2016 Acura MDX Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 3%of 377 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 108,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2016 Acura MDX, 3% of the 377 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 108,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, there was a loud knock sound coming from the engine compartment, and afterward, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the connecting rod bearing in cylinder #3. The vehicle was repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #11645641, filed 2025-02, 122,000 miles“The contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated that the owner reported an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine while starting the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic, where the timing belt tensioner was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The mechanic disassembled the oil filter and discovered metal shavings inside the filter. The mechanic related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE25008 (Engine). …”
NHTSA complaint #11754481, filed 2026-08, 60,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11697358, filed 2025-11, 80,000 miles“The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started to lose motive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine rod bearings had failed and damaged the engine. The contact was informed that the engine short block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. …”
NHTSA complaint #11557266, filed 2023-11, 121,840 miles“The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power and failed to accelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure posed a potential safety risk in daily traffic. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the road, and the vehicle was towed to a local dealer for diagnosis. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with engine bearing failure into the engine oil pan and cylinder #5 failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #11764368, filed 2026-09, 150,000 milesRelated recalls
- 23V751000Nov 13, 2023Honda (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…Covers: Acura MDX 2016–2020, TLX 2015–2020, Honda Pilot 2016, 2018–2019 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 10235126Apr 20, 2023Service Bulletin - The engine will not crank on the initial startup attempt after the vehicle has been exposed to precipitation and then freezing temperatures. Water can enter…
- 10233292Mar 20, 2023Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or…
- 10232976Mar 10, 2023Product Update - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engaging, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Acura is providing a product…
- 10232974Mar 10, 2023Warranty Extension - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart.
- 10232972Mar 10, 2023Warranty Extension - Warranty Extension reimbursement form for engine idle stop repairs made before the warranty extension notice date.
- 10232965Mar 1, 2023Service Bulletin - The engine will not crank on the initial startup attempt after the vehicle has been exposed to precipitation and then freezing temperatures.
- 10231058Jan 27, 2023Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Typically, the customer can…
- 10229689Jan 6, 2023Dealer Message - During development, the idle stop enable criteria was mis-set allowing idle stop to improperly engage while battery health is low. Under certain circumstances…
- 10229688Jan 6, 2023Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or…
- 10229687Jan 6, 2023Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Typically, the customer can…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 19 | 8% |
| 2019 | 30 | 16% |
| 2018 | 19 | 11% |
| 2017 | 18 | 7% |
| 2016 | 10 | 3% |
| 2013 | 1 | 3% |
| 2012 | 2 | 3% |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 3 | 6% |
| 2008 | 2 | 4% |
| 2007 | 4 | 4% |
| 2006 | 2 | 2% |
| 2005 | 9 | 5% |
| 2004 | 13 | 8% |
| 2003 | 16 | 8% |
| 2002 | 14 | 7% |
| 2001 | 19 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2016 Acura MDX
163 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
113 complaintsOther or unknown
40 complaintsElectrical system
38 complaintsFuel system
32 complaintsBody and structure
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
19 complaintsLane departure
14 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsExterior lighting
11 complaintsForward collision avoidance
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Acura MDX
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology