There are 22 owner-reported electrical system complaints for the 2016 Acura MDXin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
On 9/12/2025 driving on the highway in stop and go traffic, the idle stop feature engaged, but the engine would not restart upon taking foot off break. Put vehicle into park and held start/stop button for couple seconds to turn off, then was able to restart vehicle by pushing start button. Couple days later went to start vehicle while parked and accessories came on, but engine wouldn’t start. After a few attempts, got vehicle to start.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 65,445 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 151,000.
As I was driving under the freeway stopped preparing to make a u-turn my car put itself in neutral and I could not change gears. I had to turn the car on and off for it to get itself back into drive. Another time I was stopped at a light and it did the same thing. Some time went one and it happened again but this time I was reversing to park and again put itself into neural. This is a safety hazard as it happens at different times when I’m driving when other vehicles are around. I do the maintenance at the dealership and they never say anything about my complaints or the car needing to be updated. Please let me know what I need to do?
The engine light came on more than 12 times in the past 3 months. I tried to have the dealer check, but they found nothing. Then the light started to of on and off every time I drive in the rain
Vehicle always smells hot or as if something electric is burning in the engine compartment. Have always had scheduled maintenance and have taken it in on time for all oil changes and maintenance to be performed. Have asked for this to be checked at that time and when the smell has become over powering. Engine lights have popped up and then all lights have shut off two separate times previously to the point where I had to turn off the vehicle. I have taken it to two dealerships and another mechanic to look for the cause. They are not able to determine the cause but recommend I contact Acura as this sounds like a warranty issue.
We have a 2016 Acura MDX and it has automatically shifted to Neutral 3 times (twice while driving on the freeway and 1x yesterday while driving on the street at normal speeds) in the last 2 months. On the MDX dashboard, it will display "Emissions System Problem" and then display "Stop Driving When Safe. Transmission Problem. See Manual." However, the car will automatically shift to Neutral within seconds. My children's lives (7 y/o and 5 y/o) were placed in danger as a result of this system failure. I have contacted the Acura Honda Recall Specialists and Client Relations Representatives. The car is being diagnosed at Cerritos Acura dealership at the present time. A case number has been filed since our VIN shows no recall, despite it having recalls for other 2016 Acura MDXs.
First on off glitching when ever accessory mode is used WHILE IN MOTION, FIRST BRAKELIGHT HAD WARNING THEN WARNING ABOUT TRAILER STABILITY ASSIST. WHEN I WENT IN REVERSE, THE WHOLE DASHBOARD INCLUDING THE NAVIGATION SCREEN WENT BLACK AND THE CAR FELT LIKE THE ENGINE STOPPED. THIS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES. I DON'T THINK THE ENGINE ACTUALLY STOPPED THOUGH BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR. THE BRAKE LIGHT ERROR MESSAGE HAS OCCURRED DRIVING FORWARD AS WELL, BUT NOT ACCOMPANIED BY THE BLACKOUT OF THE DASH AND NAV PANEL. Steering becane stiffer ALL OF THIS HAPPENED WHILE IN MOTION.
Car failed at stops when auto stop is engaged. Vehicle would not restart. This happened at stop lights, stop signs etc. I took in for repair and the starter was replaced. American Honda subsequently issued a notice (not a full recall) for my vehicle for this issue. They offered reimbursement for the repairs. However, when I sent in the repair bill, the refused to reimburse. They need to be held accountable for this issue.
My vehicle has been going off on its own when it is off, the lights starts to flicker on the outside and on the dashboard, the seats malfunction on its own so does the steering wheel causing the steering wheel to move up and down adjusting on its own, the car alarm will go off all the time, and I hear a noise coming from under the hood. It’s so bad that I have to take out the battery and leave it cause this problem will continue until the battery is dead, sometimes it will cause all the lights to come on and stay on all night, mean while the vehicle is not even turned on when all this is happening, I search couple video and websites only to see other people having the same problem with this specific type of vehicle, this problem been consistent for months and it makes the car unable to drive.
