2017 Acura MDX engine problems

Related recalls

• Recall 23V751000Nov 13, 2023248,999 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL

  Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.

  Risk: A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.

  Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-December 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early April 2024, 2019 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-May 2024, 2020 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-June 2024, and 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed January 27, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XG1 and GG0.

What owners say

1. Filed Aug 24, 2026COEngineLightingTransmission & Drivetrain

   On my 2017 Acura MDX SH-AWD with approximately 112,000 miles, the engine experienced a sudden catastrophic failure while I was traveling at highway speed. The vehicle abruptly lost power, the accelerator became unresponsive, smoke came from the vehicle hood and exhaust area, and multiple warning lights illuminated. The failure occurred with no advance warning and created a serious safety risk because I suddenly lost propulsion while traveling approximately 75 mph in highway…

   NHTSA complaint #11759081 · source
2. Filed Aug 6, 2026MDFireEngine

   I was driving home late at night with my family in the car. The car suddenly loss power and the check engine light came on and began flashing. I pulled over and turned the car off and back on. The light went away. I began driving again and after a short while, a bunch of lights popped up on the dashboard and the car began to loose power again and started making weird rattling noises from the engine. Just moments before pulling over again I realized the car was on fire and…

   NHTSA complaint #11755216 · source
3. Filed Aug 3, 2026ILEngine

   I was merging onto the highway and when I attempted to accelerate, the engine warning light began to flash and the car could not accelerate. The engine began to make a rattling noise. I called the dealer and they asked if I could make it there (it was about 25 miles away). I said I would try. As I got about 10 miles away the noise grew louder and the oil light came on. I immediately pulled over. The dealer said the engine blew the connecting rod and destroyed the engine and…

   NHTSA complaint #11754357 · source
4. Filed Jun 29, 202697,000 miAZTowedEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle lost power and stalled in the middle of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. Additionally, the transmission failed to shift out of park(P). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11747136 · source
5. Filed Jun 6, 2026MIEngine

   My 2017 Acura MDX had a complete engine failure because of know critical rod bearing issue which hasn’t been extended to all 2017 models of the MDX. My engine completely failed when I was entering a roundabout and nearly caused the car behind me to rear end me then left me dangerously stranded in the roundabout. Even though this is a known issue for this year, make and model of my vehicle Acura said it was my fault without asking for detailed maintenance records and said…

   NHTSA complaint #11742517 · source
6. Filed Jun 4, 2026180,000 miMAEngine

   The contact stated that while driving, the engine made clunking noise, sudden loss of power and the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a connecting rod bearing failure and engine replacement is necessary. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11742127 · source
7. Filed May 4, 2026122,220 miCATowedEngine

   The contact owns a 2017 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH the engine seized. All the warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was due to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined there was an internal engine failure. The local dealer was contacted, where it was diagnosed that there was rod bearing and engine failure. The vehicle was not…

   NHTSA complaint #11735497 · source
8. Filed Apr 21, 2026CAElectrical SystemEngine

   The main issue is engine knocking and ticking also winding noise. There has been an issue with electrical with rear passengers getting burnt due to heat coming out of rear when rear system is off.

   NHTSA complaint #11732707 · source
9. Filed Apr 17, 2026VAEngine

   A rod bearing inside the engine failed and created metal shavings inside the engine. The vehicle has not been fixed yet, so it is available for inspection currently, but I will be having the engine replaced in the next 2 weeks. With the metal shavings inside the engine it could cause a catastrophic failure of the engine while driving at any point The dealer has inspected and diagnose it as a rod bearing failure I reached out to Acura customer service to make them aware and…

   NHTSA complaint #11731756 · source
10. Filed Apr 2, 2026ILEngine

    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.

    NHTSA complaint #11728789 · source
11. Filed Feb 12, 2026WIEngine

    One or more connecting rod bearings are failing. There is a knocking noise coming from the lower end of the engine which is more pronounced under load. There is a risk of the engine failing completely while driving and causing risk to myself, my passengers, and other drivers. This issue is know to happen in the same engine (J35Y5) and certain VINs are already under recall.

    NHTSA complaint #11717597 · source
12. Filed Jan 21, 2026SCDriver Assistance & Safety TechEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    Hello, I am writing to report that my 2017 vehicle is experiencing the same issue that was subject to a recall on the 2016 models. Despite the recall being associated with the 2016 year, my 2017 vehicle is showing identical symptoms and concerns. This raises serious questions about safety, reliability, and whether this issue extends beyond the originally recalled model year. I would like this concern formally documented and request a review of my vehicle to determine whether…

    NHTSA complaint #11712575 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology