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2016 Acura MDX: True Cost, Problems & Verdict

364 NHTSA owner complaints · 7 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.

Reviewed by the MotorJury data desk · 2 sources · Last updated 2026-08-20
Acura MDX
Photo: Wikimedia Commons · open the model page
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Owner complaints: 364 filed with NHTSA

Complaints per year on the road: 36.4

Engine155Power Train111Unknown Or Other39Electrical System37Fuel/Propulsion System27Structure20

What owners say

Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.

The contact owns a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.
I received a letter from Acura about a safety recall on the subframe. My car has been making a creaking noise and so I called the number on the letter. The guy gave me the number to Acura, Brookfield WI. I called and talked to someone there today, I think his name was John. I told him I wanted my car checked for the recall issue and I am worried about the noise. He said a subframe won't cause squeaking and I would h…
The contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2016 Acura MDX. The contact stated that the owner reported an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine while starting the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic, where the timing belt tensioner was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The mechanic disassembled the oil filter and discovered metal shavings in…

Recalls: 7 campaigns (3 severe)

20162019202320252026
CampaignComponentSummary
26V365000Structure:Frame And MembersAmerican Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acur…
16V417000Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank AssemHonda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura MDX 2WD and MDX 4WD vehicles, 2016 Acura MDX 4WD vehicles, 2015-…
23V751000Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard PaHonda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridg…
25V259000Exterior LightingHonda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid light assembly and …
23V858000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpHonda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V,…
19V256000Exterior Lighting:Tail LightsHonda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Acura MDX and 2017-2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid vehicles. Moisture may enter …
19V060000Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Fuel PumpHonda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped…

True cost of ownership

Fuel (your region) $0
Maintenance band (your region) $1,646$3,316
Estimated running cost this year (age 10) $3,316

Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.

02468101214$4,241vehicle age (years)
fuel/energy + maintenance band (annual, USD, estimate)

Run your own numbers in the true-cost calculator →

FAQ

What is the most common problem with the 2016 Acura MDX?

The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Engine (155 complaints in our indexed sample).

Is the 2016 Acura MDX a good used car to buy?

Our data verdict is AVOID with a reliability score of 18/100, computed from 364 NHTSA complaints and 7 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.

Does the 2016 Acura MDX have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for the 2016 Acura MDX, 3 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 04/06/2026. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.

What will a 2016 Acura MDX really cost YOU per year?

Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.

Open the true-cost calculator

Data sources

Complaints & recalls: NHTSA · Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov · Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements. Last updated: 2026-08-20.

18RELIABILITY / 100
AVOID
  • 364 NHTSA complaints on record (36.4/yr of exposure)
  • 7 recall campaigns, 3 touching safety-critical systems

How this score is computed →

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