Acura MDX key fob problems

Filed Oct 26, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · TX

On Saturday 10/24/26 at approximately 6:45 PM I pulled into my garage and pressed the engine button to shutdown the car after parking in my home garage. I was about to open the door and exit when the engine started again. I shutdown the engine once again and safely exited the car with my 13year old daughter. I returned within 15 minutes and attempted to restart the car to examine the dashboard engine lights, it was then I discovered that I was unable to start the car and a warning was displayed on the dashboard that no KEY FOB was present although I was holding it near the start button. I retrieved my spare key fob and attempted to start the engine and noted the same error. The battery on both key fobs had been recently replaced with new batteries. I waited about an hour and attempted to start the engine unsuccessfully once again, the same error displayed "NO KEY FOB present, please place the fob near the start button to engage the engine. I waited approximately 8 hours and was able to restart the engine with no error or issue. This was a very dangerous incident as my daughter and I were in the process of existing the 2019 MDX when the engine started and could have potentially driven through the garage wall.

Filed Jan 22, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · NJ

The following issues occur on a 2020 Acura MDX with low 50k miles, maintenance was done regular whenever a maintenance schedule appear. For the past few years after purchasing the vehicle we started getting a non-start engine with the key fobs and automatic side mirrors did not open or close when parked. Brand new batteries were replace for the key fob and later the Car Battery and the issue occurs intermittently, this was brought to the attention of the dealership and each time (documented) that they were not able to reproduce when they turned off the vehicle, this was mid 2024 06-13-2024 and sporadically continues till this year 2026. The dealership did not test or trace the electrical system as they were told to reproduce the issue first as it will happen at that moment. A new recent event 2025 has also occur and was brought to the dealerships attention, a warning message indicating - Electric Parking Brake Problem follow by a Emissions System Problem will appear. This was also "reset" by the dealership and indicated it was safe to drive but event reoccurs every few months. A 2nd opinion to another mechanic indicated it can be the emergency brake system to be faulty and driving the vehicle when the message appears may cause an immediate stop, advised us to have the dealership reach out to the manufacture. No word from either for the past year. Any open recall for my VIN was done once we were notified and a New Car Battery replaced and new batteries in key fobs - issue continues. Please assist Thank you

Filed Jan 9, 2026 · Driver assistance, Engine · NY

There was a couple times where the car stalled at a red light. Also, there are a lot of times when I press the push to start, it will not start, advising me to place the key fob near the push to start. I find this to be dangerous when driving and very annoying when attempting to start and it doesn't start.

Filed Jul 28, 2025 · CA

I have experienced the vehicle not unlocking when the key fob is near(in my pocket) the vehicle and my hand is touching the door handles. The vehicle is designed to unlock when the key fob is in close proximity while hands are on the handle. This is a safety/security concern because in an emergency, the vehicle does not function as it is intended to.

Filed Nov 30, 2023 · Electrical · VA

While coming to a stop the engine start stop engaged causing the engine to turn off completely and would not restart when the throttle was pressed . The transmission shifted into neutral and the push button start would not fire the engine. Car would not go back to park. After locking and unlocking the door 30 seconds later it reset and the engine refired. This occurred with traffic flowing behind me and caused the car to be placed in neutral and the driver having no control over the vehicle. If this had occurred in an intersection while turning, the driver and occupants of the vehicle could be in significant danger of an accident. I took the car to the Acura dealer the next day and was told they had several complaints of this kind but would need to duplicate the issue on my car to assist me. If they could not duplicate the issue then the could not help me. At this time, it has not been inspected by the manufacturer. There were several warning lamps that came on when the car turned off.

Filed May 4, 2023 · Acceleration, Brakes · CA · crash

While braking into a parking spot, vehicle experienced sudden unintended acceleration. Brake did not engage, car rapidly surged forward over parking block, sidewalk and hitting building. Previously in day, car would not recognized key fob, would not unlock and would not start even though stepping on brake that would not depress. I had no control over vehicle,and this could have hit pedestrians on sidewalk or storefront. Thankfully no one hurt, and did not occur in traffic or on the road. The dealership was contacted immediately, and they declined to inspect vehicle, codes or EDR statign that's not what they do. I have asked dealership 3 times. Insurance contacted immediately, and they to will not investigate, saying up to Honda and dealership. Honda stating they don't do investigations, and Insurance should do that. Round and round we go. No one assisting. Auto Body referred by dealership unable to investigate and do not have equipment to do so and stating dealership and Honda tech needs to do this investigation. Several messages displayed the day of incident prior to incident and electrical issues seem to have started immediately after recall or warranty work to reprogram auto stop function. First instance of electrical issue was on 4/1, when car would not open, or unlock even with new battery in key fob. This continued over next 3 weeks sporadically. 4/24 car would not start, displaying "must press down brake" to start, but brake would not depress. Finally worked. Same thing 4/25 in morning. In evening car would not unlock for some time, finally opened, then would not start displaying "Key fob not detected". Finally started. Message remained displayed. 15 min ,after, when parking, car accelerated forward without warning. This is a short summary, and a detailed summary is available. Vehicle remains untouched at autonomy hoping to get investigation completed. Too scared to drive this vehicle now..

