2016 Acura MDX
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 374 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 24 MDX model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 10 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 5 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Structure, frame and membersJun 4, 2026
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.
Campaign 26V365000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 17, 2025
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid light assembly and wiring harness, which can cause the interior and exterior lights to fail, including the lid lights, position lights, license plate lights and taillights.
Vehicle lights that fail to illuminate can decrease visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect the wiring and install a fuse harness, replace the lid light, and repair the body dust sealer, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 30, 2025. Owners may contact Acura's customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Acura's number for this recall is FLI. Vehicles included in this recall that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 19V-256 will need to have the new remedy completed.
Campaign 25V259000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpDec 18, 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Campaign 23V858000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engine, hard parts internal/mechanicalNov 13, 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-December 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early April 2024, 2019 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-May 2024, 2020 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-June 2024, and 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed January 27, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XG1 and GG0.
Campaign 23V751000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, tail lightsMar 28, 2019
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Acura MDX and 2017-2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid lights, possibly causing a loss of the tailgate lid lights and the taillights.
Loss of the taillights reduces the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
Acura will notify owners, and dealers will modify the tailgate lid lights and install updated gaskets and a wiring sub-harness or will replace both tailgate lid lights. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is M49.
Campaign 19V256000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, other, delivery, fuel pumpJan 29, 2019
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine. Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance.
Reduced fuel pump performance can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the fuel injection engine control unit (FI-ECU) software and, if necessary, replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019. Owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's recall number for this recall is P3W. Honda's recall number for this recall is N3X.
Campaign 19V060000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assemblyJun 9, 2016
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura MDX 2WD and MDX 4WD vehicles, 2016 Acura MDX 4WD vehicles, 2015-2016 Honda Odyssey vehicles, and 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD and 4WD vehicles. The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that were manufactured with insufficient welds which may separate and allow fuel to leak out.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tanks, free of charge. Owners may contact Honda/Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. The recall began on July 29, 2016. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA9 (Honda vehicles) and KB0 (Acura vehicles).
Campaign 16V417000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
170 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Mar 14, 2026
Engine has 97,000 miles and has been meticulously maintained with current rod bearing failure.
Engine, Mar 3, 2026
I have a 2016 Acura MDX with a 3.5 engine that had a #2 connecting rod failure. I took the information to my local Acura dealer and they had told me that the engine was outside of the recall on the bearing failures on other 3.5 engines. Due to the related failure patterns, I believe that the engine should have been replaced in accordance with the failed engine connecting rod recall 24-001. I had to bear the cost of a used engine to install into the vehicle . I have attached a photo of the failed #2 connecting rod and the engine code.
Engine, Jan 19, 2026
We have a 2016 Acura MDX. The connecting rod bearing caused the engine to be damaged, resulting in a knocking noise, and decreased engine output. This resulted in the engine needing to be replaced. The reason for the engine failures was the exact issue in NHTSA Recall 23V-751. While our vehicle is the same year, make and model of the recall, we are being told that because our manufactured date falls a few months outside of this recall, Honda will not pay for the repairs. We therefore had to pay for the repairs out of pocket in the amount of $6,170.59. We are asking the NHTSA to expand the recall as this failure obviously occurred outside the previously issued recall window.
Engine, Jan 15, 2026
I was driving my Acura MDX(2016 7900 miles) on a multi-lane highway, the vehicle experienced a sudden and significant loss of engine power without prior warning. This occurred during normal traffic conditions and reduced the vehicle’s ability to accelerate and maintain speed, creating a safety risk for my family and surrounding vehicles. After the loss of power, a rattling/knocking noise from the engine became apparent. A check engine light appeared after the initial event which later went away. The vehicle was first inspected by an authorized dealer, who recommended replacement of spark plugs and later a timing belt as part of the diagnostic process. These actions did not address the underlying issue. The vehicle was subsequently inspected by an independent repair facility. The independent mechanic confirmed internal engine damage by finding metal shavings in the oil and diagnosed rod bearing failure, requiring complete engine replacement. The failed engine is available for inspection upon request. The independent mechanic also referenced an Acura/Honda technical service bulletin related to rod bearing failures affecting similar engines and model years. The vehicle has been routinely serviced at authorized Acura dealerships, including regular oil changes, prior to the failure. No external damage, misuse, or lack of maintenance was identified during the inspection by the dealership. The issue was later inspected by the manufacturer’s authorized dealer. The manufacturer declined assistance, stating the failure was not considered a defect. There were no warning lamps, messages, or noticeable symptoms prior to the initial loss of power.
Engine, Jan 12, 2026
The engine failed and acura tech said it was connecting rod failure. There is a Safety recall from Acura 23-036 and an investigation by NHTSA # RQ24013. Acura stated my VIN is not part of the recall although it's the same issue.
