Acura MDX Complaints (2016)

377 consumer complaints on file.

#11699117November 13, 2025
ENGINE
I have a 2016 Acura MDX with 87,000 miles that has bad rod knock. Service Bulletin 23-036 talks about it. Even though my MDX's VIN is not listed in the recall, I am having the exact same problem the recall is supposed to be for. I feel this recall should be expanded to cover my vehicle as it is listed in several places that the recall is for all 2016 Acura MDX's which is what my vehicle is. ------------------------ Subject: Safety Recall: 2015–20 Multi-Model Connecting Rod Bearing Stop Sale. Affected vehicles: Certain 2015–2020 Acura TLX V6 and 2016–2020 Acura MDX models. Cause: A manufacturing defect in the crankshaft can lead to connecting rod bearing wear due to lack of lubrication and excessive heat, potentially causing engine damage and failure. Action: The bulletin initiates a stop-sale order for affected vehicles and provides instructions for inspection and repair, which may include replacing the connecting rod bearings, crankshaft, or short/long block. Status: The bulletin has been revised. Version 1 was issued on November 9, 2023, and was replaced by Version 2 on February 9, 2024. Parts Availability: Parts and repair kits became available in early 2024, with repairs being prioritized for vehicles showing symptoms like engine rod knock or stalling.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699027November 12, 2025
ENGINE
The MDX drove perfectly until out of sudden there as a stall, knocking and ticking sound in the Engine. It is diagnosed with the connecting rod failure and needs a new engine replacement. The car was well and regularly maintained with oil changes and services as recommended. The following codes were pulled from the ECM: Code P0301, P32638
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698515November 10, 2025
WHEELS
While driving the vehicle on the road, the front driver's side wheel came off.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697648November 5, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
warning lights for LKAS, ACC, lane mitigation, etc come on intermittently and then just disappear next time you start car. Tech advises numerous problems with camera
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697358November 4, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to veer to the side of the road. The contact was able to push the vehicle to the side of the road with assistance on each occasion. The vehicle was able to restart, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to resume driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic several times, and the vehicle was diagnosed with emissions failure. The mechanic reset the computer and the check engine warning light; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a related recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695976October 28, 2025
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING
The vehicle frequently experiences problems while idling at red lights or stop signs. Specifically, the engine suddenly shuts off after displaying a message that "Idle Mode is unavailable." This has occurred multiple times, and on five separate occasions, the vehicle became completely immobile, requiring towing to the nearest mechanic. Initially, I had the flywheel and starter motor replaced, which cost me approximately $5,000. However, just three months later, the same issue reappeared. Most recently, while driving home from work, the idle mode failed again at a stop sign, and the engine stopped running. I contacted Acura/Honda regarding this issue, but they informed me that it is not their responsibility. At this point, I am unsure how to proceed or where to seek a reliable fix, and I am concerned about the safety implications of this recurring failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696009October 28, 2025
ENGINE
Car broke down driving from Dallas to Oklahoma on the highway while at cruising speed. We were able to pull over safely and after towing the car home, the engine produced a knocking sound. Upon further investigation, there is a recall for rod/bearing issues with 2016-2020 Acura MDX's and other various models like the Acura TLX, Honda Pilot, etc. This only extended to certain models and there has been more affected by it than what the recall covers. Maintenance such as regular oil changes to big services like timing belt and water pump was done according to the service manual interval. Investigation RQ24013 was open on 11/08/2024 by Investigator Richard Lawrence, Reviewer Sharon Yukevich, and Approver Tanya Topka. There have been about 173 incidents and pose a great safety hazard. Once the car is stopped, the car is not able to go into neutral without the engine on. The only way to override this is through the engine bay with a tool of some sort to manually engage the neutral switch. If the car stops in the middle of the road with this engine failed, this could lead to a more severe casualty
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11694732October 21, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the short block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue but offered no assistance. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 11,624.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11694273October 18, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The Acura MDX, which had always been serviced at an Acura dealership, had 121,007 miles on it when the transmission completely failed without prior warning. I was driving with the d cruise control on at around 70 mph when I took the car off cruise by touching the brake to take the exit ramp onto I-10. I suddenly lost power, the engine still runnning, the car was on the exit ramp, which was uphill and exiting from I75 South. I had to coast to a stop and stopped between in a trouble area between the exit ramp and the fast lane on I10 east, which the wrecker driver said left the car exposed in a “kill zone.” After stopping, the car would start but all four wheels were locked and the wrecker drivers could not roll the car into a safer location to retrieve the car. They nevertheless pulled the car onto the wrecker while in what they described as a “kill zone,” and I also thought the spot I had to stop was extremely dangerous. The dealership, Key Acura in Gainesville, Florida, advised the transmission needed to be replaced at a cost of $7,200. After that I sold the car to an online site at a price that was basically for junk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11694321October 18, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The transmission and motor has failed. Car has 133000 miles. Transmission recently rebuilt. Car continues to malfunction according to the recall but is not listed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693651October 15, 2025
ENGINE
Engine cut out on the middle of a pitch black highway in Virginia. Few seconds lights flashing on dashboard check engine light started flashing then low engine oil and then the rest of the standard "CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTS" experience as I was finally able to pull the vehicle over. Vehicle seemed as if it was dead. When got vehicle JUMPED 2 hours later I started engine because it wouldn't start. It was making all the noises consistent with ENGINE recall that MY ENGINE was so conveniently not included in the recall. ACURA WON'T DO ANYTHING for me. I was stuck on the side of the highway in the pitch black with cars and trucks flying by at 70+MPH with my 3 kids and spouse. ENGINE is chattering and has no power. ALMOST ABOUT TO SEIZE. I was stranded in a small town for 2 days with no way to get home no rental companies with cars available. ALL VIDEOS online consistentfor engine recall consistent with my experience. NO lights no hestitation perfect engine oil level filled tank of gas minutes with 93 as always not even 2 minutes before this situation. ENGINE WAS PERFECT. Was glad I wasn't apart of recall initially. I thought I had a "GOOD ONE" then boom complete catastrophe. NHTSA NEEDS to expedite this. THIS IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE! Acura knows the issue they are running form it. I spent over $1,100 to tow my vehicle home and get my family home safely.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11691940October 7, 2025
ENGINE
Hello. I went to the Acura dealership because I got a recall letter. I lost the letter itself a few days ago. I also had the check engine light come on once while driving. But then it went out on its own during the same trip. At the moment of checking my car by my foreman, he heard a knocking noise in the engine. He said that they will check my car on the recall and see what's wrong with the engine. After some time, he called me and said: I am very sorry, but you need to replace the complete motor as this knock is caused by a problem in the bearing. And alas your car does not fall under the recall to replace this bearing. I asked him which bearing he was talking about. And they answered that it was the one that goes into the recall under which my car did not fall. I clarified that its name sounds like: connecting rod bearing? He said: Yes. I've had all my maintenance done on time. Engine oil changes every 5,000 miles. Even before the 8,000 to 10,000 miles. I have all the paperwork with receipts and dates in my car paperwork bag. At every oil change no one has ever told me there was an engine problem. The car was purchased from a dealership in Libertyville, Illinois. The car is currently at a dealership in Naperville, Illinois. I wrote a complaint to Acura of California on 9/26/2025. To date, all I have gotten is a response: we have a lot of work to do, we will respond when we can. Very rude and disrespectful. Considering I could have been in an accident if the engine had seized up. That's what my foreman at the dealership said. Or even worse, my daughter could have had an accident. I was planning to give this car to my daughter since she got her driver's license. She really liked this car. Now I don't know what to tell her. I am asking for your help to resolve this problem. They still haven't contacted me or told me what to do. Appreciate it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11690522September 30, 2025
ENGINE
No prior issues with vehicle when all of a sudden/out of the blue the check engine light started flashing and felt decreased power. Pulled over, had it towed to dealership. After it was diagnosed they advised of a rod bearing failure, crankshaft failure and metal shavings in the oil which went through the engine. There is a recall for 2016 Acura MDX for this EXACT issue, however for some reason my VIN is not included?? The recall was effective Nov of 2023. I purchased vehicle Feb of 2023. Vehicle is still at shop as a complaint has been filed with Acura.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11689519September 24, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STRUCTURE:BODY
White Diamond Pearl Paint started peeling prematurely approx 130,000 miles in 2023 in large sections causing unsightly paint. This is a very well known problem for this car in both Acuras and Hondas and a recall was done but with very very limited vehicles. Dealer refused to help us
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687501September 16, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
On 9/12/2025 driving on the highway in stop and go traffic, the idle stop feature engaged, but the engine would not restart upon taking foot off break. Put vehicle into park and held start/stop button for couple seconds to turn off, then was able to restart vehicle by pushing start button. Couple days later went to start vehicle while parked and accessories came on, but engine wouldn’t start. After a few attempts, got vehicle to start.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687325September 15, 2025
ENGINE
I have a 2016 Acura MDX, recently took it to Oh Acura in Temecula for a check due to a noise coming from the engine. Acura determined I need a new engine.. the issue being rod bearing failure Acura determined I need a new engine.. the issue being rod bearing failure. Upon research, this is a known issue from 2023. Also, a new investigation with engine failures in Honda and Acura vehicles linked to the rod bearings has been opened.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11686771September 11, 2025
ENGINE
One morning I noticed the engine in 2016 Acura MDX was making a loud knocking noise. The check engine light immediately came on. As such, I immediately drove to Acura of Baton Rouge to report the problem to get it fixed. They ran a diagnostic on the car and didn't find anything. For some reason they said they needed to take the oil pan off to see if there was metal in the oil pan. I said ok. I got a call a few days later from the service department stating that I needed a new engine at the price of $8,000 because they said a connecting road bearing had failed which destroyed the 6th cylinder. The vehicle only had 78,000 miles on it. The oil had always been timely changed. There is no reason the connecting rod bearing should fail on an engine with 78,000 miles on it. I contacted Honda and Honda eventually came back to me and said they would not do anything to help replace the engine because the car was not under warranty, despite the Office of Defect having an ongoing investigation into connecting rod bearing failures in 2016 Acura MDX's. Honda has not operated in good faith, this is a major safety issue and the federal government must do something before people are hurt as a result of Honda's negligence.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684298September 1, 2025
ENGINE, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
While driving on the freeway with my children, the vehicle started to shake and the emission system problem, transmission system problem and blind spot problem lights came on. The safety of myself and children were at risk due to being on the freeway and having to pull over on the side of the road. There were zero signs leading to this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11683056August 26, 2025
ENGINE
Engine failure. McGrath confirmed the engine had the same rod issues as described in the recall. Corporate refused to cover the repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11683150August 26, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that there were metal shavings inside the oil pan and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,172.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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