AcuraMDX2009Overview/acura/mdx/2009/base/

2009 Acura MDX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 MDX.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S5)

The 2009 Acura MDX is an SUV featuring an Automatic (S5) transmission, EPA fuel economy ratings of 15/20/17 mpg, and a requirement for 4.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil. In the context of the model's complaint history spanning 2001 to 2026, this variant records 50 total owner complaints focused primarily on the Electrical System, a figure significantly lower than the 359 complaints recorded during the 2016 peak. With zero recalls reported, this moderate complaint volume positions the 2009 model as a relatively stable entry when viewed against the range's lowest mark of 6 complaints in 2026.

Model year20262024202320222020201920182009

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque94 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/20/17 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 630 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 24F · 630 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP255-55R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S5)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length190.6 in
Overall width78.3 in
Overall height68.1 in
Wheelbase108.3 in
Curb weight4550 lb
Track (front / rear)68.5 / 67.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 20 / 17 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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.

6.6–8.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.60 sec — 2010 SH-AWD Advance & Entertainment Package
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2010SH-AWD Advance & Entertainment Package 3.7L V66.60 sec15.10 sec300 hpAWD
2010SH-AWD Advance & Entertainment Package 3.7L V66.80 sec15.30 sec300 hpAWD
2007SH-AWD Sport & Entertainment Package 3.7L V67.00 sec15.50 sec300 hpAWD
2007SH-AWD Sport & Entertainment Package 3.7L V67.30 sec15.70 sec300 hpAWD
2007SH-AWD Sport & Entertainment Package 3.7L V67.60 sec16.00 sec300 hpAWD
2007SH-AWD Sport & Entertainment Package 3.7L V68.10 sec16.40 sec300 hpAWD
2011SH-AWD Advance & Entertainment Package 3.7L V66.70 sec15.20 sec300 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 94 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.3
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.5 Pints
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 54, MT: 76 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Driveshaft Flange to Transmission53.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts94 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug35.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug35.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub242 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub181 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)720 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.27-1.38 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.22-4.63 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance630 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)57.0-64.0 psi
Engine Compression144 minimum PSI. 28 maximum variation PSI.

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket53 ft-lbs / 27 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle101 ft-lbs / 65 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.060 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0016 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.098 in / 0.429 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.106 in / 0.437 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.024 in / 0.354 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9014 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
147 ft. lbs, step 2: 6047 ft. lbs

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 2009 Acura MDX sits in a markedly quieter phase of the federal record after the high-volume early years. From 2001 through 2006, complaints ranged from 87 to 224 annually and recalls reached as high as 13 per year, with five investigations in 2003, 2005, and 2006; 2007 began a sharp downturn, and 2009 carries just 50 complaints, zero recalls, zero investigations, and 35 TSBs. Compared with 2008 (49 complaints, 1 recall, 41 TSBs) and 2010 (45 complaints, 1 recall, 77 TSBs), 2009 is the only year in that three-year window with no recalls and the fewest TSBs. Top complaint categories are electrical system (8), air bags (4), vehicle speed control (4), and power train (3), with 4 crash-related and 1 fire-related complaint, though the data does not specify root causes. The broader 2007-2013 arc stays low, but 2009 lands near its calmest point. Given its position at the bottom of the complaint/recall curve and no federal recalls or investigations on record, a used 2009 MDX appears to be one of the better model years to buy from a federal-file standpoint.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
35
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
50
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 50 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System8
Air Bags4
Vehicle Speed Control4
Power Train3
Exterior Lighting3
Engine3
Electrical System,Engine3
Engine & Engine Cooling3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 35 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B23040A2023-05-17Electrical SystemService News - The navigation clock and date are incorrect. This is due to a limited GPS…
B21120A2022-01-25Electrical SystemServiceNews Article - The clock shows the incorrect time. This issue is due to a limited…
DOR-M3J3F-072020-06-03Engine And Engine CoolingThese SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication…
BBOM052420189012018-05-24Air BagsDealer message - Today, May 24, 2018, Acura is announcing a warranty extension for…
B05-0182016-11-23EquipmentSERVICE BULLETIN - NAVIGATION SYSTEM INFORMATION.

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. 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 2009 MDX take?

4.5 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2009 MDX have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the MDX get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined mpg.