2016 Acura MDX: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Mar 31, 2026 · Fuel system · 107,256 miles · NJ

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.

Filed Apr 7, 2025 · Transmission · CA

Vehicle started having issues just a couple of years after purchase (acquired brand new as a Lease which I later purchased when the Lease was up), in the beginning it was mostly at low speeds, but it would occasionally happen at higher speeds as well. You could feel it having hesitation when shifting gears. Took it to the dealer at around the 30K miles due for service (May of 2019). Had the transmission fluid replaced, dealer noted some "debris" was found. The problem quickly showed up again soon after this service, so the vehicle was brought back to the dealer for further checkup a couple of times, the result was always the same, no problem found, and the vehicle was OK to drive. I have lived with this problem ever since and on occasion it got even worse at higher speeds (around 65mph) when the gears seemed to go to neutral for a few seconds and then re-engage again on its own. Knowing that the car had always acted funny and the fact that the dealer never found any issues, I thought it must be more of the same. Finally, a couple of weeks ago (March 25 of 2025) the transmission gave up completely while my wife was driving the car, luckily it was not in a highway, she had enough time to pull to the side of the road but once the car stopped, it would not get into gear again. I have called the dealer for assistance, but they tell me the car is not under warranty anymore and there is no recall pending for this VIN, they could take it in, but the repairs would not be covered by them. This has prompted me to look into the issue further and found out that Acura issued a service bulleting number 17-026 back in 2018 which describes the same symptoms as what I describe above, they extended the warranty to 10 years but when I called them they say that it does not apply to my VIN because of a different manufacturing location (despite the fact that the symptoms are the same). Came to find out that other owners have had the same issue over the years.

Filed Feb 3, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

After starting the engine, when attempting to slowly accelerate, the engine almost dies or hesitates to respond to accelerator. Dangerous situation.

Filed Nov 4, 2024 · Fuel system · 90,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Apr 16, 2024 · Body, Transmission · CA

There are two parts to this complaint. The issue regarding the transmission is potentially a safety issue and could result in an accident, while the peeling paint problem is already addressed in the Acura Service Bulletin 19-029 for VINs other than mine. Both are well documented problems that have been experienced by other 2016 Acura MDX owners. The transmission issue is an intermittent problem while accelerating and decelerating. There is a abrupt hesitation, or surging. While coating down a steep hil, the transmission will stay in gear at very high revs instead of shifting. These are an annoyance, but the acceleration problem could cause someone to hit the car from behind in heavy traffic situations. Some individuals note on the internet that their engines would accually stall when accelerating. I have brought my vehicle into the Acura Dealership on a number of occasions without the problem being resolved. The paint issue involves the white diamond pearl paint coming off the roof and is already addressed in Acura Service Bulleting 19-029. It is unthinkable that only some VINs are covered while others are not, if the same exact problem seems to exist on non-listed VINs. Honda Motor Company indicated that they would not add additional VINS unless directed to by the federal safety agency. Please have Honda extend the warranty on ALL 2016 Acura MDX models with the same problem.

Filed Feb 14, 2023 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle hesitated and then accelerated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

Filed Jul 31, 2021 · Engine · MA

when air conditioner is running in hot summer days, the car hesitates to restart (sometimes) following idle stop engine shutoff after coming to a full stop at a stop sign or red light. I strongly feel this is a safety concern as this impedes traffic and can causes road rage. If needed I can share video of this situation recurring time to time. Car starts just fine every single time outside of idle stop situations and battery health is near perfect. There are hundreds of forums talking about this exact condition across acura models.

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 Aug 4, 2020 · Transmission · 43,500 miles · CA

- vehicle lost power the other day had to pull over luckily was still in residential corridor at 35mph with no other vehicles around. Transmission problems include: erratic shifting, sensation of acceleration when coasting down hills, surging when braking, transmission feels like it stays in various gears too long. During slight acceleration from a stop, experience both hesitation and surges and transmission feels rough at low speeds. Also experience poor acceleration and bogging at low speeds. Erratic shifting and speed changes occurring daily.

Filed May 6, 2020 · Transmission · 35,000 miles · MA

When the engine is cold the car hesitates when it shifts into 2nd & 3rd gears. It almost stalls. I have almost been hit numerous times at intersections. The dealer says nothing is wrong, yet 2 loaners that were similar ages & miles didn't do that. The problem goes away after the car is driven a few miles. Happens every day.

Filed Jan 20, 2020 · Transmission · 29,000 miles · GA

Since we purchased this car we have issues with the vehicle where it is hesitating to accelerate when going from 0 MPH to 30 MPH. We took it to the dealership and they updated the software for the powertrain but still the vehicle has acceleration issues when going from 0 to 40 miles per hour. We have researched this issue on internet and it seems like lots of people owning acura are having this issue. This issue is attributed to new 7 speed transmission that acura built. It looks like a saftey issue since the vehicle would not accelerate after stopping at traffic light or stopping to take right and re accelerating.

Filed Oct 21, 2019 · Engine · 92,321 miles · IL

April 25,2019 driving from illinois to ms at 75 MPH on interstate and applied break for upcoming construction zone and all warning system lights flash through dash and care immediately started slowing and had no acceleration at all. Disabled all safety features. Road departure, brake system, ect. Pulled over to side of road. Restarted several times and all but two lights remained on so called dealer. Two lights remained flashing and car now seemed to drive ok so could be brought to dealer about 80 miles away. Memphis acura dealer wanted to keep car because they indicated transmission issue but since lights were reset they said take to dealer if comes on again. Mileage 92,321. Called peoria il acura dealer a week later to check on issue and they said code was imply a glitch. July 28, 2019 driving 40 MPH in town and all safety lights came on dash. Disable ed all safety features of vehicle. Restarted several times and eventually all lights but two remained on. A few hours later all lights were now off. Make appointment with peoria il acura dealer. Mileage 97,974. Peoria dealer said the lights some on because we needed our 105,000 servicing which includes about $1500 in service like plugs and timing belt. I challenge their claim (not at the mileage) that acura would cause a serious safety issue for us all to get us to do the service. They said unfortunately that is what happens. Next week had spark plugs replaced since they said that caused misfire code. August 21 2019 at 99,800 mileage driving 40 MPH all safety lights on car lost power and hesitated and then quickly went off. October 6 2019 at 105,392 mileage driving on interstate in illinois at about 75 MPH and applied break for rest stop and all lights on and this time rpms rose to between 5/6. Drove 20 MPH on side to rest stop. Restarted several times and only two lights remained. Car drivable.