2017 Acura MDX: engine stalls while driving

Filed Oct 15, 2026 · Body, Driver assistance · NY · crash

As I was driving in a stop and go traffic jam, the vehicle would not go forward although I was pressing on the gas pedal, the engine stall and when it finally reacted after pressing it for the second time it went too fast that I couldn’t stop in time to avoid rear ending the other vehicle, the emergency braking system did not function properly either. This has happened multiple times even when I driven on highways and there’s incoming traffic and the engine goes on stall. But this time it led to an unavoidable accident. I have been concerned for a long time about this issue but I have never received a recall to remedy this problem.

Filed Aug 24, 2026 · Engine, Lights · CO

On my 2017 Acura MDX SH-AWD with approximately 112,000 miles, the engine experienced a sudden catastrophic failure while I was traveling at highway speed. The vehicle abruptly lost power, the accelerator became unresponsive, smoke came from the vehicle hood and exhaust area, and multiple warning lights illuminated. The failure occurred with no advance warning and created a serious safety risk because I suddenly lost propulsion while traveling approximately 75 mph in highway traffic. An independent repair facility inspected the vehicle and reported that connecting rod/bearing failure resulted in catastrophic engine damage. I was advised that two connecting rods/bearings failed and caused holes in the engine block, with a rod/component also damaging the A/C compressor. Oil subsequently leaked from the damaged engine. Prior to the sudden failure, I did not have warning lights or other indications suggesting an imminent engine failure. The warning lights appeared during or immediately after the loss of power. The vehicle has been inspected by a repair facility and the engine requires replacement. The vehicle/failed components can be made available for inspection upon request. I am particularly concerned because Acura has previously recalled certain vehicles for connecting rod bearing failures that can result in engine damage, stalling, or loss of motive power. My vehicle is the same model year and has experienced an apparently similar catastrophic connecting rod/bearing failure, but my VIN is not currently included in the recall 23V‑751. I am submitting this complaint so the federal safety agency can evaluate whether the affected population may extend beyond the VINs currently covered in that recall. This is also linked to the federal safety agency’s new investigation PE25008.

Filed Jun 29, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · 97,000 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle lost power and stalled in the middle of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. Additionally, the transmission failed to shift out of park(P). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

Filed Mar 29, 2026 · Driver assistance · CA

I am reporting a major safety failure on my 2017 Acura MDX regarding the forward-facing multipurpose camera. Out of nowhere, the camera failed and triggered a cascade of warning lights across my entire dashboard. Because of this hardware defect, all of the critical safety systems—including the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS), and Adaptive Cruise Control—are now completely disabled. Having these emergency systems shut down while driving in traffic is a serious safety hazard. Furthermore, the constant flashing of 5 or 6 different warning lights on the dash is a massive distraction while trying to operate the vehicle. This is a well-documented hardware failure in these models, and it shouldn't be left to the owners to pay thousands of dollars to fix a primary safety component that failed prematurely. This needs to be investigated as a mandatory safety recall before these failures lead to an accident.

Filed Sep 5, 2025 · Engine · MD

Crank shaft connecting-rod bearing I’m hearing knocking and stalling when driving especially when making a turn. I have been in que since March 2025

Filed Jul 6, 2025 · Transmission · CA

While travelling at highway speeds, I removed my foot from the accelerator to adjust speed for a lane change. When changing lanes and acceleration was then needed, there was no response from the engine for ~5 seconds. I depressed the accelerator several times with no response, which nearly caused an accident during the lane change. The engine did not stall. Eventually, the engine responded to the accelerator input. This has occurred multiple times under similar circumstances.

