2016 Acura MDX engine problems
154 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2016 Acura MDX — 42% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“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.”
filed Jul 17, 2026
“Engine began knocking, brass colored shaving in drained oil due to bearing damage. This vin is not covered by the recall scope”
filed Jul 10, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and…Campaign 23V751000 · Nov 13, 2023
Related service bulletins
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 vehicle…
BPS&08122025901 · Other · issued Aug 12, 2025Service 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…
B23-002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 7, 2025
Engine problems in other MDX years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 MDX | 47 | 64% |
| 2024 MDX | 5 | 14% |
| 2023 MDX | 1 | 3% |
| 2022 MDX | 9 | 7% |
| 2020 MDX | 77 | 37% |
| 2019 MDX | 46 | 25% |
| 2018 MDX | 35 | 22% |
| 2017 MDX | 76 | 31% |
| 2015 MDX | 7 | 10% |
| 2014 MDX | 26 | 15% |
| 2013 MDX | 9 | 31% |
| 2012 MDX | 23 | 30% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2016 Acura MDX
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.