2016 Acura MDX Complaints

ENGINE — Filed 07/10/2026

Catastrophic Engine failure. Engine shook, then loss power. Multiple lights went off. Repair shop found metal shavings in the oil pan. Later diagnosed by specialist with cam/rocker engine issue. Recommended action was engine replacement.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 07/02/2026

I just got back home from Walmart, went in my house to get a few things and head to my camper. I had to get one last thing ,so I started to drive over town I noticed a plastic burning smell ,I thought someone was burning trash, so I keep going ,the smell got worse,so I stopped and was going to check what it was and smoke started coming out of the vents,so I turned around drove car home,as I was pulling into my drive ,I noticed the wiring harness fell from behind glove box ,on fire on the floor. We got car in driveway and got out,tried to extinguish the fire but couldn't, so grab everything out of the car,and the car became totally engulfed in flames,the car was totally gone from this electrical short.

ENGINE — Filed 07/01/2026

Engine began knocking, brass colored shaving in drained oil due to bearing damage. This vin is not covered by the recall scope

STEERING,SUSPENSION,ENGINE — Filed 06/25/2026

I am filing a safety and compliance complaint regarding execution of Federal Recall Campaign #26V365 by Valley Stream Acura and sales fraud by Paragon Acura. I purchased this 2016 Acura MDX from Paragon Acura on May 29, 2026. I have driven it only 550 miles, placing it strictly within the statutory New York State 60-Day Used Car Lemon Law Warranty window. A certified 6-page independent ASE forensic report documents that Valley Stream Acura bolted the federal recall brackets directly onto severely cracked rear control arms and rusted struts without disclosure. Furthermore, Paragon Acura forced a brand-new front control arm link onto a deeply pitted, scaling, and structurally compromised front steering knuckle to mask pre-sale defects, signing a false NYS highway safety certification. The vehicle was released to me with a bone-dry, empty engine cooling loop, creating an immediate fire hazard. Acura Corporate (Case #16437213) refuses to issue a corrective directive, willfully leaving a non-compliant vehicle on public roads.

ENGINE — Filed 06/27/2026

Started (first noticed)check engine light flashing turned radio down right of way and noticed engine knocking with no warning still 40% engine oil life left. Had test done P0303 misfire on cylinder 3 and rod bearing knock was told need an engine . Had all oil changes and maintenance done on time. ran my vin and unfortunately was told it is not covered under recall.

ENGINE — Filed 06/23/2026

My 2016 Acura Max sha awd has 124 k on it and the other day I was driving down the road and my engine light went on than I lost power down to 20 mph and heard a knocking noise from the engine like the rod bearing broke or something I’ve noticed the recall on the engine for some Acura 2016-2025 3.5v6 engines but Acura is saying my model car was not in the recall list which I can’t understand why if it has the same engine 3.5 v6 with the same rod barring issue as the ones on the list being recalled . The issue is with all 2016-2025 Acura Mdx models that have the 3.5 v6 in it .

ENGINE — Filed 05/15/2026

I was driving on the highway. All of a sudden, my engine started making knocking noises. Shortly after that, the car started to lose power, and immediately the low engine oil light came on. I pulled over immediately to check the engine oil level. Oil level was normal. I restarted the car, but the mechanical knocking noise was evident and did not sound right. Towed the car to the closest Acura Dealership. Diagnostics states that engine has ceased and would not crank. Replacements engine is required and would costs approx. $4200. Acura has a recall on some 2016-2020 MDX for similar engine issues, but my VIN did not qualified. The symptoms i exprienced is very similar to what was described in the recall. Acura representative denied any goodwill support/help.

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE — Filed 06/13/2025

Our 2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD has the exact same engine problem/damage caused by the Connecting Rod Bearing recall. Our vehicle displayed the exact symptoms described by countless other MDX owners including owners who have vehicles both on & not included on the current recall list.

STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES,LANE DEPARTURE — Filed 06/24/2026

I started the vehicle and steering wheel was frozen and EPS, Brake, and lane departure lights on the dash. I shut the car off and let it sit for five minutes. Restarted and the steering wheel came back to normal. but all light remained on. I drove the car about half a mile and the lights went off. When I got home, I shut the car off and started it again. The wheel was frozen again, and all the lights came back on. I shut the car off and re-started and steering came back on. I'm afraid this will happen again but while I'm driving. I looked up the issue but no recall but a lot of complaints with same problem. I cannot drive like this for it can be dangerous if I'm driving and lose control of the vehicle and hurt someone or myself. I took the car to a mechanic, but he said there is no current issues just stored codes. Today I had the same problem.

ENGINE — Filed 06/12/2026

This make and model has the same problems with the engine rod bearings it’s the v6 3.5L