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Acura MDX vs BMW X5: reliability compared

From 2006 to 2026, owners filed an average of 118 complaints per model year about the Acura MDX and 126 about the BMW X5.

Side by side

Acura MDXBMW X5
Model years compared2006-20262006-2026
Owner complaints2,3532,645
Complaints per model year118126
Recalls3281
Years to avoid201620112012
Best years200820102013200720182022
Most common problemEngineEngine
Crash rating5 20254 2026
Fuel economy19-22 mpg combined (2026)15-25 mpg combined (2026)

A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.

Complaints per model year

2006 Acura MDX: 872006 BMW X5: 16920062007 Acura MDX: 992007 BMW X5: 712008 Acura MDX: 492008 BMW X5: 21520082009 Acura MDX: 522009 BMW X5: 1382010 Acura MDX: 452010 BMW X5: 12420102011 Acura MDX: 702011 BMW X5: 2652012 Acura MDX: 762012 BMW X5: 27120122013 Acura MDX: 302013 BMW X5: 1492014 Acura MDX: 1722014 BMW X5: 9920142015 Acura MDX: 712015 BMW X5: 1522016 Acura MDX: 3782016 BMW X5: 7420162017 Acura MDX: 2612017 BMW X5: 762018 Acura MDX: 1692018 BMW X5: 7320182019 Acura MDX: 1932019 BMW X5: 1952020 Acura MDX: 2282020 BMW X5: 11420202021 BMW X5: 1142022 Acura MDX: 1622022 BMW X5: 7320222023 Acura MDX: 442023 BMW X5: 342024 Acura MDX: 412024 BMW X5: 14520242025 Acura MDX: 1172025 BMW X5: 632026 Acura MDX: 92026 BMW X5: 312026
Acura MDXBMW X5

Problems compared

MDXX5
Engine748783
Transmission475378
Electrical457473
Driver assistance232188
Fuel system213382
Brakes165267
Airbags82526

Questions about the Acura MDX vs BMW X5

Which is more reliable, the Acura MDX or the BMW X5?

Between 2006 and 2026, the Acura MDX has 1 year to avoid and the BMW X5 2. The Acura MDX has been more consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Acura MDX drew fewer complaints per model year (118 vs 126), though sales volume affects that number.

Which has more recalls, the Acura MDX or the BMW X5?

From 2006 to 2026, the Acura MDX was covered by 32 recalls and the BMW X5 by 81.

What years of the Acura MDX and BMW X5 should you avoid?

Acura MDX: 2016. BMW X5: 2011 and 2012.

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