YearToAvoid

2016 Acura MDX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2016 Acura MDX ranks 2nd-worst of 20 model years with a complaint index of 95 and 374 complaints across 7 recalls. Engine problems dominate at 49% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 52,000 miles, earning it an Avoid verdict.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
95/100
#2 of 20 MDX years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
374
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
7
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
10
reported in complaints
Fires
5
Injuries
5
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2013
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
22
19 city / 26.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0

Top 2016 Acura MDX problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine182 (49%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain111 (30%)
  3. Electrical System46 (12%)
  4. Other42 (11%)
  5. Fuel System31 (8%)
  6. Structure & Body23 (6%)
  7. Brakes21 (6%)
  8. Lane Departure14 (4%)
  9. Steering12 (3%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires11 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report the engine stalling or shutting off unexpectedly while driving at low speeds, including while idling at a stoplight.
  • Some vehicles caught fire, with smoke or flames coming from under the front passenger side or from interior vents, in some cases destroying the vehicle.
  • Owners describe unintended acceleration at low speeds, including while backing out of a driveway or moving through a parking lot, sometimes ending in a collision.
  • One owner reported the brake pedal failing to respond during a low-speed turn, resulting in a crash into a parked vehicle.
  • A steering complaint described a loud snapping sound followed by a sudden loss of control, traced to a rear control arm failure.
2016 Acura MDX complaints: complaints filed per quarter312015 Q32017 Q12018 Q32020 Q12021 Q32023 Q12024 Q32026 Q1
374 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2015 Q3 to 2026 Q3; peak 2024 Q4 (31).

2016 Acura MDX recalls

7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V365000Jun 4, 2026Structure & Body880,514 vehicles

    Structure:frame and members

    American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.

    Risk: Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.

  2. NHTSA 25V259000Apr 17, 2025Electrical System152,800 vehicles

    Interior lighting

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid light assembly and wiring harness, which can cause the interior and exterior lights to fail, including the lid lights, position lights, license plate lights and taillights.

    Risk: Vehicle lights that fail to illuminate can decrease visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wiring and install a fuse harness, replace the lid light, and repair the body dust sealer, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 30, 2025. Owners may contact Acura's customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Acura's number for this recall is FLI. Vehicles included in this recall that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 19V-256 will need to have the new remedy completed.

  3. NHTSA 23V858000Dec 18, 2023Fuel System2,490,460 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

    Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

See all 7 recalls for the 2016 Acura MDX →

2016 Acura MDX fuel economy and fuel cost

City
19 MPG
Highway
26.5 MPG
Combined
22 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,650
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2016 compared with other MDX years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Caution68170822
2015Caution4771822
2016Avoid95374722
2017Avoid79255822
2018Caution631651022

All Acura MDX years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Acura MDX reliable?
NHTSA data shows the 2016 MDX ranks 2nd-worst among 20 MDX model years, with a complaint index of 95 and 374 owner complaints, mostly tied to the engine.
What is the main problem with the 2016 Acura MDX?
Engine problems make up 49% of complaints (182 of 374), with a median failure mileage of 52,000 miles. Transmission and powertrain issues account for another 30%.
Does the 2016 Acura MDX have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2016 MDX, covering the fuel system, engine, electrical system (tailgate lights), and structure/body.
How does the 2016 MDX compare to other MDX years?
The 2016 MDX has a complaint index of 95, worse than most other years; only 2025 (index 100) ranks worse. Years like 2012 and 2013 rank as Best with complaint indexes of 21 and 0.
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Acura MDX?
The EPA rates the 2016 MDX at 22 mpg combined (19 city / 26.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,650.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.