2016 Acura MDX · symptom sheet
Engine knocking or ticking
- 43owner reports
- 86,000median miles
- $8,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 15, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
43 of the 94 reports of engine failure on the 2016 MDX describe engine knock.
Part of Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing (94 reports) · also: rod bearing failure
Tick what matches of 43 reports
Engine knock 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, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2025.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the rod bearing (30 reports), the engine (9 reports) and the timing chain (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the engine covers the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
All 7 recalls on the 2016 Acura MDX, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the MDX
Engine failure. Open.
No restart after auto start/stop engages. Open.
Engine failure. Closed aug 20, 2025.
What owners paid
11 of the 43 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $4,200 to $8,700.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 60,000 and 120,000 miles, from the 18 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“On August 3rd the vehicle began making a loud clicking/knocking noise from the engine area of the car. Took the car to Richard Bailey Automotive on August 4th for diagnosis. Was informed a week later the engine needed replacement. Have owned the car for 3 months. No warning lights except to clean the backup camera. All maintenance has been performed on the vehicle.”
Filed Aug 24, 2026
“Engine began knocking, brass colored shaving in drained oil due to bearing damage. This vin is not covered by the recall scope”
Filed Jul 10, 2026
“Engine started knocking and quit working while driving on the freeway. Was a connected rod bearing failure that was not included under the warranty or recall. Honda paid 75% of repairs but I had to pay $3300 myself.”
Filed Nov 12, 2024
“Engine rod bearing knocking. Will eventually fail and engine stop running at anytime. My independent service center did confirm the problem. The car has not been to the Dealer as they refuse to include my VIN # in the current recall for this very problem. No warning lights appeared, but slight ticking sound shortly turned into a loud knocking.”
Filed Apr 1, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 43 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 stalls or loses power while driving 82 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 47 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 39 reports