Acura MDX loss of power problems

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Transmission · TX

While driving my 2017 Acura MDX on I-35W in Fort Worth, Texas, at approximately 60 mph, the vehicle suddenly displayed a "Transmission Problem – See Manual" warning and completely lost the ability to move forward. The accelerator became unresponsive, and the vehicle would not move in Drive. We could only coast using the vehicle's remaining momentum. There were six people in the vehicle, including two children and two elderly passengers. We were in heavy highway traffic near a complex interchange, in the second lane from the left, with a very narrow left shoulder. The vehicle was rapidly losing speed while other cars continued approaching at highway speeds. We had to carefully cross approximately four to five lanes of traffic to reach the right shoulder. Other drivers honked and maneuvered around us, creating an extremely dangerous situation. If the vehicle had stopped in an active traffic lane, we could easily have been struck from behind by another vehicle traveling at highway speed. With six occupants, including young children and elderly passengers, the consequences could have been catastrophic or fatal. This sudden loss of power put not only our family but also other motorists at serious risk. We activated the hazard lights and called 911. A police officer eventually positioned a patrol vehicle behind us with emergency lights to protect the scene. The MDX was subsequently transported by flatbed tow truck. The mechanical cause has not yet been determined. The vehicle should be available for inspection upon request. I am reporting this incident because a sudden loss of the ability to move forward at highway speed is an extremely serious safety hazard that could result in a major collision, serious injuries, or loss of life.

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 Oct 12, 2026 · Transmission · TX

My vehicle developed a leak at the seal between the transfer case and transmission. I was informed that, due to the original design, this seal cannot be replaced independently. The leak can result in the loss of gear oil and transmission fluid, further transmission damage, and a loss of power to the rear wheels. Repairs involve significant expense, including replacement of damaged components, seals, and both fluids. There were no apparent warning signs other than oil puddles beneath the vehicle. Two extended warranty companies inspected the vehicle and denied coverage, stating that the manufacturer should be responsible for addressing the issue. The vehicle was taken to John Eagle Acura in Houston, Texas, for repairs involving replacement of the transmission and transfer case, along with all associated fluids and seals. I understand that this dealership has repaired other vehicles with the same issue and that similar cases have been reported nationwide. I am concerned that this may be a recurring design-related problem with potential safety implications, particularly because of the possible loss of power to the rear wheels without adequate warning. I request that the manufacturer investigate this issue, review these reported failures, and take responsibility for the necessary repairs.

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 Aug 6, 2026 · Engine · MD · fire

I was driving home late at night with my family in the car. The car suddenly loss power and the check engine light came on and began flashing. I pulled over and turned the car off and back on. The light went away. I began driving again and after a short while, a bunch of lights popped up on the dashboard and the car began to loose power again and started making weird rattling noises from the engine. Just moments before pulling over again I realized the car was on fire and evasively pulled over and frantically got my sleeping children out of the car and we created distance from the vehicle since it was on fire underneath. We called the fire department and they responded very quickly and put out the fire. We secured a few belongings and the children’s car seats and my brother in law picked us up. The car was towed from the scene. I called the incident into the insurance the next day and filed a claim. After a few days once the adjuster came out, it was determined that the insurance company would not be covering the claim because the cause of the fire was internal engine failure. It had shot a bearing cap through the oil pan and that is what caused the fire. I contacted Honda about the issue and have yet to hear back from them. This was over a month ago. I am now stuck repairing the vehicle on my own since I cannot afford to take the car to the dealer and I am mechanically inclined as it is what I do for a living. The car is currently in my garage and after taking the engine apart, I found that the main bearing for cylinder #6 had failed and in turn fell apart and broken the piston for that cylinder and the broken debris destroyed the engine block and even bent the valves on the from head for that cylinder. I now have to rebuild my entire engine with no warning whatsoever that this was going to happened. The car was maintained on schedule and nothing was ever overlooked or not performed. It was a great car until the engine decided to grandad itself out of nowhere.

Filed Jul 17, 2026 · Engine · CA

Catastrophic Engine failure. Engine shook, then loss power. Multiple lights went off. Repair shop found metal shavings in the oil pan. Later diagnosed by specialist with cam/rocker engine issue. Recommended action was engine replacement.

Filed Jul 1, 2026 · Engine · MD

My 2016 Acura Max sha awd has 124 k on it and the other day I was driving down the road and my engine light went on than I lost power down to 20 mph and heard a knocking noise from the engine like the rod bearing broke or something I’ve noticed the recall on the engine for some Acura 2016-2025 3.5v6 engines but Acura is saying my model car was not in the recall list which I can’t understand why if it has the same engine 3.5 v6 with the same rod barring issue as the ones on the list being recalled . The issue is with all 2016-2025 Acura Mdx models that have the 3.5 v6 in it .

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 Jun 26, 2026 · Engine · TX

I was driving on the highway. All of a sudden, my engine started making knocking noises. Shortly after that, the car started to lose power, and immediately the low engine oil light came on. I pulled over immediately to check the engine oil level. Oil level was normal. I restarted the car, but the mechanical knocking noise was evident and did not sound right. Towed the car to the closest Acura Dealership. Diagnostics states that engine has ceased and would not crank. Replacements engine is required and would costs approx. $4200. Acura has a recall on some 2016-2020 MDX for similar engine issues, but my VIN did not qualified. The symptoms i exprienced is very similar to what was described in the recall. Acura representative denied any goodwill support/help.

Filed Jun 22, 2026 · Fuel system · CO

On [XXX], while traveling at highway speeds on [XXX], the vehicle suffered a sudden, complete loss of engine propulsion. The vehicle rapidly decelerated, refused to respond to accelerator input, and forced itself into a dangerous "Limp Mode" in live traffic, creating an immediate highway safety hazard. Multiple warning messages illuminated on the dashboard. The vehicle was towed to Mile High Acura under Repair Order #[XXX]. Diagnostic testing pulled stored Code P0087 for Low Fuel Pressure at the Fuel Rail. An inline fuel pressure gauge confirmed that the low-side fuel pressure was rapidly fluctuating between 55 and 64 PSI at idle. The dealership escalated the data to the Acura Corporate Tech Line (Ref #[XXX]), which reviewed the vehicle's onboard snapshot data and officially determined a terminal defect in the low-pressure fuel pump assembly, mandating the replacement of the low-side pump and both fuel relays. Dealership service records confirm that this vehicle previously had a low-pressure fuel pump recall performed in 2021 under the federal safety agency Campaign Number 21V‑215 (Acura Code CAI). The sudden failure of this replacement component matches the exact failure conditions detailed in the subsequent the federal safety agency Campaign Number 23V‑858 (Acura Codes KGC/KGD). In that expanded campaign, American Honda Motor Co. openly admitted to federal regulators that the early replacement "service parts" distributed and installed during the 21V‑215 window were manufactured with the exact same defective, swelling density impellers prone to subsequent deformation and complete failure. Despite their own corporate Tech Line explicitly confirming that the root cause of this dangerous highway power loss was the low-pressure fuel pump—the exact component of the 21V‑215 and 23V‑858 safety recall campaigns—Acura Client Relations denied 100% safety remedy coverage. Acura refused to provide the technical basis for their denial in writing. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)