2016 Acura MDX acceleration problems

Filed Oct 28, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · MD

The vehicle frequently experiences problems while idling at red lights or stop signs. Specifically, the engine suddenly shuts off after displaying a message that "Idle Mode is unavailable." This has occurred multiple times, and on five separate occasions, the vehicle became completely immobile, requiring towing to the nearest mechanic. Initially, I had the flywheel and starter motor replaced, which cost me approximately $5,000. However, just three months later, the same issue reappeared. Most recently, while driving home from work, the idle mode failed again at a stop sign, and the engine stopped running. I contacted Acura/Honda regarding this issue, but they informed me that it is not their responsibility. At this point, I am unsure how to proceed or where to seek a reliable fix, and I am concerned about the safety implications of this recurring failure.

Filed Feb 9, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · 43,000 miles · NJ

My Acura mdx 2016 is well maintained, only 42500 miles,bought brand new from dealer, problem started 6 months ago, accelerator, rpm goes up even on 20 miles driving, and car just stops and gear goes to park mode..dealer inspected, they said transmission needs to be replaced, contacted NCDS, their respond I passed the warranty of 7 years, not covered. Dealer charging 7100 to fix issues.

Filed Nov 10, 2022 · Acceleration, Electrical · AZ · 1 injury

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.

Filed Mar 6, 2021 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 80,000 miles · MD

While driving with adaptive cruse control on, I was approaching slower vehicle. I wanted to go around it without breaking. While driving already on high speed (70m/h) I press acceleration pedal so I can safely go around slower vehicle. I was half way into passing line (last left line), there was a car already behind me approaching with higher speed, when I suddenly completely lost power and lots of lights illuminated on the dash. Car behind me notice that I start loosing speed rapidly so he start braking that I could hear his tires. I didnt know what to do so I just kept going to emergency stopping line where I almost crash into the concrete divider. I manage to stop vehicle safely by pure luck. After stopping I notice that car is not shifting, and sh-awd system, blind spot ass, emission system and transmission system fault lights came on. I called insurance agent to send road side assistance, but while waiting on the call I start the car again (like 15min after this incident) and all lights were still on except transmission. I tried car and it was shifting normally now, except sh-awd was not working (I didnt have power to the rear differential). This could be very tragic event if both me and the driver behind me didnt react properly. I had two more passengers in the car, from which one was 15 months old child. I was reading that this could be transmission system update issue, but my dealer did update transmission already.

Filed Mar 6, 2020 · Acceleration, Engine · 64,053 miles · MD · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 acura mdx. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, when driving over a speed bump the vehicle accelerated independently and impacted the vehicle in front. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. Air bags did not deploy. The contact stated she was not injured. The contact stated the driver of the other vehicle sustained unknown injuries but was not aware if medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to an independent collision center. The vehicle failure was not diagnosed by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact also mentioned after the accident the vehicle was serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v060000 (fuel system, other) at norris acura (8559 baltimore national pike, ellicott city, md 21043) on 10/11/2019. The contact stated after the recall remedy the vehicle had a fuel leak. The dealer was contacted, however stated she would be reasonable for diagnoses and repairs fees. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,053.

Filed Feb 27, 2020 · Acceleration · 10 miles · CA

The design defect on this acura is that the vehicle suffers from "sudden acceleration," after depressing the accelerator the vehicle continues to accelerate for various seconds. The same issue happens when the vehicle slows down after pressing the brake when arriving to an intersection, after releasing the brake when getting ready to stop the vehicle will continue to accelerate, causing a tremendous hazard and risk of death for an accident to people in other vehicles, pedestrians, and occupants of the vehicle itself. I took the vehicle for repair at your acura dealership in mission viejo, california (see enclosed back up documents), and the service specialist from acura recommended me to pay for additional services over and beyond my still existing warranty (warranty is valid until 03/2020), like a software update and an transmission flush, stating it would repair the condition. Well, the condition was never fix and the risk of accident still remained. I took the vehicle on a second occasion to the same dealership, and this time, since they have already taken my money on the previous service, declined to do any more repairs arguing that condition (sudden acceleration) is not considered hazardous by acura USA, and that it happens to other acura vehicle with this type of transmission, and therefore they wouldn't do anything to fix it. On this second time I recorded the conversations with the service consultants and with the service manager, in case I had to escalate this issue further like I'm doing now or take further legal actions in this regard. I also had multiple phone conversation with the acura client relationships, stating my issue and your representatives didn't offer any help, they only indicated I'd have to deal with dealership directly, even though he's a representative of the name, acura USA. (see enclosed letter to you for more information)

Filed Dec 2, 2019 · Acceleration, Transmission · 34,700 miles · NC

November 10, 2019 traveling on highway at ~65 MPH, pressed accelerator to pass car and vehicle would not speed up...felt like the car was in neutral. After about 7 to 10 seconds the transmission finally kicked in and the car accelerated. If this happened on a 2 lane road the lack of transmission delivering power to wheels could have resulted in a head on collision. Service apt scheduled with acura dealership where purchased and was told they could find no 'codes' or alerts in cars computer and that they found nothing wrong. The did say they reprogrammed the transmission software...but they have done that 2 other times. Car has only 35k miles on it and we have brought car into acura dealership 4 times to address the harsh shifting of transmission and told them each time we felt it was a serious safety concern. The above incident of no power when attempting to pass on highway is the first time that has happened..but is a very serious concern. We were told for the 3rd time that the harsh shifting and gear-wandering was a 'characteristic' of this make / model car and that acura has been trying to address the issue with transmission software updates. I have seen many online complaints of the "gear-wandering' transmission issue online and have also read similar safety complaints of car losing transmission power at highway speeds. Please thoughtfully review this complaint and contact me if you need additional information. We firmly believe that the known reported issues of the 2016 acura mdx shawd transmission problems are a huge safety issue. This 7 seater SUV is driven by many families!

Filed May 25, 2019 · Acceleration · 43,000 miles · FL

Transmission shifting hard. I also hear and feel a grinding sound. When shifting on the lower gears, it shifts hard. I have read that there is a bulletin on this but no recall yet. There have been many complaints. Bulletin tsb no. 15-054. How many complaints are needed before a recall is issued?

Filed Apr 24, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 24,368 miles · CA

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, which causes vehicle speed to decrease and certain features to not work. Dealer service unable to resolve problem, but will clear error codes in computer to shut off warning lights.

Filed Mar 17, 2019 · Acceleration · 55,000 miles · SC

At accelerated speed on the interstate the car stalls and rpms go up. The last time it happened the engine light came on. I pulled over and turned it off for a few minutes. When I turned it back on the light was off and the rpms were normal. I took it to the dealership and they found nothing wrong. This has happened at least 6 times.