Had the same issue on my 22 tech, but it was due to bad batch of frames where the frame cracked in the rear middle area above the 2nd row. The dealer did a great job replacing it and it is working fine with no issues. I use the sunroof daily this time of year, opening/closing it several times a day. They also detailed the interior.

I don't have it, but understand there was a TSB for this issue.

 

What crazy to me is how are they still having issues in 2026? You would think all the kinks would be sorted by now.

 

I honestly have no idea why they don't make it an option. I would prefer a solid roof. More body integrity and quieter interior.

 

Did anyone face this issue on their brand new MDX, I'm hoping this isn't as bad as it sounds.

Sunroof issues have been plaguing Acura lineup for a while now, but I don't think it's defective in your case. It seems that this here is an installation issue.

 

When the tech looked at it when I dropped the car off he also said it was an adjustment thing. But upon them looking it over more the following day I guess they couldn't get it right and they are replacing the whole frame.

 

I am scared to even open mine as I have had a previous vehicle with sun roof problems.

 

Still haven’t opened mine to this day. I just had to have the sunshade motor replaced - completely died and I’ve used it maybe 10 times in 30k miles. Anyway, great car, love it and will be purchasing at the end of my lease which is the only car I’ve EVER done that with. This car is that good and mine hasn’t been perfect, but close.

No car is perfect and any brand you go with will have problems. Sometimes you get lucky and get a car with no issues, other times you get the one that seems to need to go in every 6 months.

 

I assure you, even without removing the interior, the car would be plagued by rattles, lol. Don’t buy Acura if you want premium fit and finish. Go Lexus for that. Acura is about excellent driving dynamics and Honda reliability with a bit more of a premium touch. That said, sadly, even Chevy puts together interiors better than Honda/Acura these days. My biggest complaints with Acura despite loving their cars.

 

Are you calling out Acura specifically? Because I had a 2018 Accord 2.0T (beautiful interior btw, loved it) and a 2017 Pilot. Both were rock solid interiors and reliability overall. Not a single rattle. I guess its gone downhill since then
I have 4 interior issues I've noticed so far on the MDX:
1) Right side steering wheel controls make a creaking sound when I grab the right side of the wheel (3 o clock). I noticed the same creak in the 2025 RDX loaner that they gave me so I told them don't bother trying to address
2) Drive select knob or shifter area rattle. I think this one I am going to try to DIY because I've seen its quite simple to pull these out and try to insert some foam/special tape.
3) Sunroof frame wind noise (this thread)
4) Rear interior roof plastic trim is not fitting right on one side. I tried to see if there was a missing clip but seems like this is just how it is.

Honestly I came from a 2023 Lexus RX, there are rattles and fitment issues everywhere nowadays. It wasn't this bad however.

 

Are you calling out Acura specifically? Because I had a 2018 Accord 2.0T (beautiful interior btw, loved it) and a 2017 Pilot. Both were rock solid interiors and reliability overall. Not a single rattle. I guess its gone downhill since then

Yes, Acura specifically, though I hear rattle complaints from plenty of Honda owners as well. I had a 2020 Acura RDX before this and it was the most offensive vehicle I ever regretted spending my own money on. Abysmal build quality. Gave it to my brother and both he and his wife, unprompted, asked me if it was such a rattle-y POS when I owned it as well.

The 2024 MDX Type-S also has weird rattles that come and go from various parts of the interior, but I went into it expecting it to be built poorly, so I'm not as upset about it. Also, it was bought lightly used with 4k miles on it and a huge discount. The MDX Type-S's resale is shockingly terrible. I vowed never to buy another Acura anywhere close to sticker again in my life.

 

Brand new MDX Advance picked up June 15. Really loved the car but that is quickly fading.

Anyway I noticed some really loud wind noise coming from the front of the roof while driving over to my dealer for the check emission error. They bring out a tech to take a look and he immediately sees the sunroof isn't sitting right in the front. Today I discovered they have to replace the entire frame which I imagine is no easy job since they have to remove half the interior to get to it. And who knows if they will put everything back together correct (one time use clips, rattles, etc) or scratch something along the way.

Did anyone face this issue on their brand new MDX, I'm hoping this isn't as bad as it sounds.

I will tell you that I had an issue on my 2023 Type S that required the entire roof area and the rest of the interior behind the second row to be removed. If you have a competent tech ( that is imperative), it can be reassembled without evidence of anyone having been in there. Mine was. I will also add that having seen the vehicle bare down to the structure, I would choose the MDX if I had to pick a vehicle to have a rollover in.

 

Tearing out an entire interior takes a skillful tech. So, it's generally gonna be one of the top guys in the shop. Unfortunately, warranty work pays like sh*t so many rush to get it done as fast as possible since they're not getting paid as well as jobs that the customer is paying for.

Obviously, this will vary from tech to tech, but I'd absolutely hate to have this done on my vehicle that I'm planning to keep long term, and I don't blame the tech one bit in this scenario. The industry model really screws over techs, which is why there's such a shortage of competent mechanics left working on passenger vehicles.

 

This is whats keeping me up at night honestly. I did speak with the operations director and he told me they've done a number of these historically and his guys are up to the task which I do hope is true. They are looking to resolve an emissions error first (1 week in on second visit, see another post I made) before diving into this project replacing the sunroof frame. They estimate it will be with them another week.
I've driven my 2 week old car only 3 days so far, and the remaining time has been at the dealer

 

This is whats keeping me up at night honestly. I did speak with the operations director and he told me they've done a number of these historically and his guys are up to the task which I do hope is true. They are looking to resolve an emissions error first (1 week in on second visit, see another post I made) before diving into this project replacing the sunroof frame. They estimate it will be with them another week.
I've driven my 2 week old car only 3 days so far, and the remaining time has been at the dealer

That’s painful.

 

Depending on the state your live in, you could start looking towards using the lemon law.

 

If you have concerns of the dealer doing the job properly you need to find a new dealer. There must have been something as to why you’re questioning the service from them. These folks only work on Acura for the most part. Let them do their job.