AI Damage2016 Acura MDX: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Acura MDX filed 377 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and powertrain. The maker issued 214 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 377
- involving a crash
- 10
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 214
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 43% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 30% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel/propulsion system 7% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 6% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 5% of all complaints
- 7 Lane departure 4% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 3% of all complaints
- Engine: 163 complaints (43% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 31.
- Powertrain: 113 complaints (30% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 42.
- Electrical system: 38 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 38.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 28 complaints (7% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Structure: 21 complaints (6% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 12.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 3 complaints
- automatic, 9-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 377 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 163 | 2 | 31 |
| Powertrain | 113 | 1 | 42 |
| Electrical system | 38 | 0 | 38 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 28 | 1 | 1 |
| Structure | 21 | 1 | 12 |
| Vehicle speed control | 19 | 2 | 1 |
| Lane departure | 14 | 0 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 13 | 3 | 5 |
| Steering | 12 | 1 | 8 |
| Exterior lighting | 11 | 0 | 5 |
| Engine and cooling | 10 | 0 | 45 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 8 | 0 | 15 |
| Electronic stability control | 8 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The driver hit her shoulder and lower back against the driver's side door. The driver later received medical assistance and was being treated for lower back and shoulder injuries. No police report was filed. The rear tires were damaged and became flat.
No airbags deployed, however, my seatbelt locked up. A new seatbelt was ordered through Acura soon thereafter 12/23. At the time this was ordered, I was told that there was no ETA as there is a national backorder.
The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. A Police report was not filed, and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the driver's side seat belt needed to be replaced following the crash but informed the contact that Part Number: 04818-TZ5-A00ZC was…
There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact's wife parked the vehicle. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was not filed. The contact stated that his wife switched gears to reverse and attempted to reverse the vehicle. The vehicle only reversed for 2 feet and switched gears back to park.
The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. Air bags did not deploy. The contact stated she was not injured. The contact stated the driver of the other vehicle sustained unknown injuries but was not aware if medical attention was required. A police report was filed.
Both seat belts locked up. The impact was very strong on driver side given that is where we hit. Fortunately, my seat belt kept me from hitting the windshield. My only injuries are neck ache, head ache, seat belt bruises, and ringing ears. My concern is for future use of my car.
The vehicle was towed by the insurance company to rallye acura ([address], roslyn, [ZIP], [phone]); however, the dealer refused to inspect and diagnose the cause of the brake failure.
I immediately lost all control of the vehicle and it jerked hard to the right hitting two parked vehicles. Upon inspection, it appears as though the rear control arm on the passenger side front wheel snapped, causing me to lose control.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 165 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 8% most complained about).
On average one model year of the MDX has 143 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 377, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature…
Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engaging, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Acura is providing a product update with a new PGM-FI…
- Service Bulletin - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one…
Service Bulletin - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one or both of the inner taillights not to work.
- Dealer Message - Acura is also implementing an additional (1) twenty-four (24) month period for 2015 model…
Dealer 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 period for each…
- Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop the vehicle…
Service Bulletin - Under 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. Typically, the…
- Owner Notification Letter - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s),…
Owner Notification Letter - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one or both of the inner taillights not to work.
- Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on with one or more AWD DTCs having been set due to water…
Service Bulletin - The 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.
- Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on potentially due to water intrusion into the rear…
Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on potentially due to water intrusion into the rear differential pump motor connector area that corrodes the terminals.
- Service Bulletin - Drivers may experience a chirping sound coming from the engine area with the engine…
Service Bulletin - Drivers 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.
- Service Bulletin - The engine will not crank on the initial startup attempt after the vehicle has been…
Service Bulletin - The engine will not crank on the initial startup attempt after the vehicle has been exposed to precipitation and then freezing temperatures. Water can enter the starter motor. In cold temperatures…
- Product Update - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engaging,…
Product Update - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engaging, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Acura is providing a product update with a new PGM-FI software update…
- Warranty Extension - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature…
Warranty Extension - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart.
- Warranty Extension - Warranty Extension reimbursement form for engine idle stop repairs made before the…
Warranty Extension - Warranty Extension reimbursement form for engine idle stop repairs made before the warranty extension notice date.
NHTSA lists 214 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Acura MDX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, powertrain, electrical system. Total complaints: 377. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (27%), knocking, grinding or other noise (16%), stalls while driving (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Acura MDX?
NHTSA lists 214 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Acura MDX from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.