2016 Acura MDX Engine Problems

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  917%
• 25k–50k
  1325%
• 50k–75k
  713%
• 75k–100k
  917%
• 100k–150k
  1019%
• 150k+
  48%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Acura MDX owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the contact stated that the engine and low oil pressure warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle was shaking abnormally, and the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. The vehicle was driven to a nearby parking lot. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic to be inspected. The contact was informed that the engine was covered in engine oil. The contact stated that the vehicle had recently received an oil change. The contact was advised to have the vehicle towed to the dealer. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with fractured bearings and engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine and the bearings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …

The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated that upon start of the vehicle, the engine entered limp mode as a check engine light appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle failed to accelerate above 35 MPH as the contact was forced to restart the vehicle. The vehicle resumed normal driving after restart and the contact called the dealer for an appointment. While driving the vehicle to the dealer, the failure returned as an abnormal, banging sound began to emit from the vehicle. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with rod bearing connector failure which resulted in engine failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Action Number:PE25008(Engine) which the contact linked to the failure. …

The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission independently shifted into neutral. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the event was scary. The contact stated that the vehicle was so hot inside. The contact crawled to the passenger's seat and exited the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, however the vehicle was not inspected. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under any unknown recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. …

Recall 23V-751 affecting certain or maybe all 2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD connecting rod bearing failure. The vehicle came to a sudden stop on the freeway after a loud terrible sound from the engine. This left my wife and child on a freeway exit ramp with no way to navigate the car to safety. The vehicle won't start, it makes a terrible clanging noise and stops. It has a seized connecting rod bearing and now a broken connecting rod and several holes punched from the broken rod. It was immediately towed to an Acura Service Center where it was confirmed. Recall 23V-751 described this failure exactly yet my car VIN is not included in the recall even though it is clearly affected by that recall. Acura Client relations refused to add the VIN even after saying they would if the problem was confirmed by an Acura Service Technician which it was but they refuse to add the VIN and repair the SUV.

The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was stuck in the middle 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, resulting in damage to the engine and requiring a replacement engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, who confirmed the diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 96,000.

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.

The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, there were several unknown warning lights flashing on the instrument cluster. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was coasted over to the side of the road; however, while attempting to shift into park(P), the transmission was unable to be shifted into park(P). The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

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. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and NHTSA Action Number: PE25008 (Engine). The manufacturer was notified of the failure by telephone. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

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). The manufacturer was notified of the failure; however, no assistance was provided because the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

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. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a claim was opened; however, the claim was later denied. The failure mileage was 122,000.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Engine complaints in other MDX years