UsedScore

2016 Acura MDX: Avoid

Owners filed 139 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Acura MDX in its first five years on the road, about 247 for every 100,000 sold: 3.1× the rate of a typical MDX year. That's more than twice a typical year, across more than one problem area.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is the powertrain (transmission and drivetrain) (52% of complaints, median 28,000 miles).

Complaint index
3.1×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical MDX year
Rank
13th of 13
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
139
first five years; 247 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
7
campaigns
3rd generation, 2014–2020 · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2014 Acura MDX

Photo: 2014 Acura MDX · Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Powertrain52% · 72 complaints · median 28,000 miles
  2. Engine18% · 25 complaints · median 36,000 miles
  3. Brakes14% · 20 complaints · median 20,000 miles
  4. Electrical15% · 21 complaints · median 17,000 miles
  5. Speed control11% · 15 complaints · median 20,000 miles
  6. Fuel and propulsion7% · 10 complaints · median 39,000 miles
  7. Air bags3% · 4 complaints
  8. Steering5% · 7 complaints · median 32,000 miles
  9. Body and structure3% · 4 complaints
  10. Visibility2% · 3 complaints

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Brakes

Owners describe brakes that intermittently fail to stop the vehicle, sometimes leading to collisions, along with soft or unresponsive pedal feel. Dealers frequently could not replicate or diagnose the issue, leaving some owners uncertain the problem was fixed.

Warning signs:
Some report warning lights, a hard or stiff pedal, lurching before braking, or a grinding sensation from automatic braking before the pedal failed to stop the car.
What shops did:
Dealers often could not duplicate or find a cause for the brake problem, and in some cases replaced brake parts or components without resolving owner concerns.
Mileage:
most between 5,000 and 40,000 miles, among 20 complaints that give it

“I applied the brakes and vehicle appeared to accelerate and brakes did not stop car”

“Applied brakes repeatedly and car would not stop resulting in hitting a parked car in the lot”

Engine

Owners describe their MDX losing power or stalling, sometimes preceded by knocking or ticking noises, with dealers often finding failed rod bearings requiring a new engine. Many say they learned of a related recall but were told their VIN wasn't included, leaving repairs unresolved or expensive.

Warning signs:
Many report knocking, ticking, or chirping engine noises, illuminated check engine or multiple warning lights, and reduced acceleration before the engine lost power or stalled.
What shops did:
Owners report dealers frequently diagnosed failed connecting rod bearings or damaged engines requiring replacement, though many say their vehicle was not covered under a related recall and repairs were denied or costly.
Mileage:
most between 35,000 and 110,000 miles, among 52 complaints that give it

“Driving up a hill, new knocking noise, car lost engine power, steered the car to the curb and turned engine off.”

“Ticking Sound in Engine Diagnosed by Dealer as same issue reported in recall for Year Make and Model of Vehicle.”

Powertrain

Owners of this MDX widely describe unpredictable transmission behavior, from hesitation and jerking to sudden loss of power or unexpected shifts to neutral. Many say dealers updated software or replaced the transmission, but for several the issue recurred.

Warning signs:
Many report delayed or harsh shifts, engine revving without acceleration, warning lights (transmission, emissions, SH-AWD), clunking or grinding noises, and sudden loss of power.
What shops did:
Dealers often reprogrammed or updated transmission software, and in many cases replaced the transmission entirely, though some owners say problems returned or could not be replicated or resolved.
Mileage:
most between 15,000 and 55,000 miles, among 74 complaints that give it

“The engine hesitates so badly, I nearly run out of ramp”

“Several times gas pedal depressed and vehicle lagged at 20 MPH for more than 10 seconds before accelerating”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

Recalls (7)

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›
  • NHTSA 26V365000June 2026880,514 vehicles

    Suspension: rear · Structure: frame and members

    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.

    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.

  • NHTSA 25V259000April 2025152,800 vehicles

    Interior lighting · Exterior lighting

    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.

    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.

  • NHTSA 23V858000December 20232,490,460 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump

    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.

    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.

  • NHTSA 23V751000November 2023248,999 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical

    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.

    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.

  • NHTSA 19V256000March 2019322,897 vehicles

    Exterior lighting · Exterior lighting: tail lights

    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.

    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.

  • NHTSA 19V060000January 2019437,032 vehicles

    Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump

    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.

    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.

  • NHTSA 16V417000June 201639 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

    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.

    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.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

Acura sent NHTSA 334 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2016 MDX. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • ONL6T603102023 · March 2023 · Warranty extensionWarranty Extension reimbursement form for engine idle stop repairs made before the warranty extension notice date.
  • ONL6T603102023-3 · March 2023 · Warranty extensionUnder certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart.
  • BPS&08122025901 · August 2025Dealer Message - Acura is also implementing an additional (1) twenty-four (24) month period for 2015 model year Acura TLX vehicles, commencing at the expiration of the 10-year warranty extension…
  • B23-002 · July 2025Under 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.
  • B24-022 · February 2025The 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.
  • B16-008 · September 2024Drivers 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.
  • ONL6AX05292024 · May 2024Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engaging, the vehicle may not automatically restart.
  • B23-009 · April 2023The engine will not crank on the initial startup attempt after the vehicle has been exposed to precipitation and then freezing temperatures.

All 2016 MDX bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2016 Acura MDX reliable?
Owners filed 139 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Acura MDX in its first five years on the road, about 247 for every 100,000 sold: 3.1× the rate of a typical MDX year. That's more than twice a typical year, across more than one problem area. Ratings compare MDX years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2016 MDX problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve the powertrain (transmission and drivetrain) (52%), the engine (18%) and the brakes (14%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2016 Acura MDX been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2016 Acura MDX, the most recent in June 2026 (suspension). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Acura. The 2016 Acura MDX on NHTSA.gov · How we rate