On August 3rd the vehicle began making a loud clicking/knocking noise from the engine area of the car. Took the car to Richard Bailey Automotive on August 4th for diagnosis. Was informed a week later the engine needed replacement. Have owned the car for 3 months. No warning lights except to clean the backup camera. All maintenance has been performed on the vehicle.
Acura MDX backup camera problems
30 of the 3,338 owner complaints about the Acura MDX describe backup camera failure, most of them for the 2018 model year.
- owner complaints
- 30
- worst model year
- 2018
- typical mileage
- 9,873
By model year
Often reported together
Screen failure 2Collision warning 2Grinding brakes 2Wipers 1Whining noise 1Transmission failure 1Sudden acceleration 1Overheating 1
What owners say
### 1. **What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request?** The rearview camera system in my 2020 Acura MDX has malfunctioned. The camera, which is integral to several safety systems in the vehicle, has failed, causing significant safety concerns. The vehicle is available for inspection by an Acura dealership or independent service center upon request. ### 2. **How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk?** The malfunction of the rearview camera directly impacts the **Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)**, **Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)**, and **Lane Departure Warning (LDW)** systems. These systems rely on cameras and sensors to detect obstacles, maintain a safe following distance, and alert the driver when switching lanes. Without the proper function of the rearview camera, these safety systems become unreliable, increasing the risk of head-on collisions, rear-end accidents, or unintended lane changes, which could lead to a serious crash. Furthermore, the area surrounding the malfunctioning camera becomes dangerously hot, posing a burn risk when touched, which adds another safety hazard. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes I have taken the vehicle to a dealership for a formal inspection, I have confirmed the issue through the consistent malfunctioning of the camera. The overheating and failure of the camera have been present since the issue began, and I have communicated this to Acura's customer service. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? The vehicle has been inspected by the manufacturer beyond the initial communication with Acura’s customer service. No inspection has been conducted by the police or insurance representatives. However, I have made Acura aware of the problem, and the customer service team, led by Account Manager Monica
The contact owns a 2024 Acura MDX. The contact stated that when the vehicle was cold started, the rearview camera delayed in showing an image after the transmission was shifted into reverse(R). Additionally, the contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the instrument cluster indicated that the Navigational System and Driving Modes were not engaged. The contact stated that the 360-degree camera and the Suspension Mode control were inoperable. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer who diagnosed that several electrical wiring harnesses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failures reoccurred, and that there was a warning with a yellow dot indicating that the "Bin/WiFi/NavSys” was inoperable. The contact took the vehicle back to the same dealer and the contact was informed that the wiring harness needed to be ordered. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 9,873.
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.
There is a paracytic battery drain causing new batteries to fail. Troubleshooting says Hands Free Link system may be reason for drain/ dead battery. Or, the Navigation system. There are endless electrical issues within 5 fuse boxes. I’ve done this manually, it’s slow. I know a diagnostic meter would help! So, I’ve installed a battery switch inside car. Must turn off each night! You’d think I’d have a mobile battery charger by now. But thankfully road side service has been a life saver. Although, I was not permitted to sign up for ERS with my insurance after so many battery calls for a year or more. AAA same! It’s ridiculous. Today, had to call ERS again. Ugh. Fortunately I’ve been reinstated. Its been slow-like-molasses-paced.. One fuse disconnected after another. This leaves the vehicle operating without the necessary compenents, helpful features. Examples: x miles per gallon of gas driving city/freeway. . The stereo system completely out, no back up camera, and no Navigation system. All disconnected fuses. No, I don’t have the resources to buy a diagnostic or pay a mechanic $200-300. I’ve been dealing with this nightmare for the last year++. Thankfully, YouTube shows 2006 Acura MDX, Touring series w this drain problem. A huge help! It’s an older car with 240K miles, needs 4 new tires, alignment, both headlamps replaced, . Plus, somehow the rear view mirror got unhooked, torn off, consequently, I’m without the rear back up view. It’s stupid, I realize. Looking at it in hind sight, yes, it’s ridiculous!
Backup camera stopped working.
back-up camera is useless at night posing a hazard to anyone behind the vehicle. Honda knows how to fix the problem as witnessed by my 2018 Odyssey which is excellent. The problem has spanned over many years of the MDX before 2016 and after 2019. Having a working backup camera is paramount for any SUV because of the limited visability. Acura Service could not remove the problem
Hi, My Reverse camera is not working. When I put the car in reverse, I can see the guidelines but no picture of the rear. Regards,
Backup camera doesn’t function. This is a know. Problem in Honda and 1.2 M car has been recalled few days back. However there is no recall for MDX though same issue exist. If you check Acura MDX forum there are number of people complaining about back up camera and harness wire having issue.
While driving at highway speed, there was single "pop" sound that seemed to come from inside the dashboard between the on demand multifunction display (odmd) and the instrument panel. The navi screen then became solid black. After a very short time and while still at highway speed, the navi screen briefly showed the view from the backup camera. After a few seconds both the navi screen and the odmd screen became solid black and remained that way. Then, within seconds, light colored, grayish smoke began flowing out into the vehicle from the cd slot on the odmd. Immediately, there was an odor in the car like that from burning plastic or electrical insulation. As soon as possible the car was pulled off the highway and the engine was turned off. The smoke continued to come out of the cd slot until the engine was turned off, then the smoke stopped coming out. After several minutes the engine was restarted and the car was driven to a safer location.there was no smoke coming from the cd slot after the car was restarted and while driving the car to the dealership for service the next day. An odor like that from an electrical fire remained noticeable in the vehicle. Prior to the event, the driver observed no vehicle warning indications, and both the navi and the odmd appeared to be functioning normally. The cd player was not being used. The dealership service manager advised me that they consulted with acura engineering personnel, inspected and tested wiring inside the dashboard and have isolated the cause of the problem to "a short in the radio." the dealer says that the odmd and the hard disk drive have been sent to alpine to determine the cause of failure at alpine's request. I have asked the dealership to confirm that the repairs to the vehicle will ensure that this kind of event will not recur.
Related recalls
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Pilot and Odyssey and 2003 through 2006 Acura MDX passenger vehicles manufactured from November 26, 2001, through August 30, 2006. The interlock lever of the ignition switch may deform, which can allow the interlock function of a vehicle with an automatic transmission to be defeated.
- Risk
- Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated shift interlock lever and, if necessary, replace any necessary part of the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on February 22, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009.
Recall number 12V573000 · Recall details
Questions about the Acura MDX backup camera
Which Acura MDX years have backup camera failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2018 (7 complaints), 2012 (5 complaints) and 2014 (3 complaints).
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