NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2019 Acura MDX Safety Ratings
The 2019 Acura MDX 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 achieved a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, bolstered by a perfect score in its avoidance technology sub-category. This performance contributes to its NHTSA Safety Index of 81/100, placing it in the Strong band. However, the vehicle's nine recall campaigns and a weaker defect sub-score present a more nuanced safety profile for prospective buyers.
The 2019 Acura MDX received a five-star overall NHTSA crash-test rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 81/100, sourced from NHTSA federal safety 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 ranks 49 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 | 49 of 93 SUVs tested for 2019 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2019 Acura MDX?
An 81 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index places the 2019 Acura MDX in the Strong band, a baseline score establishing this generation's safety profile. This rating is significantly bolstered by its performance in crash protection, scoring 66 out of 70, reflecting strong NHTSA results in both frontal and side impact disciplines. Furthermore, the avoidance technology sub-score is a perfect 10 out of 10, achieved by standard inclusion of forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control across the trim. The drag on the overall Safety Index, however, is the defect record sub-score, which registers a comparatively low 5.25 out of 20. This reduced figure is a direct result of nine recall campaigns against the 2019 MDX, addressing diverse components such as air bag sensors, fuel delivery systems, structural frame members, tailgate lighting, and internal engine parts. For a vehicle now on the used market, the defining tension of this year's safety profile is the disparity between its documented crash protection and its elevated recall volume. The 81 Safety Index score is a composite; while its crash protection is robust, the volume of recalls necessitates VIN-level verification before purchase.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2019 Acura MDX perform in crash tests?
The 2019 Acura MDX achieved an overall five-star safety rating from NHTSA. This includes five stars for frontal crash protection and five stars for side impact protection. The SUV's rollover performance was rated at four out of five stars, with a 16 percent risk of rollover. Notably, dynamic tip-testing indicated no tip, a positive outcome within its four-star rollover assessment.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 13328
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2019 Acura MDX have any recalls?
Nine recall campaigns cover this model year. Active safety-critical campaigns include an air bag occupant-classification sensor recall and a fuel pump delivery recall. Additional campaigns address structural frame members, exterior tailgate lighting moisture intrusion, and internal engine hard parts. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is noted in the data provided, but shoppers should verify each campaign's remedy status by VIN before purchase.
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. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888
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 were mailed July 7, 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 (VINs) involve
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?
NHTSA has logged 182 unverified owner allegations against the 2019 MDX. The most frequently reported components are Engine with 46 alleged incidents, Electrical System with 38, Power Train with 31, and Engine And Engine Cooling with 30. Reported allegations also include 4 crash events, 3 fire events, and 3 injury claims. All are unverified consumer reports, not established facts.
182 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2019 Acura MDX?
Any shopper considering a 2019 MDX should run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup tool before purchase. With nine recall campaigns on record, confirming that every remedy has been completed at a dealership is the single most important safety step a used-market buyer can take on this specific model year.
- The 2019 MDX's defect record sub-score of 5.25 out of 20 is the primary factor pulling the Safety Index below the top tier, driven by nine recall campaigns that span air bag sensors, fuel pump delivery, structural frame members, and engine hard parts.
- A 2026 air bag occupant-classification sensor recall is among the most recent campaigns affecting this model year, meaning some 2019 MDX vehicles may still have an open, unresolved recall requiring dealer action.
- NHTSA's rollover rating of four out of five stars, paired with a 16 percent rollover risk and a dynamic no-tip result, is the only crash-test discipline where this model year falls short of a perfect score.
- All three crash-avoidance technologies tracked by NHTSA, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control, are standard on this model year, contributing to a perfect 10 out of 10 avoidance-tech sub-score.
RANKINGSWhere the 2019 Acura MDX places
The 2019 Acura MDX qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2019 Acura MDX safety questions
Was the 2019 Acura MDX crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2019 Acura MDX, 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 crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2019 Acura MDX 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 have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 9 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2019 Acura MDX. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2019 Acura MDX?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 182 owner complaints are on file for the 2019 Acura MDX. 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 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 13328), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Acura MDX 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 49 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.