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2016 Acura MDX: engine knocking or ticking

75 of the 378 complaints about the 2016 Acura MDX describe engine knocking or ticking.

owner complaints
75
of this car's complaints
20%
typical repair cost reported
$8,000
typical mileage
97,000
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 67 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Engine knocking or ticking by model year

  • 2026
    1
  • 2023
    1
  • 2022
    1
  • 2020
    17
  • 2019
    10
  • 2018
    8
  • 2017
    44
  • 2016
    75
  • 2015
    2
  • 2014
    2
  • 2012
    3
  • 2011
    1
  • 2009
    1
  • 2003
    1
  • 2002
    1
  • 2001
    2

What owners say

Filed Oct 29, 2026 · Engine · 210,000 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power and the vehicle decelerated. During the failure, several warning lights illuminated and unknown messages were displayed. The vehicle was driven to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the engine rod bearings had failed and informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure and informed that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V751000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 210,000.

Filed Sep 15, 2026 · Engine · NC

Heard a knocking noise in the engine, had it serviced at an independent mechanic (towed as to not create more damage and the knocking noise was louder). Mechanic told me that the rod bearing/engine had failed and would need to be replaced. $7000-$10000 for replacement. He also indicated that this was under recall for 2016-2020 cars. I checked my VIN and my car is not part of the recall but the car has 130000 miles and has been serviced regularly. I am requesting that it be part of the recall since this is a known/reported issue for this year/model. I called American Honda and they said because of the mileage and age, that it would not be part of the recall.

Filed Sep 7, 2026 · Engine · FL

"My 2016 Acura MDX completely seized on the highway after a loud knocking sound, which perfectly matches the connecting rod bearing failure under Recall 23V‑751. Even if my specific VIN isn't showing up as open on the website, I know the federal safety agency has a major open investigation into 1.4 million of these V6 engines because hundreds of vehicles are failing exactly like mine outside the original recall scope. I need Acura to open a corporate goodwill case to inspect my engine and cover this repair."

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 24, 2026 · Engine · NC

On August 3rd the vehicle began making a loud clicking/knocking noise from the engine area of the car. Took the car to Richard Bailey Automotive on August 4th for diagnosis. Was informed a week later the engine needed replacement. Have owned the car for 3 months. No warning lights except to clean the backup camera. All maintenance has been performed on the vehicle.

Filed Aug 3, 2026 · Engine · 60,000 miles · CA

The contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated that the owner reported an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine while starting the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic, where the timing belt tensioner was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The mechanic disassembled the oil filter and discovered metal shavings inside the filter. The mechanic related the failure to the federal safety agency Action Number: PE25008 (Engine). The manufacturer was notified of the failure; however, no assistance was provided because the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed Jul 10, 2026 · Engine · NC

Engine began knocking, brass colored shaving in drained oil due to bearing damage. This vin is not covered by the recall scope

Filed Jul 3, 2026 · Engine · WV

Started (first noticed)check engine light flashing turned radio down right of way and noticed engine knocking with no warning still 40% engine oil life left. Had test done P0303 misfire on cylinder 3 and rod bearing knock was told need an engine . Had all oil changes and maintenance done on time. ran my vin and unfortunately was told it is not covered under recall.

Filed Jul 1, 2026 · Engine · MD

My 2016 Acura Max sha awd has 124 k on it and the other day I was driving down the road and my engine light went on than I lost power down to 20 mph and heard a knocking noise from the engine like the rod bearing broke or something I’ve noticed the recall on the engine for some Acura 2016-2025 3.5v6 engines but Acura is saying my model car was not in the recall list which I can’t understand why if it has the same engine 3.5 v6 with the same rod barring issue as the ones on the list being recalled . The issue is with all 2016-2025 Acura Mdx models that have the 3.5 v6 in it .

Filed Jun 26, 2026 · Engine · TX

I was driving on the highway. All of a sudden, my engine started making knocking noises. Shortly after that, the car started to lose power, and immediately the low engine oil light came on. I pulled over immediately to check the engine oil level. Oil level was normal. I restarted the car, but the mechanical knocking noise was evident and did not sound right. Towed the car to the closest Acura Dealership. Diagnostics states that engine has ceased and would not crank. Replacements engine is required and would costs approx. $4200. Acura has a recall on some 2016-2020 MDX for similar engine issues, but my VIN did not qualified. The symptoms i exprienced is very similar to what was described in the recall. Acura representative denied any goodwill support/help.

Filed Jun 24, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · TX

Our 2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD has the exact same engine problem/damage caused by the Connecting Rod Bearing recall. Our vehicle displayed the exact symptoms described by countless other MDX owners including owners who have vehicles both on & not included on the current recall list.

Filed Jun 18, 2026 · Engine · MD

This make and model has the same problems with the engine rod bearings it’s the v6 3.5L

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanicalReported November 13, 2023 · 248,999 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Honda (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.
Risk
A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
Remedy
Dealers 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 April 2024, 2019 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-May 2024, 2020 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-June 2024, and 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed January 27, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XG1 and GG0.

Recall number 23V751000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2016 Acura MDX knocking

Is engine knocking or ticking a common problem on the 2016 Acura MDX?

75 of 378 owner complaints about the 2016 Acura MDX (20%) mention engine knocking or ticking. The model year with the most reports is 2016.

How much does it cost to fix engine knocking or ticking on the 2016 Acura MDX?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $8,000 (median of 12 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2016 Acura MDX?

There is 1 recall and 67 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2016 Acura MDX

Check engine light 50Engine failure 49Stalling 39Loss of power 35Jerking 27Hesitation 23Transmission failure 22Warning lights 20Won't shift 13Grinding brakes 12Fuel pump 11Harsh shifting 11Won't start 10Adaptive cruise 9Misfire 9Slipping 9Lane assist 8Fire or smoke 5Overheating 5

All model years of the Acura MDX

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