2016 Acura MDX: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Oct 12, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · MD

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.

Filed May 4, 2026 · Engine · 148,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated that upon start of the vehicle, the engine entered limp mode as a check engine light appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle failed to accelerate above 35 MPH as the contact was forced to restart the vehicle. The vehicle resumed normal driving after restart and the contact called the dealer for an appointment. While driving the vehicle to the dealer, the failure returned as an abnormal, banging sound began to emit from the vehicle. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with rod bearing connector failure which resulted in engine failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency Action Number:PE25008(Engine) which the contact linked to the failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure where he was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall and was offered the chance to apply for a goodwill financial assistance for the repair of the engine. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the dealer's possession. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.

Filed Jan 30, 2026 · Fuel system · MA

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.

Filed Jul 18, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · NJ

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.

Filed Dec 16, 2024 · Engine · OH

This occurrence with the vehicle happened in October of 2023 and I no longer own it. The only reason I'm reporting it today is because of the news reports I've been seeing about a possible investigation into the exact issue I experienced. I started to hear a knock from the engine that got progressively worse over the course of a week. I made an appointment to have it looked at, but before I could even make it to that appointment multiple dash lights and warnings started showing up on the meter combi. Engine light was the first to appear followed by the transmission light, then the vehicle went into "limp mode." It wouldn't go over 30mph and eventually just shut itself off; every warning lamp on the dash was on. It was towed to a local Acura dealership where the service tech diagnosed the issue and stated it was a connecting rod bearing that had worn prematurely and there was movement in the piston. I had them check for a recall then and my VIN was not on the list so I proceeded to source a motor and have another shop swap it for much cheaper. That being said, I would very much like to be reimbursed for the costs I incurred. I have multiple documents and at one point had a video that the dealership tech sent me showing the defect. Not sure if they can provide that now or not.

Filed Oct 28, 2024 · Engine · TX

Driving on the highway for the car to idle, slow down and shut off, causing us to go to the shoulder in a busy intersection. No fore warning just died and won’t start. Waited 20-30 minute to restart. The car will start but will not shift to neutral or drive.

Filed Oct 11, 2021 · Transmission · NC

Every since I've owned my 2016 Acura MDX I've had infrequent, and intermittent transmission issues. Several have been safety concerns: - Transmission is slow to engage when first pushing accelerator, leading to unexpected lag pulling into traffic - Transmission did not shift into park as expected, causing car to keep moving as I was opening door and starting to step out - Transmission slips and does not respond when accelerating to merge into fast lane on highway to pass slower traffic. Car speed stalls and you have to let off the gas and wait for a few seconds before the transmission reengages. - Overall horrible/hard shifting all the time... to which we're told... the car learns your driving style. We've reset it multiple times to try to get it to start learning again. No luck. - After coasting on highway, very hard shift with loud noise when you go to hit the accelerator All of these situations have happened numerous times over the past 2 years of owning this car. All of them infrequent, but also unexpected... leaving you to really worry if this is the time the transmission is going to let you down and cause you to wreck. Dealer now says a new transmission is needed, but I waited until 78,000 miles to first report it, so it's out of warranty now. Hoping Acura will step up and address this serious safety issue with the 9 speed transmission.

Filed Dec 26, 2020 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · 75,000 miles · GA

While driving on local road all of a sudden the 3 errors came on the dash board transmission system problem, emission system problem, and blind spot system problem, engine light came on. When this happens the transmission doesn't shift right and grinding of the gear is heard, car quickly slow down. After stopping and start up again, errors still there but transmission could not shift into higher gears and car tops out at 30mph. This has happened 4 times in the last few days and we are now scared to drive the car local roads, highway would be bad until we get it fixed at the dealership. This is potentially a very dangerous situation if the car loses power at an intersection.

Filed Feb 9, 2020 · Transmission · 59,496 miles · WI

Attempted to accelerate with pedal while at freeway speeds and after canceling cruise control, vehicle does not accelerate, downshifts instantly to 2nd gear, multiple warning lights on dash, main display reads 'emissions system problem'. Accelerator function returns but transmission is stuck in 2nd gear at freeway speeds and very high engine RPM. Must make emergency stop on side of road and restart vehicle to remedy. Check engine light and 'emissions system problem' warning remain for a day or two following an incident but vehicle drives ok. This issue has occurred on 4 separate occasions. Took to acura dealer after 3rd incident and dealer reported no trouble found.

Filed Jan 21, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 39,500 miles · MD

The vehicle shifted to neutral while driving at 70 MPH and the dash started showing transmission and fuel system errors. The vehicle would not shift back to drive mode. After pulling over to the shoulder and turning the vehicle off and on the vehicle could not be put in drive. After about 30 minutes of repeatedly turning off and on the vehicle shifted to drive and was drive able. This could have lead to an accident if there were vehicles behind me.

Filed Jan 11, 2018 · 49,930 miles · OH

Problem: on january 06 2018 mileage (49,930) while driving 60-68 MPH for approximately 20minutes between indianapolis and martinsville in, I attempted to accelerate, move to the left land and pass. I pressed the accelerator and that when the problem occurred: 1)the car wouldn't accelerate, 2)the 'd' light begin flashing 3)would not shift, even using paddles 4)transmission 'malfunction' light 5)tachometer was at approximately 4500 RPM @50 MPH 6)emissions light started flashing 7)yellow engine icon was on, 8)blind spot not working indicator was on. I made it to a parking lot, turned the car off, went into a store for less than 10 minutes, and restarted the car. Items 1-5 and 8 were no longer flashing, and the car drove and shifted normally. I arrived at my destination, turned the car off for 5-7 hours, stared it, and items 6 and 7 above no longer appeared on the dashboard. This was the 3rd time the car had 'mis-shifted' under those same driving conditions (60-68 MPH for approximately 20minutes, but the first time I'd gotten and flashing transmission indicator and the rest as stated in items #1-8 above. I am very concerned about these transmission/software problems. When it occurs it truly does create a safety issue as the car no longer accelerates and only forward momentum is moving the car forward.

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.