Filed Feb 7, 2023 · Electrical · 40,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2019 Acura MDX. The contact stated that upon locking the doors with the key fob, the vehicle would remain unlocked. Due to the failure, the contact believed that someone entered the vehicle and changed certain setting from the original setting. The contact was informed by the dealer that the setting change should not have shown on the multi-information display (MID) screen. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,400.

Filed Jun 6, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 5,000 miles · CA

We have experienced many issues with our 2017 mdx sh-awd. On a cold start when shifting from first to second gear there is a sudden lurch hard shift. Once warm this is still present but not as pronounced. The transmission seems to slip through gears and have sudden downshifts that decelerate the car or the vehicle will lurch forward without having your foot on the gas as it shifts itself into a different gear. When trying to 'punch it' and accelerate quickly it will often hesitate to go into the correct gear then suddenly rev high as it speeds up. Hunting up and down through gears while staying at a constant speed. The navigation system is extremely slow to come up and respond to inputs when the car is started. Acura has claimed this is due to cell phone bluetooth interference. Collision mitigation system has engaged twice. The first time by husband was in a parkinglot driving through a row looking for a spot to park. The car slammed on the breaks with no cars in his path and nearly caused the car behind him to rear end him. The second time I was approaching a stop light to turn right, there was a vehichle in front of me but the distance I was stoping from the rear of that vehichle was not an abnormal or alarming distance. The brakes locked up with lights flashing on the dash and an awful grinding noise coming from beneath the car. On one occasion from a parked position it would not allow us to engage it in drive. It flashed "shift to park" on the dash. It took three attempts to get it to go in to drive. The rear hatch hydrolics had to be replaced within the first 6 months as the power liftgate stopped working. One of the two key fobs also went out on us in the first 6 months, replacing the battery did nothing and the whole fob needed to be replaced.

Filed Aug 30, 2017 · Electrical · 12,000 miles · FL

Keyless entry communication issue on 2015 acura mdx for reference, key fob located in purse. Purse draped over right shoulder and resting against the car door, key fob not sitting next to a cell phone. Keyless entry will not unlock when handle pulled or lock when button on door handled pushed with index finger. To solve, key fob must be pulled out of my purse and lock/unlock button pressed. My purse must be placed against the tailgate door locking mechanism for the sensor to acknowledge the signal and unlock. My key is in exactly the same location it was the three years I owned my 2013 audi q5. No problems with keyless entry. This is a safety issue if I need to get into my car quickly (e.g. Due to being followed, feeling unsafe in a particular location, nighttime in a dark parking lot, putting kids and groceries in the car, etc.). I have put items down on ground or in cart, unzip purse and get key fob out. Dealer refusing to fix problem because they cannot replicate. Reference the federal safety agency id number: 10945870; 10759256; 10725514

Filed Apr 25, 2017 · Brakes, Seats · 24,000 miles · KY

Our 2015 acura mdx has been at the dealership 8 times. Our vehicle has been out of service for approximately 64 days total. It has been at the dealer for electrical glitches starting with seats, steering wheel, GPS and for rautomatic braking issues. Steering wheel and power seats repeatedly not setting to appropriate key fob settings. Car has been to dealer for this issue 4 times. Dealer unable to reproduce issue or show "trouble codes" until 4th time in shop. The next glitch moved into the GPS system and controls on GPS screen. The screen remained bright at night. The controls disappeared from screen. This was video recorded. The dealer stated this must have been a glitch. The dealer stated unable to reproduce the glitch. The dealer stated no "trouble code" detected although it was clearly video recorded with date. The vehicle locked the brakes up while in operation with no vehicle in front. The operator was nearly in a rear end collision had the driver behind not been following at a safe distance. On the next occasion, while at a red light stopped, the "brake" warning came on. This warning is designed to come on when in motion. Operator was concerned if the vehicle had been in motion again it could have caused the vehicle to brake suddenly. These incidences could have caused serious injury or death. The dealership simply stated they could not reproduce the event and stated the vehicle was operating as designed. Owner sent recall articles as it related to braking issue but was informed vehicle did not fall under recall. Owner is simply illustrating with detailed notes and videos that the vehicle has electronic issues that vary and ultimately have turned into safety concerns. Owner wanted "safety concern" to be documented in work order but dealer did not document this as such. Requested dealer put us in a safe car of equal value. They refused.