While driving on the interstate miles in cruise control vehicle started to reduce speed quickly. upon pressing the accelerator (as a semi was right behind me) nothing happened. I attempted to pump the gas pedal in desperation of not being hit as no pull off lane was available. After about 4 minutes vehicle was able to accelerate once again no warning signs or lights came on at this time (i had my 4 young children in the vehicle) extremely unsafe and yet no resolution with said issues. This has occurred 4 times as of yet. #2 dashboard display vehicle in park (P)blinking along with codes; lane departure failure, transmission system failure, blind spot failure. During this time i was able to still drive. Dealership verbalized they could not resolve the issue as no codes ect.,(Popped up) or Registered upon diagnosis. Has occurred 3 times. #3 vehicle door windows are loose as if they were going to fall right off. #4 When I start the engine there's a loud noise prior to starting and during idle. #5 Air conditioner stops working in the front only on occasions. Especially on warmer days. #6 not shifting smoothly. #7 Doors sound as if not sealed appropriately. #7 safety features warning of not able to function due yo overheating
IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS, MY SUV HAS STALLED EITHER AT A STOP LIGHT OR WHEN PARKED. IT WOULD SPUTTER ON TRYING TO RESTART. BATTERY WAS NOT AN ISSUE. THOUGHT IT WAS A STARTER ISSUE AND GOT A NEW STARTER. BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY AND THE TOW TRUCK GUY POWERED WITH JUMP START (EVEN THOUGH IT WAS NOT A BATTERY ISSUE) AND IT STARTED.
IF THE OWNER SITS IN THE CAR WITH THE RADIO OPERATING AND THEN TURNS THE CAR OFF COMPLETELY BUT DOESN'T LOCK THE VEHICLE AND THEN RETURNS AT SOME POINT AND ATTEMPTS TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE AND THEN START THE ENGINE, ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS, THE BATTERY HAS BEEN RUN DOWN EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF.
MY 2016 ACURA MDX. STALLED TWICE. BOTH TIMES IN START AND STOP TRAFFIC WHEN STOPPED THE CYLINDER DEACTIVATION ENGAGED, HOWEVER THEN THE POWER WENT OUT COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING, IT TOOK ABOUT 5-10 MIN THEN THE PUSH TO START WORKED AND THE CAR RESTARTED. AFTER THE FIRST STALL WE TOOK IT ACURA, HOWEVER THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. I AM WRITING THIS REPORT AFTER THE SECOND STALL TODAY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 45 MPH AND THE EMISSION, ALL WHEEL DRIVE, TRANSMISSION, AND BLIND SPOT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FOX ACURA (4330 29TH ST SE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49512, (616) 942-8040) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 ACURA MDX. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED. WHEN THE PUSH TO START BUTTON WAS PRESSED, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED WITH ACURA OF FREMONT (LOCATED AT 5700 CUSHING PKWY, FREMONT, CA 94538, (510) 431-2500). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
WHILE DRIVING ALL WARNING AND HAZARD LIGHTS COM ON HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES NOW IN DEALER SHOP FOR OVER A MONTH I DO NOT FELL SAFE IN CAR THE DEALER CAN NOT TELL ME WEATHER SAFE OR NOT AND DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ABLE TO FIX PROBLEM
TRANSMITION PROBLEM ( ELECTRICAL )
INEXPLAINABLE BATTERY DRAIN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS RESULTING IN NOT ENOUGH POWER TO START CAR. NO SOLUTION FROM ACURA EXCEPT THAT IT HAPPENS TO A LOT OF OWNERS. MOST RECENTLY CAR DIED IN AN INTERSECTION (WITH TWO KIDS IN CAR) AND COULD NOT RESTART OR SHIFT TO NEUTRAL (WITHOUT POWER) TO MOVE OUT OF INTERSECTION. CAR WAS STOPPED AT INTERSECTION, DRIVER MOVED FORWARD TO MAKE TURN, DRIVER STOPPED IN INTERSECTION AND AUTO-IDLE ENGAGED (TURNING CAR OFF MOMENTARILY), WHEN DRIVER RELEASED BRAKE, WHICH WOULD NORMALLY RESTART ENGINE, CAR WOULD NOT RESTART DUE TO LOSS OF POWER. STUCK FOR AN HOUR IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION UNTIL JUMPED. THREE DAYS PRIOR TO THAT, CAR SAT FOR 5 DAYS WITHOUT USE IN 40-50 DEGREE WEATHER, AND BATTERY WAS DEAD WHEN ATTEMPTED TO START. SEEMS TO BE A PARASITIC DRAIN OR FAULTY CHARGING ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH CAR.
