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 G…
2016 acura MDX powertrain problems
moderate 107 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
107
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
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 desig…
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 REPO…
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 EXTEN…
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 TH…
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 THA…
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…
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2016 acura MDX?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 107 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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