2016 Acura MDX Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 09/08/2026

159Engine complaints

42.9%Of all 371 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE159 · 42.9%

POWER TRAIN111 · 29.9%

Unspecified / other40 · 10.8%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM34 · 9.2%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM27 · 7.3%

Share of the 371 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2016 Acura MDX overview page.

What owners report

“ALL DASH DISPLAY WARNING LIGHTS WILL COME ON SPORADICALLY WHILE STANDING OR IN MOTION, LAST FROM A FEW HOURS TO A FEW DAYS OR SO…”NHTSA complaint 11203300 — filed 04/24/2019

“WHEN SLOWING DOWN AT A YIELD OR A RIGHT TURN ON A GREEN LIGHT TO ABOUT 5-10 MPH AND THEN WHEN PUSHING ON THE GAS…”NHTSA complaint 11196079 — filed 04/14/2019

“WHEN DRIVING THE SUV AFTER THE SECOND GEAR KICKS IN THE TRANSMISSION HAS A JOLT AND IT FEELS LIKE A LAG IN THE SHIFT BUT…”NHTSA complaint 11194846 — filed 04/09/2019

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 Acura MDX have engine problems?

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2016 Acura MDX: 159 of 371 complaints on file (42.9%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2016 Acura MDX have in total?

371 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 09/08/2026. Across all categories, 10 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, 5 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 09/08/2026.