Used 2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD SUV Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD SUV.
Most helpful consumer reviews
This SUV almost got us hurt
Carlos, Buena Park, CA, 08/27/2016
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
We got a new 2016 MDX and before it hitting 3 months, our new MDX almost got my whole family hurt (or could have been worst). While driving on the freeway it just suddenly stop while I was changing lane. Luckily the car behind us managed to stop and avoid hitting us. I tried to restart the engine and when it did, it move very slow and roughly to the shoulder of the freeway. After … restarting the engine, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS came ON including Break System Failure or Malfunction. It scared my whole family and it was the most horrible UNSAFE DRIVE HOME for hours worrying if we still have break system working. Dropped of the MDX at our local dealership and until now (about 9 days now) still trying to figure things out.. We feel like this vehicle is just so UNSAFE now and it basically traumatized my whole family being in this MDX. Will review lemon law and make sure we don't become the CRASH TEST DUMMIES for this. And I hate hearing them say "Oh it must be because of the computers and technology"!.... We got this vehicle because of the SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY advertised by Acura.
In the end, Acura made it right. Thank you.
Ed, Ellicott City, MD, 10/15/2021
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
Beware of Acura and the MDX:
• We bought a 2016 Acura MDX new from a local dealer. We maintained the car meticulously, with regular service, including replacing the transmission fluid.
• We learned that 2016-2020 MDXs have a known transmission problem that is part of a class action lawsuit: https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2020/acura-mdx-and-rdx-acceleration-problems-lawsuit.shtml … Partovich v. Honda in Federal Court in California.
• Despite being extremely well maintained, our MDX experienced some of the issues described in the lawsuit--including a loss of power on I-95!
• We brought the car into an Acura dealer at 75,000 miles to try to fix the deceleration problem. The dealer said we needed to do a transmission software update, which we paid for. It did not help the problem.
• We continued to have transmission issues until, at 83,000 miles, the transmission died completely. We were told the cost of repair would be $6,300.
• We showed the dealer a letter we had received from Acura in 2017 noting that the MDX had an issue with the transmission fluid warmer and stating: “To ensure your confidence in our product, American Honda is extending the warranty on the engine and transmission to 10 years from the original date of purchase with no mileage limit” (emphasis added).
• The dealer first said the warranty language in the letter did not apply to our problem, even though it clearly states that the warranty applies to the transmission itself, not solely to the warmer.
• Acura then said we had voided the warranty by having the transmission fluid changed by NTB, as the Valvoline fluid they used did not meet manufacturer specifications. We went to NTB and Valvoline, both of whom confirmed that the transmission fluid did in fact meet specifications.
• Acura then reverted to its earlier argument that the warranty did not apply to our car. The dealer claimed this verdict came from the national Acura office. When we contacted the national office, staff there claimed that the decision was at the dealer’s discretion.
• Acura eventually reduced the bill by 25% but would not budge after that.
• The upshot: Acura lied about the transmission fluid, is refusing to honor its own warranty, and is failing to stand behind its clearly defective product.
Always Acura?! Maybe not
kris reilly, Amityville, NY, 03/13/2016
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
Always head right to the Acura dealer when we need a car! Have an older Acura MDX that I love!!! The new Acura looks nice, handles well but seems a bit smaller inside (although I was told it is a few inches bigger) the head room in the third row is cut back because of the angle of the body. This limits who is able to sit back there. It is very jerky in the shifting while excelerating and … if you are moving very slow it feel like you are not in gear...Not happy with that! In addition, the radio is horrible. Most stations that I listen to do not come in clear. I have no problem with this in my other Acura or even the car I had before this one. Clearly the antenna is not good! I just feel like from my old Acura (2005) to this one (2016) they have definiately cut corners and the quality is not as good! For the price you pay I would expect an all 5 star rating which I can not give. We have been loyal Acura cutomers but think that this may be it for me. I am able to get more perks from other vehicles for the same or lesser price. I will be shopping around for my next vehicle!
I can't believe this is an Acura...
brianc, Canal Winchester, OH, 01/24/2017
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
After owning 5 Accords, 2 Odysseys, 1 CRV and a Pilot without any issues, I figured the next logical step was Acura. We test drove and almost bought a Ford Explorer Sport, but the Honda loyalist inside of me said the Acura would be a better overall purchase. From the moment we leased this MDX 6 months ago it has been a HUGE let down. The transmission is horrible and shifts almost … violently (dealer said this is normal), the suspension pops and clunks on every bump (3 attempts by dealer to fix), the touch screen is cool in theory, but when you just want to turn on the seat heater or adjust the fan it takes far too much effort. The cargo area is poorly designed (in my opinion) because the roof slopes in the rear and limits capacity. The seats seem to be okay; they are a little small for my 6'3" frame but my wife finds the car comfortable. On the plus side, the ride on the freeway is compliant and gas mileage is phenomenal (although, keep in mind you have to use premium fuel which offsets some of the MPG savings). I love the LED headlamps, but more and more cars are adding this feature, which makes is less special on the Acura. Remote starter was standard on my Accord, but we had to pay $400 extra for it on the Acura. Overall, the car looks much better than it performs. I never thought I would say this about a Honda product, but if you are in the market for a midsize SUV, do yourself a favor and drive several other vehicles...this Acura just doesn't live up to it's name.
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD SUV
Pros & Cons
- Pro:Generous number of features for the money
- Pro:adept handling
- Pro:good fuel economy
- Pro:confident acceleration
- Pro:quiet cabin
- Pro:excellent crash-test scores.
- Con:Distracting tech interface with subpar graphics
- Con:cabin looks and feels less luxurious than rivals
- Con:modest cargo space behind the third row
- Con:dim-witted adaptive cruise control.
Full Edmunds Review: 2016 Acura MDX SUV
Edmunds Insurance Estimator
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2016 Acura MDX in North Carolina is:
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