vehicle. He never returned my calls after leaving several messages. Also left message with general manager and no return call. They don’t care. They only appear interested when you are buying the vehicle. I did file a claim with Acura corporate office and still no word from them either. I have read many cases about the MDX going up in flames for no reason, even in the driveway or drive in your neighborhood. Not sure why they have not recalled this or tried to solve the issue. I am asking for someone to look into this as this is not an isolated incident before lives are lost. Once I get police report I will also send you pictures as well. Thank you.

Filed Jun 2, 2018 · Engine · 1,900 miles · GA

Starter failed with auto start/stop while stopped in traffic. Since engine wouldn't start, car shifted to park automatically and can not shift to neutral with the engine off and unable to start. The battery was fine and could go into aux mode, but still won't shift to neutral. Aside from quality issues related to starter, significant safety design flaw.