AcuraMDX Sport Hybrid2018Overview/acura/mdx-sport-hybrid/2018/base/

2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 MDX Sport Hybrid.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S9)

The 2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid is an SUV fitted with an automatic (S9) transmission, an engine oil capacity of 5.7 quarts using 0W-20 viscosity, and EPA fuel-economy ratings of 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. Within the 2017–2020 complaint history, this model year registers the lowest owner-reported grievances at just one—solely in the Visibility/Wiper category—alongside two recalls, compared to the 2017 model’s eight complaints. That data profile makes the 2018 model the most reliable year in that four-year window.

Model year201920182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque94 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy19/26/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 620 CCA; Advance Package: 650 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 620 CCA; Advance Package: 650 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245/60R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.0 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S9)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length196.1 in
Overall width77.2 in
Overall height67.3 in
Wheelbase111 in
Curb weight4343 lb
Track (front / rear)66.5 / 66.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 26 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.7 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 94 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF 3
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.8 qt
Engine CoolantUse Honda Type 2 antifreeze
Engine Coolant Capacity7.8
Engine Oil0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity5.7 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)3.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)3.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)68.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)68.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)33.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts94 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub242.0
Rear Wheel Hub181.0

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)680 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)950 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerAcura
Spark Plug Gap3471cc and 3474cc Engines:
Spark Plug Torque16 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.44-1.63 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.10-4.20 oz
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance620 cca; Advance Package: 650 cca
Standard BCI Group Number48

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum60.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum67.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)60.0-67.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum57.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum64.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)57.0-64.0 psi
Engine Compression135 min psi / Maximum Variation 29 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 53; Rear: 26
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 101; Rear: 80
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.102; Rear: .354
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0006
Maximum Rotor Runout.0016

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
148 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9048 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
189.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 degrees. Only if you are using a new pulley bolt or crankshaft, tighten the bolt in the following steps: Step 1: 52.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 degrees, Step 3: loosen bolt, Step 4: 89.0 ft. lbs., Step 5: 9089 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Bearing cap bolts:

130.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
247 degrees; Side cap bolts: 36.0 ft. lbs.47 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Bearing cap bolts:

130.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
247 degrees; Side cap bolts: 36.0 ft. lbs.47 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

At 160,000 miUniversal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid sits in a relatively clean stretch of the generation's federal record, with only one complaint filed compared to eight in 2017, eight again in 2019, and five in 2020 — making it the lightest complaint year in the four-year window. Its two recalls fit a clear downward trend across the generation (3 → 2 → 2 → 1), and its 21 TSBs represent a meaningful step down from the 32 issued for 2017, consistent with a maturing platform producing fewer servicing bulletins. The lone 2018 complaint centers on a visibility/wiper issue, which the data does not tie to a specific root cause, and notably the model year recorded zero crash and zero fire complaints — a reassuring safety indicator. One open investigation has persisted across all four model years, so it is worth confirming its current status with a dealer, but its static presence does not point to an escalating defect trend. On balance, the 2018 model year is one of the more attractive choices in this generation for a used purchase, though a pre-purchase inspection focused on wiper/visibility function and verification of completed recall remedies are sensible due-diligence steps.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
21
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.

Visibility/Wiper1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V256000Exterior Lighting:Tail LightsReported 28/03/2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Acura MDX and 2017-2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid lights, possibly causing a loss of the tailgate lid lights and… 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…

18V777000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:CaliperReported 01/11/2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Acura MDX, 2017-2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda HR-V and Honda Odyssey, and 2016 Honda HR-V vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 21 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B25-0032025-09-03Visibility/WiperService Bulletin - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner…
B25-0032025-07-09Visibility/WiperService Bulletin - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner…
ONL6L806042025 Form2025-06-04Exterior LightingOwner Notification Letter - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner…
ONL6L806042025 Letter2025-06-04Exterior LightingOwner Notification Letter - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner…
B25-0032025-04-18Visibility/WiperService Bulletin - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific MDX Sport Hybrid. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 MDX Sport Hybrid take?

5.7 qt of 0W-20 STARBURST, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 MDX Sport Hybrid have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the MDX Sport Hybrid get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg.