KnownCarProblems2016 Acura Mdx Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 376 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Acura Mdx, most often about the engine (46% of complaints, typically around 65,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Mdx model year since 2000 and has 7 recalls.
Most common 2016 Acura Mdx problems
Engine
171 complaints · 46%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles.
My 2016 Mdx has a fuel pump failure which has caused my Mdx to stall and LED to problems with my fuel injectors. There is a recall but my Acura dealer refuses to honor it. On 10/18 my wife was driving the car on the free way and it slowed to a stall. This is a known issue. I have pasted a url to the recall below. The…
Purchased a certified pre-owned 2016 Acura Mdx sh-AWD w/ tech a few weeks ago & from day one there have been issues with acceleration off a complete stop like a stop sign, stop light, coming off park or upon putting it into drive. The vehicle will not move when the gas pedal is depressed, will rev high through first…
Transmission
112 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 31,000 miles.
Transmission has jerks and slips. These problems were addressed to dealership 4 times after purchase. First two visits they changed transmission software. Each time transmission worked worse then before update. On 3 and 4th visit answer was - "this is Acura's design". On jan 21 current year while trying to start from…
While accelerating and switching lanes on the interstate around 70mph the car reduced power and then downshifted and revved up to over 4k rpms. The car would not accelerate with foot all the way into it and reduced speed to 50mph. Emissions system error, transmission problem error, sh AWD error and blind spot assist…
Other or unspecified
40 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 10,500 miles.
Sunroof exploded all of a sudden while driving on a freeway at around 70mph. Heard an explosion above the car, had to pull over immediately, and found that the sunroof had exploded. I have a roof top box but there is no way this can make contact with the sunroof. As you can see in the picture, the explosion was…
This issue involves the fws(forward warning system) on this vehicle the fws operates intermittently and erractically. When driving home in the rain today it flashed on and off without another vehicle nearby. In many cases it has failed to warn when I am approaching another vehicle at considerate speed. In most cases…
Electrical
37 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 20,500 miles. Parts named most often: software, instrument panel.
While driving all warning and hazard lights com on has happened 3 times now in dealer shop for over a month I do not fell safe in car the dealer can not tell me weather safe or not and does not seem to be able to fix problem
Car electrical activated when start button was pushed but it wasn't clear if engine was running. Car would not "turn off" or lock. Many error messages came across dash and car was not properly recognizing fobs. An Acura service center was called and we were told our only option was to disconnect battery leads or let…
Fuel system
32 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 51,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, fuel injection system.
The contact owns a 2016 Acura Mdx. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the emissions sensor light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer karen radley Acura located at 14700 jefferson davis hwy, woodbridge, va 22191, who diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The…
The contact owns a 2016 Acura Mdx. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19v060000 (fuel system, other). The contact stated that the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was serviced at dallas Acura (4801 lemmon ave, dallas, tx 75219, ([phone]), but the remedy failed to repair the…
Body and structure
21 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Dear sir/madam - I was heading to my office from home on the highway ca-84. While driving today on the highway at around 50mph I hear sudden loud pop up sound from the roof, I felt like an earthquake and vehicle starting to shake. As I slowed down I felt something wrong with sunroof. Since highway leads to the bridge…
The contact owns a 2016 Acura Mdx. The contact stated that sidewalls of the spare tire, which was stored underneath the vehicle, was wearing through at three different locations. The tire was taken to mcdaniels Acura of charleston (2283 savannah hwy, charleston, sc 29414, ([phone]) and the contact was informed not to…
Speed control
19 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 24,500 miles.
All dash display warning lights will come on sporadically while standing or in motion, last from a few hours to a few days or so, which causes vehicle speed to decrease and certain features to not work. Dealer service unable to resolve problem, but will clear error codes in computer to shut off warning lights.
I thought it was the transmission but they replaced the timing belt pulley and it's still making the same chirping sound. The car is very jerky when it shifts gear while driving. Also, the car accelerates when it's going down hill while in motion. Also the drive 1, 2, 3 button is on the steering wheel and when you…
Driver assistance
17 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: blind spot detection, adaptive cruise control, assist, warnings.
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…
While driving with adaptive cruse control on, I was approaching slower vehicle. I wanted to go around it without breaking. While driving already on high speed (70m/h) I press acceleration pedal so I can safely go around slower vehicle. I was half way into passing line (last left line), there was a car already behind…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 Acura Mdx recalls
Suspension: rear
Risk: Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed july 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are aou and aot. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning june 10, 2026.
Full defect summary
American honda motor company (honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 honda pilot, 2017-2023 ridgeline, 2019-2023 passport, and 2014-2020 acura mdx vehicles that were sold in connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia, or wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
Lights: interior lighting
Risk: Vehicle lights that fail to illuminate can decrease visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the wiring and install a fuse harness, replace the lid light, and repair the body dust sealer, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed may 30, 2025. Owners may contact acura's customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Acura's number for this recall is fli. Vehicles included in this recall that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 19v-256 will need to have the new remedy completed.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain 2014-2020 acura mdx vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid light assembly and wiring harness, which can cause the interior and exterior lights to fail, including the lid lights, position lights, license plate lights and taillights.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed september 6, 2024. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are kgc and kgd. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21v-215 and 20v-314.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 honda accord, civic coupe, civic sedan, civic hatchback, civic type r, cr-v, hr-v, ridgeline, odyssey, acura ilx, mdx, mdx hybrid, rdx, rlx, tlx, 2019-2022 honda insight, passport, 2020 honda cr-v hybrid, 2018-2019 honda clarity phev, fit, and 2015-2020 honda accord hybrid, pilot, acura nsx vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
Risk: A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed march 28, 2024. 2016-2017 acura mdx owner letters were mailed november 1, 2024. 2016-2020 acura mdx owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-december 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of march 18, 2024. 2015-2016 acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-december 2024, 2018 acura tlx owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of march/early april 2024, 2019 acura tlx owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-may 2024, 2020 acura tlx owner let
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 acura tlx, 2016-2020 acura mdx, 2016 and 2018-2019 pilot, 2017 and 2019 ridgeline, and 2018-2019 odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
Lights: exterior lighting
Risk: Loss of the taillights reduces the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Acura will notify owners, and dealers will modify the tailgate lid lights and install updated gaskets and a wiring sub-harness or will replace both tailgate lid lights. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began may 7, 2019. Owners may contact acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is m49.
Full defect summary
Honda (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 lights, possibly causing a loss of the tailgate lid lights and the taillights.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: Reduced fuel pump performance can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the fuel injection engine control unit (fi-ecu) software and, if necessary, replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began march 25, 2019. Owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's recall number for this recall is p3w. Honda's recall number for this recall is n3x.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain 2016-2018 acura mdx, 2015-2019 acura tlx and 2015-2017 honda accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5l v6 engine. Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance.
Fuel system: tank assembly
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tanks, free of charge. Owners may contact honda/acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. The recall began on july 29, 2016. Honda's numbers for this recall are ka9 (honda vehicles) and kb0 (acura vehicles).
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain model year 2015 acura mdx 2wd and mdx 4WD vehicles, 2016 acura mdx 4WD vehicles, 2015-2016 honda odyssey vehicles, and 2016 honda pilot 2wd and 4WD vehicles. The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that were manufactured with insufficient welds which may separate and allow fuel to leak out.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Engine failure
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) has received 414 reports of connecting rod bearing failures in the 3.5l v6 engine used in the following vehicles: model years (my) 2018-2020 acura tlx, my2016-2020 acura mdx, my2016-2020 honda pilot, my2018-2020 honda odyssey, and my2017-2019 honda ridgeline.â the subject engine failures were analyzed as part of a recall query (rq24013).â it was determined that these engine failures are outside the scope of honda recall 23v-751. Further, evidence gathered in conjunction with rq24013 does not suggest this failure is caused by the same crankshaft manufacturing defect that is addressed by honda in recall 23v-751.â based on analysis of data from rq24013,
No restart after auto start/stop engages
Summary
On june 3, 2022, the oï¬ce of defects investigation (odi) opened preliminary evaluation pe22005 after the agency received voqs and several ï¬eld reports concerning the auto idle stop (ais) feature on 2016-2019my honda pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traï¬c light or road intersection with the ais function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5l engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On january 6, 2023, honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019my honda pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 acura tlx, 2016
Engine failure
Summary
On november 8, 2024, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened recall query rq24013 to assess the scope of honda recall 23v-751 after receiving complaints that alleged connecting rod bearing failures in vehicles that were not within the scope of recall 23v-751. In november 2023, honda recalled 248,999 various model year (my)2016â2020 honda and acura vehicles equipped with the 3.5l v6 engine. Honda recalled these vehicles due to a crankshaft manufacturing defect that caused premature connecting rod bearing wear and engine seizure. While the out-of-scope failures involved in these complaints appear to have a very similar failure mechanism as the recalled engines, a thorough analysis o
Questions about the 2016 Acura Mdx
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Acura Mdx?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (171 complaints, typically around 65,000 miles); transmission (112 complaints, typically around 31,000 miles); other or unspecified (40 complaints, typically around 10,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Acura Mdx have?
- 7 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 4, 2026 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the Acura Mdx?
- It is the most complained-about Mdx model year since 2000, with 376 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.