2016 Acura MDX owner complaints

While driving on local road all of a sudden the 3 errors came on the dash board transmission system problem, emission system problem, and blind spot system problem, engine light came on. When this happens the transmission doesn't shift right and grinding of the gear is heard, car quickly slow down. After stopping and start up again, errors still there but transmission could not shift into higher gears and car tops out at 30mph. This has happened 4 times in the last few days and we are now scared to drive the car local roads, highway would be bad until we get it fixed at the dealership. This is potentially a very dangerous situation if the car loses power at an intersection.

This submission supplements my existing NHTSA complaint regarding Recall 17-010 and the 9-speed automatic transmission ATF warmer defect. My vehicle received Recall / Product Update 17-010 service on March 10, 2017, at which time the transmission was replaced. The final redesigned ATF warmer did not exist at that time. The ATF warmer installed with the replacement transmission was an earlier design. The vehicle returned for a second Recall 17-010 service visit on December 9, 2017. The service record from that visit explicitly states that the ATF warmer was not replaced, noting that it had been replaced during the prior visit. As a result, the recall was initiated but not completed with the final redesigned ATF warmer. Acura later issued TSB B17-026, extending warranty coverage to 10 years

Acura is refusing to address a serious problem with the engine and power train with the vehicle, this may have already caused accidents on other cars in other states. Please see the historical data which gives a complete audit of the issues I have had. 9/22/18 11 days- vehicle taken to the dealer and dropped for service, punch list of issues since purchase that needed addressed. Alignment report is signed off on 9/24/18, battery check 10/1/18, service was started on 9/29/18, car sat for a week with no service attempt made. Oil stains on roof liner were left there and was told they would not clean them off (later proven to be mechanics grease by merrillville) and spider was my problem not theres per 'rob' in service. Issues the car was taken in for. All of the below service was comleted

The transmission on this vehicle is unsafe & the car surges uncontrollably driving downhill. My wife & I can no longer drive this car & our local oakland, ca Acura dealer has not corrected the problem - we have taken it in for correction several times. We have 3 kids so we can't drive around in an unsafe car & dont want someone else driving an unsafe car. Acura recently issued a warranty extension on this issue - this car is leased & we want to turn it in now. Please assist. [xxx] - [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'*jb

While in transit with just 15000 miles on the car the transmission system problem light illuminated. Car was immediately taken to dealer. This vehicle has a center console push button control for the transmission. The dealer said that there was residue in the controller most likely due to a spilled drink. The controller would need to be replaced and it would not be covered under warranty. To the best of our knowledge we spilled no drinks on the controller. However, what a poor design. The drink holders are right next to the controller! Could a spilled drink cause the transmission to lock up based on this design?

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.

This vehicle is affected by Acura’s 9-speed transmission warmer defect covered under: • TSB B17-009 – Product Update: Transmission Warmer • TSB B17-010 – Product Update / Warmer Replacement • TSB B17-026 – Warranty Extension: 10 years from in-service date, unlimited mileage These bulletins address failures of the transmission warmer that allow coolant and ATF to mix, causing internal transmission damage. My MDX was used by Acura in early 2016–2017 as an engineering/diagnostic vehicle when this defect was being investigated. Repair history: • March 2017 – Transmission replaced, but the updated warmer (released later in 2017) was not installed. • December 2017 – Acura performed a coolant/ATF line flush due to contamination, confirming fluid mixing from the warmer failure. Current issue: M

While my teenage son was driving on busy interstate highway the engine began making extremely loud noises and smoking while losing power. Driver was unable to make it to a safe exit and had to pull over with limited shoulder, in a very dangerous spot. All oil leaked out of the engine an onto the roadway, also a hazardous and dangerous situation. Car was towed to Acura dealership and inspected. Catastrophic engine damage - part of the engine rod assembly was launched through the oil pan and lodged in the air conditioning compressor. Vehicle had 87K miles and all service was performed. Complaints that the engine was lagging and making noises at low RPM's had been expressed to Acura for years. I was told that unless a check engine light came on there was no way to know what was wrong.

