2016 Acura MDX Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 3%of 377 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 120,108miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2016 Acura MDX, 3% of the 377 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 120,108 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.
“Vehicle acceleration is sluggish at stop and go. During highway speed, if transmission is in low cruising gear and you need to accelerate, transmission is sluggish. Issues was corrected at dealer. Dealer found 1 faulty transmission computer code. New symptoms after computer fix, over acceleration and harsh shift points. Dealer advised to drive 500 mile after computer reflash. Interior light do not dim after a few seconds. Interior lights will not turn off regardless of locking vehicle. Rear suspension has a 0.55 camber difference, vehicle has 26,765 miles. …”
NHTSA complaint #11290005, filed 2019-12, 200 miles“My vehicle has been going off on its own when it is off, the lights starts to flicker on the outside and on the dashboard, the seats malfunction on its own so does the steering wheel causing the steering wheel to move up and down adjusting on its own, the car alarm will go off all the time, and I hear a noise coming from under the hood. …”
NHTSA complaint #11612452, filed 2024-09“Water leakage into the right tailgate lid light assembly caused it to malfunction. In the photo you can see water pooled in the right lower corner. There is a recall for this specific issue for the year/make/model of my vehicle (NHTSA ID 25V259000). However my VIN is not included. I took my vehicle to the dealership and they confirmed that moisture was entering the tailgate lid light assembly which caused the light to fail. There was a warranty extension issued in July 2025 that expired in November 2025 related to this issue that applied to my specific vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11771422, filed 2026-10“I have a 2016 MDX. The big red light on my tailgate on the passenger side stopped working. I had been driving at night and only found out when a friend mentioned it to me. I al concerned driving due to safety issues with being less visible to other drivers. I tried changing the bulb with two new ones (correct size 7440) and it still does not work. I noticed online that there is a safety recall for such lighting issues, though it is not showing as recall for my VIN. I called Chevy Chase Acura to ask about the recall and they said there are no recalls listed for my vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11709254, filed 2026-01“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!”
NHTSA complaint #11633157, filed 2024-12Related recalls
- 19V256000Mar 28, 2019Honda (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…Covers: Acura MDX 2014–2019, MDX Sport Hybrid 2017–2019
Related service bulletins
- 11019900Jun 5, 2025Owner Notification Letter - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one or both of the inner taillights not to work.
- 11019899Jun 5, 2025Owner Notification Letter - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one or both of the inner taillights not to work.
- 11019902Jun 4, 2025Owner Notification Letter - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one or both of the inner taillights not to work.
- 11019901Jun 4, 2025Owner Notification Letter - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one or both of the inner taillights not to work.
- 10232964Mar 3, 2023Service Bulletin - Recall update for 2014 - 2019 MDX and 2017 - 2019 MDX Hybrid Sport models. An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 7 | 3% |
| 2019 | 5 | 3% |
| 2018 | 5 | 3% |
| 2017 | 7 | 3% |
| 2016 | 11 | 3% |
| 2015 | 6 | 8% |
| 2014 | 13 | 8% |
| 2013 | 3 | 10% |
| 2012 | 2 | 3% |
| 2011 | 3 | 4% |
| 2010 | 2 | 4% |
| 2009 | 6 | 12% |
| 2007 | 3 | 3% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 1 | 1% |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% |
| 2002 | 1 | 0% |
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 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 31, 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