MODEL
Acura Mdx Type S
NHTSA safety across every Acura Mdx Type S model year we cover.
Across the 2 model years of the Acura Mdx Type S we cover (2022 to 2023), no year has an NHTSA crash-test score on record. 2 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Acura MDX Type S is the performance-oriented flagship of Acura's three-row SUV lineup, slotting into the luxury midsize segment and targeting drivers who want spirited dynamics alongside premium comfort. Offered in 2022 and 2023, it distinguishes itself from the standard MDX with a turbocharged V6 and sport-tuned hardware, appealing to buyers who want a driver-focused alternative in a crowded luxury family-hauler market.
From a safety standpoint, the 2022-2023 Acura MDX Type S presents a picture that is notably incomplete. NHTSA has not crash-tested this variant in either model year we cover, meaning there is no federal star rating or Safety Index score to anchor our assessment. Shoppers accustomed to leaning on government crash data will find a gap here that Acura has not filled with NHTSA-published results for the Type S specifically. Across the two model years, NHTSA has recorded two recalls. That is a modest recall count for a two-year window on a complex luxury vehicle, though the substance of any recall matters more than its count, and shoppers should verify their VIN at NHTSA.gov to confirm recall completion. Owner complaints number 25 across both years, a relatively low volume for a premium SUV with this price positioning. Within those complaints, NHTSA logs one reported crash and one reported injury. These are unverified allegations, not confirmed incidents, but they are worth monitoring as the population of these vehicles ages. The honest bottom line is this: the MDX Type S is not a safety unknown, but it is an unverified one by federal standards. Prospective buyers should check whether the standard MDX shares enough structural DNA with the Type S to borrow context from any tested MDX results, and they should confirm all recall work has been completed before purchase.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the MDX Type S as one of the more engaging three-row luxury SUVs available, praising its composed handling and upscale interior. Most acknowledge it competes well on refinement and driving dynamics within the segment, though some note that the third row remains tight for adults, a common limitation in this class.
- NHTSA has not crash-tested the MDX Type S for either 2022 or 2023, so there are no federal star ratings available to guide your safety comparison against rivals.
- Two recalls have been issued across the 2022-2023 model years. Verify your specific VIN at NHTSA.gov before purchase to confirm all recall repairs have been completed.
- Owner complaints total 25 across both model years, including one reported crash and one reported injury. These are unverified allegations filed with NHTSA, not confirmed findings, but they are worth reviewing in detail on the NHTSA complaints database.
- Because the Type S shares its platform with the standard MDX, shoppers can look to any available NHTSA or IIHS results for the base MDX as partial structural context, but those scores do not officially apply to the Type S trim and should not be treated as equivalent.
Most-recalled year on record: 2023 Acura Mdx Type S with 1 recalls.