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
374 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Visibility/wiper, Apr 8, 2016
BRAND NEW ACURA MDX 2016 WAS PURCHASED FROM WEIR CANYON ACURA HONDA IN ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA ON MARCH 18TH 3/18/2016. IT HAS 40K BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY PER PAPERWORK AND DEALER PLUS PURCHASED EXTENDED 100,000 8-YEAR WARRANTY FOR ANY DEFECTS, ETC. AGAIN BUMPER TO BUMPER. WITHIN ONE WEEK ON 3/25/2016 WITHIN ONLY 190 MILES ON THE ODOMETER ON THIS BRAND NEW $60K VEHICLE GLASS WINDSHIELD DEFECT WAS NOTICED WITH CRACKING DESPITE NOT SEEING OR HEARING ANYTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD. IT WAS DRIVEN ON CALIFORNIA FREEWAY HOME FROM ANAHEIM TO NORTH SAN DIEGO COUNTY (120 MILES.) UPON NOTICING THE DEFECT THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT THEY SAID ANYTHING CAN HIT THE GLASS AND SAID WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. (CONTACTED ELI SALES MANAGER AND PAUL SWIM GENERAL MANAGER OF WEIR CANYON HONDA ACURA) THEN PERFORMED A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND NOTICED MANY OTHER ACURA OWNERS HAVE GLASS BREAKAGE AND CRACKING ISSUES AND THERE ARE BLOGS AND ENTRIES FROM ACURA OWNERS ON THE INTERNET'S GOOGLE SEARCH OF ACURA GLASS CRACKING BREAKAGE AND IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON TREND. SO I PROCEEDED TO CONTACT DEALER AGAIN TO DISCUSS IT SOME MORE WITH THE DEALER AND EXPLAINED TO THEM THIS IS BRAND NEW VEHICLE PURCHASED WITH NEW AUTO WARRANTY PLUS ADDITIONAL $3000 EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM YOUR DEALERSHIP SO WHY ARE YOU NOT PERFORMING CUSTOMER CARE AND CARE ABOUT DEFECT IN YOUR VEHICLE'S SAFETY COMPONENT (WINDSHIELD) BUT THEY HUNG UP THE PHONE OR USED PROFANITY WHEN CALLED BACK. PAUL SWIM GENERAL MANAGER EVEN COMMENTED THAT EVEN ONE OF HIS OWN LOANER DEALERSHIP VEHICLES HAS A CRACK BREAK ON THE WINDSHIELD GLASS DESPITE BEING NEW. OPENED CASE WITH ACURA HEADQUARTERS IN TORRANCE CA ON 3/29/16 CASE# 4559849 BUT TALKING TO THEIR MANAGER (JUAN) AND DISTRICT MANAGER THEY REFUSED TO BE ACCOUNTABLE AND IGNORED COMPLAINT AS WELL. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD IS BASICALLY WEAK FRAGILE AND UNABLE TO PROVIDE REASONABLE SAFETY.
Service brakes, Mar 4, 2016
BRAKES ARE TOO SOFT. MAIN BRAKE PUMP HAS BEEN CHANGED IN FEW DAYS AFTER DELIVERY. STILL BRAKES ARE SOFT AND HAVE LONG RANGE FOR PEDAL TO GO DOWN. KIND OF DO NOT FEEL THE RESISTANCE. VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND DO NOT FEEL SAFE.
Air bags, Feb 26, 2016
WENT FOR A CAR WASH AND WHEN THEY VACUUMED OR REMOVED THE WEATHER TECH FLOOR MATS THE SENSOR WAS DAMAGED. MOST ANYTHING THAT GOES BELOW THE SEAT CAN BREAK OR DAMAGE THE SENSOR RIBBON WIRE. IT IS COMPLETELY EXPOSED ON THE SEAT FRAME WITH NO PROTECTION. THE ACURA COST TO REPAIR FOR PARTS AND LABOR IS $993.42 PLUS TAX. "THIS REPAIR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY SINCE IT WAS BROKEN, ONLY MANUFACTURES DEFECTS ARE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY."
