NHTSA Complaints · Active Recalls · California Lemon Law Data
The NHTSA tracks consumer complaints, manufacturer recalls, and safety investigations for every vehicle sold in the United States. These publicly available records are a critical resource for California lemon law cases because they establish patterns of recurring defects.
As of June 2026, the NHTSA has not yet received complaints specific to the 2022 Acura MDX. However, this does not mean the vehicle is free from defects. Complaint data often lags behind real-world issues, and many vehicle owners experience problems before they are widely reported. If you are experiencing recurring issues with your 2022 Acura MDX, you may still have a valid lemon law claim. You can file your own complaint at SaferCar.gov and check for updates on the NHTSA database.
The 2022 Acura MDX has generated 208 NHTSA complaints and has 1 active recall. If your 2022 Acura MDX has experienced a defect that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple visits, you may qualify for a full repurchase or replacement under California lemon law. Acura pays all attorney fees when we prevail. You pay nothing.
Powertrain and transmission defects directly impair the vehicle’s core function and are generally considered substantial defects under California lemon law. Owners of the 2022 Acura MDX have reported harsh shifting, shuddering, slipping, and transmission warning lights. 56 NHTSA complaints have been submitted for this defect category. Owner reports include: “In January of 2026, when driving under normal conditions, the 2022 Acura MDX made a loud clunking noise and power was temporarily disrupted. The vehicle had to be stopped on the side of the road as the clunking noise persisted. This occurred on a major highway and put the driver and passengers at risk as we had to quickly get to the shoulder. After inspecting the vehicle for any visible signs of damage we continued home without issues. Now, March of 2026, we took the car for routine service and was contacted by the dealership and informed the transfer case and transmission needed to be replaced. The dealership indicating they were in contact with Honda USA to see what they could do for us. A quick search of the Internet revealed NHTSA DP26001, so we now know this issue has occurred on many Acura MDX’s of the same year. No warning lamps illuminated. We were unaware that the vehicle was running in 2erWD instead of 4WD. There were no warnings leading up to the event.” (NHTSA Complaint #11725532)
The 2022 Acura MDX has generated 16 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “Review mirror became detached , rendering it inoperable and a safety concern. Research shows it a known issue and design flaw for the bracket.” (NHTSA Complaint #11696762)
Steering defects can create unpredictable vehicle behavior and qualify as safety-related under California lemon law. Reported issues on the 2022 Acura MDX include pulling, vibration, loss of power steering, and electronic steering warnings. 14 NHTSA complaints have been filed in this category. Owner reports include: “When starting the vehicle, the steering column extends to the operating position. When it extends, there is a grinding vibration coming up from the base on the floor. This is a very troubling sound as the entire dashboard vibrates.” (NHTSA Complaint #11683062)
Advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) defects — including malfunctioning forward collision warnings, lane keep assist failures, and erratic automatic emergency braking — can create dangerous driving conditions. The 2022 Acura MDX has 11 NHTSA complaints for this defect type. Owner reports include: “I have experienced several incidents where I am driving on open road with no obstructions in front of my vehicle and the collision braking feature suddenly engages. This has led to vehicles behind me almost rear ending my car due to the unexpected, strong, and abrupt nature of the braking on open road.” (NHTSA Complaint #11678638)
Brake defects affecting safety may qualify for California’s two-repair threshold under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, which applies to defects likely to cause death or serious bodily injury. The 2022 Acura MDX has generated 9 NHTSA complaints related to braking, including ABS failures, grinding, reduced stopping power, and warning lights. Owner reports include: “Brake system warning light comes on and says reduced braking take to dealer. Auto hold brakes don’t always hold. Rear brakes non stop squeal and grab un predictably. I am unsure when and if the brakes will work in the rear. The loud noise from the rear squeal has caused others in traffic to flag me down and warn me something is wrong. The noise is also made it impossible to have my Autistic nephew in the vehicle with me as it triggers episodes and scares him. I have asked the dealer to please repair the rear brakes several times. They refused and instead replaced the front brakes, then admitted it is the rear brakes but refused to repair them. Honda of America also refuses to repair rear brakes. Based upon false statements on the work order the statement from the dealer is the rear brakes on the MDX are supposed to be like this. This vehicle has issues with the warning light while stopped and moving, and the noise and unsafe braking is at all speeding from 1-60 mph. Forward and reverse is malfunctions. I asked Honda America to repair which they won’t then I ask them is the official statement these brakes are okay and safe as is and they will not say that either. I have driven similar models of this vehicle and it does not do the same thing, no noise, or warning lights, and the brakes preform safely and consistently. Mine do not. Honda of America does not want to repair the brakes under the warranty. They also incorrectly stated on repair statement that humidity and car washes can make the brakes do this. I have been in northern non humid states during winter and never use a car wash. They just use this as an attempt to not repair the brakes.” (NHTSA Complaint #11660839)
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2022 Acura MDX by the NHTSA or Acura. If your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer is required to provide a free remedy. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls.
Component: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
Defect: See NHTSA database for details.
Risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, October 18, 2024, and August 2025. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda’s numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2022 Acura MDX:
Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Acura to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Acura must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.
If your 2022 Acura MDX qualifies as a lemon under California law, Acura may be legally required to:
Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.
Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Acura a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Acura dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.
Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Acura pays your fees if you win.
Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Acura a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.
Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Acura is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.
Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.
California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.
If your 2022 Acura Mdx has a recurring defect, California’s Lemon Law may entitle you to a full refund, replacement vehicle, or cash settlement — at no cost to you.
Our attorneys answer the questions we hear most from California vehicle owners — fully updated for 2026.
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