Engine, Jan 8, 2026
NHTSA Incident Report Vehicle: 2016 Acura MDX Date of Incident: [XXX] Location: Oregon (Oregon Coast to Portland) Mileage: 110, XXX Incident: During a 60-mile road trip, the vehicle unexpectedly shut off and shifted into neutral. The car coasted safely to a stop. Earlier, we had noticed a slight knocking sound when starting the engine, but no other issues were present. A tow truck attempted to jump-start the vehicle without success. Ron Tonkin Acura later confirmed engine failure. The vehicle has been regularly maintained, with documentation, and had no prior engine problems. Acura has stated that this failure is not part of their rod bearing recall. No warning lights appeared before or during the incident. Safety Concern: The sudden engine shutdown created a serious safety risk while driving. Requested Action: Investigation into potential defect causing unexpected engine shutdown in the 2016 Acura MDX. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine, Dec 28, 2025
While my teenage son was driving on busy interstate highway the engine began making extremely loud noises and smoking while losing power. Driver was unable to make it to a safe exit and had to pull over with limited shoulder, in a very dangerous spot. All oil leaked out of the engine an onto the roadway, also a hazardous and dangerous situation. Car was towed to Acura dealership and inspected. Catastrophic engine damage - part of the engine rod assembly was launched through the oil pan and lodged in the air conditioning compressor. Vehicle had 87K miles and all service was performed. Complaints that the engine was lagging and making noises at low RPM's had been expressed to Acura for years. I was told that unless a check engine light came on there was no way to know what was wrong.
Engine, Dec 11, 2025
I purchased a 2016 Acura MDX during the summer of 2025. I am the second owner. In November 2025, the engine starting experiencing engine knock later to be confirmed as rod bearing knock. This vehicle if a 2016 MDX and the manufacturing date is October 2015. There is a rod bearing recall for 2016 MDX's however, my VIN is not included in this recall which is ludicrous as it is experiencing the same issues as the recall with only 80,000 miles on the engine. I urge you to widen the recall to include 2015 MDX vehicles as there is no way this Acura MDX should be experiencing rod bearing issues on a well taken care of vehicle.
Engine, Dec 1, 2025
On November 28th at 10:00 AM, my 2016 Acura MDX suffered a catastrophic and sudden engine failure that resulted in a total loss of motive power. I was driving on Scott Boulevard in Santa Clara, just after exiting the Central Expressway. I first heard a loud metallic noise, and the engine immediately seized and shut down. The vehicle started slowing rapidly on a busy street, creating a life-threatening safety hazard for myself and other drivers. The car spontaneously shifted into Park and it was difficult to manually shift into Neutral for towing. Thankfully, no accident occurred. The failure is due to a connecting rod bearing failure and engine seizure. This is the identical safety-related manufacturing defect acknowledged in Safety Recall 23V-751 and is currently the subject of the ongoing NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation (PE25008), which covers the same 3.5L V6 engine in vehicles outside the original recall, including the 2016 MDX. I feel responsible to report the incident to NHTSA to take precautions on the matter. Regards, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine, Nov 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. There were no warning lights available. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with a fractured connecting rod bearing, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
Power train, Engine, Nov 18, 2025
When car is started, attempting to slowly accelerate in reverse or forward you will experience a loss of drive power, transmission does nothing. Then all of a sudden transmission responds and you lurch forward or reverse. Very unsafe situation. Other cars not sure if your moving or stationary.
Engine, Nov 17, 2025
Started hearing a "knocking" sound from the engine compartment, whose frequency clearly was proportional to engine RPM. Took vehicle to local trusted mechanic who diagnosed that it was likely related to known crankshaft bearing issue, which is the subject of a widespread recall on Acura vehicles. Found that the vehicle does not fall within the recall window. Sent vehicle by tow truck to nearest dealer who confirmed diagnosis. They claim poor maintenance, but all required maintenance, and definitely all engine oil changes were completed at required intervals with proper fluids and filters. Since dealer is 60 miles away, most maintenance was done with local trusted mechanic, although some oil changes were done personally or at a quick lube service. The vehicle is a 2016 model year, consistent with the model years affected by the known defect and recall. Dealer is advising that a new engine is required. There is no reason a properly maintained vehicle with only 150,000 miles should have a failed engine.
Engine, Nov 13, 2025
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.
Engine, Nov 12, 2025
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
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 4, 2025
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.
Engine, Oct 28, 2025
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
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 28, 2025
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.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 21, 2025
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.
Engine, Oct 15, 2025
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.
Engine, Oct 7, 2025
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.
Engine, Sep 30, 2025
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.
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 16, 2025
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.
Engine, Sep 15, 2025
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.
Engine, Sep 11, 2025
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.
Engine, Lane departure, Sep 1, 2025
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.