Power train, Feb 26, 2016
TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. THIS 9 SPEED TRANSMISSION HAS A FLUID HEATER IN IT THAT HAS RADIATOR WATER SUPPLIED TO IT. CAR WAS NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY AND MAKING A BEEPING NOISE AT 20 TO 25 MPH. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEAL ON 2/13/16 WITH 5,635 MILES THEY TEST DROVE AND SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. SAME ISSUES DRIVING HOME FROM DEALER. WHILE DRIVING CAR ON 2/23/2016 WITH APPOX. 6700 MILES ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON , SMOKE FROM UNDER HOOD, DISPLAY SAID ENGINE OVERHEATED AND APPOX. 1 QUART OF LIGHT BLUE FLUID LEAKED OUT FROM UNDER CAR. TOWED TO DEALER, THEY SAID TRANSMISSION HEATER(NOT COOLER) RUPTURED, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ENGINE COOLANT TO MIX AND THIS IS WHAT CAUSED OVERHEATING. TTHEY ARE ORDERING A NEW TRANSMISSION WITH AT LEAST ONE WEEK DOWN TIME.
Other or unspecified, Feb 19, 2016
I'VE 2016 MDX TAKEN (DELIVERY DATE)10/12/2015, ON 2/16/2016 WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 5:15 PM SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART. ALL WARNING LIGHTS WERE DISPLAYED ON THE DASH BOARD LIKE BRAKE PROBLEM, EMISSION PROBLEM. VSA PROBLEM ETC. SO VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER ON SAME DAY AT 8 PM. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT FLOORS WERE SOAKED WITH WATER DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE BUT THERE WAS SOME FEW RAIN WATER DROPS THAT NOTICED IN THE CAR DUE TO THE SUNROOF/MOON ROOF ISSUE THAT ALSO REPORTED TO THEM. I DON'T THINK THIS ISSUE IS BECAUSE OF THE WATER THERE WOULD BE SOME ISSUE THAT MIGHT HAVE EFFECTED SO JUST WANT TO REPORT THIS. DEALER REPORTED THAT ALLOWED VEHICLE TO 2 SIT FOR 2 DAYS AND CLEARED CODES. PERFORMED MULTIPLE TEST DRIVES AND NOTED THAT NO ISSUES HAVE REOCCURRED ON VEHICLE.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 16, 2016
CAR HAS LESS THAN 3000 MILES ON IT. FOR THE LAST MONTH, THERE HAS BEEN 3 TIMES THAT THE CAR WILL NOT START. FIRST TIME IT WAS JUMPED OFF AND DRIVEN INTO THE ACURA DEALERSHIP..."WIRE TO BATTERY LOOSE". SECOND TIME THE DEALERSHIP SENT A TECHNICIAN OUT AND THE REPLACED THE BATTERY WITH A NEW ONE. THIRD TIME CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIPS AS IT COULD NOT TO BE STARTED AT ALL. THE DEALERSHIP KEPT IT FOR ALMOST TWO WEEKS AND RETUNED IT TO ME WITH THE EXPLANATION "COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR". CLEARLY THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CAR IS DRIVEN 5-6 DAYS A WEEK, NO ACCESSORIES LEFT ON. NOW I AM SCARED IT WILL QUIT GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND I WILL LOSE POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING.
Power train, Feb 14, 2016
I BOUGHT MY 2016 MDX ON 02/01/2016 AND WAS QUITE HAPPY WITH THE INITIAL PURCHASE. AFTER DRIVING FOR TWO DAYS I STARTED SETTING UP THE CAR'S OPTIONS, I REALIZED THAT THE CARS DRIVE SYSTEM WAS SET TO START IN SPORT MODE. I CHANGED THE OPTION TO ALLOW THE CAR TO START IN 'NORMAL' MODE PERMANENTLY AND THAT'S WHEN I STARTED TO FEEL THE PROBLEM. THERE IS A NOTICEABLE 2 - 3 SECOND LAG AT TAKE OFF OR WHEN ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM A REDUCED SPEED IN LOWER GEARS. A VERY UNCOMFORTABLE FEELING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN YOU HAVE ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND THE CAR FALLS TO ENGAGE AFTER YOU MAKE THE COMMITMENT TO DRIVE. I WAITED A FEW DAYS TO SEE IF THIS WAS JUST A KINK THAT WOULD GO AWAY SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. NO SUCH LUCK. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. I ASKED ABOUT THE LAG AND THEY SAID IT IS NORMAL OPERATIONAL PART OF THE CAR. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE CAR FOR WHICH THEY DON'T THINK IT IS WORTH LOOKING INTO. THE SALESMAN ACTUALLY TOLD ME HE HAS THE SAME MODEL AND IT'S JUST SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO GET USED TO. I GUESS THIS WILL ONLY BE ADDRESSED WHEN SOMEONE GETS KILLED MAKING A TURN AND DON'T GET THE POWER THEY EXPECT. I HAD THIS ISSUE IN A NEW 2007 CAMRY I BOUGHT A FEW YEARS AGO AND THEY WERE ABLE TO GET IT FIXED WITH AN UPDATE TO THE COMPUTER SYSTEM ON BOARD. I DON'T KNOW WHY ACURA HAS TAKEN THIS STANCE AND HOPE YOU GUYS CAN GET THEM TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.
