2017 Acura MDX · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 52owner reports
- 110,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Aug 24, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
96 of the 255 complaints on this car are about the engine. 52 of those describe engine failure, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2017 MDX.
Narrower sheets: Rod bearing failure (35 reports) · Engine knocking or ticking (25 reports)
Tick what matches of 52 reports
Engine failure 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 this problem usually is
These are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (47 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the engine covers the 2017 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 8 recalls on the 2017 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.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 76,000 and 129,000 miles, from the 25 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice for the 2017 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. - 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
“My vehicles motor is internally destroying itself. The rod bearing has gone and the motor is none functional. The car only has 98k miles. I have gotten the oil changed every 3k-4k miles and used 0W-20 oil as the manufacturer desired. It seems as though there has been 1.4million cars with this same issue as mine. I think a recall is in order. OEM new motor is $25.7k.”
Filed Apr 2, 2026 · 98,000 miles
“Based on a diagnosis by a 3rd party, this vehicle is affected by the issue identified in Part 573 Safety Recall Report, 23V-751. The check engine lamp is flashing, the fault code associated with this issue is showing, there's a knocking sound coming from the engine, and the vehicle has decreased power when the check engine lamp is flashing. However, the VIN for this vehicle is not identified in the safety recall.”
Filed Jan 15, 2025
“Possibly the connecting rod bearings failed. The engine with less than a 100,00 milage has a loud knocking and clunking sound and losing power, but the car is not part of the Honda/Acura J35 engine recall.”
Filed Jan 4, 2025
“Second motor is experiencing connecting rod bearing noise, replaced 3.5 Litre motor with salvage yard replacement, just coming up on 99k, and noise is back similar to what I heard and had Acura dealer diagnosis before replacing with a used motor.”
Filed Dec 27, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 52 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 43 reports