Used 2016 Acura MDX SUV Consumer Reviews
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Would Love IT Except...Horrible Transmission
mps_, 07/03/2015
2016 Acura MDX Advance Package 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
161 of 166 people found this review helpful
Purchased: 2016 MDX Advance. This is my second MDX (my wife's car) and while I am big fan of the vehicle, Acura made some horrible tweaks to the car. If I were to buy this car again, I would try to find a 2015 model. Pros: The interior is beautiful with great materials. The ride quality is excellent and always gives confidence. Cons: The are 3 man issues with this car 1) The transmission is truly horrible. I am car guy who has owned many cars and have never experienced such a bad transmission. PLEASE release a software update to fix this 2) The auto-idle is poorly executed and there is no way to permanently turn it off. 3) Infotainment system is dated and the GPS in mediocre
Great, responsive car. Terrible interface.
G. Adams, 07/27/2015
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/AcuraWatch Plus Package (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
84 of 88 people found this review helpful
Before buying, I test drove a 2016 Pilot EX-L and a 2015 MDX. In my opinion, the MDX felt more agile and responsive than the Pilot, and I preferred the MDX's interior and exterior styling over the Pilot. The Good: Car handles incredibly well. Accelerates, turns, and brakes superbly. If you're looking for a three-row SUV, I can't think of anything that would come even close to the same level of performance and value, except perhaps a Pilot. The only other option I considered was the Volvo XC90, but it would cost around 25-30% more, and although I greatly prefer the Volvo's interior and user interface, my friends with Volvos have had issues with reliability. Audi Q7 also looks great, but again price and reliability issues steered me away. So, from a price-performance-reliability standard, the MDX is very hard to beat. I took the MDX on a curvy, secluded mountain highway, and it was truly the most thrilling drive I've ever had. I'm happy with the car. The Bad: The user interface is disgraceful. Acura's worst yet, and that's saying something. Even though the dealer set up the car for my wife and me, my wife's first solo drive in the car had her near tears because of the maddening user interface. For instance, getting the car to accept her phone's bluetooth connection instead of mine was crazy complex, and you have to go through two entirely separate menus if you want to transfer both the phone operations and the phone's media (e.g., Pandora) from one source to another. Even everyday tasks like turning on the seat's heaters, adjusting the A/C, or tinkering with the audio settings (e.g., fade/balance) all take multiple levels of menus, requiring too much of the driver's focus and attention. I sorely miss when I could do any of those things with a single gesture (flip a switch! turn a dial!) without having to take my eyes off the road. Now, I have to find the 1 cm square on the display panel that takes me to the menu to adjust the fan. Then the menu changes, and I have to navigate my hand to the "+" and "-" icons. Even when I know what to do -- which isn't often the case, because the menu system is poorly laid out -- my eyes leave the road for what'd I guess to be about three seconds... just to adjust the fan! Speaking of user interfaces, the displays in the car are terrible. Just plain old washed out and "fuzzy." I'm wondering if Acura got a deal on surplus parts from circa 2001. Backup camera quality feels like it's made from Soviet-era parts, and the touchpad was probably made from leftover Microsoft Zune panels. Resolution and clarity are shameful. Other annoyances: The glove compartment light apparently only comes on if the headlights are on. I, personally, tend to open the glove compartment when the engine is off, and even if it's light outside, the back of my glove compartment is still pretty dark. The chrome trim used all over the center stack reflects the sun like a mirror, creating an annoying and blinding distraction. My wife and I each experienced this independently, so I don't think I'm being nit-picky. Look for a recall on this in future months, where your dealer installs non-reflective stickers over the chrome trim to solve this safety issue. ;-) With Acura's button-based transmission system, it seems impossible to park the car, turn off the engine, and keep the radio on. There's a ridiculous "car wash" mode that lets you turn off the car and keep it in neutral, but good luck remembering the proper sequence of brake, button, and transmission to put it in this mode, and I'm still not sure how practical this mode is anyway. Suspension is... bumpy if not jarring. Too much hard plastic. Acura dealer mentioned crazy expensive parts when trying to upsell on warranty. Do headlights really cost $1,100!? Notes on AcuraWatch Plus: AcuraWatch plus is a suite of features like adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist. Unfortunately, it does not include blind spot monitoring. I had great hopes for both adaptive cruise and lane keep assist, but neither seem quite ready for prime time. Adaptive cruise is a little too slow to react, especially when speeding back up either when the car in front accelerates or when you change lanes to go around a slower car. Lane keep assist is at times too aggressive while at other times too oblivious of the car's drifting across lanes. It also seems to continually "test" if the driver is actively steering by subtly turning the wheel slightly back and forth. After a couple of hours of driving, my arms and shoulders were sore from subconsciously fighting these small, constant tugs on the steering wheel. On the other hand, I have had at least one successful driving experience where I let the car do most of the steering while I barely assisted. That was kind of fun, but I don't foresee those opportunities arising often, due to typical traffic and road conditions. Overall: Great car, terrible tech.
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Wife's 2016 Acura MDX with SH-AWD Advance
Glen Tryer, 07/12/2015
updated 01/21/2025
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Technology and Entertainment Packages (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
74 of 78 people found this review helpful
We looked at numerous SUVs and Sedans but kept coming back to the Acura MDX. Build quality, fit & finish, ride comfort, interior materials, driving performance and styling were equaled only by several of the other Japanese auto makers. Acura was the only one with a dealership nearby so it wouldn't be a hardship if the MDX does have problems in the future. This is our fourth Acura so we do have some degree of owner loyalty. Both of these factors weighed heavily in our decision on which SUV to purchase. However, there are several things that we do not care for and they are as follows, the automatic stop/start feature is a nuisance (and it cannot be disabled), navigation system and driver / vehicle interface is cumbersome and complex. You're better off just learning to use the voice prompt for most commands. I prefer the Bluetooth connectivity in my 2011 Ford truck than the Acura phone system. My wife has learned to use Siri on her linked IPhone to make calls from the MDX's Bluetooth connection (it's easier than their system, at least in her opinion). We drove both the two wheel drive and SH-AWD versions and I can say for a fact that the AWD option handles and performs MUCH better in a hard rain. We typically don't have any snow or Ice in this part of Texas but my guess is that the AWD would do just as well in those driving conditions too. Another consideration is that when the SH-AWD option ($2000) is purchased, you also get a spare tire and jack. If you buy these items separately from the dealer they are $510. The two wheel MDX drive DOES NOT COME with a spare tire. The multiple versions of ride control (e.g. IDS, Comfort, Normal, Sport) are wasted on us. Why would anyone want to drive a glorified station wagon in Sport Mode, the MDX is not a sports car! Acura could get away from having to install the VERY expensive magnetic shock absorbers currently in use but I suppose if that's what the competition is doing they have to do it too. Transmission, shift points, smoothness, etc. all seem to be set OK for normal to moderately aggressive driving. We really like the transmission push buttons in lieu of a "gear shift lever" sticking up in the middle of the console. The MDX has paddle shifters, if you have the need to shift manually but I doubt we'll ever use them. The engine is strong, quiet and idles smoothly. Our overall fuel economy has been in line with Acura's posted claims for miles per gallon but I sure wish they could have figured out how to do it on Regular (87 octane) fuel. Wheels and tires on the Advance model are good looking 19" wheels w/ Michelin rubber, but I saw several of the basic MDX two wheel drive vehicles equipped with Hankook tires. They would not be my first choice of tires on a $40K vehicle. Warranty is comparable to Lexus and Infiniti, I cannot understand why the Europeans (especially the Germans cannot seem to keep up with their competition in this category). As of this writing, we have not purchased an extended warranty on this vehicle and I doubt that we will. After all, Acura and Honda's claim to fame is their remarkable reliability and dependably so those features should be designed and built into the vehicle. I wish we had more mileage and driving time in the vehicle prior to writing this review but at least I could share a few things with a prospective buyer. In summation, my wife REALLY likes the vehicle. The additional room, the ability to set up a little higher than you do in a typical sedan and ease of driving were big selling points. I've changed my mind about several items. The nine (9) speed transmission is sort of annoying , especially when driving through an area where it has to stay in a lower gear. It's constantly "Hunting" for the correct gear. Ours is the Advance SHAWD version and it has proximity collision monitors front and rear however I think that ALL models should either have these as standard equipment or available as an option. Safety should not be held hostage for an additional $6K option. Still don't like the engine stop / start feature but it appears that numerous other auto manufacturers are opting to install the same thing in their vehicles. Guess that's a way they can claim a fraction more gas mileage on their overall EPA rating. Other than being a nuisance, I wonder what the toll is on the starter, battery, flywheel, etc. as additional wear and tear? Having said those things, we continue to be very pleased with the vehicle! Dependable, reliable and comfortable (both city and highway driving). We would definitely purchase the same make and model again! 1/11/17 - 15,000 miles. Vehicle is performing very well. We have pretty much learned how to use all of the technology so that mini-crises has passed. We have not experienced any mechanical, electrical or driving issues with the SUV. Would continue to recommend it to other potential buyers. 1/16/18, 20,250 miles. We're still happy with the Acura.
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I love my new 2016 MDX !
Sid J, 09/11/2015
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Advance Package (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
32 of 33 people found this review helpful
My wife and I were in the market for our first luxury crossover and we couldn't be happier with our purchase (Advance Pkg, SH-AWD). Let me say outright that we did not consider any German cars for reasons ranging from high price point/high maintenance to poor reliability/longevity. We weren't particular about having 3-rows, but felt it'd be nice to have the option (for trips with family/friends) - the MDX fit the bill perfectly. I've had my MDX for 6-weeks and driven 1800 miles, so its obviously too early to talk about reliability(which the Acura brand is known for) but here are the pros/cons as I see it. Pros: - Drives great. Plenty of power to summon in any situation (esply with Normal/Sport IDS modes). - Very comfortable seats & ride. You don't feel minor road imperfections & the suspension does a great job of dampening out big potholes. - Very quiet cabin. Conversation between 1st & 2nd row passengers have never been easier. - Gas sipper (I use premium 93 octane). I consistently average over 24-mpg in combined driving. Averaged 26-mpg during a recent 600-mile road trip(80% highway) with 5 adults, fully loaded cargo space (3rd row folded). That said, I always use cruise at highway speeds and avoid very hard acceleration/braking. I calculate MPG estimates to be 100% sure though the tip computer is not off by much (-0.5 to +1 MPG off actual). - Realized the beauty of SH-AWD driving on curvy, hilly wet roads (yet to test on snow/heavy rain). Just when I thought I needed to hit the brakes to slow around a corner, the MDX breezes past with aplomb. It drives like a car - you don't feel body roll, side-to-side weight transfer during turns. - Love all the safety features, esply the Lane departure warning. I read recently that it received great crash-test scores. Now for the Cons: - Depending on the gear you are in, the transmission sometimes seems to lag for a split second before it accelerates. I believe this has to do with dog clutch in the ZF-9 speed design. - Adaptive cruise may seem hard on braking/acceleration depending on how you normally drive. - Touchscreen response is a tad slower than I'd like it to be. - Fog lights are offered only as an accessory (extra $) - Power-folding side mirrors, panaromic roof, motion-activated power liftgate not available. I've seen people voice concerns on online forums regarding transmission, build quality(as MDXs are built now in Alabama Vs Canada until about a couple of years ago) but based on my experience, I'm inclined to believe most of them are unjustified. There have also been complaints about higher than usual noise coming from under the hood(for someone outside the car) even when the a/c compressor is not running - the owners manual clearly says that is expected as a result of the system checks ! Complaints related to dual-screen is a matter of getting used to - I actually find it convenient. The 3rd row of seating is mostly for kids (or short adults for upto 2-hr ride). In my opinion, this is the most well-rounded luxury crossover offering an optimal mix of comfort, handling, value and safety. Get one - you'll love it !
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2016 MDX Vibration Part II
Very Disappointed, 11/28/2015
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Technology Package (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
78 of 83 people found this review helpful
Very disappointed, follow up to my previous post, ok my car has been at the dealers 6 times now for a vibration between 55 to 75 MPH 4,900 miles they keep saying they have to confirm the vibration which I have a service order from October stating they confirmed the vibration, they replaced the brake rotors, needless to say vibration still there, they replaced the tires, vibration still there, took it back to the dealer today for 6th time, another test drive with the service manager he said he could feel something but wasn't sure what it was, back seat was vibrating extensively, service manager acknowledged it, said he would take a new MDX off the lot drive it same route we drove mine to see if the road made it vibrate. They called and said they test drove a new MDX off the lot and it vibrates worse than mine so it's a characteristic of the vehicle. They actually put this in writing on the service order. I asked if they were informing consumers of this vibration characteristic when they were looking at the vehicles and they said no, I told them just because the other car vibrates does not make it right, it sounds like a design defect to me, this directive came from the District Service Manager I cannot believe they would actually think that is acceptable, they all vibrate so that makes it acceptable???? Buyer beware I would not buy the 2016 Acura MDX.
This SUV almost got us hurt
Carlos, 08/27/2016
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
61 of 67 people found this review helpful
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.
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Dealer invoice is BS! Love my 2016 AWD Acura MDX!