Power train, Feb 1, 2016
ROUGH GEAR SHIFT AND CARS SEEMS TO BE REV-UP AT LOW GEARS . THIS CAN CREATE A DANGEROUS CONDITION WHILE ACCELERATING FROM STOPS .
Power train, Jan 28, 2016
TRANSMISSION SLIPS FROM BETWEEN SHIFT 1-2 AND 2-3. CAR ALSO AT TIMES LUNGES FORWARD WHILE COMING TO A STOP
Electrical system, Jan 26, 2016
TWO DAYS AFTER GETTING OUR FIRST OIL CHANGE. THE CAR WOULDN'T START IN OUR GARAGE. THE SYSTEM FLASHED ON AND OFF RAPIDLY. A TECH CAME OUT AND JUMP STARTED THE ENGINE MANUALLY BECAUSE THE COMPUTER WOULDN'T START IT. I DROVE IT TO A SECOND ACURA DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT THE ONBOARD COMPUTER RANDOMLY SOUGHT OUT A SYSTEM UPDATE SO IT IMPACTED THE ENGINE. I ASKED WHAT CAUSED THIS ON A NEW 2016 MDX AND THEY COULDN'T EXPLAIN IT NOR COULD THEY PROMISE IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. IF THEY COULDN'T PREDICT WHEN THE COMPUTER DOES THIS, THEN WHAT'S TO STOP IT FROM DOING THIS WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION? THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. THANK YOU. *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 14, 2016
THIS IS ALMOST BRAND NEW 2016 ACURA MDX AWD (WITH TECH AND ENTERTAINMENT PACKAGES). WHEN ACCELERATING ON A FREEWAY/ROAD, SUDDENLY LOTS OF THE WARNING LIGHTS TURN ON AND THEN THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE ANY MORE. THE SPEED SUDDENLY DROPS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A HAZARD - ESPECIALLY BECAUSE I AM TRYING TO ACCELERATE. THIS HAPPENED 4 TIMES SO FAR - ROUGHLY 500 MILES BETWEEN EACH INCIDENTS. THE PROBLEM CONDITION GOES AWAY AFTER WE COMPLETELY STOP THE VEHICLE AND TURN IT OFF AND ON MULTIPLE TIMES (AND ALSO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL IN BETWEEN). LAST TIME WHEN THE PROBLEM HAPPENED, I CLEARED THE CONDITION AND THEN DROVE AND SHOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER SAID THAT THERE WERE PERSISTENT CODES ABOUT COMMUNICATION FAILURE AND HE CLEARED THEM. AND ASKED US TO CALL BACK WHEN THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN. DEALER DOES NOT SEEM TO KNOW ANY SYSTEMATIC PROBLEMS WITH SUCH TYPES OF VEHICLE. I HAVE A VIDEO OF THE PREVIOUS PROBLEM CONDITION AT HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/LJSLICWJ7-8
Power train, Jan 14, 2016
WITH 1000ISH MILES ON CAR, WHILE WE WERE DRIVING IT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL THEN INTO PARK BY ITSELF. WE WERE UNABLE TO SHIFT THE CAR AT ALL. FORTUNATELY WE WERE AT AN INTERSECTION AND NOT ON A FREEWAY. THE DEALERSHIP WORKING WITH ACURA WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THEN IT MAGICALLY WORKED BUT THEY DIDN'T FEEL WE SHOULD DRIVE IT. BECAUSE CAUSE NOT DETERMINED.
