Acura MDX Complaints (2016)

377 consumer complaints on file.

#11636783January 18, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
“Emissions system problem” warning light has lit up on dashboard twice. This was checked and found to be a faulty code both times however, the second time it occurred, it correlated with the sway bars needing to be replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11634999January 9, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Vehicle engine started making noise . Called Acura customer service . They advised have taken to Acura dealership for examination. Did so ($450.00 tow bill) there is a motor recall on 2016 Acura MDX. The Acura garage advised ( in writing ) that they felt this was the same engine problem ( rod bearing ) as in the 2016 Acura MDX under recall. . Acura corporate advised mine was not listed as recalled .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11634907January 8, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle downshifted inadvertently. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the failure was not able to be replicated. The contact stated that on one occasion while attempting to place the gear in any gear other than reverse (R) the gear selector indicator displayed the gear selected but the vehicle did not operate as intended. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11634717January 7, 2025
ENGINE
Engine knocking noise, irritable shaking while on road, dangerous driving conditions. Engine Failed and diagnosed at Acura Dealership as failing bearings and connector rod. This issue is under investigation NHTSA Action Number: RQ24013 and I am currently being forced to pay out of pocket for the repair amounting to several thousand dollars. Acura needs to recall these engines NOW and get it fixed. This driving condition is EXTREMELY unsafe, the entire car shakes uncontrollably. This car was bought brand new from dealership by myself. 1 owner. Always serviced at Acura or Honda dealerships.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11633967January 3, 2025
ENGINE
I have a 2016 Acura MDX with nearly 79,000 miles on it. It died without warning late at night while on the freeway on [XXX], leaving my [XXX] son stranded alone in a dark, remote area for about an hour. Not a safe situation! I had it towed to Shadetree Auto in Layton, Utah. They informed me that the engine had seized. What!? It was well maintained and just had the oil changed a few days previously. They wanted over $11,000 for a used engine. (See Attached Invoice & Report). They couldn't figure out why a well-maintained engine with only 79,000 miles on it would just seize up. Coolant was also not the issue. I couldn't afford it, so it sat for a couple of months until I discovered that there was a Recall on that year for faulty connecting rod bearings that was causing engines to seize. So, I checked into it, but my particular VIN # was not included in the recall. I found a copy of a letter from Acura stating that they were still determining the extent of the problem, nevertheless, they rejected my claim as not included, rather than extending the recall to include my vehicle's documented problem. (See the attached Acura letter dated Feb 7, 2024). I had my car towed to Jody Wilkinson Acura in Salt Lake City for a detailed inspection and second opinion and they confirmed that the engine was seized and that it I had a broken connecting rod on cylinder #1 due to a spun bearing (See photos at the end of attached email). But Acura continued to deny my claim. Jody Wilkinson's quoted me over $20,000 for a new engine. I asked Acura what the appeals process was and they said "there isn't one, we just won't cover it". Seems like Acura may be [XXX] a lot of people. Why would I put another known faulty engine in my car? Absurd! I have attached the following documents: •Shadetree Auto Inspection Report & Invoice •Acura Letter Feb 7, 2024 •Jody Wilkinson Inspection Report Your help in obtaining justice would be greatly appreciated! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11633157December 30, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Rear inner tail light on driver side is not working (34155-TZ5-H03). There is active recall on models between 2014-2019 but when checked my VIN it shows it is not covered. I went through the detail of recall and it can be clearly seen that the damage is same as shown in the recall. I will appreciate if someone can provide how do we know that my VIN was not impacted as there could be subcomponent which could have led to same issues as others from this period. I will appreciate if a prompt action can be taken and my vehicle can be added to the recall list as well. Thanks!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11632526December 26, 2024
ENGINE
While driving on an interstate highway at 73 mph, under cruise control, at night, as the road started to incline up a hill my vehicle started losing power. The highway is two lanes each way, and I was in the left-hand lane passing a slower vehicle that was in the right-hand lane. There were cars behind me in my lane. When my car started losing power, the check-engine light came on along with some other indicators. I attempted to maintain speed by depressing the accelerator, but the car continued to slow down. It was nighttime when this happened, on a pitch-black highway that had been freshly paved. I was able to finally get behind the car I had been attempting to pass and was then able to get into the emergency lane and stop. My car was making a ticking noise. I turned off the car, opened the hood, but it all looked fine. I looked under the car - there were no fluids running out of the car. I checked the oil, and it was at the full mark on the dipstick - I had changed the oil about 1000 miles prior to this event. When I took the car to a local Acura dealer, they told me that the noise I was hearing was "rod knock", and that it would cost about $8000 to repair by purchasing a short block and having them install it. When I started researching the issue I learned that some 2016 Acura MDXs have a known issue of incorrect rod bearing size, but that my vehicle is excluded because it was evidently manufactured before a certain date. My car has only 125,116 miles on it. It is maintained meticulously. Please investigate.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11631726December 20, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Vehicle always smells hot or as if something electric is burning in the engine compartment. Have always had scheduled maintenance and have taken it in on time for all oil changes and maintenance to be performed. Have asked for this to be checked at that time and when the smell has become over powering. Engine lights have popped up and then all lights have shut off two separate times previously to the point where I had to turn off the vehicle. I have taken it to two dealerships and another mechanic to look for the cause. They are not able to determine the cause but recommend I contact Acura as this sounds like a warranty issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11630906December 16, 2024
ENGINE
