2016 Acura MDX: jerking or lurching

Filed Nov 18, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · CA

When car is started, attempting to slowly accelerate in reverse or forward you will experience a loss of drive power, transmission does nothing. Then all of a sudden transmission responds and you lurch forward or reverse. Very unsafe situation. Other cars not sure if your moving or stationary.

Filed May 8, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · CA

I purchased the vehicle in 2017. It was certified used by acura dealer but it was practically new; less than a year old with 10,000 miles on it. About a month or so after purchasing I started noticing a an issue when pressing on the gas and the vehicle not responding and a few seconds later it would suddenly jerk trying to catch up to the gear it should be on. Right away I took it to dealership for them to inspect and they said the vehicle needed a "software update" and it should be fine after that. Long story short, it is now 2025 I've taken the vehicle in for a "software update" more times than I can count and I am still living with the same problem. On occasion it gets better and sometimes it gets worse. Especially at higher speeds when the gears seem to go to neutral for a few seconds and then re-engage again on its own which cause jerking/stalling motion.

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 Jun 23, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · 41,000 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would stall. The contact also stated that the vehicle would jerk when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact stated the information and engine warning lights were illuminated on the control panel. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the transmission needing to be updated. The vehicle was repaired but the failure still occurred. The contact was relating the failure to the federal safety agency campaign number: 19V060000 (Fuel System, Other). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and the contact filed a claim. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.

Filed Mar 29, 2021 · Transmission · 28,000 miles · TX

For at least the past four years, my mdx has been "catching" while accelerating and lurching at other times. If I have to step on it to get through traffic or want to pass and I accelerate, the car will jerk. This is most noticeable at 40 MPH because that's the speed I'm driving at most often. It also happens at higher speeds when on the interstate. I have taken it in to the dealer numerous times, but they just keep telling me there is nothing they can do about it and they blow me off.

Filed Aug 10, 2019 · Transmission · 27,961 miles · MN

Purchased the car 7/6/2019 used with 26,943 miles. At 27,961 miles I was driving on the freeway in stop and go traffic. Pressed on the accelerator after a stop and the car jerked and I heard a loud "clunk". Warning lights appeared for "transmission system problem" and "blind spot warning malfunction". The car seemed to stay in first or second gear as I slowly exited the freeway at high RPM. Had it towed to the acura dealer. Transmission replaced as a result.

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 Apr 16, 2019 · Brakes · 45,716 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 acura mdx. The contact stated that the vehicle slid when the brake pedal was depressed. Prior to the failure, the vehicle lurched forward. The contact had to apply more pressure than usual to the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. In addition, the brake indicator was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to toyota expressway (700 morrissey blvd, boston, ma 02122, (855) 814-9680) where it was diagnosed that new brakes needed to be installed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,716.

Filed Apr 14, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 60,000 miles · CA

When slowing down at a yield or a right turn on a green light to about 5-10 MPH and then when pushing on the gas pedal there is no acceleration. The car feels like it loses power and then after a second or two, the car will jerk and accelerate very quickly while reving the RPM very high. This has happened on numerous occasions and is extremely dangerous when making a right turn. There have been times where I make the turn and the car does not accelerate and then there are cars behind me that must swerve to avoid me.

Filed Apr 11, 2019 · Transmission · 31,000 miles · IL

Transmission has jerks and slips. These problems were addressed to dealership 4 times after purchase. First two visits they changed transmission software. Each time transmission worked worse then before update. On 3 and 4th visit answer was - "this is acura's design". On jan 21 current year while trying to start from intersection turning to the right transmission lost any traction/torgue for 1-2 seconds after start moving. Engine RPM went up to 6-7 RPM without any traction to the wheels. This almost LED to the accident but truck driver moving straight was able to break in and change his trajectory. On jan 23d it happened again on stop sign when car refused to start for few seconds while engine RPM was in almost red zone. Both happened on country road. These were the coldest winter days (less than -20 f) and transmission acted worse. All other time it "jerks" and "slips" intermittently during driving without crucial consequences so far. Attached is service report from 2d visit to the service within first month of ownership.

Filed Mar 4, 2019 · Transmission · 12,666 miles · WA

There were a number of incidents prior to 16 february 2018 where the care jerked while coming to a stop and hesitated on acceleration possibly related to transmission misshifting. We took our car into an acura dealer on 16 february 2018 but the issue was not resolved.

Filed Mar 1, 2019 · Electrical, Transmission · 8,699 miles · WA

Vehicle jerked while stopping (in motion), vehicle would hesitate on acceleration (in motion or from a stop), this was followed by flashing error lights. The vehicle was inoperable and had to be towed in by acura service.