2016 Acura MDX: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Sep 5, 2026 · Engine · KS

"Vehicle experienced a sudden flashing check engine light pulled over checked oil restarted car flashing check engine light went away then started flashing again a few miles down the road (Cylinder 3 misfire) accompanied by severe engine knocking. The engine locked up/seized while hot. car was stuck on the road and was unable to shift to neutral. After cooling down, the engine restarted but produces a heavy metallic scraping and loud squealing noise from internal friction. This matches the exact failure mechanism of connecting rod bearing failure under investigation PE25008, but Honda/Acura has excluded this VIN from active recalls. I was forced to pay $389 out-of-pocket for an emergency tow."

Filed Aug 4, 2026 · Suspension · WI

I received a letter from Acura about a safety recall on the subframe. My car has been making a creaking noise and so I called the number on the letter. The guy gave me the number to Acura, Brookfield WI. I called and talked to someone there today, I think his name was John. I told him I wanted my car checked for the recall issue and I am worried about the noise. He said a subframe won't cause squeaking and I would have to pay $200 for them to look at it. I said I would call back in fall as the letter states but Im still wanting this issue fixed now.

Filed Jul 13, 2025 · Engine · 149,385 miles · FL

driving on freeway at 65mph and check engine light flashed as vehicle started to studder and turned off while driving. vehicle would not even try to start afterwards. vehicle got towed off freeway to my home. I continued to try to start, it sounded like a bad starter or dead battery, so I charged the battery and got the vehicle to crank and start. engine was knocking and squealing and pinging. immediately turned off and did some research. found out about recall and my engine is not on it . I found a local shop and had it towed there. it ended up being a bad rod/bearing in the engine. I had to have the engine replaced.

Filed Jun 26, 2025 · Engine · CA

While driving southbound on I-5 from San Francisco to Anaheim, the vehicle began making rattling and squeaking noises from the engine compartment. Within minutes, multiple warning systems activated, including alerts for power steering, brake system, ABS, and other critical components. The vehicle quickly lost power and could no longer shift gears. We were forced to exit the highway near Kettleman City, but the engine completely shut off as we were exiting. Brake pressure was lost, and the vehicle could not be stopped using the primary braking system. We had to use the emergency brake to avoid a collision. The vehicle was towed by roadside assistance to a dealership for inspection. The dealer confirmed that the engine had spun a connecting rod bearing in cylinders #3 and #4, which caused piston damage and full engine seizure. The service department acknowledged this failure matched a known recall (Recall No. 23V‑751), but stated the vehicle was not eligible for repair due to its VIN not being listed. Despite this, the failure is identical in cause and outcome to those covered by the recall and poses the same safety risks.

Filed Dec 26, 2020 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · 75,000 miles · GA

While driving on local road all of a sudden the 3 errors came on the dash board transmission system problem, emission system problem, and blind spot system problem, engine light came on. When this happens the transmission doesn't shift right and grinding of the gear is heard, car quickly slow down. After stopping and start up again, errors still there but transmission could not shift into higher gears and car tops out at 30mph. This has happened 4 times in the last few days and we are now scared to drive the car local roads, highway would be bad until we get it fixed at the dealership. This is potentially a very dangerous situation if the car loses power at an intersection.

Filed Sep 28, 2020 · Transmission · 77,000 miles · OH

Uncontrollable acceleration, surging and bucking during braking or decreasing speed the vehicle hesitates to stop in all gears - uncontrollably dangerous acceleration also stresses additional vehicle functions - tires and brakes - suspension (inertia that causes imbalance) - steering - vehicle steering is now somewhat unbinding and veers right or left when attempts to control anomalous accelerations while braking or slowing the vehicle poor acceleration at lower city speeds and remains in erratic gears for unspecified times this is most dangerous when driving in rougher traffic and especially when there are additional demands to drive at elevating speeds transmission disengages briefly at higher speeds recently, as the vehicle increases velocity and consistency, the drive gear disengages to neutral for a few milliseconds and changes back to the drive gear and regains momentum transmission is noisy 1. Thuds and clicks while shift at various times 2. 'cricket sounds' gurgling, creaks, grinds and mild knocking is present when idling and engaging after vehicle startup e. Manual transmission functions 1. Vehicle continues to move once parking gear is engaged and foot brake is released 2. Once vehicle starts, reverse and drive gear is "sticky' and makes noise (thud) when engaged

Filed Sep 15, 2020 · Transmission · 38,000 miles · SC

Zf9 transmission went out at about 10,000 miles with metal particles found in atf fluid. Replaced by acura with a new transmission apparatus. Apparently this is a rampant and dangerous problem with this model year transmission. Now at 38,000 miles (28,000 miles on the new transmission) this one is failing, slipping on shifts and making a squeaking/chirping noise between gears. Can result in failure to engage/accelerate in an emergency situation. Acura people won't take it seriously so the federal safety agency should get involved. A quick survey will demonstrate this is a common problem in this car. Acura has a tsb but this should be a recall item. They're trying to get beyond everyone's 6 year powertrain warranty without having to take action.

Filed Nov 7, 2019 · Transmission · 74,000 miles · IL

Experience three different scenarios where the transmission either appears to shift into neutral or gears grinding. 1) shifting from park to drive, the vehicle all of a sudden stalls and engine revs up without any motion. Resolved by shifting vehicle back to park, and then to drive. 2) when vehicle is in-motion at highway speeds between 40-70 MPH, all of a sudden vehicle loses acceleration power and speed decreases for 3-4 seconds forcing other vehicles from behind to either brake or slow down. Often occurs while merging onto the highway or lane changes where acceleration is required. 3) while driving on normal streets at 30-40 MPH, gears grind for approximately 1-2 seconds without losing acceleration.

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 Jan 5, 2018 · Brakes · 40,000 miles · NH

When driving down the highway the car picks up a guardrail and thinks it is an object. The automatic braking system turns on and there is a grinding brake that gets applied while you are doing 65 MPH on the highway. It's really unsafe.

Filed May 12, 2017 · Body, Electrical · 11,111 miles · CA

Un intended non acceleration. Due to severe lag, delay, and sluggish transmission response. Acura has replaced my transmission under warranty at 11,000 miles and did not admit fault and say there was a problem. Here's more on my experience..in my 1 year of ownership.. To whom it may concern: 2016 acura mdx 13,000 miles , purchase new from sierra acura , alhambra, ca I am writing to request buy back of my vehicle this car is a lemon. Since taking ownership a year ago, my 2016 mdx purchased new has experienced nothing but one problem after problem. Acura replaced transmission a month ago but the problem is still there. Is it engineered and designed to perform in a not safe manner ? Many times I experience shifting and accelerating hesitation and jerky/jolting. My family and I do not feel safe operating and riding in this vehicle. Several times gas pedal depressed and vehicle lagged at 20 MPH for more than 10 seconds before accelerating. A few of the latest new and ongoing problems are below. Driver door now appears off set and at different angle protruding out now. Appears that the door is not closing properly and therefore not sealed at closing. Furthermore every single window has experienced faulty mechanisms with motors, actuators, and seals. When closing the doors it feels like the windows are loose. There are also squeaks and rattles eminating throughout the cabin area. I secured and collected all loose items and the sound is still there. At engine start up each time, there is a high pitch whining noise for a few seconds before engine starts (perhaps something else faulty?) I have video / sound documentation of this with 2 seperate recording dates . With regard to the navigation, multimedia unit, it has been lagging, slow (er) to function, and severe delay in backup camera actuating, and audio functions delay in response sometimes.

Filed Sep 30, 2016 · Electrical, Fuel system · 120 miles · VA

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