Used 2012 Acura MDX Consumer Reviews
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Oil Burner!
Dave M, 04/25/2017
updated 10/31/2019
2012 Acura MDX Advance and Entertainment Packages 4dr SUV AWD (3.7L 6cyl 6A)
78 of 79 people found this review helpful
Bought a used 2012 MDX to replace a 2007 MDX. Quickly discovered it burns oil at a rate of a quart every 1100 miles. Thought the previous owner had abused the engine and not changed oil regularly. WRONG. Seems that most "reviewers" and organizations have missed the fact that Acura has a bad engine - the J37A - out there on the 2008-2014 MDX. A new cylinder material is rumored to be abrasive against the piston rings - and the oil is being burned quickly. Acura has taken the stance that a quart/1000 miles is "normal." And they are only ponying up money to totally irate consumers with signing of an NDA. There is the rumor that the rings were installed improperly at the factory. Initial statistics show that over 11% of Acura MDX's have this problem with the J37A engine. Advise strongly again buying unless some warranty guarantee from Acura. The problem has shown up in cars with as few as 40,000 miles. Usually AFTER the warranty is expired. Caution!!!
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Traded down to Trade up!
wayne91, 01/30/2012
2012 Acura MDX 4dr SUV AWD (3.7L 6cyl 6A)
45 of 50 people found this review helpful
I traded my 2011 QX56 for the 2012 MDX. Why? Well, I am looking to downsize my life while not giving up everything. Then MDX offers all I need and what I want. Versatility, sportiness, comfort, performance, and better MPG. Thought about LEXUS, MERCEDES, and found the pricing too high. The Range Rover does not provide the reliability and resale of ACURA.
Great value and decent features
sebring95, 12/07/2013
2012 Acura MDX Technology Package 4dr SUV AWD (3.7L 6cyl 6A)
17 of 18 people found this review helpful
We've had this for a little over a year and 30k miles. It was really no more expensive than a loaded Honda/Ford/GM SUV. Normally I wouldn't buy a "luxury" brand for our family hauler given the 25k-30k miles per year we drive, but operating costs on an Acura are a fraction of the Euro brands. Depreciation also appears to be significantly more favorable. Transmission is relatively lazy and you have to keep after it to capitalize on the 300hp. Backup camera is terrible at night. Gas mileage is as expected...averaging 19.5 and 21-22 on long trips at 75mph. Unless you're comparing it to something significantly more expensive or smaller, this is a great overall vehicle.
2nd MDX
dc12, 05/30/2012
2012 Acura MDX 4dr SUV AWD (3.7L 6cyl 6A)
16 of 17 people found this review helpful
This is our 2nd MDX and we are very happy with our purchase. The car drives and handles very well and comes with a laundry list of standard options. I wanted to check out the new Explorer before we bought this one but the Ford dealership was too difficult to deal with. A relative of ours just bought the Toyota Highlander which I also like but the MDX handles better in my view. I was also able to get a better deal than the Edmunds True Market Value. Our kids love the car.
My "New" 2012 MDX - 2k miles so far
jg88, 04/14/2015
updated 10/16/2017
2012 Acura MDX Technology Package 4dr SUV AWD (3.7L 6cyl 6A)
39 of 45 people found this review helpful
Just bought a 2012 MDX Tech CPO with 30k miles and am pretty darn happy with it. Tested the X5 and X3, the Q5, the ML 350 and the similarly sized Infinity; the MDX was hard to beat for overall driving, quality build and standard features. SH-AWD is in a class of its own for on-the-road traction and performance. Driving during a couple of heavy down pour is a breeze. Surprisingly it has decent ground clearance for logging roads and unimproved two-tracks yet felt lower in driving than the others. Noticed how low in the bonnet the engine sits, must be how Acura lowered it's center of gravity. Lastly, could not believe the deal I struck with Acura vs. the German cars - much better. Three years later, now with 52K miles - not one issue or problem with the MDX. We've taken it many long trips, have used it for carrying large items - still going great as a people and cargo mover. One area of concern, the MPG seems to have fallen both for local and highway driving. On a recent 3K trip from TX to NM to CO and back back, overall MPG for the trip was about 19.5. A year earlier, on essentially the same trip, it was about 21 MPG overall. Have also noticed lower MPG for local driving, about 15 - 16 versus 17.5 during the 1st 2 years. Not sure why this is.
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- Reliability
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