AcuraZDX2012Overview/acura/zdx/2012/base/

2012 Acura ZDX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 ZDX.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2012 Acura ZDX is an SUV fitted with an Automatic (S6) transmission and EPA fuel-economy ratings of 16/23/19 mpg, while its engine calls for 4.5 quarts of 5W-20 API oil. Reliability data for this model year show a single owner complaint in the Power Train,Engine category, set against eight recalls. Within the broader 20102024 complaint history, 2012 registers the lowest grievance volume of the range, a position that marks it as the most favorable ownership year in the ZDX’s documented profile.

Model year202620242013201220112010

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 economy16/23/19 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 · 550 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 · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP255-50HR19OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length192.1 in
Overall width78.3 in
Overall height63 in
Wheelbase108.3 in
Curb weight4550 lb
Track (front / rear)67.7 / 67.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 23 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainAll-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 ZDX of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.4–6.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.40 sec — 2010 SH-AWD Advance Package
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2010SH-AWD Advance Package 3.7L V66.40 sec14.90 sec300 hpAWD
2010SH-AWD Advance Package 3.7L V66.50 sec15.00 sec300 hpAWD
2010SH-AWD Advance Package 3.7L V66.80 sec15.30 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 30.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.3
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.3 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 Bolts24 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs9 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts9.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts94 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug33.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug36.0 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)710 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 Capacity1.05-1.17 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.45-3.50 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)55.0
Engine Compression135 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 Thickness0.063 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0016 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.433 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.433 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 2012 Acura ZDX represents a notable improvement in reliability within its generation, particularly when compared to its predecessor and successor years. Complaints dropped sharply from 9 in 2010 to just 1 in 2012, while recalls remained stable at 8—identical to 2011 but lower than 2010’s peak of 10. The data shows a clear downward trend in both complaints and recalls from 2010 to 2013, with 2012 sitting at the low end of this arc, suggesting early production issues were largely resolved by this model year. The sole complaint in 2012 was related to the power train/engine, though the data does not specify the root cause. With no crash or fire complaints reported, the 2012 ZDX appears to be one of the most dependable years in the model’s run. **This makes it a strong candidate for a used purchase, assuming the lone complaint was an isolated incident.**

8
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
93
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
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.

Power Train,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 8 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V661000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 27/09/2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer…

19V182000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 06/03/2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 93 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B18-0202026-02-28Air BagsService Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Driver's Airbag…
B18-0202022-04-08Air BagsService bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating…
B18-0202022-03-01EquipmentService Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating…
B20-0112020-03-10Air BagsService Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating…
B20-0062020-03-10Air BagsService Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating…

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 ZDX. 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 2012 ZDX take?

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

Does the 2012 ZDX have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the ZDX get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined mpg.