Driving home from a trip June 2019 on the highway at 60mph with 3 children and my husband, my 2016 Acura MDX experienced complete engine failure - alarms started to sound and I experienced a loss of acceleration, lights in the dash included Engine Problem, Transmission Problem, Emission System Problem, Critical Failure Detected Stop Driving When Safe etc. The vehicle shifted into neutral. I was able to pull off the road onto the shoulder. The engine was still running but would not shift into park. I contacted Acura TLC to have the vehicle towed but we were stranded on the side of a very busy highway in 90 degree heat with 3 kids waiting. Not only was it unsafe to be driving 60mph and lose engine power, I had to also negotiate three lanes of traffic to safely reach the shoulder. The dealership that serviced my vehicle stated it needed a "software update" - the vehicle was with them the week before this happened for regular maintenance and they failed to do the supposed software update. I complained about engine issue in this vehicle from the first time I took for service and nothing was ever done about my complaints. I have all my service records from Acura service indicating my complaints. In 2026 we took the vehicle back to Acura for diagnostics and were told the engine and transmission needed to be replaced due to a KNOWN issue by Honda Motor Corp with the transmission cooler system contamination. The repair estimate is $36,506.15.
2016 Acura MDX fuel system problems
32 complaints (8% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 51,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 32
- of this car's complaints
- 8%
- typical mileage
- 51,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 3
Which part fails
- Fuel injection system1
- Delivery: fuel pump1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Acura MDX fuel system problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Acura MDX fuel system
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- Honda (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.
- Risk
- Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers 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 the federal safety agency recall numbers 21V‑215 and 20V‑314.
Recall number 23V858000 · Recall details
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- Honda (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.
- Risk
- Reduced fuel pump performance can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
- Remedy
- Honda 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.
Recall number 19V060000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- Honda (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.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Honda 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).
Recall number 16V417000 · Recall details
What 2016 Acura MDX owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle hesitated, and the RPM became elevated, before the vehicle accelerated as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the failure was not duplicated. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced an unknown recall repair with a similar failure; however, the VIN was not associated. The contact was informed that the repair was not associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 107,256.
Hi, Vehicle experienced sudden loss of power and inability to accelerate while driving. Engine entered limp mode and would not rev beyond approximately 2,000 RPM. Vehicle became unsafe to operate in traffic due to lack of acceleration. Dealer diagnosed fault code P0087 (fuel rail/system pressure too low) and confirmed failure of the high-pressure fuel pump. Vehicle had hard starting, delayed throttle response, and multiple warning lights related to engine, emissions, and drivetrain systems. This appears to be a fuel system failure affecting vehicle safety. Acura previously issued fuel-system-related recall(s) for similar vehicles, and this failure occurred despite prior recall-related service. Repair cost is approximately $2,400. Failure resulted in loss of engine power and posed a safety risk, especially when attempting to merge or accelerate in traffic. Vehicle mileage is approximately 160,000 miles.
While driving on the highway this vehicle shifted into neutral and lost power. Once pulled to the side of the road, the vehicle was able to be turned off and re started. This happened to my teenage daughter without warning.
My vehicle is showing the exact same symptoms that the 2016-2018 MDX fuel pump recall is stating but my VIN number is not part of the vehicles being recalled. I reached out to Acura relations and unfortunately, they cannot provide authorization to repair my fuel pump even though my vehicle falls under the same years that this model is being recalled for. I went to an independent shop to try and understand what the problem with my vehicle is and I was told that the high pressure fuel pump seems to be failing and was asked why I have not taken the vehicle to the dealership for the fuel pump recall. Due to this issue I am unable to properly use my vehicle. If i step on the accelerator too hard, the vehicle gets engine misfires and immediately goes on limp mode.
After starting the engine, when attempting to slowly accelerate, the engine almost dies or hesitates to respond to accelerator. Dangerous situation.
“Emissions system problem” warning light has lit up on dashboard twice. This was checked and found to be a faulty code both times however, the second time it occurred, it correlated with the sway bars needing to be replaced.
The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated that the vehicle was hesitating and jerking while driving. The emissions and AWD warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was a fuel leak, and the fuel pump was replaced. After the vehicle was repaired, the contact started smelling an abnormal burning fuel odor. The contact was informed that the connector within the fuel system was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The odor had become progressively worse over time. The vehicle was returned to the dealer who determined that the fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
We have a 2016 Acura MDX and it has automatically shifted to Neutral 3 times (twice while driving on the freeway and 1x yesterday while driving on the street at normal speeds) in the last 2 months. On the MDX dashboard, it will display "Emissions System Problem" and then display "Stop Driving When Safe. Transmission Problem. See Manual." However, the car will automatically shift to Neutral within seconds. My children's lives (7 y/o and 5 y/o) were placed in danger as a result of this system failure. I have contacted the Acura Honda Recall Specialists and Client Relations Representatives. The car is being diagnosed at Cerritos Acura dealership at the present time. A case number has been filed since our VIN shows no recall, despite it having recalls for other 2016 Acura MDXs.
Faulty fuel pump
Questions about the 2016 Acura MDX fuel system
Does the 2016 Acura MDX have fuel system problems?
Owners have filed 32 complaints about the fuel system of the 2016 Acura MDX, 8% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2016 Acura MDX fuel system problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 51,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Acura MDX fuel system?
Yes, 3 recalls: 23V858000, 19V060000, 16V417000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Acura MDX have the most fuel system problems?
The Acura MDX model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2018 (51 complaints), 2019 (43 complaints) and 2016 (32 complaints).
Other 2016 Acura MDX problems
Engine 173Transmission 113Electrical 38Driver assistance 26Body 21Acceleration 19Brakes 13Steering 12Lights 11Suspension 8Airbags 7Visibility 4Seat belts 2Seats 2Wheels 2Tires 1
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