Recall 19V256 covers 322,897 2014-2019 Acura Mdx and Mdx Sport Hybrid vehicles for tailgate light moisture. Repair is free at any franchised Acura dealer.
Acura is recalling 322,897 2014-2019 Mdx and Mdx Sport Hybrid vehicles because moisture can enter the tailgate lid lights and lead to loss of those lights and the taillights. Reduced rear lighting makes the vehicle harder to see and increases crash risk; the Acura dealer repair will be free once available.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The tailgate lid lights and taillights on 2014-2019 Acura Mdx and Mdx Sport Hybrid vehicles are part of the rear exterior lighting system. They make the back of the SUV visible at night and show following drivers the vehicle's position from behind. The tailgate lid light units sit in the rear liftgate area, where the housing has to keep water away from the wiring and lamp parts.
On affected SUVs, moisture enters the tailgate lid light assemblies. Once water gets inside, the lighting circuit is no longer protected as designed. The tailgate lid lights can stop working, and the taillights can go out as well. That leaves the rear of the vehicle harder for other drivers to see in low light or bad weather.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner first notices the problem when the rear lights are dim, dark, or flagged during an inspection.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2014-2019 Mdx and 2017-2019 Mdx Sport Hybrid, with both exterior lighting and tail lights listed for each included model year.
| 2018 Acura Mdx Sport Hybrid | Exterior lighting |
|---|---|
| 2018 Acura Mdx Sport Hybrid | Tail lights |
| 2017 Acura Mdx Sport Hybrid | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Acura Mdx Sport Hybrid | Tail lights |
| 2017 Acura Mdx | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Acura Mdx | Tail lights |
| 2019 Acura Mdx Sport Hybrid | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 Acura Mdx Sport Hybrid | Tail lights |
| 2018 Acura Mdx | Exterior lighting |
| 2018 Acura Mdx | Tail lights |
| 2019 Acura Mdx | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 Acura Mdx | Tail lights |
| 2014 Acura Mdx | Exterior lighting |
| 2014 Acura Mdx | Tail lights |
| 2015 Acura Mdx | Exterior lighting |
| 2015 Acura Mdx | Tail lights |
| 2016 Acura Mdx | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Acura Mdx | Tail lights |
| Units affected | 322,897 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
Taillight loss makes the vehicle harder for other drivers to see, which increases crash risk. Check the rear lights before driving at night or in poor weather, and schedule service promptly if your VIN is included. Repair will be free at any franchised Acura dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2019 Acura Mdx or Mdx Sport Hybrid is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Acura dealer and ask whether the free repair is open for your VIN.
- Schedule the tailgate lid light repair, gasket update, wiring sub-harness installation, or light replacement that stops moisture from disabling the rear lights.
- Bring the recall notice if Acura mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V256 when you call.
- Drive with extra care until the repair is complete, since failed taillights reduce visibility to other drivers.
What happens at the repair
Once the dealer repair is available for your VIN, an Acura technician modifies the tailgate lid lights and installs updated gaskets and a wiring sub harness, or replaces both tailgate lid lights if replacement is needed. The final dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. Acura also lists customer service at 1-888-234-2138 and recall number M49 for this repair process.
Timeline
| March 28, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 7, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V256?
Recall 19V256 covers 322,897 Acura vehicles with tailgate lid lights that can let moisture in. The lights and taillights can stop working, reducing rear visibility and increasing crash risk. Acura dealers repair the lighting issue for free.
What should I do if my 2014-2019 Acura Mdx or 2017-2019 Acura Mdx Sport Hybrid is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V256. If it is, contact a franchised Acura dealer and reference recall 19V256 or Acura recall number M49. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Acura's remedy says the repairs are performed free of charge. Dealers will modify the tailgate lid lights and install updated parts or replace both tailgate lid lights.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced rear visibility. If moisture causes the tailgate lid lights and taillights to stop working, drivers behind the vehicle have less light to see it, increasing crash risk. Acura's free dealer repair fixes the lighting defect.
What if I bought this Acura used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner, so a used 2014-2019 Acura Mdx or 2017-2019 Acura Mdx Sport Hybrid still qualifies if its VIN is included. Reference recall 19V256 when you call Acura service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V256000 |
|---|---|
| Acura customer service | 1-888-234-2138 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V256 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V256000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →