10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
19,048 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2017 Acura MDX engine problems

engine problem

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2017 Acura MDX Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #30

Apr 072024

MDX

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car stalled at a traffic light and could not start again. The engine had seized, and I had to pay to replace it. There is a known recall with this year make and model.

- Belvidere, IL, USA

problem #29

Dec 212023

MDX

  • miles
I have a 2017 Acura MDX that had around 98k while I was driving down the highway at 65 mph all lights came on the dash and lost acceleration would not go over 45 MPH on a very busy highway. Had to have the vehicle towed per dealership- towed to Jay Wolfe Acura, Overland Park, KS. They said engine needed to be replaced due to the miss fire of rod knocking. There was no other option for replacing the rods had to replace the engine. In addition they replaced with an used engine that is a 2016 not even the same year. Dealer made us aware of the recall for this issue but advised us the Vin# is not under the recall so we had to pay out of pocket. I have tried to work with Honda and the dealership for reimbursement since there have been numerous vehicles with this exact issue but the Vin#'s not under the recall but with no help at all. I have provided documentation and explained the issues and the repairs. I have documentation but was not able to add it to the document listing below

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #28

Feb 162024

MDX 6-cyl

  • 112,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH uphill, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact observed a clanking noise emanating from the engine compartment and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not able to be restarted. Additionally, the contact observed condensation underneath the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000. The contact stated the reason for the engine seizing was due to broken connecting rods #2 & #5. The mechanic stated the only other reason the engine would seize is due to not having any oil at all in the vehicle, but there was oil present in the vehicle so it couldn't be that and that it was the connecting rods bearings breaking that caused it.

- Bella Vista, AR, USA

problem #27

Jan 112024

MDX

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Internal damage at the connecting rod bearing causing engine failure. I have a video from the dealership explaining everything. It is too large to upload to this submission worksheet. There is an active recall on for this exact problem on other years of the MDX and TLX but my VIN is not included in the recall.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #26

Aug 212023

MDX

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and was jerking. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to a local mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic retrieved DTC code: P0369 (Reduced Engine Power). The mechanic replaced the camshaft and the sensors. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.

- Linden, NJ, USA

problem #25

Nov 112023

MDX

  • miles
All lights lit up on dashboard with no previous sounds, knocking, or issues. Upon getting the vehicle towed, the dealership said that the CAM Shaft and sensor needs to be replaced. Which is approximately a 4K dollar repair. Upon further inspection. The dealership showed me a copy of a 2018 notice where this was a known issue with a specific code of C0369 where it states that there should be no repairs but only replacment of the complete unit and that the machining of this part is know to have substandard machining spec issues which will cause the shaft to erode. This vehicle only has 67,589 miles on it. (which is out of warranty by 6800 miles.) All of the information that I have investigated states that the only way a CAM shaft goes bad is insufficient lubrication, improper break-in, reusing old/worn components, mechanical interferences, and inferior hardware/hardware not torqued to spec. I beleive this issue needs to be further investigated especially since there is also the new recall which states the crank shaft rod bearing was also failing due to the original machining was out of spec. In addidtion, if this was a known issue withthe CAM Shaft since 2018, why was I not notified and why is this not a recall? The dealership currently has 3 other cars in its service area with the same known issue. Of note, this vehicle was running fine when it was parked and upon starting the car and going approximately 5 mile per hour, all warning lights lit up and said to place the car in park. No other prior warnings or issues to speak of other than stalling when stopped at a red light.

- Panama City Beach, FL, USA

problem #24

Aug 012020

MDX

  • 40,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch and gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.

- Chapel Hill, NC, USA

problem #23

Jun 182023

MDX

  • miles
Great hesitation, in acceleration, clicking of gears and drive and while putting in reverse also clicking of the years when accelerating

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #22

Jun 042023

MDX

  • miles
While driving at freeway speed, fourth lane from the right, the vehicle became unresponsive to the gas pedal input and started to glide. I managed to get the vehicle to a narrow shoulder on the right before coming to a complete stop. I had one of my grand child in the car seat as a passenger at this time and I was very concerned about stalling in traffic and getting rear ended.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #21

May 052023

MDX 6-cyl

  • miles
On Friday May 5th, 2023 myson was driving our 2017 Acura MDX in heavy rush hour traffic on Interstate 355 near Homer Glen when suddenly and without warning the transmission failed and caused sudden deacceleration. He drove the car which was going 7 mph and engine revving and starting to clatter to get off the freeway. The check engine light came on. He called and informed me while on the exit ramp. I instructed him to pull into the Gas N Wash filling station at 15930 W 159th and shut the engine off, I left home immediately and upon arrival I looked under the hood for oil leakage or low level and belts broken. When I started the motor a knocking sound caused me to turn it off. This could have caused an accident due to heavy traffic at 70 MPH posted speed limit. The car has been towed to local mechanic shop for diagnosis. My online research indicates a Class Action Suit and countless complaints of similar unsafe operation and transmission failure. We purchased this Vehicle new in 2017 from Rizza Acura, Orland Park, IL and have had regular maintenance performed since purchase date.

- Orland Park, IL, USA

problem #20

Jan 132023

MDX

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was on the feeder road of a major freeway in Houston Texas at a stop the brake fully applied. The auto engine idle stop was enabled. When I removed my foot from the brake the engine did not restart. The lights, radio remained on but I was unable to drive my car or change the gear shift. Being on a freeway feeder was a dangerous place to be stalled and had to wait in major traffic for a tow truck to come as the vehicle could not be started or turned off. Completely inoperable. The check engine light was on and oil light. I was towed to a nearby maintenance shop where a p2638 code was listed. After the car was towed the car would restart. Prior to the incident there have been other occasions where the vehicle struggles to restart the engine from the auto idle. However there were no warning lights. Additionally I scheduled service with the dealership the next day and they show an auto idle recall as an item for repair. There is no recall listed on Nhtsa. Additionally I see a class action lawsuit was filed earlier this week for a potential ongoing, long term issue related to this product.

- Houston , TX, USA

problem #19

Aug 272022

MDX

  • miles
Driving down the freeway cruising around 70 miles per hour when the multiple sensors tripped and car started to slow down to 50 mph. Took the exit and when I came to a stop the car was moving very slow. Had to go over an overpass and it barely made it over. Close to home so drove the car slowly. The car at times would stop moving and took a little time for it to pick up and started moving slowly again. The sensors that showed were the electric parking brake problem, emissions system problem, transmission system problem, blind spot info system problem. Had I not been close to home or no exit near, my car would have kept slowing down on the freeway. Family car and I also had my kids with me.

- Atwater, CA, USA

problem #18

Aug 152022

MDX

  • miles
The auto engine disable function causes the car to stall unexpectedly. The car engine stops, and the car changes from Drive into Neutral. The only way to re-engage the engine is to place into Park and restart the car. Sometimes, it requires more than one attempt. Fortunately, this has only happened while the car has been stopped, but it has happened at several busy intersections, holding up traffic and creating a safety risk for me and others. Reading online, this is a known issue with suggestions to report this to NHTSA to include in the overall tracking. Hoping for a fix before someone crashes into my stalled car. I listed the last known date, but this happens with frequency (about 1x/week).

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

problem #17

May 282022

MDX

  • miles
The vehicle stalls and loses all power when coming out of auto idle stop. This is a default feature that shuts the engine off when the vehicle stops to create fuel efficiency. But it is creating a terrible safety issue of having vehicles unexpectedly stopped on the roadway. The feature cannot be permanently turned off. Common issue on MDX forums without any real solution from dealership mechanics.

- Encinitas , CA, USA

problem #16

Sep 292021

MDX

  • miles
On multiple occasions (6 times within a week) the powertrain loses power. While traveling 60 mph in 4 lane Interstate traffic engine loses all power and accelerator ceases to respond. Passengers were at risk due to no power. Acura Dealer has not been able reproduce. Some dealers have affirmed that they've had customers with the issue but can't reproduce. The issue seems to occur more frequently after cruise control has been dis-engaged. I have spoken with another a 2018 Acura owner directly and they have experienced the same issue. It does seem the engine/powertrain resolves when the transmission is switched from "Normal" to "Sport" mode. The amount of time with loss of power seems to span about 5-10 seconds.

- Chapel Hill, NC, USA

problem #15

Oct 012021

MDX

  • miles
While driving suddenly all error warnings came up. It included Check Engine Light, Error messages included: Electronic Braking System error, Emission System error. The light indicative of parking P! kept blinking also the (P) came up on the dashboard. Interestingly after some time this all cleared on its own. Then came back again only this time it stayed on. I don't know if this has compromised the safety features of the vehicle including emergency braking (crash avoidance/vehicle proximity)

- Buffalo Grove, IL, USA

problem #14

Jun 202021

MDX

  • miles
We were driving on the highway yesterday at 75 mph when suddenly our tachometer jumped a couple of times and then the car lost all power and switched into neutral. It's the same transmission problem others are reporting and dangerous.

- Sandpoint, ID, USA

problem #13

Mar 152021

MDX

  • miles
The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at 45 mph, the vehicle stalled as the emission and parking brake warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that after experiencing the failure, the vehicle resumed normal operation as the warning remained illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact then took the vehicle to lindsay Acura (5880 scarborough blvd, columbus, oh 43232) where they were unable to duplicate or diagnose the failure. The mechanic cleared the warning lights off the instrument panel. The contact stated that the failure persisted soon after the return of the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #12

Feb 152021

MDX

  • 76,000 miles
Loses power and unable to accelerate while driving at higher speeds. Has happened 4 times in 2 months

- Lexington, SC, USA

problem #11

Jan 142021

MDX

  • 63,000 miles
I own a 2017 Acura MDX. When accelerating from a stop it hesitates for a second or two and then jerks when it finds its gear. This happens every time the vehicle is used. Merging onto the interstate or switching lanes can be very dangerous.

- Olive Branch, MS, USA

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