Service 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 low cranking torque. Typically, the client can immediately restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pressing the ENGINE START/STOP button.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Acura MDX engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 Acura MDX have filed 118 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 96,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
118
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 MDX | 19 |
| 2013 MDX | 5 |
| 2014 MDX | 9 |
| 2015 MDX | 3 |
| 2016 MDX (this page) | 118 |
| 2017 MDX | 69 |
| 2018 MDX | 29 |
| 2019 MDX | 44 |
| 2020 MDX | 60 |
1crash
1fire
What stands out
Of the 16 model years of Acura MDX we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 118.
Engine accounts for 33% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 11 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service 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 terminals.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service 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.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service 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 the starter motor. In cold temperatures the water can freeze, preventing the starter motor from cranking the engine.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service 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 low cranking torque. Typically, the client can immediately restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pressing the ENGINE START/STOP button. Acura is extending the warranty coverage for valve adjustment and starter replacement related to this condition to 10 years from the original date of purchase with no mileage limitation.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2016 Acura MDX's most serious and recurring complaint is premature connecting rod bearing failure, which destroys engines without warning. Owners report a metallic knocking noise—sometimes mild at first, sometimes sudden—followed by loss of power, check engine lights, and complete engine seizure. This happens between roughly 78,000 and 148,000 miles. Engines stop cold on highways, at traffic lights, and in parking lots. Dealers and mechanics confirm the failure is internal rod bearing wear or seizure, often accompanied by a damaged crankshaft. The catch: Acura issued Recall 23V-751 in November 2023, but many owners have found their VIN excluded despite having the exact same failure. When denied, owners report Acura says there is no appeals process.
Oil analysis often reveals metal particles, indicating wear. Replacement engines cost $8,000 to $24,000, and at least one owner who bought a used replacement engine watched the same problem recur 1,900 miles later. Acura also issued Service Bulletin 17-009 for a transmission fluid warmer defect that allows coolant and transmission fluid to cross-contaminate, covered under a 10-year unlimited-mileage warranty extension.
Secondary complaints include transmission stalling without warning (leaving drivers stranded at traffic lights), idle-stop malfunction, 9-speed transmission jerking and hesitation present from delivery, and fuel pump failure. A handful of complaints cite emission-system codes appearing hours after routine service.
All the owners submitting connecting rod bearing complaints claim proper maintenance—regular oil changes, dealer service, or trusted mechanics—yet Acura has rejected most claims as outside the recall window. Federal investigation RQ24-013 is ongoing.
Same Acura MDX engine reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Connecting Rod Bearing Failure / Engine Seizure
Premature wear or failure of connecting rod bearings, leading to spun bearings, damaged crankshafts, and either catastrophic engine seizure or severe internal damage requiring full engine replacement. Owners report this occurs with no prior warning in many cases, despite proper maintenance.
When: Occurs between 78,000 and 148,000 miles, typically without advance symptoms. Some owners report progressive knocking before failure.
Symptoms owners cite: Metallic knocking or clanking noise from engine, often proportional to RPM and worse under load or acceleration; Check engine light flashing (in some cases), later accompanied by low oil pressure warning or other dashboard warning lights; Sudden loss of engine power; vehicle cannot accelerate past 30-60 mph or stalls completely; Engine seizure; vehicle will not crank or restart after stalling; Fluttering or rattling noise that evolves into pronounced knocking; Vehicle becoming sluggish and heavy; In some cases, no warning lights at all until catastrophic failure occurs; Smoke or oil leaking from engine (in advanced cases)
Codes mentioned: P0301 (Misfire Cylinder 1), P0306 (Misfire Cylinder 6), P0300 (Random Misfire)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers and independent mechanics universally recommend full engine replacement. Quoted costs range from $8,000 to $24,000 for new or short-block engines. Some owners reported replacement with used engines that subsequently developed the same failure. Metal shavings found in oil pan during inspection.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Acura issued Safety Recall 23V-751000 (also referenced as 23V-751 and OH6) in November 2023 for connecting rod bearing defects in certain 2016–2020 MDX vehicles. Service Bulletin 23-036 addresses the issue. Service Bulletin 17-009 (October 6, 2017) addresses the related ATF warmer cross-contamination defect. Many owners report their VINs are excluded from the recall despite having identical failure modes. Acura has denied claims for out-of-recall vehicles and stated 'there is no appeals process.' Some owners report Acura told them an appeal process does not exist. NHTSA Investigation RQ24-013 is ongoing to determine whether the recall scope is too narrow.
