NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2019 Acura MDX Sport Safety Ratings
The 2019 Acura MDX Sport scores 81 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 9 recalls, and 182 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid logged nine active recall campaigns, contributing to a defect record score of 5.3 out of 20. Despite these recalls, the vehicle achieves a NHTSA Safety Index of 81/100, placing it in the Strong band. This assessment is supported by excellent NHTSA crash scores and the full complement of standard crash-avoidance technology.
The 2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid received a NHTSA Safety Index of 81 out of 100 and a 5-star overall NHTSA crash-test rating, according to federal NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 93 SUVs from 2019 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2019 Acura MDX Sport ranks 50 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 81 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 16.4% |
| Recalls on file | 9 |
| Owner complaints | 182 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 50 of 93 SUVs tested for 2019 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2019 Acura MDX Sport?
The 2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid is distinguished by its nine recall campaigns, a notable figure that spans critical safety systems. These recalls address issues from the structural frame and airbag occupant classification sensors to tailgate lighting, fuel pump delivery, and internal engine components. This breadth of defect activity significantly shapes the vehicle's overall safety profile, even as it achieves high marks in crash protection. NHTSA's evaluations show the MDX Sport Hybrid performing at the highest level for crashworthiness, securing 66 out of 70 points for crash protection. Its crash avoidance technology, including standard forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control, also earned a perfect 10 out of 10. These strong protection scores contribute to a Safety Index of 81 out of 100, placing the vehicle in the Strong band. However, the numerous recall campaigns, contributing only 5.3 out of a possible 20 points in the defect record component, temper the overall Safety Index, differentiating it from vehicles with fewer or less severe defect issues. There is no prior-year Index on file for comparison.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2019 Acura MDX Sport perform in crash tests?
The 2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid achieved a 5 out of 5 star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Its performance in crash tests was notable, earning perfect 5-star scores for both frontal and side protection. The only area where it did not receive the top mark was in rollover resistance, where it was rated 4 out of 5 stars; this reflected a measured rollover risk of 16 percent, though the dynamic tip test concluded with "No Tip."
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 13329
Index breakdown
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2019 Acura MDX Sport have any recalls?
Nine recall campaigns cover this model year. Active campaigns address structural frame and members, front-passenger occupant classification sensors in the air bag system, exterior tailgate lighting moisture intrusion, gasoline fuel pump delivery, and internal engine hard parts. No do-not-drive order appears in the data, but the frame and air bag sensor campaigns are broad and recent, warranting a VIN check before purchase or continued operation.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS26V365000
Risk: Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in thi
Reported 2026-06-04
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER26V332000
Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers
Reported 2026-05-21
EXTERIOR LIGHTING25V259000
Risk: Vehicle lights that fail to illuminate can decrease visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wiring and install a fuse harness, replace the lid light, and repair the body dust sealer, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 30, 2025. Owners may contact Acura's customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Acura's number for this recall is FLI. Vehicles included in this recall that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 19V-256 wi
Reported 2025-04-17
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP23V858000
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Reported 2023-12-18
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL23V751000
Risk: A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mi
Reported 2023-11-13
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP21V215000
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.
Reported 2021-03-25
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS19V298000
Risk: Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected timing belt free of charge. Vehicles receiving a replacement timing belt will also have the engine inspected and any damaged components will be replaced for free. The recall began June 7, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is L4M. Acura owners may c
Reported 2019-04-12
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS19V256000
Risk: Loss of the taillights reduces the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Acura will notify owners, and dealers will modify the tailgate lid lights and install updated gaskets and a wiring sub-harness or will replace both tailgate lid lights. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is M49.
Reported 2019-03-28
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER18V777000
Risk: A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners will be notified, and Honda or Acura dealers will bleed the brakes, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are C31 and L30.
Reported 2018-11-01
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2019 Acura MDX Sport?
NHTSA has logged 182 unverified consumer complaints for this model year. Owners have alleged problems most frequently with the Engine (46 reports), Electrical System (38), Power Train (31), and Engine And Engine Cooling (30). These are unverified allegations and have not been confirmed as defects by NHTSA.
182 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2019 Acura MDX Sport?
Any shopper considering this 7-year-old vehicle should run the VIN through NHTSA's recall database before purchase. With nine recall campaigns on record, including recent ones covering the frame and air bag sensors, confirming that all remedies have been completed at a dealership is the single most important safety step.
- Nine recall campaigns are attached to this specific model year, with the most recent covering structural frame members and front-passenger air bag occupant classification sensors, both issued in 2026.
- The defect record sub-score of 5.3 out of 20 is the weakest component of the 81-point Safety Index, directly reflecting the volume and breadth of those nine recall campaigns.
- Crash protection is a genuine strength for this model year: NHTSA awarded 5 stars overall, 5 stars frontal, and 5 stars side, with the only sub-perfect score being 4 stars for rollover at a 16 percent measured risk.
- A total of 182 unverified NHTSA complaints have been filed, with Engine, Electrical System, and Power Train representing the three most frequently alleged problem areas by complaint volume.
RANKINGSWhere the 2019 Acura MDX Sport places
The 2019 Acura MDX Sport qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2019 Acura MDX Sport safety questions
Was the 2019 Acura MDX Sport crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2019 Acura MDX Sport, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 81 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2019 Acura MDX Sport crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2019 Acura MDX Sport earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 5 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 16.4%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2019 Acura MDX Sport have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 9 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2019 Acura MDX Sport. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2019 Acura MDX Sport?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 182 owner complaints are on file for the 2019 Acura MDX Sport. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other MDX Sport years
Rivals in SUV (2019)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Tesla Model X 60d | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Tesla Model X 75d | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Tesla Model X 90d | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Tesla Model X P100d | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Tesla Model X P90d | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Nissan Murano | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 13329), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Acura MDX Sport 2019.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 50 of 93 in the SUV class for 2019.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.