The contact owns a 2019 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the engine failed to restart after the Auto START/STOP was engaged. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the engine failed to automatically restart after releasing the brake pedal. The contact shifted to park(P) and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. Additionally, while the contact’s wife was driving, the vehicle stalled and had to be manually restarted. The local dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the federal safety agency Action Number: EA25004 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The failure mileage was 90,000.
Acura MDX stalling problems
236 of the 3,338 owner complaints about the Acura MDX describe engine stalls while driving, most of them for the 2016 model year.
- owner complaints
- 236
- worst model year
- 2016
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,977
- typical mileage
- 64,000
By model year
Often reported together
Check engine light 28Knocking 19Transmission failure 17Fuel pump 17Hesitation 16Loss of power 14Start-stop 12Jerking 12
Trouble codes mentioned
P2638 1P0740 1P0657 1P0301 1P0087 1C0369 1
What owners say
My 2020 Acura MDX fails to restart after the Auto Idle Stop system shuts off the engine at stops. The vehicle stalls and will not restart in active traffic, including busy intersections and high-speed roads. This began about three years ago and now happens every day, leaving my family stranded in live traffic lanes at risk of a collision. On [XXX], the engine shut off and would not restart in the middle of the [XXX], with traffic moving around me at about 40 mph. Capitol Acura in San Jose diagnosed a failing starter motor and ordered a replacement under repair order [XXX]. The part has been on backorder since, with no delivery date. I escalated to American Honda / Acura Client Relations on October 13, 2026 (case [XXX]). On [XXX], Acura replied only that it is "still reviewing" my request. No loaner or alternate vehicle has been provided, and no repair timeline has been given. I am concerned this is a defect affecting other MDX owners: a starter that fails under frequent Auto Idle Stop cycling, combined with a parts shortage that leaves unsafe vehicles on the road. I request that the federal safety agency review this issue for a possible investigation or recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
There is a reaccuring safety defect issue where the engine completely shutts off and stalls without warning when the car comes to a stop. This can be at a stop sign, stop lights, or just stopping the car when in traffic, even on the highway. This is due to the IDS (Auto Idle Stop system). A couple exteme safetyhazards that have occured: The car has repeatedly shut down while we are in the middle of the highway during stop and go traffic leaving us stranded in in live lanes of traffic with the car just completely shutting down and glitching. It would take multiple attempts to turn the car on in order to get out of the situation. There have been close calls on rear-end collisions as a result of this. The issue also progressively worsens during super cold or super hot weather further reflecting the starter/software issues. During other occasions, the car completely failed to restart or delayed restarts that took 5+ hours long once the car "cooled down" from being parked in the sun. We have taken the car to an authrozied acura delarship on atleast two seperate occasion to address the racall issue. On top of these more severe situations, atleast once a week i will get stuck on a stop sign were the shuts down and then i am stuck for a few minutes trying to get it to turn on. However, the issue had ZERO improvement. The defect remains entirely unresolved and feels unsafe to operate. For the safety of my family and for your own massive legal and manufaturere liability due to the immenet threat of accidents, severe injury, or death, please resolve ASAP.
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.
On two occasions my vehicle stalled out when the idle stop feature failed to restart the engine in traffic. I could not restart my vehicle initially and it took several attempts to restart. Because I was at a stop in an intersection waiting to turn this could have resulted in a serious accident. There was no warning light or other indication of an issue prior to, during, or after the first incident. This was subsequently reproduced and documented with the dealer. They indicated they are seeing issues with many other vehicle of the same model and year but indicated they couldn't say much more. The dealer said they would replace the starter but did not definitively say it would solve the issue. Because they did not have the part in stock thet advised me to continue driving in the meantime with the idle stop feature disabled; however, operators must remember to do this manually at each drive.
The contact owns a 2014 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving 2 MPH on a slight decline, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle started shuddering until the vehicle stalled. The battery warning light was temporarily illuminated. The contact stopped the vehicle, shifted to park(P), and depressed the accelerator pedal to raise the RPM to restart the vehicle. The failure was a recurring failure. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
On multiple occasions while my car is stopped at a light or stop sign the idle restart stalls and the car shuts off. I need to give it a few minutes and restart the car. It mainly happens when the auto shut off for idling restarts. I have had it happen more than 10X with my kids in the car. I have done all required work - timing belt & water pump replacement, transmission fluid flush, new times and new suspension. It continues to get worse.
My 2025 Acura MDX completely stalled in active roadway traffic and failed to restart. The failure occurred during a routine stop in traffic, tied to the Auto Idle-Stop / restart sequence: when releasing the brake pedal to accelerate, the engine did not restart, leaving the vehicle completely dead and stranded in the travel lane, creating a severe risk of a rear-end collision. I brought the vehicle to an authorized Acura dealership for repair. The dealership diagnosed the issue and replaced the starter motor under warranty. However, shortly after picking up the vehicle, the exact same failure occurred again in traffic. The vehicle was brought back in, and the 12V battery and charging system were tested and deemed functional, but the vehicle continues to stall and fail to restart. Replacing the starter and testing the battery has not resolved this recurring defect, which leaves the vehicle intermittently immobilized in active traffic lanes.
issue occurring with automatic start/stop function. car stalls on occasion trying to restart, goes into neutral, even though battery is new and in good condition. hard to replicate and occurs randomly. car has to be turned off and on again. this is the 4th time this has happened over the course of 3 years. seems to be happening to others based on forums as well.
Auto start-stop system stalled my car at a red light few times. Also I can clearly tell starting/cranking it is lagging as well.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
- Risk
- A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-December 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early April 2024, 2019 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-May 2024, 2020 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-June 2024, and 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed January 27, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XG1 and GG0.
Recall number 23V751000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura MDX and Honda Pilot vehicles and 2019 Acura RLX, RLX Sport Hybrid, TLX and Honda Odyssey and Ridgeline vehicles. The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt.
- Risk
- Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected timing belt free of charge. Vehicles receiving a replacement timing belt will also have the engine inspected and any damaged components will be replaced for free. The recall began June 7, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's number for this recall is L4M. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Acura's number for this recall is Z4L.
Recall number 19V298000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- On certain minivans, sedans, coupes, and sport utility vehicles equipped with v6 engines, a timing belt tensioner pulley on the water pump is misaligned and could cause the timing belt to contact a bolt on the cylinder head. Eventually the belt could be damaged and fail.
- Risk
- If the timing belt breaks, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the water pump and if it is one of the defective pumps, the water pump and timing belt will be replaced. Owner notification began august 30, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009 or acura at 1‑800‑382‑2238.
Recall number 02V226000 · Recall details
Questions about the Acura MDX stalling
Which Acura MDX years have engine stalls while driving problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2016 (39 complaints), 2020 (33 complaints) and 2019 (27 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix engine stalls while driving on the Acura MDX?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,977 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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