Service brakes, Dec 17, 2015
THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET. WHILE APPROACHING BRAKING AND STOPPING TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE WAS COASTING AT ABOUT 20-25 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO APPROACH STOPPED TRAFFIC WITH NO CHANGE IN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED INTO SNOW ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO SLOW TO AVOID A COLLISION, WHEN THE SPEED DROPPED DOWN TO <10 MPH, IT WAS MANEUVERED BACK ONTO THE DRIVE PAVEMENT AND BRAKING WAS EFFECTIVE. THERE WERE NO OBSTRUCTIONS ON OR NEAR THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE PAVEMENT WAS DRY AND CLEAR. THERE WAS NO SKIDDING. THE WEATHER WAS COLD (APPROX. 22 DEG F) AND THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING OUT OVERNIGHT. THE CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES AND DRIVEN FOR 5 MILES BEFORE THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT OCCASIONALLY "STIFF" FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF MILES. IT WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION, RESULTING IN NO VISIBLE OR DISCOVERABLE FINDINGS OR DEFECTS. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR INDICATIONS AND NO FAULTS INDICATED IN THE COMPUTER.
Power train, Dec 9, 2015
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON 10/29/15. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVEN ON A DAILY BASIS SO THERE WAS ONLY A LITTLE OVER 200 MILES WHEN MY HUSBAND NOTICED A LEAK WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED ON THE DRIVEWAY. WHEN IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THE TECHNICIAN HAS CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS A TRANSMISSION LEAK. GASKET AND COVER WILL BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE ADVISOR MENTIONED TO ME THAT THERE WAS SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THAT PROBLEM DATED BACK AUGUST. DON'T KNOW WHY THE PROBLEM WASN'T ADDRESSED BEFORE THE CAR WAS SOLD.
Other or unspecified, Dec 5, 2015
VEHICLE SPEEDS UP WHEN TAPPING BRAKES WHILE GOING DOWNHILL AND ON FLAT GROUND. FEELS LIKE IT GOES INTO NEUTRAL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT ACURA WILL NOT ADDRESS. THEY CLAIM IT IS NORMAL BEHAVIOR.
Power train, Nov 25, 2015
I GOT MY 2016 ACURA MDX IN JULY. SINCE THEN, I AM HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. OFF-THE-LINE SHIFTS ARE ERRATIC, DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH THROTTLE I GIVE THE ENGINE. GIVE IT 3/4 THROTTLE AND ACCELERATION IS GREAT, BUT MILEAGE SUFFERS BADLY. GIVE IT ANY LESS THROTTLE AND ACCELERATION IS MEAGER, PLUS THE ENGINE REVS VERY HIGH BETWEEN SHIFTS. ONE TIME, I WAS PULLING AWAY FROM A STOPLIGHT AFTER SLOWING TO NEARLY A FULL STOP (THE LIGHT JUST CHANGED AS I APPROACHED), I PRESSED 1/2 WAY ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE ENGINE BOGGED TO NEARLY ZERO RPMS. I THOUGHT IT DIED. I LET UP AND PRESSED DOWN AGAIN AND IT RETURNED TO NORMAL. MERGING ON THE HIGHWAY IS ALSO VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY. AS I HIT THE GAS TO ACCELERATE ON THE ON-RAMP, THE ENGINE HESITATES SO BADLY, I NEARLY RUN OUT OF RAMP. PASSING ON THE HIGHWAY IS THE SAME, UNLESS I PRESS THE THROTTLE TO THE FLOORBOARD. ANOTHER TIME, I FLOORED THE THROTTLE ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE GOING 50 MPH, TO PASS A CAR. THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTED THEN REVVED UP TO 5,000 RPM AND STAYED THERE, EVEN AFTER I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL! I HAD TO FLOOR THE PEDAL AGAIN TO COAX THE TRANS TO UP-SHIFT. I COMPLAINED TO ACURA HQ. THEY TOLD ME TO TALK TO MY DEALER. I SPOKE TO MY DEALER, AND THEY SAID THAT'S JUST HOW THE TRANSMISSION IS. SO DISAPPOINTED WITH CAR. I SUSPECT BAD PROGRAMMING IN THE TRANSMISSION ON ACURA'S PART. THEY NEED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE DIES IN A HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Nov 24, 2015
WHILE TRAVELING ON CITY AND HIGHWAY ROADWAYS, THE VEHICLE WANTS TO DRASTICALLY VEER TO THE LEFT ON SECTIONS OF ROADS SLOPED TO THE LEFT. YOU NEED TO CONSTANTLY APPLY PRESSURE TO THE WHEEL TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM VEERING TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE IS ALIGNED CORRECTLY FOR ROADS SLOPED TO THE RIGHT. WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DEALERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM 3 TIMES WITH NO FIX, OTHER MDX'S DRIVEN AS LOANERS ACTED THE SAME. THE DEALER STATED ON THIRD REPAIR SUMMARY THAT ROAD TESTED VEHICLE AND STATED VEHICLE TRACKING AND STEERING NORMALLY COMPARED TO OTHER MDX'S. THE VEHICLE IS STILL VEERING TO THE LEFT AS BEFORE. DRIVING LONG DISTANCES IS NOT ENJOYABLE WITH THE CONSTANT STEERING COMPENSATION REQUIRED.
