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2018 Acura MDX

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By Research the Car 4 min read

Here’s a breakdown of common issues and complaints for the 2018 Acura MDX, separated by category and component. The 2018 Acura MDX is a popular luxury SUV known for its reliability, comfortable ride, and spacious interior. It comes standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. Some owners appreciate its advanced safety features and upscale styling. However, common dislikes include the sometimes-clunky infotainment system and the less-than-stellar fuel economy compared to competitors.

Engine

3.5L V6

  • VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) Issues
    • Description/Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption, rough idle, vibrations at low speeds, and spark plug fouling. This is often attributed to the VCM system, which shuts down cylinders to improve fuel economy.
    • Solution: Disable the VCM system using aftermarket devices (like a VCM Tuner II) or replace the VCM actuator/solenoid if faulty. Some owners report success with more frequent oil changes using a higher-quality synthetic oil. In severe cases, piston ring replacement may be necessary.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: VCM disabler ($100 - $200), VCM actuator replacement ($300 - $500), Piston ring replacement ($2,000 - $4,000+)
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Direct Fuel Injector Issues
    • Description/Symptoms: Rough idle, misfires, decreased fuel economy, and potential for carbon buildup on the intake valves.
    • Solution: Fuel injector cleaning or replacement. Carbon cleaning of the intake valves.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: Injector cleaning ($150 - $300), Injector replacement ($600 - $1200), Carbon cleaning ($500 - $800)
    • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

9-Speed Automatic Transmission (ZF 9HP)

  • Harsh Shifting/Hesitation
    • Description/Symptoms: Rough or jerky shifting, particularly between lower gears. Hesitation when accelerating from a stop or during passing maneuvers. This issue seems more prevalent in earlier model years with this transmission but can still occur in the 2018 MDX.
    • Solution: Software update/reprogramming of the transmission control module (TCM). In some cases, transmission fluid flush and replacement may alleviate symptoms. In more severe cases, valve body replacement or complete transmission replacement might be necessary.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: TCM reprogramming ($100 - $300), Transmission fluid flush ($150 - $300), Valve body replacement ($800 - $2,000), Transmission replacement ($4,000 - $7,000+)
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Torque Converter Issues
    • Description/Symptoms: Shuddering or vibrations at low speeds, particularly when the transmission is under light load. May also present as a whining noise.
    • Solution: Replacement of the torque converter. A transmission fluid flush may help temporarily.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1500 - $2500+
    • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

  • Rear Suspension Noise
    • Description/Symptoms: Clunking or rattling noise coming from the rear suspension, especially when going over bumps. Often related to worn sway bar bushings or end links.
    • Solution: Replacement of the sway bar bushings and/or end links.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $300
    • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

  • Battery Drain Issues
    • Description/Symptoms: Premature battery failure, dead battery after short periods of inactivity. Often attributed to a parasitic drain from an electrical component that remains active even when the vehicle is turned off.
    • Solution: Diagnosis to identify the source of the parasitic drain (e.g., faulty infotainment system, HandsFreeLink module). Repair or replacement of the faulty component.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: Varies greatly depending on the source of the drain ($100 - $1000+)
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Infotainment System Glitches
    • Description/Symptoms: Freezing, lagging, unresponsive touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity problems, and issues with the navigation system.
    • Solution: Software update/reprogramming of the infotainment system. Replacement of the infotainment unit in severe cases.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: Reprogramming ($50 - $200), Unit replacement ($800 - $2,000+)
    • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

  • Automatic Tailgate Malfunction
    • Description/Symptoms: Tailgate not opening or closing properly, getting stuck mid-operation, beeping with no movement, or not responding to the button/key fob.
    • Solution: Check and replace the liftgate struts if weak. Check the liftgate motor for damage. Reset the liftgate computer system.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: Liftgate strut replacement ($200 - $400), motor replacement ($400 - $800), system reset ($50 - $100)
    • Recalls: None Found

Interior

  • Seat Heater Failure
    • Description/Symptoms: Seat heaters not working, only partially heating, or overheating.
    • Solution: Replacement of the heating element or control module.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500
    • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 2018 Acura MDX generally has a good reliability reputation, but like all vehicles, it’s susceptible to certain issues. The most concerning problems revolve around the 3.5L V6 engine’s VCM system potentially leading to excessive oil consumption, and the 9-speed automatic transmission’s sometimes-harsh shifting behavior. Electrical issues such as battery drain and infotainment glitches are also common. While many of these issues are relatively minor and can be addressed with software updates or component replacements, some repairs, like engine piston ring replacement or transmission replacement, can be costly. It’s recommended to have a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic to identify any potential problems before buying a used 2018 Acura MDX.

Acura, MDX
Acura MDX 2018
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