2016 Acura MDX Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 163about this part
- Share
- 43%of 377 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 163 complaints about the engine of the 2016 Acura MDX, 43% of the 377 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My Acura mdx 2016 is well maintained, only 42500 miles,bought brand new from dealer, problem started 6 months ago, accelerator, rpm goes up even on 20 miles driving, and car just stops and gear goes to park mode..dealer inspected, they said transmission needs to be replaced, contacted NCDS, their respond I passed the warranty of 7 years, not covered. Dealer charging 7100 to fix issues.”
NHTSA complaint #11641551, filed 2025-02, 43,000 miles“My 2016 Acura MDX. Stalled twice. Both times in start and stop traffic when stopped the cylinder deactivation engaged, however then the power went out completely without warning, it took about 5-10 min then the push to start worked and the car restarted. After the first stall we took it Acura, however they said there was nothing wrong. I am writing this report after the second stall today.”
NHTSA complaint #11233636, filed 2019-07, 38,000 miles“Transmission slips when accelerating. I was trying to pass a large truck on a two lane highway and the car stopped accelerating as I was trying to pass the truck in the other lane. I had to hit brakes to coast back behind truck while I waited for transmission to reengage. Rpms dropped to 0 during this event. Car was in to dealer 2 weeks ago for this same issue and they updated the car's software.”
NHTSA complaint #11269782, filed 2019-10, 49,000 miles“driving on freeway at 65mph and check engine light flashed as vehicle started to studder and turned off while driving. vehicle would not even try to start afterwards. vehicle got towed off freeway to my home. I continued to try to start, it sounded like a bad starter or dead battery, so I charged the battery and got the vehicle to crank and start. engine was knocking and squealing and pinging. immediately turned off and did some research. found out about recall and my engine is not on it . I found a local shop and had it towed there. it ended up being a bad rod/bearing in the engine. …”
NHTSA complaint #11673138, filed 2025-07, 149,385 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10762375, filed 2015-09, 368 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11022039Aug 12, 2025Dealer Message - Acura is also implementing an additional (1) twenty-four (24) month period for 2015 model year Acura TLX vehicles, commencing at the expiration of the 10-year…
- 11020584Jul 7, 2025Service 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…
- 11015014Feb 19, 2025Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on with one or more AWD DTCs having been set due to water intrusion into the electric oil pump motor connector area corrodes the…
- 11007653Sep 4, 2024Service Bulletin - Drivers may experience a chirping sound coming from the engine area with the engine warmed up due to the high pressure fuel pump is making a chirp.
- 11000723May 29, 2024Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engaging, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Acura is providing…
- 10210096Mar 28, 2022Dealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on…
- 10206804Jan 21, 2022Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on…
- 10143347Jul 12, 2018Servicenews article - Until recently, Tech Line had only two categories for auto idle stop system issues. That made it hard for our engineering staff to understand what was…
- 10136425Apr 26, 2018Service bulletin - The high pressure fuel pump area chirps after the engine is warm. The high pressure fuel pump is making a chirp noise. NOTE: This noise does not impact the…
- 10130042Jan 10, 2018Servicenews article - We?re getting reports of reduced engine power with the MIL on. Service techs are seeing DTC P0369 (CMP sensor circuit intermittent interruption) and signs…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 22% |
| 2025 | 69 | 62% |
| 2024 | 6 | 15% |
| 2023 | 1 | 2% |
| 2022 | 9 | 6% |
| 2020 | 86 | 38% |
| 2019 | 48 | 25% |
| 2018 | 35 | 21% |
| 2017 | 79 | 30% |
| 2016 | 163 | 43% |
| 2015 | 7 | 10% |
| 2014 | 26 | 15% |
| 2013 | 9 | 30% |
| 2012 | 23 | 30% |
| 2011 | 28 | 40% |
| 2010 | 11 | 24% |
| 2009 | 8 | 15% |
| 2008 | 3 | 6% |
| 2007 | 11 | 11% |
| 2006 | 9 | 10% |
| 2005 | 7 | 4% |
| 2004 | 13 | 8% |
| 2003 | 10 | 5% |
| 2002 | 5 | 2% |
| 2001 | 3 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2016 Acura MDX
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 complaintsEngine cooling
10 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