Exterior lighting, Nov 14, 2015
WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT ON COUNTRY ROADS,UP AND DOWN HILLS, A DARK LINE APPEARS ACROSS THE TOP HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD. LEAVING A VIEW OF 40 -50 FT. YOU CAN ONLY SEE THREW THE BOTTOM HALF OF WINDSHIELD. VERY DANGEROUS!! I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FOR ALL THE SAFETY FEATURES IT HAS ON IT BUT NOW I CAN'T DRIVE IT AT NIGHT. WENT TO DEALER AND THEY TESTED HEADLIGHTS ON A WALL WITH A BLACK LINE AND THE LIGHTS HIT 2-3 INCHES BELOW THAT LINE. WAS TOLD IT WAS FINE. I WANTED IT RAISED A BIT BUT WAS TOLD THE LIGHTS WERE JUST FINE AND CAN'T BE ADJUSTED. I HAVE READ SOME COMPLAINTS ON THIS VERY SUBJECT. I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO TEST DRIVE THIS CAR ON DARK, HILLY, COUNTRY ROADS THAT HAVE NO STREET LIGHTS. I ALSO FINE THAT ON HIGHWAYS, LIKE THE TURNPIKE, LOW BEAMS JUST DON'T GO REACH OUT FAR ENOUGH. I JUST WONDER IF THESE JEWEL EYE HEADLIGHTS ARE LINED UP CORRECTLY? THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS AND I HOPE THERE IS A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 9, 2015
VERY SIMILAR TO NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10762375. AFTER 3-4 DAYS OF DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH TRANSMISSION SYSTEM U0401, VSA PROBLEM, HILL START ASSIST PROBLEM ETC ETC ETC. THE SUV WOULD NOT SPEED ABOVE 35-40 MILES AND SHAKE. DEALERSHIP REPLACED CRACKED SPARK PLUG, IGNITION COIL - CAUSE - POSSIBLE MOISTURE IN SPARK PLUG. THEY WERE NICE ENOUGH TO TAKE THE CAR BACK AND CURRENTLY WAITING FOR IT TO BE REPLACED.
Vehicle speed control, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Service brakes, Sep 9, 2015, crash
FORWARD/FRONT COLLISION MITIGATION BRAKING SYSTEM DIDN'T ENGAGE ENOUGH TO REDUCE OR AVOID IMPACT OF THE COLLISION. MY VEHICLE TOOK A RIGHT TURN AT ABOUT 20-25 MPH AND TRAVELLED LESS THAN 2-2.5 CAR LENGTH BEFORE GETTING ONTO THE CURB AND HITTING AN IRON PILLAR ABOUT 2 FEET HIGH ON SIDE WALK. IT WAS A SIDE FRONTAL COLLISION AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL DIRECTLY HIT THE IRON PILLAR. THE VEHICLE SPEED WASN'T REDUCED TO MITIGATE IMPACT/DAMAGE FROM THE COLLISION AND VEHICLE TOOK FULL IMPACT OF THE COLLISION. THE FORWARD/FRONT COLLISION MITIGATION BRAKING SYSTEM MUST BE EVALUATED TO ASSESS SUITABILITY TO AVOID COLLISION WITH OBJECTS OF LOW HEIGHT.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 8, 2015
ON 9/3/15, I WAS PULLING INTO MY GARAGE WHEN ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WENT OFF - TRANSMISSION, CHECK ENGINE, LANE DETECTION LIGHT ETC. SINCE I WAS GOING OUT OF TOWN THE NEXT MORNING, I PUT IT IN REVERSE AND DROVE DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER. THE CAR WAS IN "LIMP MODE" AND I COULD ONLY DRIVE 35-40 MPH. I SHOWED THE TECH IN THE SERVICE DEPT. ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS GOING OFF, AND HE SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. HE WROTE UP A WORK ORDER WITH THE FOLLOWING INFO: INSPECT FOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHING AND EVERY WARNING LIGHT IN THE VEHICLE IS ON, WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 35 MPH. THE FOLLOWING DAY I WAS CONTACTED BY THE SERVICE DEPT. AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM; THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ON, THEY EVEN DROVE IT FOR 40 MILES. THE SERVICE DEPT. SAID