This occurrence with the vehicle happened in October of 2023 and I no longer own it. The only reason I'm reporting it today is because of the news reports I've been seeing about a possible investigation into the exact issue I experienced. I started to hear a knock from the engine that got progressively worse over the course of a week. I made an appointment to have it looked at, but before I could even make it to that appointment multiple dash lights and warnings started showing up on the meter combi. Engine light was the first to appear followed by the transmission light, then the vehicle went into "limp mode." It wouldn't go over 30mph and eventually just shut itself off; every warning lamp on the dash was on. It was towed to a local Acura dealership where the service tech diagnosed the issue and stated it was a connecting rod bearing that had worn prematurely and there was movement in the piston. I had them check for a recall then and my VIN was not on the list so I proceeded to source a motor and have another shop swap it for much cheaper. That being said, I would very much like to be reimbursed for the costs I incurred. I have multiple documents and at one point had a video that the dealership tech sent me showing the defect. Not sure if they can provide that now or not.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11630536December 13, 2024
ENGINE
The engine started to make noise, drove it to the Acura Dealership. The engine seized at the repair bay. The technician initially said they just had a recall on these engines then after looking up the ID notified me that the blown engine was not covered under the recall. After several calls to Honda corporate customer service they informed me that they knew it had a faulty engine however it was not under the recall and they didn't have to repair or replace. I paid the dealership to install another engine at my own expense.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11629839December 10, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY
Our 2016 MDX starting peeling paint off the roof. Acura said they extended the warranty for this known defect for an 8 year period. Since this problem just happened we are outside the 8 year extension. The internet is full of similar stories of people like us who have the paint peeling after the bogus 8 year extension. Acura said they aren't responsible. This isn't right.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11628766December 4, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road after each failure and restarted. The contact stated that an unknown fault code was displayed occasionally. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11628261December 2, 2024
ENGINE
Engine blew a rod at 130,000 miles. Replaced engine. Maintained vehicle correctly And changed oil regularly. contacted Acura, but no help. Other vehicles reported similar problems and recalls issued., but not for my particular vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11628158December 1, 2024
ENGINE
Driving on [XXX], car began to make a loud noise, began to lose power and smoke was pouring out of the engine. No check engine lights came on. Pulled over immediately and turned off engine, and smoking continued. Car was in a unsafe location and we had to wait an hour with traffic very close for a tow truck. Large quantities of oil leaked out of the engine. Car was towed to Niello Acura in Roseville CA. They diagnosed Catastrophic Engine Failure. Large hole in oil pan and wrist pin found lodged between A/C compressor bracket and engine block. Wrist pin secures the piston to the connecting rod (there is a recall on Acura MDX's for this but my car was not included) Needs new engine. All maintenance was up to date. 78K miles on the engine, had just been serviced at 75K. Purchased at 18K as a Certified Used Vehicle. 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
#11627433November 26, 2024
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
the car suddenly shut off when i was on the red light wit the idle stop.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11626627November 21, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was then towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rod bearings had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625941November 18, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, STEERING
I am [XXX] and I have owned Honda/Acura since I was 16 yrs old. My last vehicle was a Honda Odyssey minivan with 423K when I donated it, running well to a family that fostered kids! I bought a new 2016 Acura MDX and now it is 8 years old and has 180K on it. I get the oil changed and other normal service maintenance done only at Honda or Acura dealerships. I have never had a car accident and I take care of the maintenance early. All of a sudden, on Friday, [XXX], I had just started driving ( ~20 minutes in the car) and every light started flashing and the car sounded funny and it was hard to drive. I immediately got off the highway and found a repair place (Red's auto repair) right off the exit. They had me shut off the car. Then they checked the oil, which was showing 70%, and I had just had it changed less than 1000 miles earlier, and it had plenty of oil. They told me I could not drive the car! They said "something is wrong with the engine". Currently, LaFontaine Acura has my car. I have a loaner from them. They said it "spun a bearing" in the engine. Apparently there is a recall for this same problem for my year, make and model, but "currently" my VIN number is not included? And, it is the exact same problem bearing from the recall! THIS IS CRAZY! My car has been well taken care of and I would expect it to get at least 350k miles at least before any issues. If the same problem was recalled for other cars, why not mine? It is un-drivable now. I think that Honda has changed their manufacturing because in 43 years of driving Hondas they always are reliable and work well for years and years. My 5 adult kids drive Hondas as well! Never a problem. I think I got a vehicle with a defect that should not be, especially when the car has always been maintained so well, with the service records to show that. PLEASE HELP GET THIS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR SAFETY! What is my next step to ensure that my car is included? Thank you very much INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625710November 16, 2024
POWER TRAIN
I have had numerous instances of the car not engaging the transmission when driving. This can happen at highway speed; the car will not accelerate and acts like it is in neutral. You must take your foot off the gas pedal for the transmission to re-engage before accelerating. This has been an ongoing problem for a few years, and Acura says there is nothing wrong. This is very dangerous. I know multiple MDX owners who have experienced the same issue. I think there may be a class action lawsuit about it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625639November 15, 2024
ENGINE
I was driving on the interstate going 80 when the car shut off. I coasted to the shoulder and had the car towed to the mechanic shop. The connecting rod broke, going through the engine causing me to need a new engine. When I contacted Acura they said my car wasn’t in the recall even though it’s exactly what was happening to other cars the same year and make as my car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11624946November 13, 2024
ENGINE
Failure of connecting rod bearings leading to complete engine failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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