AcuraMDX2015Overview/acura/mdx/2015/base/

2015 Acura MDX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 MDX.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2015 Acura MDX is an SUV paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA-rated fuel economy of 20 city, 28 highway, and 23 combined mpg and running on an engine that takes 5.7 quarts of 0W-20 oil for service. Within the model's complaint history spanning 2001 through 2026, this year's 70 total owner complaints and 8 recalls sit well below the 359-complaint peak of 2016, with power train issues leading the complaint areas. That places the 2015 in a comparatively quiet reliability window for the MDX, though the power train concentration means researchers should give those components particular scrutiny when evaluating this model year.

Model year20262024202320222020201920182015

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/28/23 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 · 550 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 · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245/60R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.0-J inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length193.7 in
Overall width77.2 in
Overall height67.3 in
Wheelbase111 in
Curb weight4343 lb
Track (front / rear)66.5 / 66.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 28 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainFront-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.

5.7–6.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.70 sec — 2017 Sport Hybrid SH-AWD Technology Package
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2014SH-AWD Advance & Entertainment Package 3.5L V66.40 sec14.90 sec290 hpAWD
2014SH-AWD Advance & Entertainment Package 3.5L V66.40 sec14.90 sec290 hpAWD
2016SH-AWD Advance & Entertainment Package 3.5L V65.90 sec14.60 sec290 hpAWD
2016SH-AWD Advance & Entertainment Package 3.5L V66.40 sec14.90 sec290 hpAWD
2017Sport Hybrid SH-AWD Technology Package 3.0L V6 + Elec5.70 sec14.50 sec321 hpAWD
2017SH-AWD Advance Package 3.5L V66.00 sec14.70 sec290 hpAWD
2017SH-AWD Advance Package 3.5L V66.20 sec14.70 sec290 hpAWD
2017SH-AWD Advance Package 3.5L V66.30 sec14.90 sec290 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.7 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, Acura All-Wheel Drive Fluid in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque 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
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilAcura All-Wheel Drive Fluid
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.3 qt
Engine CoolantAcura Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2
Engine Coolant Capacity7.72
Engine Oil0W-20

Engine torques

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)68.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts24
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts24
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Driveshaft Flange to Transmission53.0 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts44.0 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)630-730 rpm
Ignition Timing5 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity23.8-25.6 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeDENSO ND-OIL 8
Oil Capacity7.25-8.50 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)57-64 psi
Engine Compression135 min. psi
Intake Valve Lash0.008-0.009 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.011-0.013 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 53; Rear: 25 /; Front: 53; Rear: 25
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 25; Rear: 65 /; Front: 101; Rear: 65
ABS Sensor Torque15 / NS
Minimum Pad Thickness0.063 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.024; Rear: .354
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0006
Maximum Rotor Runout.0016
Maximum Drum Diameter8.272 Parking Brake Drum.

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 2015 Acura MDX occupies a transitional point in its generation, representing a brief dip in federal complaints between the problematic 2014 redesign (168 complaints) and the disastrous 2016 model year (359 complaints). While its 70 complaints are notably lower than the adjacent years, the 2015 model still carries a substantial 8 recalls and 250 technical service bulletins, indicating persistent, underlying issues. The primary complaint areas for 2015 are Power Train (8), Unknown Or Other (6), Electrical System (5), and Structure (5), though the data does not specify the root causes for these failures. Furthermore, the 2015 model logged 5 crash complaints and 2 fire complaints, warranting safety considerations. Because this model year sits at the edge of a severe escalation in defects and carries a high number of active recalls, it is a risky purchase unless all eight recalls have been strictly verified and completed by the seller.

8
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
250
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
70
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 2 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.

Power Train8
Unknown Or Other6
Electrical System5
Structure5
Exterior Lighting4
Engine3
Steering3
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 8 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V256000Exterior Lighting:Tail LightsReported 28/03/2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Acura MDX and 2017-2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid lights, possibly causing a loss of the tailgate lid lights and… Remedy: Acura will notify owners, and dealers will modify the tailgate lid lights and install updated gaskets and a wiring sub-harness or will replace both tailgate lid lights. The…

15V417000Equipment:Appliance:Air ConditionerReported 01/07/2015

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX and MDX AWD vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to December 16, 2014. The affected vehicles have air conditioning compressor clutch… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air conditioning compressor clutch drive bolt and install a new clutch plate if necessary, free of charge. The recall began…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 250 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B25-0032025-09-03Visibility/WiperService Bulletin - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner…
B25-0262025-07-09Visibility/WiperService Bulletin - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner…
B25-0032025-07-09Visibility/WiperService Bulletin - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner…
ONL6L806042025 Form2025-06-04Exterior LightingOwner Notification Letter - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner…
ONL6L806042025 Letter2025-06-04Exterior LightingOwner Notification Letter - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner…

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 2015 MDX take?

5.7 qt of 0W-20 STARBURST, per the factory manual.

Does the 2015 MDX have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the MDX get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined mpg.