Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 MDX.
The 2018 Acura MDX is an SUV equipped with a 9-speed automatic transmission that delivers EPA fuel economy of 19/26/22 mpg, with its engine maintenance requiring 5.7 quarts of 0W-20 oil. Although the vehicle carries 159 owner complaints predominantly focused on the engine, cooling, and gasoline fuel systems alongside 10 recalls, its reliability standing is significantly better than the model's past. The 2018 model's complaint volume sits well below the historical peak of 359 complaints recorded in 2016, indicating that the nameplate had moved past the worst of its reliability struggles. Consequently, this model year represents a stabilized middle ground in the MDX lineage, offering substantially improved dependability over that peak era while still not reaching the minimal 6 complaints seen in the lowest year of 2026.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
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.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S9) |
| Overall length | 196.1 in |
| Overall width | 77.2 in |
| Overall height | 67.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 111 in |
| Curb weight | 4343 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 66.5 / 66.1 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 58/42 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 19 / 26 / 22 mpg |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the MDX of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Sport Hybrid SH-AWD Advance Package 3.0L V6 + Elec | 6.00 sec | 14.60 sec | 321 hp | AWD |
| 2017 | Sport Hybrid SH-AWD Technology Package 3.0L V6 + Elec | 5.70 sec | 14.50 sec | 321 hp | AWD |
| 2017 | SH-AWD Advance Package 3.5L V6 | 6.00 sec | 14.70 sec | 290 hp | AWD |
| 2017 | SH-AWD Advance Package 3.5L V6 | 6.20 sec | 14.70 sec | 290 hp | AWD |
| 2017 | SH-AWD Advance Package 3.5L V6 | 6.30 sec | 14.90 sec | 290 hp | AWD |
| 2019 | SH-AWD A-Spec 3.5L V6 | 5.90 sec | 14.50 sec | 290 hp | AWD |
| 2019 | SH-AWD A-Spec 3.5L V6 | 6.30 sec | 14.80 sec | 290 hp | AWD |
| 2016 | SH-AWD Advance & Entertainment Package 3.5L V6 | 5.90 sec | 14.60 sec | 290 hp | AWD |
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.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF 3 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.5 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 3.8 qt |
| Engine Coolant | Use Honda Type 2 antifreeze |
| Engine Coolant Capacity | 7.8 |
| Engine Oil | 0W-20 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.7 qt |
| 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 |
| Lug Nuts | 94 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 242.0 |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 181.0 |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-4-2-5-3-6 |
| 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 Manufacturer | Acura |
| Spark Plug Gap | 3471cc and 3474cc Engines: |
| Spark Plug Torque | 16 ft-lbs |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.44-1.63 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 4.10-4.20 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 48 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 620 cca; Advance Package: 650 cca |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 48 |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum | 60.0 psi |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum | 67.0 psi |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 60.0-67.0 psi |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum | 57.0 psi |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum | 64.0 psi |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 57.0-64.0 psi |
| Engine Compression | 135 min psi / Maximum Variation 29 psi |
| Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque | Front: 53; Rear: 26 |
| Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque | Front: 101; Rear: 80 |
| Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement | Front: 1.102; Rear: .354 |
| Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation | .0006 |
| Maximum Rotor Runout | .0016 |
| 1 | 15.0 ft. lbs. | 15 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 1 | 15.0 ft. lbs. | 15 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 1 | 48 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 | 48 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 89.0 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: 90 | 89 ft. lbs |
Prep Bearing cap bolts:
| 1 | 30.0 ft. lbs. | 30 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 47 degrees; Side cap bolts: 36.0 ft. lbs. | 47 degrees |
Prep Bearing cap bolts:
| 1 | 30.0 ft. lbs. | 30 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 47 degrees; Side cap bolts: 36.0 ft. lbs. | 47 degrees |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2018 Acura MDX sits in the middle of the third-generation run (2014–2020), with 159 complaints — notably lower than the 2016 peak of 359 and the 2017 count of 245, but higher than the 2015 model’s 70. However, it carries the highest recall count of the generation at 10, while investigations remained steady at three from 2016 onward. The top complaint areas center on the engine and fuel system, but the data does not specify root causes for these issues. The complaint trend across the generation shows a sharp spike in 2016, a gradual decline through 2018, then a modest rise again in 2019–2020, placing 2018 in a relatively stable but not low-risk position. Given the elevated recall activity and moderate complaint volume, the 2018 MDX is a reasonable but not standout choice — buyers should verify that all recalls have been performed before purchasing.
All 159 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 10 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine. Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the fuel injection engine control unit (FI-ECU) software and, if necessary, replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall…
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…
Showing 5 of 139 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| ONL6AX01302026 | 2026-01-31 | Fuel/Propulsion System | Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the… |
| B25-003 | 2025-09-03 | Visibility/Wiper | Service Bulletin - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner… |
| B25-003 | 2025-07-09 | Visibility/Wiper | Service Bulletin - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner… |
| B23-002 | 2025-07-07 | Engine | Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle… |
| ONL6L806042025 Form | 2025-06-04 | Exterior Lighting | Owner Notification Letter - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
5.7 qt of 0W-20 STARBURST, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg.