Acura MDX Complaints (2016)

377 consumer complaints on file.

#11749008July 8, 2026
ENGINE, STEERING, SUSPENSION
I am filing a safety and compliance complaint regarding execution of Federal Recall Campaign #26V365 by Valley Stream Acura and sales fraud by Paragon Acura. I purchased this 2016 Acura MDX from Paragon Acura on May 29, 2026. I have driven it only 550 miles, placing it strictly within the statutory New York State 60-Day Used Car Lemon Law Warranty window. A certified 6-page independent ASE forensic report documents that Valley Stream Acura bolted the federal recall brackets directly onto severely cracked rear control arms and rusted struts without disclosure. Furthermore, Paragon Acura forced a brand-new front control arm link onto a deeply pitted, scaling, and structurally compromised front steering knuckle to mask pre-sale defects, signing a false NYS highway safety certification. The vehicle was released to me with a bone-dry, empty engine cooling loop, creating an immediate fire hazard. Acura Corporate (Case #16437213) refuses to issue a corrective directive, willfully leaving a non-compliant vehicle on public roads.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748232July 3, 2026
ENGINE
Started (first noticed)check engine light flashing turned radio down right of way and noticed engine knocking with no warning still 40% engine oil life left. Had test done P0303 misfire on cylinder 3 and rod bearing knock was told need an engine . Had all oil changes and maintenance done on time. ran my vin and unfortunately was told it is not covered under recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11747775July 1, 2026
ENGINE
My 2016 Acura Max sha awd has 124 k on it and the other day I was driving down the road and my engine light went on than I lost power down to 20 mph and heard a knocking noise from the engine like the rod bearing broke or something I’ve noticed the recall on the engine for some Acura 2016-2025 3.5v6 engines but Acura is saying my model car was not in the recall list which I can’t understand why if it has the same engine 3.5 v6 with the same rod barring issue as the ones on the list being recalled . The issue is with all 2016-2025 Acura Mdx models that have the 3.5 v6 in it .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11746710June 26, 2026
ENGINE
I was driving on the highway. All of a sudden, my engine started making knocking noises. Shortly after that, the car started to lose power, and immediately the low engine oil light came on. I pulled over immediately to check the engine oil level. Oil level was normal. I restarted the car, but the mechanical knocking noise was evident and did not sound right. Towed the car to the closest Acura Dealership. Diagnostics states that engine has ceased and would not crank. Replacements engine is required and would costs approx. $4200. Acura has a recall on some 2016-2020 MDX for similar engine issues, but my VIN did not qualified. The symptoms i exprienced is very similar to what was described in the recall. Acura representative denied any goodwill support/help.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11746102June 24, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Our 2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD has the exact same engine problem/damage caused by the Connecting Rod Bearing recall. Our vehicle displayed the exact symptoms described by countless other MDX owners including owners who have vehicles both on & not included on the current recall list.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11746141June 24, 2026
STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
I started the vehicle and steering wheel was frozen and EPS, Brake, and lane departure lights on the dash. I shut the car off and let it sit for five minutes. Restarted and the steering wheel came back to normal. but all light remained on. I drove the car about half a mile and the lights went off. When I got home, I shut the car off and started it again. The wheel was frozen again, and all the lights came back on. I shut the car off and re-started and steering came back on. I'm afraid this will happen again but while I'm driving. I looked up the issue but no recall but a lot of complaints with same problem. I cannot drive like this for it can be dangerous if I'm driving and lose control of the vehicle and hurt someone or myself. I took the car to a mechanic, but he said there is no current issues just stored codes. Today I had the same problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11745072June 18, 2026
ENGINE
This make and model has the same problems with the engine rod bearings it’s the v6 3.5L
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11740745May 28, 2026
ENGINE
FOUND #4 CYLINDER MISFIRE - METAL CONTAMINATION SPUN A BEARING INTERNALLY INSIDE THE ENGINE. RECOMMEND REPLACING THE ENGINE. SEE QUOTES BELOW: RECOMMEND AT THE SAME TIME AS THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT - STARTER, TIMING BELT, SPARK PLUGS, AND VALVE. Found #4 cylinder misfire – metal contamination – spun a bearing internally inside the engine. Recommend replacing the engine.” After researching this issue, I became concerned that this failure appears very similar to the widely reported connecting rod bearing failures associated with Acura/Honda 3.5L V6 engines and Recall 23V-751. The symptoms in my vehicle closely match the issues described in the recall and related investigations, including: connecting rod bearing failure, spun bearing, internal engine damage, metal contamination, cylinder misfire, and complete engine failure. Additionally, I understand that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has expanded investigations into similar engine failures affecting Acura and Honda vehicles outside the original recall VIN population.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11738155May 15, 2026
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission independently shifted into neutral. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the event was scary. The contact stated that the vehicle was so hot inside. The contact crawled to the passenger's seat and exited the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, however the vehicle was not inspected. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under any unknown recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair was covered under an unknown recall which had a similar failure description. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737458May 12, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
When driving at highway speeds there randomly is a full loss of engine power for 3 to 5 seconds. Each time this has occurred I was on the highway and depressing the gas pedal further to either pass another car or because I'm driving up and incline. For several seconds the car looses all power and begins slowing. Traffic approaching rom behind may have to apply brakes. I am unsure whether it's the transmission disconnecting from the engine, or the engine dropping to idle speed, I have tried pressing the gas pedal further and also tried the paddle shifters to force a downshift, and neither has any effect. I have been to the dealer multiple times and they can't re-create the issue so they dismiss it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11735859May 5, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 55 MPH, she could a loud notice and the vehicle shaking and vibrating independently. Several warning lights illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and dealer where it was diagnosed that the connecting rod bear needed to be replaced. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and they denied the request for recall and they are reconsidering and reviewing. The failure mileage was 129,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11735571May 4, 2026
