Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC)
Every generation
Power
Combined, EPA 2026
What owners say
Our take, from owner reports
Owner sentiment splits sharply by generation.
12 problems reported (2 very frequent, 5 recurrent, 5 isolated) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- Very frequentExcessive oil consumption from the 3.7-liter J37 engine due to a piston ring design flaw
- Very frequentInterior materials perceived as cheap and heavily shared with the Chevrolet Blazer EV
- RecurrentTiming belt service due at 105,000 miles or 7 years, with catastrophic engine damage if neglected
+ 9 more issuesShow fewer
- RecurrentClock resetting or displaying incorrect time, requiring battery disconnect/reconnect workarounds
- RecurrentCramped rear seat room
- RecurrentSoftware problems
Including an app that fails to link with the vehicle and a difficult four-digit PIN setup for charging credits.
- RecurrentPoor resale value and steep depreciation
- IsolatedCV axle wear causing vibration and thumping while turning
- IsolatedUnexplained rollaway causing property damage
Improper shift status, harsh phantom braking, and collision mitigation activation.
- IsolatedRearview camera safety recall with back-ordered parts leaving repairs incomplete
- IsolatedMediocre DC fast charging curve
- IsolatedExpensive out-of-warranty repairs, including a $5,000 front air strut
The version owners recommend
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus. Among electric ZDX owners, the Type S draws praise for its 355-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter, air suspension, Brembo brakes, and AcuraWatch 360+ package, but several owners chose the A-Spec instead because the lease deal was far better. Among original ZDX owners, no trim consensus emerges.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the BMW X6, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Cadillac Lyriq, Honda Prologue and Tesla Model Y.
Is the ZDX right for you?
Get an answer for your year, mileage and budget.
Full owner reportHide full owner report
Overall sentiment
Owner sentiment splits sharply by generation. The original 2010-2013 ZDX is remembered fondly as a rare, distinctive, tech-forward crossover with a reliable Honda V6, though owners consistently note its cramped rear seat, awkward styling, and thirst for oil in the J37 engine. The 2024-2025 electric ZDX draws heavy criticism for being a rebadged GM product with a cheap-feeling interior, poor resale value, and software problems, though several lessees praise its power, comfort, and aggressive lease pricing. Across both generations, owners agree the ZDX never sold well and depreciates hard.
Positioning vs competitors
Owners position the original ZDX as Acura's answer to the BMW X6: a chopped, lowered MDX with less cargo space and a higher price, which they say is why X6 shoppers ignored it and Acura shoppers didn't care. The electric ZDX is positioned by owners as a rebadged Cadillac Lyriq/Chevrolet Blazer EV with Acura badging, and many say the Lyriq has the nicer interior while the ZDX undercuts it on price. Against the Tesla Model Y, one owner called the ZDX better value after test driving both. Several owners argue that at steep lease discounts the electric ZDX beats everything else in its price bracket, while others say a used Model 3 Performance makes more sense for the money.
Recommended configurations
For the electric ZDX, owners repeatedly point to the A-Spec AWD as the value sweet spot, with lease payments cited around $289-$570 per month, and one owner recommending a single upfront lease payment to cut the total cost by roughly 40 percent. For the original ZDX, owners advise confirming the timing belt, water pump, tensioner, and pulleys were replaced (due at 105,000 miles or 7 years) and verifying whether the piston ring service was performed.
General recommendations
The original ZDX suits buyers who want a rare, inexpensive, reliable Honda-based crossover and don't need rear-seat space; owners warn to get a pre-purchase inspection, a Carfax, and to budget $600-$1,500 for the timing belt service if it hasn't been done, since a snapped belt destroys the interference engine. The electric ZDX suits buyers who can capture a steep lease discount and charge at home; owners warn that resale value is poor, that the car is discontinued, and that out-of-warranty repairs are expensive: one technician cited a $5,000 front air strut on a Type S. Owners considering the original should check exhaust tips for carbon buildup as an oil consumption indicator.