THEY ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO HOLD THE CAR FOR FIVE DAYS. TODAY, 9/8/25 I PICKED UP THE CAR. THE DEALER'S INVOICE READS: CAUSE: LIGHT ON 123505 DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES/PROGRAMMED FUEL INJECTION (PGM-FI) RETRIEVE CODES WITH THE HDS, READ DATA, 74 WA3. INSPECTED FOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, FOUND DTC P0303 (CYLINDER # 3 MISFIRE) RECORDED FREEZE DATA AND CLEARED CODES, AT TIME OF INSPECTION VEHICLE WAS RUNNING PERFECTLY, TEST DROVE VEHICLE TWICE ON EXTENDED TEST DRIVES AND ENGINE RAN PERFECTLY, NO DTCS ARE RESET NO PROBLEM IS PRESENT AT THIS TIME. SINCE THE SERVICE DEPT. COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT, THIS MEANS THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND I AM DRIVING A DEFECTIVE CAR. THE NEXT TIME THE WARNING LIGHTS GO ON, I COULD BE TRAVELLING ON A CROWDED FREEWAY AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED (WITH MY FAMILY INSIDE), THE CAR GOES IN TO "LIMP MODE - 35 MPH AND AN ACCIDENT OCCURS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. HOW CAN ACURA MANUFACTURE A $50,000.00 CAR AND THEIR DEALERSHIP NOT BE ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM AND REPAIR IT?
Equipment adaptive/mobility, Aug 31, 2015
THE ACURA LANE KEEP ASSIST SYSTEM (LKAS) MIS-READS SOME INTERSECTIONS AND JERKS THE WHEEL TOWARD A SIDE STREET ONLY TO QUICKLY TRY TO COMPENSATE BY JERKING BACK. THERE IS ONE INTERSECTION IN PARTICULAR THAT THIS HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY. THE DEAL SAYS THE SYSTEM IS WORKING PROPERLY. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SOFTWARE "DEFECT". IT IS QUITE STARTING THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENS AND AT SPEED IT REPRESENTS AN UNSAFE CONDITION. ANOTHER CASE OF A SAFETY SYSTEM CREATING AN UNSAFE CONDITION.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Aug 3, 2015
WHILE DRIVING, THE MDX SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL AND CANNOT BE SHIFTED OUT OF NEUTRAL. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY MULTIPLE TIMES. THE INFORMATION DISPLAY SHOWS FIRST EMISSIONS PROBLEM, THEN TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. ACURA HAS A TSB OUT FOR THIS B15-034, BUT WON'T APPLY IT UNTIL THE PROBLEM APPEARS. HAVING YOUR VEHICLE SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL IN A HIGH SPEED ENVIRONMENT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. TSB B15-034 NEEDS TO BE A RECALL BEFORE THEIR MDX SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THEY BECOME IMMOBILIZED AND PEOPLE ARE KILLED AS A RESULT....UPDATED 09/22/15 *BF
Power train, Jul 13, 2015
THE 9 SPEED ZF TRANSMISSION HAS UNPREDICTABLE BEHAVIOR INCLUDING: DELAYED SHIFTING LEADING TO PAUSES IN POWER, DELAYED DOWN SHIFT DURING ATTEMPTS AT HIGHWAY SPEED ACCELERATION, JERKY SHIFTS, CAR REMAINS IN NEUTRAL WHEN SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE. VERY UNSAFE CONDITION DUE TO UNPREDICTABLE EFFECTS ON SPEED AND CAR CONTROL. THIS IS NOW A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AFFECTING THE SAME TRANSMISSION IN JEEP, CHRYSLER, AND ACURA MODELS. THE ACURA TLX HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN DESCRIBED WITH THIS PROBLEM. NOW THE SAME TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN THE 2016 MDX WITH THE SAME OUT COME......UPDATED 10/20/15 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 12/17/15.*JB