2012 Acura MDX — Full Specifications
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The 2012 Acura MDX is an SUV powered by a 3.7L 6-cyl premium gasoline engine. It returns around 22 mpg (UK) / 18 mpg (US EPA) combined. Owners often keep a Acura MDX workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2011 Acura MDX: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 22 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. The overall NHTSA rating moves from 5★ to 4★.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 3.7L 6-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Fuel Type | Premium Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | All-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Length | 4788 mm |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 22 combined / 19 urban / 25 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 18 combined / 16 city / 21 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 307 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $4,550 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 1 configuration for the 2012 Acura MDX, all with the 3.7L 6-cyl engine. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 18 (16/21) | 307 | $4,550 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2012 Acura MDX
Running Costs: 2012 Acura MDX
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2012 Acura MDX at 22 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,653 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $4,550 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2012 Acura MDX Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall campaign that include the 2012 Acura MDX (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Fuel system (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Fuel system — campaign 12V063000, reported 17 February 2012. Risk: AS A RESULT, FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE TANK, INCREASING THE RISK OF FIRE.
Owners have filed 76 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Acura MDX. The most-reported areas are Engine (23), Electrical system (13), Power train (13). Complaints include 4 reported crashes, 3 reported fires, 2 reported injuries. That is close to the median of 92 complaints across the 16 Acura MDX model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2012 Acura MDX
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Engine (23 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
- Electrical system (13 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Transmission & drivetrain (13 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
- Fuel system (1 recall campaign) — Ask whether any fuel-pump or fuel-system recalls were completed, and watch for hard starting or stalling.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Acura MDX compare to similar SUVs? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 22 mpg figure is 5 mpg below that average. Its 307 g/km CO₂ figure is 54 g/km higher than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
Acura models in our database average about 29 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2012 Acura MDX's 22 mpg is 7 mpg below that make average. Its 307 g/km CO₂ figure is 72 g/km higher than the 235 g/km Acura average.
Of the 16 Acura MDX model years we cover, the 2012 ranks 13th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (22 mpg UK combined, against a high of 28 mpg). See every Acura MDX year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2012 Acura MDX
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 Acura MDX have?
It's fitted with a 3.7L 6-cyl premium gasoline engine, paired with a automatic (s6) transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Acura MDX?
The most efficient configuration returns around 22 mpg (UK) combined, or 18 mpg on the US EPA cycle.
How much does the 2012 Acura MDX cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $4,550 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2012 Acura MDX have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 4 stars, with 4 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2012 Acura MDX have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall campaign that include the 2012 Acura MDX (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Fuel system (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2012 Acura MDX?
Among the 76 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Engine (23 complaints), Electrical system (13 complaints), Power train (13 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Acura MDX's fuel economy good for an SUV?
It returns around 22 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track.