AcuraMDX2023Overview/acura/mdx/2023/base/

2023 Acura MDX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2023 MDX.

Transmission Automatic (S10)

The 2023 Acura MDX utilizes an Automatic (S10) transmission and achieves EPA fuel economy ratings of 19/25/21 mpg while requiring 5.5 quarts of 0W-20 API oil for engine maintenance. Within the model's complaint history spanning 2001 to 2026, this specific year recorded 34 total owner complaints primarily focused on the power train alongside two recalls. This complaint volume sits significantly below the 2016 peak of 360 issues but remains higher than the 2026 low of 6. This positioning indicates a stabilized entry in the vehicle's long-term reliability profile relative to the historical extremes.

Model year20262024202320222020201920182017

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque94.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy19/25/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R - AGM VRLA battery. · 800 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 94R - AGM VRLA battery. · 800 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size255/55R19 107HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5; Optional: 9 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S10)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length198.4 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height66.9 in
Wheelbase113.8 in
Curb weight4506 lb
Track (front / rear)67.7 / 67.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 25 / 21 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 MDX of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.4–7.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.40 sec — 2024 SH-AWD Type S Advance
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2022SH-AWD Type S Advance 3.5L V65.40 sec14.00 sec355 hpAWD
2022SH-AWD Type S Advance 3.5L V65.50 sec14.10 sec355 hpAWD
2022SH-AWD A-Spec 3.5L V65.70 sec14.40 sec290 hpAWD
2022SH-AWD Type S Advance 3.5L V66.00 sec14.50 sec355 hpAWD
2022SH-AWD A-Spec 3.5L V66.40 sec15.10 sec290 hpAWD
2022SH-AWD A-Spec 3.5L V66.40 sec15.20 sec290 hpAWD
2022SH-AWD Advance 3.5L V67.50 sec15.80 sec290 hpAWD
2024SH-AWD Type S Advance 3.0L Turbo V65.40 sec13.90 sec355 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.5 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil, Rear Axle: Acura DPSF-II in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 94.0 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to Use new washer: 30.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5.1 qt
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4.5 qt
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilRear Axle: Acura DPSF-II
Engine Coolant Capacity2.7 Gallons
Engine Coolant Capacity2.0 Gallons

Engine torques

Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)Use a new O-Ring: 9.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)33.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)16.0 ft-lbs
Flex or Driveplate BoltsDriveplate: 55.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsBolt & Nuts: 16.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsBolt & Nuts: 16.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse new washer: 30.0 ft-lbs
Torque Converter Bolts20.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug35.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain Plug35.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts94.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug32.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug32.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)Transmission in Neutral or Park: 710 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)With High Electric Load: Transmission in N
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)Transmission in Neutral
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)50 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.06-1.18 lbs
Oil GroupPOE
Oil TypeRB100EV-01
Oil Capacity4.29-5.17 oz
Standard BCI Group Number94R - AGM VRLA battery.
Standard BCI Cranking Performance800 cca
Standard BCI Group Number48

Service checks

Engine Oil PressureEngine @ Idle: 10.2 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM71.1 Psi Minimum @ 3,000 rpm
Engine Oil PressureEngine @ Idle: 14.5 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM65.3 Psi Minimum @ 4,000 rpm

Brakes

Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.0846; Rear: 0.059
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.059
Solid Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.102; Rear: .354
Solid Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: 1.181; Rear: 0.433
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation0.0006"
Maximum Rotor Runout0.0039"

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 2023 Acura MDX represents a notable improvement in reliability trends within its generation, particularly when viewed against the federal record. Complaints dropped sharply to 36 in 2023—among the lowest in the model’s history—while recalls (2) and investigations (2) remained stable and modest compared to the mid-2010s spike (e.g., 2016’s 360 complaints and 7 recalls). This decline aligns with the broader post-2020 trend of reduced issues, though 2023’s TSB count (126) suggests lingering minor technical adjustments. The top complaint areas—primarily power train and braking—mirror long-standing concerns but occur at far lower volumes than in earlier years like 2016 or 2014. With only 2 crash-related complaints and no fire incidents reported, the 2023 model year appears to be a relative low-risk point in the MDX’s lifecycle. **Takeaway: The 2023 MDX is a strong used buy, offering the best balance of low complaints and recalls in its recent history.**

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
126
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
34
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 34 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train6
Unknown Or Other3
Vehicle Speed Control2
Service Brakes2
Forward Collision Avoidance2
Electrical System2
Suspension1
Electrical System,Service Brakes1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

25V391000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And LinkagesReported 12/06/2025

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Acura TLX, 2023-2025 Acura MDX, and 2023-2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin was not secured properly, which can cause the pedal to shift… Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pedal assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer…

26V332000Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front PassengerReported 21/05/2026

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 126 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B23-0042025-10-17Structure"Service Bulletin - A pop noise can occur from the rear roof area when turning into…
BTI&073120259032025-07-31EngineDealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2023-2025…
BBTS288512025-07-17SteeringTech Line Summary - Customers are complaining of a clicking noise from front of vehicle…
BTI&071520259012025-07-15EngineDealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2023-2025…
B24-0252025-07-02WheelsService Bulletin - Customers are experiencing screeching, squeaking, rubbing, or scraping…

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 2023 MDX take?

5.5 qt of Acura API Premium Genuine Motor Oil 0W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2023 MDX 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 get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined mpg.