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2016 Acura MDX steering problems

12 complaints (3% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 45,903. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
12
of this car's complaints
3%
typical mileage
45,903
crashes
1
recalls
0

Which part fails

Owners did not name a specific part.

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Acura MDX steering problems in other years

200120052010201520202025

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2016 Acura MDX owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 8, 2026 · Engine, Steering · NY

I am filing a safety and compliance complaint regarding execution of Federal Recall Campaign #26V365 by Valley Stream Acura and sales fraud by Paragon Acura. I purchased this 2016 Acura MDX from Paragon Acura on May 29, 2026. I have driven it only 550 miles, placing it strictly within the statutory New York State 60-Day Used Car Lemon Law Warranty window. A certified 6-page independent ASE forensic report documents that Valley Stream Acura bolted the federal recall brackets directly onto severely cracked rear control arms and rusted struts without disclosure. Furthermore, Paragon Acura forced a brand-new front control arm link onto a deeply pitted, scaling, and structurally compromised front steering knuckle to mask pre-sale defects, signing a false NYS highway safety certification. The vehicle was released to me with a bone-dry, empty engine cooling loop, creating an immediate fire hazard. Acura Corporate (Case #16437213) refuses to issue a corrective directive, willfully leaving a non-compliant vehicle on public roads.

Filed Jun 24, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · PA

I started the vehicle and steering wheel was frozen and EPS, Brake, and lane departure lights on the dash. I shut the car off and let it sit for five minutes. Restarted and the steering wheel came back to normal. but all light remained on. I drove the car about half a mile and the lights went off. When I got home, I shut the car off and started it again. The wheel was frozen again, and all the lights came back on. I shut the car off and re-started and steering came back on. I'm afraid this will happen again but while I'm driving. I looked up the issue but no recall but a lot of complaints with same problem. I cannot drive like this for it can be dangerous if I'm driving and lose control of the vehicle and hurt someone or myself. I took the car to a mechanic, but he said there is no current issues just stored codes. Today I had the same problem.

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 Nov 18, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · MI

I am [XXX] and I have owned Honda/Acura since I was 16 yrs old. My last vehicle was a Honda Odyssey minivan with 423K when I donated it, running well to a family that fostered kids! I bought a new 2016 Acura MDX and now it is 8 years old and has 180K on it. I get the oil changed and other normal service maintenance done only at Honda or Acura dealerships. I have never had a car accident and I take care of the maintenance early. All of a sudden, on Friday, [XXX], I had just started driving ( ~20 minutes in the car) and every light started flashing and the car sounded funny and it was hard to drive. I immediately got off the highway and found a repair place (Red's auto repair) right off the exit. They had me shut off the car. Then they checked the oil, which was showing 70%, and I had just had it changed less than 1000 miles earlier, and it had plenty of oil. They told me I could not drive the car! They said "something is wrong with the engine". Currently, LaFontaine Acura has my car. I have a loaner from them. They said it "spun a bearing" in the engine. Apparently there is a recall for this same problem for my year, make and model, but "currently" my VIN number is not included? And, it is the exact same problem bearing from the recall! THIS IS CRAZY! My car has been well taken care of and I would expect it to get at least 350k miles at least before any issues. If the same problem was recalled for other cars, why not mine? It is un-drivable now. I think that Honda has changed their manufacturing because in 43 years of driving Hondas they always are reliable and work well for years and years. My 5 adult kids drive Hondas as well! Never a problem. I think I got a vehicle with a defect that should not be, especially when the car has always been maintained so well, with the service records to show that. PLEASE HELP GET THIS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR SAFETY! What is my next step to ensure that my car is included? Thank you very much INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

Filed Sep 15, 2023 · Steering, Suspension · MA

We have taken our 2016 Acura MDX to our local dealer three times in the past to complain about noises (clicking and thumping) coming from the front end of the vehicle. Each time the vehicle was under warranty and the response we got from the dealer was "no problem found". Two weeks ago (02Sept2023) we took the Acura MDX to the same local dealer and are told both of the front control arms need to be replaced. Since we are no longer under warranty it would cost us $1559.78 to replace both. And we are also informed that control arms on this vehicle do wear out frequently and they keep a supply on hand to replace the for the many customers that have had the same problem. While we have not had a direct safety problem with this car yet, the car is relatively young and does not have high mileage or rough use. Based on the fact that this Acura dealer has experienced many problems with this vehicles control arms I would like to register the problem with the federal safety agency to investigate further.

Filed Oct 10, 2019 · Steering · 140,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 acura mdx. While turning the vehicle, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer and the manufacturer were not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Sep 17, 2019 · Electrical, Steering · 72,000 miles · AZ

Vehicle had an electronic failure (eps) which caused a loss of steering control. Vehicle was in motion in our driveway.

Filed Apr 18, 2019 · Driver assistance, Steering · 45,903 miles · CA

After the 19-019 and 19-011 recall software update on 04/13/19 we started experiencing the vehicle displaying and motioning steering wheel lane departure when the lane assist is not turned on. This issue happens when the vehicle is in motion crossing to another lane on city streets. We have not drove the vehicle on the highway and are afraid the steer assist will jerk the vehicle at high speeds. We did not experience these issue until after the recall software update.

Filed Dec 20, 2017 · Steering · 17,300 miles · CA · crash

I was driving straight on a residential street at around 20-25 MPH when all of a sudden I hear a loud snapping sound. I immediately lost all control of the vehicle and it jerked hard to the right hitting two parked vehicles. Upon inspection, it appears as though the rear control arm on the passenger side front wheel snapped, causing me to lose control.

Filed May 24, 2016 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 1,300 miles · CA

At 1300 miles. Vehicle exhibited a condition where the entire electrical system failed, triggering alerts for every system. Emissions, stability, every safety function, brakes, steering. Vehicle went into some kind of failsafe mode where the transmission did not shift well at all, and the car was barely drivable. Vehicle did this twice over a weekend. Took it to acura, and after an analysis they blamed "bad gas." this is an excuse as the vehicle only had 1300 miles on it and had only had 2 fill ups, and both were with top tier premium gasoline. In addition, I do not believe some "bad" gas should cause the entire vehicle to go completely haywire shutting every system off. This seems to be a major flaw if so. However, as I don't believe the analysis that it was "bad gas", I think acura handled the situation wrong and is simply using an excuse rather then determining why some sort of electrical condition caused this massive failure of the vehicle.

Questions about the 2016 Acura MDX steering

Does the 2016 Acura MDX have steering problems?

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the steering of the 2016 Acura MDX, 3% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2016 Acura MDX steering problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 45,903 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2016 Acura MDX steering?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Acura MDX have bad steering?

The Acura MDX model years with the most steering complaints are 2014 (38 complaints), 2022 (19 complaints) and 2016 (12 complaints).

Other 2016 Acura MDX problems

Engine 173Transmission 113Electrical 38Fuel system 32Driver assistance 26Body 21Acceleration 19Brakes 13Lights 11Suspension 8Airbags 7Visibility 4Seat belts 2Seats 2Wheels 2Tires 1

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