2016 Acura Mdx
Common Problems
Ranked from 156 federal NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
34 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Connecting Rod Bearing Failure
26complaintsHigh severityEngineThe connecting rod bearing fails, causing the engine to produce a knocking sound and eventually fail.
Related recall: 23V751000
- 2
Engine Knocking and Loss of Power
25complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine produces a knocking sound and experiences a sudden loss of power, often leading to a complete engine failure.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V751000
- 3
Engine Stall at Idle Due to Connecting Rod Bearing Failure
19complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine stalls at idle due to connecting rod bearing failure, producing a knocking sound and loss of power.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V751000
- 4
Transmission Power Loss During Acceleration
18complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission loses power during acceleration, causing the vehicle to hesitate and fail to reach desired speed.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 5
Check Engine Light On Without Warning
14complaintsMedium severityEngineThe check engine light turns on unexpectedly, often accompanied by a decrease in power and engine performance issues.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V751000
- 6
Engine Stall During Operation
14complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls during operation, often due to a loss of power or unexpected shutdown.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V751000
- 7
Unusual Engine Noise
14complaintsMedium severityEngineAn unusual knocking or ticking sound occurs from the engine, often indicating a serious internal issue.
Related recall: 23V751000
- 8
Vehicle Stalling at High Speeds
14complaintsMedium severityEngineThe vehicle suddenly stalls at high speeds, often due to a loss of power or engine failure.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V751000
- 9
Transmission shifting issues and slippage
11complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission shifts harshly and slips, causing the vehicle to lurch forward or lose power during acceleration.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 10
Electrical System Issues Causing Dashboard Warning Lights
10complaintsMedium severityElectricalDashboard warning lights illuminate intermittently, indicating potential electrical system issues such as faulty sensors or wiring.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 11
Brake system failure causing uncontrolled movement
8complaintsHigh severityBrakesThe brake system fails to stop the vehicle properly, leading to uncontrolled movement and potential accidents.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 12
Electrical system failures causing intermittent dashboard warnings
8complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe electrical system frequently causes intermittent dashboard warnings and malfunctions, affecting various vehicle functions.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 13
Engine stalling and hesitation at idle
8complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls or hesitates when idling, especially in stop-and-go traffic or at low speeds.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V751000
- 14
Engine stalling and unexpected behavior during acceleration
8complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls unexpectedly while accelerating, causing the car to lose power and become difficult to control.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V751000
- 15
Transmission failure leading to unresponsive acceleration
8complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission fails to engage properly, causing the vehicle to stall or not accelerate when the gas pedal is pressed.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotes - 16
Transmission malfunction causing surging and loss of control
8complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission surges uncontrollably when driving downhill or under certain conditions, leading to loss of vehicle control.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 17
Transmission shifting to neutral unexpectedly
8complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission shifts to neutral unexpectedly while driving, causing the vehicle to lose power and control.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 18
Warning lights and errors on dashboard
8complaintsMedium severityElectricalVarious warning lights and error messages appear on the dashboard, indicating multiple system failures.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 19
Paint Peeling on Roof
7complaintsLow severityOtherThe roof paint is peeling off, especially in certain colors, posing a potential safety hazard.
Related recall: 19V060000
- 20
Transmission failure at high speeds
5complaintsSafety riskTransmissionThe transmission fails at high speeds, causing the vehicle to lose power and potentially get into dangerous situations.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotes - 21
Transmission shifting into neutral at high speeds
5complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission shifts into neutral at high speeds, causing the vehicle to lose power and potentially crash.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 22
Electrical system failures causing unexpected behavior
4complaintsMedium severityElectricalElectrical system failures lead to unexpected vehicle behavior, such as sudden loss of power or erratic shifting.
- 23
Engine Connecting Rod Bearing Issues
4complaintsHigh severityEngineConnecting rod bearing issues cause engine damage and require engine replacement, posing a significant safety risk.
Related recall: 23V751000
- 24
Engine Stall at Idle Due to Stop-Start System Failure
4complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls at idle when the stop-start system activates unexpectedly.
$150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V751000
- 25
Vehicle catching and jerking during acceleration
3complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe vehicle catches and jerks during acceleration, making it difficult to maintain control, especially at higher speeds.
- 26
Airbag deployment without warning
2complaintsSafety riskElectricalThe airbags deploy unexpectedly without any warning, posing a safety risk to passengers.
- 27
Automatic Transmission Shift to Neutral Without Warning
2complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission shifts to neutral without warning, causing the vehicle to lose power and potentially leading to accidents.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 28
Engine Misfires and Random Knocking
2complaintsMedium severityEngineRandom misfires and knocking occur, often accompanied by diagnostic trouble codes indicating catalytic converter issues.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V751000
- 29
Engine performance issues
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine exhibits off-the-line shift issues and erratic acceleration, affecting overall vehicle performance.
Related recall: 23V751000
- 30
Engine stalling and random shutdowns
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine randomly stalls or shuts down while driving, especially at stoplights or intersections, causing potential accidents.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V751000
- 31
Faulty Fuel Pump
2complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThe fuel pump is faulty, leading to a temporary complete loss of power during driving.
$500–$1,100est. fuel pump replacement · 2–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 19V060000, 16V417000, 23V858000
- 32
Suspension issues leading to loss of control
2complaintsMedium severitySuspensionSuspension problems cause the vehicle to pitch and roll excessively, leading to loss of control, especially over bumps or turns.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 33
Transmission Slipping and Stalling
2complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission slips and stalls at high speeds, posing a safety risk by reducing control of the vehicle.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotes - 34
Uncontrollable acceleration during braking or deceleration
2complaintsSafety riskOtherThe vehicle unexpectedly accelerates while the brakes are applied or during deceleration, posing a significant safety risk.
Related recall: 19V060000
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.