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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 Acura MDX has generated 62 NHTSA complaints and has 1 active recall. If your 2023 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 2023 Acura MDX have reported harsh shifting, shuddering, slipping, and transmission warning lights. 10 NHTSA complaints have been submitted for this defect category. Owner reports include: “Transfercase fluid eaking observed at 38000 +- miles, this could lead to a binded transfercase thus damage transmission permanently” (NHTSA Complaint #11713411)
The 2023 Acura MDX has generated 6 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: “Multiple system warnings lights on dash appear indicating multiple systems issues including possible loss of power. See video First occurrence- August 2024 – Dealer said it was due to software that needed to be updated. The repair was completed. Second occurrence – May 2025 – dealer has car for over a week and is unable to find the problem. No codes were stored so they say they can repair it. Honda says it’s the dealers problem I have the last occurrence on cell video but I’m unable how to upload as it’s not jpeg” (NHTSA Complaint #11663008)
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 2023 Acura MDX has generated 4 NHTSA complaints related to braking, including ABS failures, grinding, reduced stopping power, and warning lights. Owner reports include: “Unable to stop the car. Luckily no accident. Brake pedal was very hard to press and car didn’t stop. Brake pedal became normal again in few seconds (5- 7 sec). Inspected car. nothing was stuck under brake pedal.” (NHTSA Complaint #11722412)
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 2023 Acura MDX has 4 NHTSA complaints for this defect type. Owner reports include: “I have taken my vehicle to the Acura service department three times for this issue. Each time, they were unable to find a fault code or permanent fix. They have repositioned the front camera and removed an Acura sticker from the windshield, but the problem continues to occur at random. The service department said diagnostic tests show no error, yet the system still triggers false collision warnings. I’m concerned about the safety of driving a vehicle whose collision avoidance system malfunctions without warning. This issue has occurred on city streets and highways, in clear weather, at various speeds. The alerts come on suddenly with no obstruction ahead. Acura has not provided a permanent fix, and I feel unsafe driving the vehicle. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether this is a common defect in 2023 Acura MDX models.” (NHTSA Complaint #11696233)
Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2023 Acura MDX include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 4 NHTSA complaints have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2023 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, on a rough road, the “Brake” warning light illuminated, then several warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact stated the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed to function as intended. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and was diagnosed that the wheel sensor had failed, and the calibration was not fully completed by the manufacturer. The vehicle was calibrated, and test driven with a 67-mile drive, and an unknown sensor was replaced. The contact picked up the vehicle and became aware that the “Lane Departure Warning / Drift Lane Assistance” sensor was deactivated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving 40 MPH, the failure occurred. The vehicle went LIMP Mode and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The contact was informed that the vehicle needed two system updates. The contact was unsure if the updates had been performed. The contact picked up the vehicle and became aware that the “Blind Spot Sensor” had been deactivated. The contact had not given permission for the deactivation. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 14,907.” (NHTSA Complaint #11668974)
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2023 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: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
Defect: See NHTSA database for details.
Risk: A brake pedal that shifts out of position can prevent the driver from applying the brakes as intended, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pedal assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2025. Owners may contact Honda’s customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda’s numbers for this recall are FLX and XLY.
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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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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