ATF Warmer (Transmission Cooler) Cross-Contamination
Failure of the 9-speed automatic transmission fluid (ATF) warmer, causing coolant and transmission fluid to cross-contaminate. This defect is identified in Acura Service Bulletin 17-009 and affects certain manufacturing date ranges.
When: One narrative reports discovery at 100K+ miles; manufacturing date is the critical factor, not mileage.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cooling fan continues to run after shutting off vehicle (abnormal behavior); No check engine or transmission warning lights initially; Potential for transmission failure at speed and engine overheating from cross-contamination
Repairs/costs cited: Warmer is still in vehicle and available for inspection. Acura Service Bulletin 17-009 identifies the defective manufacturing date range.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Acura issued a 10-year/unlimited mileage warranty extension for this defect (KG9 warranty extension). American Honda has opened a case with a case manager to evaluate warranty claim under this extension.
Engine Stalling / Idle Stop Malfunction
Vehicle stalls during normal driving or when idle stop feature is engaged, leaving the driver without engine restart capability at traffic lights or stop signs, creating a safety hazard in traffic.
When: Occurs unpredictably during normal driving and when idle stop feature engages.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle enters limp mode (max speed 30–35 mph) or stalls completely during driving; Idle stop feature engages but vehicle does not automatically restart; Vehicle shifts into Neutral with engine off and will not restart without manual intervention; Check engine light may appear and disappear; In some cases, all dashboard warning lights illuminate
Repairs/costs cited: One narrative mentions vehicle was manually placed into Neutral using an engine-bay override tool when engine stopped in traffic. Requires engine restart sequence (shift to Park, turn key, press brake, turn key again) multiple times.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Acura issued Service Bulletin addressing PGM-FI software update affecting idle stop operation and starter under certain conditions. One owner's VIN was not listed in this bulletin.
Fuel Pump Failure
High-pressure fuel pump failure causing engine misfires and limp mode activation.
When: Reported by owner of used vehicle; exact mileage not specified in narrative.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine misfires when accelerator is depressed hard; Vehicle enters limp mode; Symptoms match those described in 2016–2018 MDX fuel pump recall
Repairs/costs cited: Independent shop identified high-pressure fuel pump as failing.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Acura has issued a recall for fuel pump failure in 2016–2018 MDX (exact recall number not specified in narrative). Some VINs are excluded despite matching year/make/model criteria.
Transmission Shifting Irregularities (9-Speed)
Abnormal jerking, hesitation, and erratic shifting behavior in the 9-speed transmission, present from delivery and persisting across thousands of miles despite dealer service visits.
When: Present from initial test drive and delivery; persists at low mileage (9,800 miles reported).
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal jerking and hesitation between 10–55 mph; Random gear shifting; Jolts to occupants' bodies; Hesitation before vehicle moves forward when accelerator is depressed; Jerking occurs even when babying the accelerator pedal
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer insists behavior is normal for 9-speed operation. Owner considers this unsafe.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer claims this is normal operation for the 9-speed transmission.
Emission System Failure (Catalytic Converter / Misfire Codes)
Catalytic converter efficiency failure with associated misfire codes appearing shortly after routine maintenance service.
When: Codes appeared 24 hours and 37 miles after routine oil change service on 3/26/2024; malfunction occurred on 3/27/2024.
Symptoms owners cite: DTC codes: P0301 (Misfire No. 1 cylinder), P0306 (Misfire No. 6 cylinder), P0300 (Random Misfire), P0420 (Catalyst System efficiency below threshold)
Codes mentioned: P0301, P0306, P0300, P0420
Repairs/costs cited: Recommendation to replace catalytic converter. Owner questions whether emission system components were damaged during routine oil service.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Codes identified under Honda TSB 20-100 (dated 2/2021) for Odyssey, Pilot, and Ridgeline models with 10-year/150K-mile extended warranty. Owner questions applicability to 2016 MDX V6 engine.
Synthesized from 118 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Had engine trouble with your 2016 Acura MDX?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2016 Acura MDX?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 118 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 26 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 70,000 and 121,840 miles, with the median around 96,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 70,000; a quarter make it past 121,840. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Acura/MDX.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.