Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2012 Acura MDX: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2012 Acura MDX, most recently filed February 2012. Owners have filed 76 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 4 stars overall.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Compare

Recalls (1)

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2012 Acura MDX. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2012 Acura MDX. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 12V063000 Filed Feb 17, 2012

VENT SHUT FLOAT CASE SEPARATION

Fuel system, gasoline · storage · tank assembly
Official NHTSA text
Summary
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 PILOT AND ACURA MDX VEHICLES. THE VENT SHUT FLOAT (VSF) VALVE CASE IN THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY DOES NOT MEET THE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS.
Consequence
AS A RESULT, FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE TANK, INCREASING THE RISK OF FIRE.
Remedy
HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VSF ASSEMBLY DATE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 13, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-999-1009.
Repair progress not yet reported8,709 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 12V063000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (76)

76 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.

4involved a crash
3involved a fire
2injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Acura MDX, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 76.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2012 compares with other MDX years

Best and worst MDX years →
2008200920102011201220132014201520162017
This year (2012)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 4 stars overall

Overall★★★★☆
Frontal crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 4★★★★★☆
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★☆
RolloverRollover risk 14%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2012 Acura MDX suv 4wd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 18 mpg combined

18
mpg combined
16
city
21
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$4,550
CO₂ tailpipe
494 g/mi
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle -

What it costs you to run

$3,628per year
$302per month
833gallons a year

Miles ÷ 18 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2012 Acura MDX configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
3.7 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive16 / 21 / 18$4,550494

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2012 MDX for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All MDX years

Where to next

2012 Acura MDX FAQ

How many recalls does the 2012 Acura MDX have?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 12V063000 (fuel system). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2012 Acura MDX problems?

Owners filed 76 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (23), Electrical system (13), Power train (13) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2012 Acura MDX get?

EPA rates the 3.7 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 16 city, 21 highway and 18 combined mpg.

What safety rating did the 2012 Acura MDX get?

NHTSA rated the 2012 Acura MDX suv 4wd 4 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (14% rollover risk).

How does the 2012 MDX compare with other years?

Among the 2008–2017 Acura MDX model years at least five years old, the 2013 drew the fewest complaints (30) and the 2016 the most (374). The 2012 drew 76. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
Was this report useful?Report a data error
My Garage
Save this car and we'll flag new recall campaigns next time you visit.