2016 Acura MDX · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 82owner reports
- 70,000median miles
- $5,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jul 1, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
282 of the 374 complaints on this car are about the engine. 82 of those describe stalling. Only engine failure is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 82 reports
Stalling on other MDX years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2018, 2022.
What this problem usually is
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (5 reports), the engine (5 reports), the fuel pump (4 reports) and the throttle body (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
4 recalls on the engine cover the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance.
The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that were manufactured with insufficient welds which may separate and allow fuel to leak out.
All 7 recalls on the 2016 Acura MDX, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the MDX
All wheel drive allegation. Closed aug 4, 2026.
Engine failure. Open.
No restart after auto start/stop engages. Open.
Engine failure. Closed aug 20, 2025.
Ignition interlock failure - rollaway. Closed jan 14, 2013, led to recall 12V-573.
What owners paid
9 of the 82 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,500 to $8,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 36,000 and 90,000 miles, from the 41 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 2 service bulletins or notices for the 2016 Acura MDX that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
The vehicle may exhibit several of the following symptoms: - Multiple indicators are on. - No communication with the i-HDS. - The option fuse (7.5 A) is blown. - MDX: Fuse E21 - TLX: Fuse B7 - MDX: It is hard to shut off the engine.
The vehicle may exhibit several of the following symptoms: - Multiple indicators are on. - The option fuse E21 (7.5 A) is blown. - It is hard to shut off the engine. - No communication with the i-HDS.
What owners wrote
“The MDX drove perfectly until out of sudden there as a stall, knocking and ticking sound in the Engine. It is diagnosed with the connecting rod failure and needs a new engine replacement. The car was well and regularly maintained with oil changes and services as recommended. The following codes were pulled from the ECM: Code P0301, P32638”
Filed Nov 12, 2025
“While driving on the highway this vehicle shifted into neutral and lost power. Once pulled to the side of the road, the vehicle was able to be turned off and re started. This happened to my teenage daughter without warning.”
Filed Jul 20, 2025
“I was driving down the road & without any warnings my car suddenly loss power. Engine started a really bad knocking sound then stalled out , took to certified mechanic and he told me I need a new engine. Prior to this there were no boarding likes or issues related to the car.”
Filed Jan 24, 2025
“I was driving on the interstate going 80 when the car shut off. I coasted to the shoulder and had the car towed to the mechanic shop. The connecting rod broke, going through the engine causing me to need a new engine. When I contacted Acura they said my car wasnât in the recall even though itâs exactly what was happening to other cars the same year and make as my car.”
Filed Nov 15, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 82 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 94 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 47 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 39 reports