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2016 Acura MDX

Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
35 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls2 critical7
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA371
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA23 mpg
2026202520242023202220202019201820172016

The 2016 Acura MDX is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the MDX 2WD, is EPA-rated at 23 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 371 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
MDX 2WDGasFWD3.5L 6-cyl202723$3,350
MDX 2WDGasFWD3.5L 6-cyl192722$3,500
MDX 4WDGasAWD3.5L 6-cyl192622$3,500
MDX 4WDGasAWD3.5L 6-cyl182621$3,700

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 36119, 36120, 36121, 36122.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2016 Acura MDX is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (7)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Structure

AOU, AOT
880,514 vehicles
ProblemAmerican Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.RiskFailure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.FixDealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) in
NHTSA campaign 26V365000reported Jun 4, 2026Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
▲high

Exterior Lighting

FLI
152,800 vehicles
ProblemHonda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid light assembly and wiring harness, which can cause the interior and exterior lights to fail, including the lid lights, position lights, license plate lights and taillights.RiskVehicle lights that fail to illuminate can decrease visibility and increase the risk of a crash.FixDealers will inspect the wiring and install a fuse harness, replace the lid light, and repair the body dust sealer, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 30, 2025. Owners may contact Acura's customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Acura's number for this recall is FLI. Vehicles included in this recall that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 19V-256 will need to have the new remedy completed.
NHTSA campaign 25V259000reported Apr 17, 2025Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

KGC, KGD
2,490,460 vehicles
ProblemHonda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.RiskFuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
NHTSA campaign 23V858000reported Dec 18, 2023Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
!critical

Engine And Engine Cooling

XG1, GG0
248,999 vehicles
ProblemHonda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.RiskA damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.FixDealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-December 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early Apr
NHTSA campaign 23V751000reported Nov 13, 2023Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
▲high

Exterior Lighting

M49
322,897 vehicles
ProblemHonda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Acura MDX and 2017-2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid lights, possibly causing a loss of the tailgate lid lights and the taillights.RiskLoss of the taillights reduces the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of crash.FixAcura will notify owners, and dealers will modify the tailgate lid lights and install updated gaskets and a wiring sub-harness or will replace both tailgate lid lights. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is M49.
NHTSA campaign 19V256000reported Mar 28, 2019Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
▲high

Fuel System, Other

N3X, P3W
437,032 vehicles
ProblemHonda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine. Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance.RiskReduced fuel pump performance can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.FixHonda will notify owners, and dealers will update the fuel injection engine control unit (FI-ECU) software and, if necessary, replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019. Owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's recall number for this recall is P3W. Honda's recall number for this recall is N3X.
NHTSA campaign 19V060000reported Jan 29, 2019Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
!critical

Fuel System, Gasoline

KA9, KB0
39 vehicles
ProblemHonda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura MDX 2WD and MDX 4WD vehicles, 2016 Acura MDX 4WD vehicles, 2015-2016 Honda Odyssey vehicles, and 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD and 4WD vehicles. The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that were manufactured with insufficient welds which may separate and allow fuel to leak out.RiskA fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.FixHonda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tanks, free of charge. Owners may contact Honda/Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. The recall began on July 29, 2016. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA9 (Honda vehicles) and KB0 (Acura vehicles).
NHTSA campaign 16V417000reported Jun 9, 2016Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

NHTSA defect investigations

Engine — Engine failure open

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 414 reports of connecting rod bearing failures in the 3.5L V6 engine used in the following vehicles: Model Years (MY) 2018-2020 Acura TLX, MY2016-2020 Acura MDX, MY2016-2020 Honda Pilot, MY2018-2020 Honda Odyssey, and MY2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline.  The subject engine failures were analyzed as part of a Recall Query (RQ24013).  It was determined that these engine failures are outside the scope of Honda Recall 23V-751. Further, evidence gathered in conjunction with RQ24013 does not suggest this failure is caused by the same crankshaft manufacturing defect that is addressed by Honda in Recall 23V-751.  Based on analysis of data from RQ240

Opened Aug 20, 2025 · action PE25008

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine — No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages open

On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several �eld reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016

Opened Mar 26, 2025 · action EA25004

Engine — Engine failure closed

On November 8, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ24013 to assess the scope of Honda recall 23V-751 after receiving complaints that alleged connecting rod bearing failures in vehicles that were not within the scope of recall 23V-751. In November 2023, Honda recalled 248,999 various Model Year (MY)2016–2020 Honda and Acura vehicles equipped with the 3.5L V6 engine. Honda recalled these vehicles due to a crankshaft manufacturing defect that caused premature connecting rod bearing wear and engine seizure. While the out-of-scope failures involved in these complaints appear to have a very similar failure mechanism as the recalled engines, a thorough analysis o

Opened Nov 8, 2024 · closed Aug 20, 2025 · action RQ24013

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
371complaints filed

10 involved a crash · 5 a fire · 5 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2015: 12 · 2016: 25 · 2017: 18 · 2018: 19 · 2019: 48 · 2020: 21 · 2021: 13 · 2022: 14 · 2023: 13 · 2024: 69 · 2025: 75 · 2026: 44

Most-cited components

Engine159
Power Train111
Unspecified40
Electrical System37
Fuel/Propulsion System27
Structure22

What owners describe

“Forward Looking Camera failed at 62k miles, it won't communicate with the computer according to dealership diagnosis on 11-18-2022. Replacement cameras are on backorder, with no availability date. Vehicle is available for inspection. The issue directly affects Forward Collision, Lane Departure and Cruise Control. It no…”Nov 29, 2022 · Forward Collision Avoidance · NHTSA owner report
“Transmission shifted to neutral limiting controllable forward movement. This occurred without any warning while in traffic. This created a VERY HIGH SAFETY RISK. This issue occurred three times creating a need to have it towed into a repair dealer, diagnostics, and resetting of the electrical circuit. The diagnosis cod…”Nov 17, 2022 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report
“Good afternoon, my Acura MDX 2016 roof paint peeling off. It is known problem. also I found gov. document for warranty extension. but Acura refuse to fix my MDX paint job. because of my car is not in the warranty extension list. please check attached my photo file. this shows perfectly matched claim requirement. 2016 A…”Aug 15, 2022 · Structure · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆16%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆16%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other MDX model years

A

2026 Acura MDX

1 recalls · 7 complaints

D

2025 Acura MDX

4 recalls · 96 complaints

C

2024 Acura MDX

3 recalls · 41 complaints

C

2023 Acura MDX

3 recalls · 44 complaints

C

2022 Acura MDX

3 recalls · 171 complaints

F

2020 Acura MDX

8 recalls · 217 complaints

F

2019 Acura MDX

9 recalls · 185 complaints

F

2018 Acura MDX

10 recalls · 164 complaints

F

2017 Acura MDX

8 recalls · 253 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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