← Back to Search

2020 Acura MDX A-Spec SH-AWD

The 2020 Acura MDX A-Spec SH-AWD is a 290-hp 3.5-liter SUV with a 9-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. It starts at $55,000 MSRP and is rated at 21 mpg combined.

It makes 290 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 267 lb-ft of torque at 4700 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway (21 mpg combined).

The MDX measures 196.2 inches long on a 111.0-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 4,275 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSUV
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$55,000
MSRP with Destination$56,025
Destination Charge$1,025
Engine
Engine Type3.5-liter direct-injection SOHC V-6 (Earth Dreams Technology)
Displacement3.5 L
Horsepower290 hp @ 6,200 rpm
Torque267 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm
Valvetrain24-valve, SOHC i-VTEC, Variable Cylinder Management (VCM)
Compression Ratio11.5:1
Injection TypeDirect injection, Drive-By-Wire throttle
Drivetrain
Drive TypeSH-AWD
Transmission
Transmission9-speed automatic with Sequential SportShift paddle shifters
1st Gear4.71
2nd Gear2.84
3rd Gear1.91
4th Gear1.38
5th Gear1
6th Gear0.81
7th Gear0.7
8th Gear0.58
9th Gear0.48
Reverse3.83
Final Drive4.33
Fuel Economy
City19 MPG
Highway25 MPG
Combined21 MPG
Recommended FuelPremium unleaded, 91 octane
Tank Capacity19.5 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent MacPherson strut w/ Amplitude Reactive Dampers
Rear SuspensionIndependent multi-link w/ Amplitude Reactive Dampers
Brakes
Front Brake DiscVentilated, 12.6" (320 mm) diameter
Rear Brake DiscSolid, 13.0" (330 mm) diameter
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front20" x 8.5" split 5-spoke Shark Gray alloy
Wheels Rear20" x 8.5" split 5-spoke Shark Gray alloy
Tires Front265/45R20 all-season
Tires Rear265/45R20 all-season
Dimensions & Weight
Length196.2 in
Width77.7 in
Height67.4 in
Wheelbase111 in
Front Track66.3 in
Rear Track66.3 in
Ground Clearance7.3 in
Approach Angle14.9°
Departure Angle17.4°
Cargo Volume90.9 ft³
Curb Weight4,275 lbs
Weight Distribution (F/R)57% / 43%
Interior
Headroom Front38.1 in
Headroom Rear38.2 in
Legroom Front41.4 in
Legroom Rear38.4 in
Shoulder Room Front61.1 in
Shoulder Room Rear59.1 in
Hip Room Front57.5 in
Hip Room Rear57.8 in

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall ★★★★★
Frontal crash ★★★★★
Side crash ★★★★★
Rollover ★★★★★ (16.4 % risk)
Tested variant: 2020 Acura MDX SUV AWD
Other tested variants (1)
  • 2020 Acura MDX SUV FWD: 5 ★ overall

Recalls

8 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2020 Acura MDX. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Jun 4, 2026 · STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.

Consequence: Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.

NHTSA campaign 26V365000

May 21, 2026 · AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

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, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

Consequence: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

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. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

NHTSA campaign 26V332000

Apr 17, 2025 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid light assembly and wiring harness, which can cause the interior and exterior lights to fail, including the lid lights, position lights, license plate lights and taillights.

Consequence: Vehicle lights that fail to illuminate can decrease visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wiring and install a fuse harness, replace the lid light, and repair the body dust sealer, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 30, 2025. Owners may contact Acura's customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Acura's number for this recall is FLI. Vehicles included in this recall that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 19V-256 will need to have the new remedy completed.

NHTSA campaign 25V259000

Feb 1, 2024 · AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.

Consequence: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.

NHTSA campaign 24V064000

Dec 18, 2023 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

NHTSA campaign 23V858000

Nov 13, 2023 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.

Consequence: A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-December 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early April 2024, 2019 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-May 2024, 2020 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-June 2024, and 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed January 27, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XG1 and GG0.

NHTSA campaign 23V751000

Jun 29, 2023 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.

Consequence: Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.

NHTSA campaign 23V458000

Mar 25, 2021 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.

NHTSA campaign 21V215000

225 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2020 Acura MDX

Owner Complaints

225 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Acura MDX (4 mention a crash, 1 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Engine85
Electrical System41
Unknown Or Other39
Forward Collision Avoidance37
Power Train21
Engine And Engine Cooling19
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Oct 22, 2026 · Electrical System, Engine
“My 2020 Acura MDX fails to restart after the Auto Idle Stop system shuts off the engine at stops. The vehicle stalls and will not restart in active traffic, including busy intersections and high-speed…”
Oct 15, 2026 · Engine And Engine Cooling
“The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under Technical Service Bulletins: 22-009, 22-024, and 23-002; however, the failure persisted following…”
Oct 9, 2026 · Electrical System, Engine
“Car is not staying on during traffic. Afraid to go in highway now.”
Oct 1, 2026 · Engine
“On multiple occasions while my car is stopped at a light or stop sign the idle restart stalls and the car shuts off. I need to give it a few minutes and restart the car. It mainly happens when the…”
Sep 14, 2026 · Air Bags, Vehicle Speed Control Crash
“The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The contact stated that later, while parking the vehicle, the…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2020 ACURA MDX. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

← Back to Search