Jim Wickstrom, 01/05/2016
2016 Acura MDX 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
35 of 38 people found this review helpful
Three days after we purchased the Acura MDX, we drove it 500 miles to Lake Tahoe through blizzards! The AWD works better than my 4/4 Toyota Sequoia! We passed cars, trucks with chains. .stuck! We drove right though. At one point in time we were up to our door panels in snow! On the way up we got 24 mpg and on the way home to San Diego, 28 mpg, thanks to a nine speed transmission and half the cylinders shutting down on cruise control! It is unbelievable how well this works with 290 hp to boot. Consumer reports rated this vehicle an 89 rating, tops in the luxury mid size SUV category. To be clear, we looked at SUVs from Porsche, BMW, MB, Lexus but none of them have the top rating and best repair service record as the Acura MDX. BTW, if you are buying a car, "bait' each dealership against each other. That is how we got this MDX for $44,500 when list was $50,250! Do not believe the "dealer invoice" number as it is fabricated. You should be able to beat dealer invoice by at least a grand! As it seems, even Edmunds believes this BS dealer invoice number, too. Oops!
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6,800 miles, new transmission required?!
frustrated, 04/14/2016
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Technology and AcuraWatch Plus Packages (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
18 of 19 people found this review helpful
The transmission on this car is just crap. I bought it brand new and didn't notice shifting problems on the test drive. I obviously should have test driven the same vehicle multiple times before purchasing it because after about three days I noticed the occasional awkward shifting. I just told myself it's a brand new car and needs to adjust on its own. I feel like it did get better after a few months - or I just got used to the awkwardness. Sport mode was not even an option as it was super jerky and completely annoying. At 6,800 miles it suddenly started making a high-pitched chirping noise when shifting into second gear, almost like the sound of tires screeching when peeling out. I immediately drove it to the dealership and the technician confirmed the issue. The next day they called and said the transmission needed to be replaced. What!? I've owned several Hondas over the years and never had major issues. I thought I could trust Acura for their reliability record, but apparently not. The 2016 Touring/Elite models of the Pilot have the same crappy transmission and complaints are well documented. I hope Honda/Acura will take some responsibility for the defect and offer a recall. If not, I will be pursuing a lemon law buy back.
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Vibrations!
Not Happy, 12/01/2015
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Technology Package (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
25 of 27 people found this review helpful
I had also recently purchased the MDX and had the same vibrations as the previous post. The story is the same - changed wheels, changed rotors, then balanced the tires. They also decided to deflate the tires to mask the vibrations. But I immediately caught them doing this and asked the dealer to inflate the tires back to 35psi. Acura is no help either. Both Acura and dealership say this is normal variation of the MDX, and the lemon law does not apply since "there is nothing wrong with the car". Seeing the prior post, this seems like a fraud or cover up. Anyone else having this issue? Finally the transmission is scary. It doesn't always shift to the correct gear.
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New Transmission at 6,000 Miles!!!!!!
Loren, 05/30/2016
2016 Acura MDX Technology and AcuraWatch Plus Packages 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
17 of 18 people found this review helpful
I began leasing this 2016 in December of 2015. After 5 months and about 6,000 miles I noticed a "clunk" sound only on the upshift between 20 and 30 MPH. Took it to the dealer and had a test drive with service manager. He hears the sound and says "I have never heard that sound before!" I actually let him drive the car so he could hear and feel what sound it was making. Sure enough they want to replace the whole transmission. I was told something about a seal allowing some fluid into the transmission. This is not what I would have anticipated for a car that costs this much! Very disappointed, this is going to be a very long lease period that cannot wait for it to end.
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Could have been a Homerun
SideStepping, 10/10/2016
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Technology Package (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
Owners should know, and DEMAND, that early 2016 models built in 2015 have a software update to the transmission, technical service builletin 15-054, which changes the shifting dynamic of the car, and SHOULD resolve most of the transmission jerkiness issues. Unfortunately, my dealership didn't apply the update, BUT next time my car is in for service, I will DEMAND they fix it, because I too, experience rough shifting, surges while braking and going downhill, and poor overall transmission performance. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO UPDATE THE SOFTWARE ON THE TRANSMISSION. ACURA, ARE YOU LISTENING TO YOUR CUSTOMERS? Acura should be embarrassed to turn away customers. No wonder they are LAST in customer satisfaction. Now...onto the car. Two major issues with this car: the transmission, and the infotainment system. The interior is nice size and comfortable, even though it doesn't feel so luxurious. Handling is great, ride is smooth when the transmission isn't jerking you all over the place. The overall infotainment system, navigation included, is SO slow and my 2008 Infiniti G35 had a better nav system. It's pretty pathetic. This is my first (and probably last) Acura until they get their act together, stop trying to fool customers into thinking their product is the "best in it's class," and until they produce a real transmission and a real infotainment system. What a shame. BTW, my dad had 3 MDXs...a 2009, a 2013, and a 2016. He loved (and so did I) the 2009 and 2013. He had the 2016 for 5 months and got rid of it. That's how embarrassing of a vehicle it is. But, I'm sure Acura is laughing all the way to the bank...what a joke of a 50K car.
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Transmission issue on brand new MDX
VJ, 03/03/2017
2016 Acura MDX 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
Purchased a brand new 2016 MDX and within 10 months started having problem with the transmission - jerking with sharp squeaking sound whenever gears shifted (lower gear). Had driven only around 9500 miles when this problem started. Dealership replaced the transmission, but then also changed the radiator and the starter (since those also apparently had issues !) - all this took almost a month. In short, major components were bad/poor quality (?) in a brand new car - only major remaining part to replace is the engine !!! After the repairs, car still gives slight jerk during gear shifts. Dealership and Corporate customer service response was - slight jerk is normal for MDX. So buyers beware - from personal experience it seems Honda quality is not transferred to its luxury brand !!! Consider alternatives & do your research before spending your dollars....
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First Acura MDX
Sack, 01/07/2016
2016 Acura MDX 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
16 of 17 people found this review helpful
We just picked this up last week without even having the intention of buying an Acura. We originally looked hard into the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilots but realized the lease incentives were absolutely horrible due to the demand of both of those (we are in a spot in our lives where leasing makes more sense). We started to look into non-3rd row options since our youngest is 2 and we have another one on the way in June, and we could go for a 3rd row when they got older. So I noticed a lease deal on an Acura RDX and wanted to investigate since we didn't like the RAV4 and CR-V options. The RDX drove well but was too small. The salesperson told me about a lease deal on a base MDX so we test drove it and LOVED IT. The features are the same and the quality is better than the higher trim Highlander and Pilots and the lease payment was cheaper per month. It has heated seats, leather, moonroof, backup camera, dual cabin screens, a 3rd row, jewel eye LED headlights, among other options. My wife has been driving is most of the time but so far we love it. Definitely give it a shot if you're open to lease and are considering Toyota/Honda 3rd rows - you'd be surprised on payments.
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2016 MDX vibration
Very disappointed, 10/31/2015
2016 Acura MDX 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
22 of 24 people found this review helpful
I bought a 2016 Acura MDX within the first week I noticed a vibration between 55 to 75 mph, at 459 miles I took it in to the dealer to install the mounding I had purchased and told them it had a vibration they balanced the tires. It did not solve the problem, took it back a second time where I was told by the service writer that there was nothing wrong with the car, I would find nothing wrong with it and it drives just as well as any car on the lot. You can visibly see the steering wheel shake and feel the vibration. I took it in a third time, took a service technician out with me, he witnessed the steering wheel shaking and vibrating. So I asked, ok we are in agreement that you witnessed the steering wheel shaking and vibrating he said yes, I took his name and wrote it down along with date and time. The dealer had my car for about a week, which they did give me a loaner, they called and said they had figured it out, they replaced the brake rotors. Needless to say the vibration is still there, since then I have taken it to a tire store that told me I had three bad tires, took it back to the dealer, they road force balanced the tires, vibration is still there. I have been in contact with Acura Client Relations since the second service appointment, next step is meeting with the District Service Manager. Not to mention how the transmission shifts, I am hoping they come out with a software update for that. Needless to say I am very disappointed and regret purchasing the MDX.
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JERKY RIDE!!!!
amit shakya, 09/13/2016
2016 Acura MDX Technology and Entertainment Packages 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
I decided to lease a 2016 MDX. It currently has about 700 miles and Oh man!!! what a dissapointment. The car jerks going from gear 1 to gear 2 and also to gear 3. It is something that you are not supposed to feel on a $50k vehicle.....I have also checked with few of my buddies that own mdx. They have the same feeling about the gear shifting......What a bummer!!!
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In the end, Acura made it right. Thank you.
Ed, 10/15/2021
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
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.
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2016 Acura MDX AWD
CFM, 08/23/2015
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Technology Package (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
We finally bought our new SUV or I guess they call it a crossover. Keep in mind we only have a few hundred miles on it so its still really early. We looked at a lot of vehicles before choosing the MDX. As far as a luxury 7 passenger vehicles go this seemed to have everything we wanted and needed after a couple of weeks of shopping and doing serious looking at the German counter parts. The MDX meets all of our requirements as follows in no specific order. Luxurious, stylish, roomy, safe, quality. We hope the maintenance is low and that it will hold its resale value I guess time will tell. The ride is great in the awd however on bumpy roads you can hear some road noise. The steering is awesome The turning radius is amazing making u-turns a breeze. This is a very easy and stress free vehicle to drive. Unlike most of the reviews I have read the command center is easy to operate we were a little worried after reading the reviews but it is super simple! We thought we wanted the black on black but after looking at the Lunar Silver Metallic we fell in love with how it really accentuates the lines on the vehicle.
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Great Vehicle with Terrible Infotainment
Mike, 10/26/2015
updated 04/27/2016
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Technology Package (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
20 of 22 people found this review helpful
We recently leased a 2016 MDX AWD with Tech Package. If we were to do it again the smart money would be the base awd model with the AcuraWatch safety feature package. Let me explain why....First off the car rides, accelerates, stops, turns, and everything else regarding moving extremely well. Even the headlights are exceptional. The interior seating design and the way they slide is also great. The safety features shake the steering wheel if you depart your lane and warn you when other cars are too close. Whats left is the way you interact with the controls in the dash and on the steering wheel. Every single thing about the interaction with the controls is unnecessarily complicated. In many cases it takes an extra click or 2 in a menu than in other cars. For example to turn seat heater on you need to click a button on the screen, select the heat level, then close the sub-menu. In every other car on the planed you click the button once to turn on the seat heat then another click to change the heating level. I consider this annoying, but not a deal breaker. Then you get into the gps. The gps takes longer than most to figure out how to do the basics. Its cumbersome to enter an address. The guidance is also poor. Sometimes there is no audible instruction on when to turn and a strange map of your turn with a flag that isn't always oriented the way you are travelling. To sum it up you are better off placing your phone with google maps over the nav screen. I can only hope there is some kind of update to enable android auto or the apple car os. Last but not lease the Bluetooth connectivity doesn't play nice with my samsung galaxy s6. Every 30 seconds or so it pops up an error it can't import the phonebook. A quick google search indicates this is a common issue for many. Then you quickly find out the text interaction is terrible. When you get a text a notification takes over the entire screen asking what you want to do (imagine you were getting ready to make a turn following gps). So then when you act on the notification you have to pick from a very small list of predefined reply messages. Every other car I have used including cheap rentals allow you to speak a text reply. My other vehicle is 2015 ram 3500 with uconnect and it does all of this with no issues. In a day and age where so much of your interaction with a vehicle is the electronics acura needs to do a much better job. The kicker is you pay thousands extra for this tech package and get terrible tech bundled with some really good safety features. After having the MDX a few months I can say I would buy it again, but would not get anything above a base model awd with acurawatch.
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Always Acura?! Maybe not
kris reilly, 03/13/2016
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
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!
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Overall a great vehicle
Adam Stiles, 01/08/2019
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Advance Package (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
I read all the reviews about the 9speed transmission prior to buying a CPO MDX with 12,500 miles on it. I knew full well it’s drawbacks and limitations. For most of my driving life I have driven manual transmission vehicles. Now at a different stage of my life I need an SUV. I am a discerning driver that generally notices every bump, rattle, hesitation, or jerky behavior. I have owned vehicles with automatic transmissions and even won a lemon law case against a Jeep largely because of problems with that part of the car. I find the transmission of this MDX to be pretty good, and much better than I anticipated. It shifts pretty quickly, for the most part smoothly, and helps the car be very efficient. Occasionally it can be caught flat footed or give a rough shift, but virtually every automatic transmission can. I have learned how to compensate for this. If you need to accelerate to pass, floor it and you can back off if needed. The computer sends the message and the car drops gears pretty quickly. Putting the IDS into sport mode helps some too. My car came with the software update and I think it’s logic is pretty good. Others Abe driven my car and nobody balls at the transmission. As for the rest of the car, it is pretty well thought out. I get 21-22mpg around suburban town and on the open highway have crested 28mpg on a trip average. I think those are impressive numbers for a powerful AWD SUV. Cargo space is very useable and generous. Seating is comfy, especially on long hauls. The ELS stereo is phenomenal, provided you adjust the settings (I dialed up the bass and subwoofer). This car is also whisper quiet on the open road - everyone that is in my car notices this. For a biggish SUV it handles well and accelerates quickly. Visibility from the drivers seat is excellent. The headlights are also top notch. One of my bigger concerns was the much aggrieved infotainment system. It almost stopped me from buying the car. I’m reality, you get used to it and it’s not as bad as I expected. If you have an iPhone, Siri Eyes Free lets you text and call people easily. I put the climate control on AUTO and simply set the temp to what I want. The fan, vent direction, and seats adjust. The NAVI works well. I was disappointed that entry was disabled while the vehicle is moving. However, I prefer to enter it by voice, which now uses a natural address. My complaints with this car are minimal. I don’t like the funky wide angle driver side mirror. I don’t think I will ever get used to it. The adaptive cruise control is rough. I don’t love it and most of the time just disable it in situations where it’s claim is to be useful. Lastly, I think the brakes are a little underwhelming. I had them resurfaced under warranty shortly after delivery. They are ok but I still sometimes think I feel pulsing. Overall, I think it is a very well rounded car. I am very happy with it and would definitely buy another one.
After 2 months...Love this MDX!
Ron, 06/30/2016
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Advance Package (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
13 of 14 people found this review helpful
I researched the the 2016 MDX for 9 months before buying. I'm so glad I did. I've owned two MDX's since purchasing my first MDX in year one of the MDX introduction in 2001. I'm amazed at the transformation, I'd been driving my MDX with 180K miles. Having also been an RL owner, I now feel I have the best of both vehicles in one. The slightly lowered height from the road is just perfect! The few lower reviews of the entertainment system has not been a problem for me. There's a lot to digest with so many great features, I take each feature one at a time which for me has been an enjoyable easy process. I love the new touch gear shifting! I love the sportier drive for an SUV, it really does not feel like I'm driving an SUV. The gas mileage increase is sweet, which is one reason I waited so long to buy a 2016. Love the seat air ventilation system that keeps me from back sweating during hot summer months. I can now seamlessly play music from my iPhone. The biggest surprise and enjoy is the warning system and lane keeping assist system. I feel like I'm now protected from blind spots when changing lanes and drifting out of my lane. This is simply the best vehicle I have ever owned! A huge leap of comfort, safety and technology in the past 10 years! I've never experienced this big of an upgrade in any vehicle I have ever purchased. Love this vehicle!!!
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Surge on
Don Thomas, 11/03/2015
2016 Acura MDX Technology Package 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
13 of 14 people found this review helpful
This transmission is awful! Take your foot off the gas going down a hill and the car surges rather than slow down. Have to step on the brakes hard to slow it down. Same issue when downshifting with the paddles. Also stutters when going into drive. Voice commands are a joke. I say find nearest ATM. She says turn air conditioner up. And so it goes. This is my third MDX but it is my last.
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Transmission Failed at 5,000 miles
Diana S, 09/16/2016
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Technology Package (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
13 of 14 people found this review helpful
Do NOT buy this car. We replaced our 2013 MDX with the 2016 and wish we had the old one back. This car is a dud. Do not buy it. We were driving on the expressway going 65 mph and the transmission catastrophically failed. So glad we had just went through a 1 lane stretch on 75 undergoing construction and were able to pull over to the side of the road. Dealership was awesome, but this car is terrible.
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Transmission is still bad!
Debbie, 11/13/2016
updated 05/15/2017
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Technology Package (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
18 of 20 people found this review helpful
I purchased a 2016 Acura MDX from Jay Wolfe Honda in Kansas City, MO a year ago and so far my total overall experience is a "0" I had my car in the shop for about 20% of the time I had owned it in the first 5 months and my last repair (5 months after my purchase) was to replace the transmission with 10,000 miles on the vehicle! It still shifts jerky at low speed. I didn't get any satisfaction from the dealership or with Acura - they told me I would have to pursue arbitration. I don't have the time and energy for that process so I will drive it for a year or so two and then trade it in. I had a loud noise in the rear end, after they replaced the struts (after 3 repair attempts) and it is better. There are 3 Service Bulletins out there for those of you who want to try them TSB No 16-035 replace rear suspension dampers and rear upper mount bushings. TSB No 15-039 Replace transmission end cover gaskets TSB No 15-054 Software update in powertrain and transmission control modules. I called Acura and none of these were linked to my specific vehicle VIN #. Had they replaced the gaskets, I may not have had a fluid leak which supposedly caused the transmission replacement. The module update is supposed to correct the shifting - it didn't. The rear end work did help the noise in the rear end. The fan blower for the air conditioner is so loud that even on the lowest speed, phone calls sound like you have your window rolled down. The blue tooth quality is very poor - lot's of noise and tunnel sound even with nothing turned on in the car. I could continue with minor detail issues but suffice to say I WOULD NOT purchase nor would I recommend anyone to purchase an Acura MDX!!
