2016 Acura MDX transmission and drivetrain problems
111 of the 374 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Acura MDX name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). Filed under the same heading: 64 manufacturer bulletins. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA complaint database1 of the 111 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2015: 4 · 2016: 11 · 2017: 8 · 2018: 12 · 2019: 24 · 2020: 16 · 2021: 5 · 2022: 6 · 2023: 2 · 2024: 8 · 2025: 13 · 2026: 2
Half of the 71 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 16,000 and 55,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
374 complaints in all about the 2016 Acura MDX, 2 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Power Train” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Acura MDX transmission and drivetrain problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
I have purchased the vehicle on 3/23/16 and from day one I have been having issues with the transmission. When I come to a stop and wait for oncoming traffic to give me chance to cross the street. When I finally get the chance to cross I press the gas pedal and the car just does not want to go, it stalls.
Transmission failed causing engine to overheat. This 9 speed transmission has a fluid heater in it that has radiator water supplied to it. Car was not shifting correctly and making a beeping noise at 20 to 25 MPH. Car was taken to deal on 2/13/16 with 5,635 miles they test drove and said they could not find anything wrong.
I bought my 2016 Mdx on 02/01/2016 and was quite happy with the initial purchase. After driving for two days I started setting up the car's options, I realized that the cars drive system was set to start in sport mode.
Rough gear shift and cars seems to be rev-up at low gears . This can create a dangerous condition while accelerating from stops
Transmission slips from between shift 1-2 and 2-3. Car also at times lunges forward while coming to a stop
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications64 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
The 0 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P0430 P0306 P0369 P0716 P287C P26C3 P0657 P0973
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2016 Acura MDX names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2016 Acura MDX
Source: the same files- engine problems 171 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2016 Acura MDX?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 111 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (30% of everything owners filed about it), and 64 manufacturer bulletins are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the 2016 Acura MDX?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading for this model year (there are 7 filed under other headings). A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2016 Acura MDX?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 32,000 miles; half of them between 16,000 and 55,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.