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2012 Acura MDX 4WD
The 2012 Acura MDX 4WD has 1 NHTSA safety recall on file, 75 owner complaints, and gets about 18 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
SPECS
2012 Acura MDX 4WD at a glance
- Engine
- 6-cyl 3.7L
- Cylinders
- 6
- Displacement
- 3.7 L
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (S6)
- Body
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
- Fuel
- Premium
Source: EPA / NHTSA vPIC, as of July 11, 2026.
SAFETY RECALLS · NHTSA
1 openFuel System, Gasoline
17/02/2012
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.
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.
NHTSA has opened one or more investigations covering this model. Recalls can follow an investigation, so check NHTSA for the latest before you buy.
Open safety recalls are free to fix at any franchised dealer. What recalls mean → Source: NHTSA recalls, as of July 11, 2026. Recalls can be issued any time, confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
OWNER COMPLAINTS · NHTSA
75 filed- 17
ENGINE
2012 ACURA MDX burns extreme amounts of oil between oil changes. Typically a warning indicator comes on about 1,000 miles before oil change is due. I continue to refill oil between oil changes.
- 13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the ve
- 13
POWER TRAIN
The engine consistently consumes too much oil between service events. The low oil light comes on. I had this problem for over 8 years and the dealership said it was not a problem until now and they want me to pay for it. The oil control
- 10
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I bought a 2012 silver Acura MDX on March 3rd in 2022 from our local Acura dealership. Exterior paint was great, hardly any dings, scratches anywhere. I spent over $20,000 for this USED CAR and as of the past two years, the clear coat has w
- 8
AIR BAGS
The airbag light is on I went to have the airbag replaced. I was told I couldn't get my airbag replaced because it was a CANADIAN vehicle and they couldn't get the part etc. to replace it. So I have a Canadian vehicle that was not disclosed
- 2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
See attached document for complaint.
Problems owners reported to the government, useful for spotting patterns, not proof any one car has them. What complaints mean → Source: NHTSA complaints, as of July 11, 2026. Owner-submitted reports, not verified diagnoses.
CRASH-TEST RATINGS · NHTSA NCAP
- Overall
- ★★★★☆
- Frontal
- ★★★★☆
- Side
- ★★★★★
- Rollover
- ★★★★☆
Government crash tests of this model; not every trim or year is tested. Source: NHTSA NCAP, as of July 11, 2026.
FUEL & RUNNING COST · U.S. EPA
- Combined
- 18 mpg
- City / Hwy
- 16 / 21
- Est. fuel / yr
- $4,300
- CO₂ / mi
- 494 g
EPA lab estimates; real mpg varies by how you drive. Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov, as of July 11, 2026. Annual cost assumes 15,000 mi/yr at EPA's reference price.
All figures above come from free U.S. government sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, investigations, crash tests) and the EPA (fuel economy and specs). We don't show market price, insurance cost, or proprietary reliability scores, because there's no free, reliable public source for them. For a verdict on a specific listing, with a fair-offer number and what to ask the seller, that's the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recall was fixed
This model has 1 open NHTSA recall (including the fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
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Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
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Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
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Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2012 Acura MDX 4WD? +
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2012 Acura MDX 4WD, including the fuel system, gasoline. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Acura MDX 4WD get? +
The EPA rates the 2012 Acura MDX 4WD at 18 mpg combined (16 city / 21 highway), about $4,300 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2012 Acura MDX 4WD? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2012 Acura MDX 4WD 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2012 Acura MDX 4WD? +
Owners have filed 75 complaints with NHTSA for the 2012 Acura MDX 4WD, including 4 involving a crash. The most-reported area is engine.
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