2019 Acura MDX: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Oct 7, 2026 · Engine · NC

Dec. 16, 2025, took Acura into the dealership because Check Engine light kept coming on. They did a full inspection and said I needed to have the purge valve replaced and that it was nearing time to have other services: transmission service, front transfer case, rear differential, brake fluid, timing belt, spark plugs, fuel service. Took the diagnostic to my brother who is a mechanic and he started the work starting with the purge valve. He had already done spark plugs with oil change in Oct. 2026. Fast forward to Apr. 2026 my car starts making a weird knocking sound upon accelerating. My brother was in hospital at this time so I didn't want to stress him so I just stopped driving it. I had the other stuff done at shop he recommended but the knocking sound didn't stop. Brother told me to get it diagnosed again. Now Sept. 2026, they said I need a whole new engine, and that Acura would not cover it! What!? They felt so badly they didn't even charge me for the diagnostic. I took it to two other shops just to see if there was anything else that could be done but they all told me the same thing. It's a 2019 how on earth could it need a new engine. I've gotten ALL the work done that is recommended. I didn't even drive it when it started making that noise. My husband and I have been sharing 1 vehicle! I have not missed an oil change and had all recalls repaired there but the dealership told me since I didn't do the services in the dealership at a premium that Acura would not extend me a Goodwill to replace their faulty engine. Why would I do the work at the dealer when my brother is a mechanic and owns his own shop? I believe my engine is suffering the same issues that are causing millions of Acura owners the same dangerous recall. The last place I took the car was the Acura/Honda Specialists shop in the city where I live and this guy told me everything that was serviced looked good but the car needs a new engine and there's even metal in the oil but my VIN doesn't count!

Filed May 6, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · GA

I am reporting a recurring safety issue following the Acura rod bearing recall repair on my 2019 Acura MDX SH-AWD. The original recall resulted in catastrophic engine failure and Acura replaced the long block assembly. Since that repair, the vehicle has repeatedly failed and returned to the dealership multiple times for the same issue pattern. Symptoms include: * “Emissions System Problem” warning * SH-AWD, brake, and traction control warnings * strong raw gasoline odor * vehicle becoming undriveable/no-start Timeline: * Recall repair completed with long block replacement * Vehicle failed again the next day * Dealer repaired vehicle * Vehicle failed again about one month later * Dealer repaired vehicle again * Vehicle failed a third time about one week later during normal commuting The recurring failures are accompanied by a strong gasoline smell, creating concern about fire risk and vehicle safety. I regularly transport children in this vehicle and no longer have confidence in the safety or reliability of the recall repair. The dealership has continued repairing the vehicle and providing loaners, indicating the issue is related to the original recall repair, but the underlying problem has still not been resolved despite multiple repair attempts. I am submitting this report because the recall repair has not resulted in safe and reliable vehicle operation.

Filed Feb 7, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · GA

While driving at highway speed, the vehicle suddenly lost the ability to accelerate. Immediately prior to this, the vehicle was making an abnormal engine noise, which continued until the failure. "Drive" light turned off and the "Neutral" turned on its own. I tried to get it to shift back to "Drive" and it wouldn't. I pulled off to the side of the highway. The engine stalled and the vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was towed from the highway and we were told to have it towed to Acura dealer in the morning. This incident occurred while Recall 23V‑751 (engine connecting rod bearing defect) was open and incomplete.