Filed Mar 27, 2025 · Engine · 129,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal knocking sound. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop onto the highway the following day, several unknown warning lights were illuminated, and a message advising to park the vehicle was displayed. The contact stated that while attempting to make a turn to drive back to the residence, the vehicle stalled in the middle of the road. The contact and her children, who were occupying the vehicle, were significantly frightened. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts; however, the vehicle made an abnormally loud grinding sound. The contact was able to drive back to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine was damaged due to rod bearing failure. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under warranty or recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance in adding the VIN to the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

Filed Jan 9, 2025 · Driver assistance, Electrical · GA

I reported these issues to Acura corporate and to Jackson Acura, dealership I purchased the vehicle from in February 2024. Beginning in July 2024 the vehicle would stall, de-accelerate then the automatic brake would engage, and the vehicle would go into "N" mode, Neutral and lock up. I was able to press the gas pedal a few times, and the vehicle would come back online and drive. This issue happens about every 100 miles driven. On [XXX] the vehicle suddenly de-accelerated, went into auto brake mode and then shifted into neutral. On this date the vehicle locked up suddenly to an abrupt stop, we were almost impacted in the rear with two other vehicles having to take evasive action to avoid hitting us. My wife and I were lucky not to injured by the sudden brake, or transmission lock up. There were no other issues with the vehicle until this date, other than the stall issue. It seems the system had a sudden catastrophic failure. the car has been maintained with oil changes, new battery and transmission service. The car was shutdown then restarted. All the lights on the dash were on and the vehicle was unable to shift to any gear. The vehicle had to be towed to my home address. I was advised to have the vehicle towed to a dealer for diagnostics at my expense. It is currently at Nalley Acura, Marietta, Ga being diagnosed for the issues. The vehicle has 74,000 miles currently. It was purchased with 57,700 miles from Jacson Acura as a certified Acura used vehicle. The Acura dealer and Acura corporate both stated my VIN # was not included in the recalls. It should be included in the recalls as it has the same issues as other Acura models. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 13, 2024 · Engine · IL

The car stalled at a traffic light and could not start again. The engine had seized, and I had to pay to replace it. There is a known recall with this year make and model.

Filed Feb 29, 2024 · Engine · 112,000 miles · AR

The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH uphill, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact observed a clanking noise emanating from the engine compartment and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not able to be restarted. Additionally, the contact observed condensation underneath the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000. The contact stated the reason for the engine seizing was due to broken connecting rods #2 & #5. The mechanic stated the only other reason the engine would seize is due to not having any oil at all in the vehicle, but there was oil present in the vehicle so it couldn't be that and that it was the connecting rods bearings breaking that caused it.

Filed Nov 27, 2023 · Engine · FL

All lights lit up on dashboard with no previous sounds, knocking, or issues. Upon getting the vehicle towed, the dealership said that the CAM Shaft and sensor needs to be replaced. Which is approximately a 4K dollar repair. Upon further inspection. The dealership showed me a copy of a 2018 notice where this was a known issue with a specific code of C0369 where it states that there should be no repairs but only replacment of the complete unit and that the machining of this part is know to have substandard machining spec issues which will cause the shaft to erode. This vehicle only has 67,589 miles on it. (which is out of warranty by 6800 miles.) All of the information that I have investigated states that the only way a CAM shaft goes bad is insufficient lubrication, improper break-in, reusing old/worn components, mechanical interferences, and inferior hardware/hardware not torqued to spec. I beleive this issue needs to be further investigated especially since there is also the new recall which states the crank shaft rod bearing was also failing due to the original machining was out of spec. In addidtion, if this was a known issue withthe CAM Shaft since 2018, why was I not notified and why is this not a recall? The dealership currently has 3 other cars in its service area with the same known issue. Of note, this vehicle was running fine when it was parked and upon starting the car and going approximately 5 mile per hour, all warning lights lit up and said to place the car in park. No other prior warnings or issues to speak of other than stalling when stopped at a red light.

Filed Aug 12, 2023 · Transmission · SC

When pulling into traffic the car wants to hesitate almost like stalling when going from 1st to 2nd gear 1st thing in the morning. Almost causing a crash it does it every morning after the car is driving the car for a while it no longer does it. There are no check engine lights on