Remarks
Owners note the original ZDX was built as a chopped and lowered MDX rather than a Honda Crosstour, and that it was larger than the Crosstour. Several owners praise the original's hidden-button center console as a feature they wish Acura had carried forward. The electric ZDX was discontinued effective immediately, and owners widely describe it as a stop-gap compliance car built by GM in Mexico. Lease deals varied enormously by region, with owners in Texas reporting no deals while others cited $99-$164 per month with roughly $2,888 down, and one owner reporting $29,000 off MSRP. Analysis based on approximately 42 substantive owner discussions.
Generation by generation
Owner insights per generation and US complaint/recall records (NHTSA).
Complaints and recalls by model yearWorst year: 2010. Years to avoid: 2010Source: NHTSA (US)Show table
Each year graded against the model's other years: Year Score. See all Acura ZDX years to avoid
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 56 | 5 | forward collision avoidance |
| 2012 | 1 | 8 | power train |
| 2011 | 2 | 8 | suspension |
| 2010 | 9 | 10 | air bags |
Complaint counts come from owner reports filed with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices31 on record · Source: NHTSA (US)Show recalls
2024 · service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/modulecampaign 24V614000
Acura (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2024 Acura ZDX All-Wheel Drive vehicles. The anti-lock brake system (ABS) may activate unexpectedly and release brake pressure in the vehicle's service brake system.
2024 · electrical system:propulsion system: cablescampaign 25V018000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2024 Acura ZDX vehicles. The front passenger stabilizer bar bracket bolts may become loose and detach from the frame, which can damage the high voltage cables or EV battery coolant lines.
2024 · suspension:front:stabilizer barcampaign 25V234000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2024 Acura ZDX vehicles. The passenger-side front stabilizer bar bracket bolts may have been improperly tightened, which can allow the bolts to loosen and separate from the vehicle frame. A detached stabilizer bar or bracket can damage the vehicle's high voltage cables or EV battery coolant lines.
2024 · back over prevention:softwarecampaign 26V112000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2024 Acura ZDX and Prologue vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. Additionally, a software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Control and Displays," 111, "Rear Visibility," and 305, "Electric-Powered Vehicles."
2024 · back over prevention: sensing system: cameracampaign 26V306000
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Honda Prologue and 2024 Acura ZDX vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.
2012 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V661000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Acura TSX, TSX Wagon and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Insight, Fit and Pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 Honda Accord and 2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Lastly, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot, 2011-2013 TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord and 2010-2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
2012 · air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator modulecampaign 19V182000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
2012 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 19V502000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
2012 · air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator modulecampaign 19V500000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
2012 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 19V378000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
2012 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 17V030000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Acura TSX, 2011-2012 Acura TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Acura ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2012 Honda Accord Crosstour and Honda Insight, 2009-2012 Honda Fit, 2009-2012 Pilot, 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2012 Honda FCX Clarity and 2006-2011 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid, Civic NGV vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Fit and Pilot, 2008-2009 Honda Accord, 2006-2009 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, and 2007-2009 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV and 2007-2008 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
2012 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V042000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX, ZDX, Honda Accord Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot vehicles, 2011-13 Acura TSX Sportswagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord,, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles and 2013 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Accord Crosstour, Fit and Pilot, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V, and 2010 Acura ZDX and Honda Insight vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Unless included in Zones A or B above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid, CR-V, Fit, and Pilot vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
2012 · air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator modulecampaign 16V061000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
2011 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V661000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Acura TSX, TSX Wagon and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Insight, Fit and Pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 Honda Accord and 2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Lastly, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot, 2011-2013 TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord and 2010-2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
2011 · air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator modulecampaign 19V182000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
16 older recalls not shown. Check nhtsa.gov with your VIN for the full history.
Specifications
Type S 102 kWh Electric
Electric · 500 hp · AWD · automatic
Built 2024–2026