AcuraMDX2011Overview/acura/mdx/2011/base/

2011 Acura MDX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 MDX.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2011 Acura MDX is an SUV equipped with an Automatic (S6) transmission, and its routine service specs include a 4.5-quart engine oil capacity using 5W-20 API viscosity oil, while EPA fuel economy ratings stand at 16 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined. Across the MDX's 2001–2026 complaint history, the 2011 model's 70 owner complaints sit well below the 2016 peak of 359 and above the 2026 low of 6, with engine issues flagged as the top complaint area and zero recalls—suggesting a relatively settled year that avoids the model's worst reliability spikes.

Model year20262024202320222020201920182011

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 economy16/21/18 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 · 630 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 · 630 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP255-55R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8, W/ADVANCE PKG: 8.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length190.9 in
Overall width78.3 in
Overall height68.1 in
Wheelbase108.3 in
Curb weight4550 lb
Track (front / rear)67.7 / 67.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 21 / 18 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.

6.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.70 sec — 2011 SH-AWD Advance & Entertainment Package
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2011SH-AWD Advance & Entertainment Package 3.7L V66.70 sec15.20 sec300 hpAWD
2010SH-AWD Advance & Entertainment Package 3.7L V66.60 sec15.10 sec300 hpAWD
2010SH-AWD Advance & Entertainment Package 3.7L V66.80 sec15.30 sec300 hpAWD
2007SH-AWD Sport & Entertainment Package 3.7L V67.00 sec15.50 sec300 hpAWD
2007SH-AWD Sport & Entertainment Package 3.7L V67.30 sec15.70 sec300 hpAWD
2007SH-AWD Sport & Entertainment Package 3.7L V67.60 sec16.00 sec300 hpAWD
2007SH-AWD Sport & Entertainment Package 3.7L V68.10 sec16.40 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 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.3
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.5 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 Bolts23 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsIn three steps: 16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs9 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts8.9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Driveshaft Flange to Transmission53.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts94 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug35.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug35.0 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 Capacity1.25-1.40 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.22-4.65 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance630 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.
Engine Oil Pressure10 psi @ Idle, 50 psi @ 3000 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash0.008-0.009 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.011-0.013 in

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 From1.098 in / 0.429 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.106 in / 0.437 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 2011 Acura MDX recorded 70 complaints, which is higher than the 45 complaints in 2010 but slightly lower than the 76 complaints in 2012, placing it in a modest upward trend after the low‑point years of 2009‑2010. Recalls were zero for 2011, matching the 2009‑2010 period and contrasting with the single recalls in both 2010 and 2012, indicating a lull in recall activity during this window. Investigations also remained at zero, consistent with the surrounding years. The top complaint areas for 2011 were Engine (21 reports), Power Train (5), Unknown or Other (5), and Electrical System (5), showing that engine‑related issues were the most frequently cited but still limited in number. Overall, the 2011 model sits between the very low‑complaint era of 2009‑2010 and the higher‑complaint years that follow, suggesting a reasonable balance of reliability for a used purchase. Consequently, the 2011 Acura MDX offers a favorable combination of low recall frequency and moderate complaint levels, making it a sound year to consider for purchase.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
59
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
70
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 70 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine21
Power Train5
Unknown Or Other5
Electrical System5
Air Bags4
Seats2
Suspension2
Power Train,Engine2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 59 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
DOR-M9J4S-072020-06-03Engine And Engine CoolingThese SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication…
DOR-M3J3F-072020-06-03Engine And Engine CoolingThese SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication…
B19-0522019-10-02Engine And Engine CoolingService Bulletin - Due to high demand for repairs under this warranty extension, pistons…
BBOM083120192019-08-31Engine And Engine CoolingDealer Message - On January 16, 2019, Acura announced a warranty extension for certain…
B19-0062019-08-10Engine And Engine CoolingService Bulletin - The oil control rings may become clogged with carbon deposits. These…

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 2011 MDX take?

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

Does the 2011 MDX have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the MDX get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 21 highway / 18 combined mpg.