MotorCaliberNHTSA Safety Index

NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED

2020 Acura Mdx Sport

Federal crash-test performance, recalls, and complaints, scored into one NHTSA Safety Index.

8Recalls
207Complaints
1Investigations
ABOUT THE ACURA MDX SPORT

The Acura MDX Sport is a three-row luxury SUV aimed squarely at families who want premium refinement without sacrificing practicality. Slotting into the competitive midsize luxury segment, it competes against the likes of the Volvo XC90 and Lexus RX L. The Sport trim adds athletic styling cues to a platform that Acura has long positioned as a driver-focused alternative to softer European rivals.

VERDICT

The 2020 Acura Mdx Sport earns an NHTSA Safety Index of 86 out of 100, an strong result driven by its federal crash-test stars and its recall record. Both frontal and side crash protection reached the full 5 stars. It has 8 recalls on record, reflected in the score.

WHO IT IS FOR
  • new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
  • urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
WHAT REVIEWERS SAY

Reviewers generally regard the MDX Sport as one of the more engaging three-row luxury SUVs to drive, praising its composed handling and upscale cabin relative to segment rivals. Most professional assessments highlight its well-rounded nature as a family hauler, though some note that the third-row space is tighter than in larger competitors.

NCAP // CRASH TESTCrash-test breakdown

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk 16.4%

Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 14489

Index breakdown

Crash protection66/70
Avoidance tech10/10
Defect record10/20
Forward collision warning: StandardLane departure warning: StandardStability control: Standard

NHTSA // RECALLSRecall record

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

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER24V064000

Risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, October 18, 2024, and August 2025. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.

Reported 2024-02-01

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

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER23V458000

Risk: Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.

Reported 2023-06-29

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

NHTSA // COMPLAINTSOwner complaints

207 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.

3reported crash
0reported fire
2reported injuries
0reported deaths
Most-reported systemsEngine 77Unknown Or Other 38Electrical System 37Forward Collision Avoidance 35Power Train 20Lane Departure 16

Other Mdx Sport years

Rivals in SUV (2020)

Last verified 2026-07-03. Sources: NHTSA SafetyRatings (VehicleId 14489), recallsByVehicle, complaintsByVehicle for Acura Mdx Sport 2020. Class rank 40 of 107 in SUV 2020. Methodology · Disclosure