While driving on an interstate highway at 73 mph, under cruise control, at night, as the road started to incline up a hill my vehicle started losing power. The highway is two lanes each way, and I was in the left-hand lane passing a slower vehicle that was in the right-hand lane. There were cars behind me in my lane. When my car started losing power, the check-engine light came on along with some other indicators. I attempted to maintain speed by depressing the accelerator, but the car continued to slow down. It was nighttime when this happened, on a pitch-black highway that had been freshly paved. I was able to finally get behind the car I had been attempting to pass and was then able to get into the emergency lane and stop. My car was making a ticking noise. I turned off the car, op

This occurrence with the vehicle happened in October of 2023 and I no longer own it. The only reason I'm reporting it today is because of the news reports I've been seeing about a possible investigation into the exact issue I experienced. I started to hear a knock from the engine that got progressively worse over the course of a week. I made an appointment to have it looked at, but before I could even make it to that appointment multiple dash lights and warnings started showing up on the meter combi. Engine light was the first to appear followed by the transmission light, then the vehicle went into "limp mode." It wouldn't go over 30mph and eventually just shut itself off; every warning lamp on the dash was on. It was towed to a local Acura dealership where the service tech diagnosed

The engine started to make noise, drove it to the Acura Dealership. The engine seized at the repair bay. The technician initially said they just had a recall on these engines then after looking up the ID notified me that the blown engine was not covered under the recall. After several calls to Honda corporate customer service they informed me that they knew it had a faulty engine however it was not under the recall and they didn't have to repair or replace. I paid the dealership to install another engine at my own expense.

I purchased a 2016 Acura MDX during the summer of 2025. I am the second owner. In November 2025, the engine starting experiencing engine knock later to be confirmed as rod bearing knock. This vehicle if a 2016 MDX and the manufacturing date is October 2015. There is a rod bearing recall for 2016 MDX's however, my VIN is not included in this recall which is ludicrous as it is experiencing the same issues as the recall with only 80,000 miles on the engine. I urge you to widen the recall to include 2015 MDX vehicles as there is no way this Acura MDX should be experiencing rod bearing issues on a well taken care of vehicle.

While backing out of a restaurant lot parking space on a wet rainy night, applied brakes repeatedly and car would not stop resulting in hitting a parked car in the lot. Immediately notified my insurance co. Same type of problem happened a year and half ago. Have notified Acura to correct problem. Intend to trade car because of concern..

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 bra

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!

Vehicle always smells hot or as if something electric is burning in the engine compartment. Have always had scheduled maintenance and have taken it in on time for all oil changes and maintenance to be performed. Have asked for this to be checked at that time and when the smell has become over powering. Engine lights have popped up and then all lights have shut off two separate times previously to the point where I had to turn off the vehicle. I have taken it to two dealerships and another mechanic to look for the cause. They are not able to determine the cause but recommend I contact Acura as this sounds like a warranty issue.

I was driving straight on a residential street at around 20-25 MPH when all of a sudden I hear a loud snapping sound. I immediately lost all control of the vehicle and it jerked hard to the right hitting two parked vehicles. Upon inspection, it appears as though the rear control arm on the passenger side front wheel snapped, causing me to lose control.

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. I asked dealership service to look at this issue. Dealer never advised on issues.

Was driving vehicle on highway and suddenly and rapidly lost all ability to accelerate. Warning lights on dash ALL came on simultaneously only after acceleration was lost. Inability to accelerate was extremely dangerous in middle of other highway traffic, but safely pulled to side of road only because of careful driving and luck. Upon inspection, auto service confirmed they verified concern P0716 system needs to update and keyless control was faulty. Recall one month subsequent to event does not seem to include my car, although description of failure sounds potentially similar. Still waiting full repair of vehicle.

Our 2016 MDX starting peeling paint off the roof. Acura said they extended the warranty for this known defect for an 8 year period. Since this problem just happened we are outside the 8 year extension. The internet is full of similar stories of people like us who have the paint peeling after the bogus 8 year extension. Acura said they aren't responsible. This isn't right.