Filed Dec 2, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · MD

Since the purchase of my Acura MDX 2019, the following problems have been reported to the dealership and to Honda Manufacturing Inc. without any resolution. The dealer shop has replaced recall parts, but the problems persist and have not gone away. The vehicle stalls and stops working while driving. The engine makes knocking/rattling noises upon becoming disabled while driving.The engine would randomly not start when turning it on. When car becomes disabled the dashboard lights up warning lights displaying messages intermittently of the following problems: Anti-Lock Brake System Problem (ABS), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Hill Start Assist, Trailer Stability Assist, Collision Mitigation System, Road Departure Mitigation System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Brake System, Brake Hold System, Electric Parking Brake, SH-AWD, Keyless Start System and Power Steering System (EPS) Problems, while displaying ACC and LWKS codes. Additionally, the vehicle runs improperly and shuts down completely making the window, doors, etc, inoperable while passengers are inside locking me in and my entire family for long periods of time. A few times has left me either myself or with my children and dog inside. The only place where I take my car for services is where I purchased it (Chevy Chase Acura). The issues noted are the same reported by the recalls I have received, and I have not taken it somewhere else because of that reason. Nobody can fix them as the problems are manufacturing issues that even Acura/Honda cannot repair. This safety defect can kill or seriously injure me, my passengers, and other drivers on the road. As noted in one of the many recalls the fuel pump defect can cause the vehicle to stop in the highway and could prevent an engine from starting or cause a vehicle to stall while being driven, it potentially increases the risk of a fire, crash, or injury. My car continues to have these issues and nobody is helping me. Please help!

Filed Oct 7, 2024 · CA

We have had several recall on this automobile. The 2 outstanding recalls are almost a year old. One is for the fuel pump and the other is the connecting rod bearing. My wife is afraid to drive the car long distances because of this. We would like the dealer to buy the vehicle back if they can't perform the repairs.

Filed Sep 3, 2024 · Engine · VA

Engine poweer failure while driving at highway speed. Vehicle could not maintain allowed highway speed (above 45 mph) while moving in fast traffic. First warning indicator appeared after driver noticed loss of power while driving 60 mph. Independent service center confirmed error code p0304, misfiring cylinder. Could not identify problem with spark plug or ignition coil. Technition found engine knocking during diagnostic exam.

Filed Apr 29, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · GA

I have three recalls on my vehicle. I am trying to get them serviced and the Acura dealership is stating that they do not know when they can service the fuel pump because they haven't created/issued any parts. They will not let me book to service/fix the connector rod bearing before August. I am concerned with the safety of my vehicle due to these recalls and not being able to get them fixed ASAP.

Filed Apr 21, 2024 · Engine · PA

In March, I made an appointment at Lehigh Valley Acura in Emmaus, PA 18049, to address the federal safety agency Recall Number 23V‑751 on my 2019 Acura MDX. When I got to the appointment on [XXX], the service technician told me that American Honda will only send parts for recall-related repairs for cases where the "vehicle is showing evidence of the connecting rod bearing defect." Since the evidence of the defect is that the car could "stall while driving," I believe this sounds like a defect that should be addressed immediately. I called American Honda on [XXX], and was told that they don't have sufficient parts to fix all the vehicles covered by the recall. The person I spoke to said that we would get a letter in the mail when it is our turn. I believe this is negligence on the part of American Honda and Lehigh Valley Acura. How do I get this defect addressed immediately? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 11, 2024 · Engine · NY

Engine had a knocking noise, went to dealer and explained the problem. They mentioned there was a recall regarding this issue but when my vehicle's Vin was typed in they said it was not part of the recall. A few days later all the warning lights in the instrument panel came on and soon after the engine went bad and had to replace it. My vehicle had approximately 45k miles when this happened. I was completely shocked, angry and disappointed with Honda Motors when they didn't want to take responsibility. It's obvious this was a manufacturing problem with these engines and they should reimburse vehicle owners that had issues with these vehicles. Thank you for your attention!

Filed Jan 10, 2024 · Engine · FL

Beginning in October of 2023, I was hearing an engine knock/ticking. Acura tech support at the local dealership said my rear cylinder head needed to be replaced. I asked Acura how, since my car is only a few years old, could this cylinder head already be bad. They responded that these vehicles are mass produced by the hundreds of thousands and sometimes bad parts or installations slip through. I paid $7,500 for the new cylinder head, but now I see the new recall about engine crank shaft and the connecting rod bearing can wear and cause damage to the engine. It further says if you hear engine knocking, to immediately call Acura.