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated that upon start of the vehicle, the engine entered limp mode as a check engine light appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle failed to accelerate above 35 MPH as the contact was forced to restart the vehicle. The vehicle resumed normal driving after restart and the contact called the dealer for an appointment. While driving the vehicle to the dealer, the failure returned as an abnormal, banging sound began to emit from the vehicle. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with rod bearing connector failure which resulted in engine failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Action Number:PE25008(Engine) which the contact linked to the failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure where he was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall and was offered the chance to apply for a goodwill financial assistance for the repair of the engine. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the dealer's possession. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11734011April 27, 2026
ENGINE
My 2016 Acura MDX (purchased new January 2016) has a confirmed failure of the 9-speed automatic transmission warmer (ATF warmer), causing engine coolant and ATF fluid to cross-contaminate. The failed warmer is still in the vehicle and available for inspection. In the last week of March 2026, I noticed the engine cooling fan continuing to run after shutting off the vehicle — an abnormal symptom that prompted me to bring the car in for service. No check engine or transmission warning lights were illuminated. On March 28, 2026, Blue Sky Tire and Auto (Cumming, GA) performed a diagnostic inspection confirming coolant and ATF cross-contamination. The technician also physically inspected the transmission warmer manufacturing date stamp, confirming it falls within the defective manufacturing date range identified in Acura Service Bulletin 17-009 (October 6, 2017), which states that improperly manufactured warmers allow coolant and ATF to mix, potentially causing permanent engine and transmission damage. The vehicle has not been inspected by an Acura dealership for this failure. However, an American Honda Customer Relations case has been opened (Case # XXX) with a case manager assigned to evaluate the warranty claim under the 10-year/unlimited mileage warranty extension issued by American Honda for this exact defect. This failure poses serious safety risks — loss of transmission lubrication can cause sudden transmission failure at speed, and coolant-ATF mixing can cause engine overheating, both potentially resulting in loss of vehicle control. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732226April 19, 2026
ENGINE
I was driving down the interstate, the engine started making noise, a saw big puff of Blue smoke in the vehicle. Lost all power
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11730700April 12, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STRUCTURE:BODY
The factory‑applied exterior paint on the roof panel of my 2016 Acura MDX has experienced clear‑coat and base‑coat delamination, resulting in complete separation of paint layers and exposure of bare metal. This is not a cosmetic blemish or paint discoloration. The failure involves loss of adhesion between factory coating layers, causing large sections of paint to peel away unexpectedly. The exposed metal surface is at risk of corrosion, which may compromise the long‑term structural integrity of the vehicle’s roof panel. In addition, peeling paint has detached in rigid fragments that could become roadway debris, creating a hazard to other motorists if detachment occurs while driving. This condition matches a known manufacturing defect previously acknowledged by the manufacturer in a technical service bulletin addressing paint delamination on similarly built vehicles. However, the manufacturer has declined to correct the defect based solely on VIN exclusion, despite identical failure characteristics. The defect raises concerns beyond appearance, including corrosion risk, loss of protective coating, and potential safety hazards from detached exterior material.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11730113April 9, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, INTERIOR LIGHTING
The contact owns 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated that after the State Inspection was completed, the State Inspector informed the contact that the vehicle had failed the inspection due to an inoperable driver's side tailgate light. The contact was also informed that there was moisture inside the tailgate lid light assembly, and that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V259000 (Exterior Lighting, Interior Lighting). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred the dealer for the repair. The contact was informed that there might be a reimbursement if the VIN became included in a future recall. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 99,217.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11728240March 31, 2026
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle hesitated, and the RPM became elevated, before the vehicle accelerated as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the failure was not duplicated. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced an unknown recall repair with a similar failure; however, the VIN was not associated. The contact was informed that the repair was not associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 107,256.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11726781March 24, 2026
ENGINE
Customer reports: - vehicle will not start - died while backing up and wouldn't restart - no warning in car and safety at risk as a result - towed car to auto mechanic who provided this information below Check and advise: - Found starter motor tries to crank the engine over but never completes more than a partial engine revolution during each starting attempt, using jumper packs do not help, fully charged and tested battery and found battery tests bad, installed tester battery for diagnostic purposes and found engine still wont crank, attempted to rotate engine via crank pulley bolt and pry bar and found engine will not rotate indicating engine is seized due to some sort of internal engine issue, suspect possible connecting rod bearing failure but cannot confirm without significant engine disassembly. - This issue (apparently its a widely known problem on this engine and there is an active recall campaign developing): Acura MDX 2016 has a recall but my VIN # is not showing up in it. However, I strongly believe it is the same issue and Acura should expand their recall to include more vehicles, including my own.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11725038March 17, 2026
ENGINE
My car shuts off when idling and goes into neutral when stopping at stop signs or yeilding in a rotary
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11724350March 14, 2026
ENGINE
Engine has 97,000 miles and has been meticulously maintained with current rod bearing failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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