NOTHING BUT TROUBLE SINCE I BOUGHT IT. PURCHASED JAN 2016. HAS REPLACED --- NAVIGATION, AMPLIFIER & FUEL PUMP!!! OWNED 2016 MDX FOR LESS THAN A WEEK- VEHICLE JOLTS FORWARD-GIVES ITSELF EXTRA GAS EVEN WHEN YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE! TRANSMISSION NOT SMOOTH. BEEN IN FOR SERVICE OVER 40 DAYS NOW (TOTAL). HESITATES SOMETIMES- WAS STUCK AT 15 MPH FOR A FEW MINUTES. RADIO GOES UNRESPONSIVE- NO BUTTONS WORK GETS STUCK AT STATION/VOL CAN'T TURN OFF EITHER. NAVIGATION DIED- TURNED OFF, THEN FLICKERED(WAS REPLACED) . SPEAKERS WENT FLAT- AMPLIFIER DIED (WAS REPLACED). THE ENGINE IDLE FEATURE DOESN'T WORK RIGHT. IT DOESN'T KEEP MY SAMSUNG PHONE CHARGED. I'VE TRIED MULTIPLE CORDS INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL ONE THAT CAME WITH PHONE. ACURALINK DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK EITHER. I SENT A DESTINATION BUT IT DOESN'T SHOW UP FOR A FEW HOURS OR DAYS! IT TWEETS NOW. THE WINDOW NOW SQUEAKS (NO, IT IS NOT TINTED OR ANYTHING). IT MAKES A STRANGE DRIPPING NOISE WHEN YOU TURN IT OFF. IT EATS GAS! I FILL IT UP AND IT'S GONE IN A BLINK..NOT THE APPROPRIATE MILES. IT BEEPS LOUDLY AND BLINKS THAT THERE IS AN OBJECT APPROACHING FOR NO REASON- NO ONE/THING THERE- NOTHING MOVING. IT HAS A MIND OF IT'S OWN. I'VE BEEN A LOYAL HONDA/ACURA OWNER FOR OVER 18 YEARS AND THEY HAVE NOT HELPED. WHEN THEY REPLACED THE NAVI THEY SAID THEY'D GIVE ME $500 FOR MY TROUBLE- BUT DIDN'T ANYWAY. THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT-- BUT JUST MONDAY SAID IT NEEDS A NEW FUEL PUMP BUT IS "SO NEW" THEY DON'T HAVE ONE SO IT HAD TO BE ORDERED. DISGRACEFUL. I ASKED FOR IT TO BE REPLACED- WAS DENIED. ACURA CLIENT REP SAYS- "AT THIS TIME THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO" I HAVE A SPINAL CONDITION AND THE JOLTING HURTS ME GREATLY. SOMEDAYS I CAN'T DRIVE MY BRAND NEW VEHICLE BC I CANT TAKE THE PAIN. THEY DON'T CARE. THEY DON'T STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT EITHER. HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED IN VEHICLE AND COMPANY
TWO DAYS AFTER GETTING OUR FIRST OIL CHANGE. THE CAR WOULDN'T START IN OUR GARAGE. THE SYSTEM FLASHED ON AND OFF RAPIDLY. A TECH CAME OUT AND JUMP STARTED THE ENGINE MANUALLY BECAUSE THE COMPUTER WOULDN'T START IT. I DROVE IT TO A SECOND ACURA DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT THE ONBOARD COMPUTER RANDOMLY SOUGHT OUT A SYSTEM UPDATE SO IT IMPACTED THE ENGINE. I ASKED WHAT CAUSED THIS ON A NEW 2016 MDX AND THEY COULDN'T EXPLAIN IT NOR COULD THEY PROMISE IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. IF THEY COULDN'T PREDICT WHEN THE COMPUTER DOES THIS, THEN WHAT'S TO STOP IT FROM DOING THIS WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION? THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. THANK YOU. *TR
Showing 1–20 of 22 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026