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Not what I had hoped for $50,000+
Daniel, 10/12/2015
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Advance Package (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
27 of 31 people found this review helpful
It came down to the 2016 Volvo XC90, Honda Pilot, BMW X5, and 2015 Toyota Highlander. We were inclined to get the XC90 for all the safety features & the incredibly cool look. The drive is great, however it felt really risky getting a brand new everything car. The dealer had been saying they would get in Jan, the first ones did not appear till May and it seemed like they were trying to get it right. Visibility was ok. However, loaded with all the safety features it was getting to 60 though it starts at $47 all cars had very confusing option packages & what is considered a safety feature. The test car 3rd row seat seem to have a problem. Then they recalled the vehicle to fix the third row airbags. We keep cars for 10 years & did not want to be going back to the dealer over and over again. The final straw is when they were offering factory maintenance for all models except the XC90 which had 1 year less of the maintenance. On a new model they should not insert more doubt. The BMW drove great but the 3rd row was not big enough for anyone over the age of 12 so had to cross it off. The highlander felt less luxurious but most importantly did not have all the safety systems that we were looking for so we decided to pass. At the time the 2016 was not out, it appears from the reviews that they have added some safety features. We were left with the pilot and the MDX. In the end, the Pilot's cheap minivan arm rest on the drivers side along with the bad handling and turning radius on turns made us skip it. Any man over 200 pounds will find there is no way to lean on the arm rest comfortably. The turning handling and radius were a big concern also as on a sharp turn near our house the car veered into the oncoming traffic lane. We did it twice. Finally, unless you get the highest trim the handling is so "trucky" the kids got out and were ready to throw up. This left us with the MDX. We were excited to be moving up in the luxury ranks and were hoping the reliability would be there also. After a bad selling experience we picked up the car and immediately noticed things. There is a paint defect under the clear coat on the roof. There was a sticker there so it was clearly a known problem and they sold to us anyway. We have complained with no response. The hood does not latch unless you slam it. If the hood is already down there is no way to close it without opening it and slamming it. Finally if you look around the car you can see multiple places where the rubber is not flush including the doors & hood. I walked around the lot and would say 50% of the cars had the same problem. Not what we had expected at $50+ . Dealer was no help with these issues, I have read on line about cars getting water on the inside I am hoping that the rubber problems will not cause that. When you go to the car wash & open the back doors there is water in the painted part. As for the drive it is pretty good, the 9 speed transmission is a little bouncy especially as low speeds, but no one is getting dizzy at least. The stop start feature takes getting used to, as if you need immediate power like turning onto a highway of making a left turn onto oncoming traffic, the car will hesitate long enough to make it dangerous. You have to turn the wheel of take your foot of the pedal to start the car & be ready to go, or turn the feature off, however if you do that I can't imagine how much worse the gas mileage it would be. We are getting 15.5 in the city, & its Premium so it has been surprising. Power in the SHAWD is very good & its a quiet ride with good handling. Seat comfort for a large driver is not as good as I would have hoped. I would like the seat to go back more when its high up and it just wont, so you end up sitting kind of low which removes one of the benefits of and SUV. As for the safety features the lane assist works well on a Interstate highways at high speed, not so good in other settings. The automatic follow feature is very sensitive and breaks really hard and speeds up hard, so much so that you can't use it. The break alert system works ok, I wish it would also go on if I am breaking but not hard enough. It will not stop the car automaticlally at low speeds like the volvo. The heads up display in bright sun creates a distracting reflection on the winshield & and the pairing with SIRI does not work well. The NAV is a complete waste of money, I wish I could convert the screen to show my iphone instead. Nav traffic & directions sub par in every way. The voice input is the same as our 08 Accord, very clunky. AC is hard to keep constant, need to adjust all the time. In the end we are very disappointed with what we hoped would be an amazing car. We hope it lives up to the reliability.
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The vehicle that's gone from great to a total dud
Peter K., 10/26/2015
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Technology Package (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
17 of 19 people found this review helpful
I hardly ever write any reviews but figured I just had to do one on this vehicle. I owned a 2010 MDX Tech, which was a great car, that unfortunately got flooded during Hurricane Sandy. Then, I got an ML350 and when the lease was up, we decided that we needed another 7-seat vehicle. So, as we'd already had an MDX before, we figured we couldn't go wrong with that one, right? Wrong! The first thing I noticed on my drive home from the dealership is that the car becomes ridiculously jerky while in traffic. The new 9-speed transmission just doesn't work well for daily city driving or when you're stuck in traffic on a highway. If you live in a rural area, chances are you'll never experience this. But if you're in traffic every day, well... you've been warned. I've adjusted my driving style since then and learned that switching IDS to "Comfort" makes it a little better. The problem, however, never went away and the dealer refused to acknowledge its existence despite the fact that Acura message boards are filled with similar complaints (I should have read those before I got the car). Then, there's the touch screen. It's very slow with a non-intuitive interface. I've had it lock up several times while selecting a route. I've always played my music from a USB flash drive and this is another area where this car is a total disaster. Once music is on, you can't switch tracks until the car's MP3 system is done reading the whole drive. So, it takes about 2-3 minutes in my case before I can switch songs or select another album/artist. It could be my flash drive but it's the same one I used on the 2010 and ML350 - worked flawlessly there. We have two car seats installed in the second row (one behind the driver's seat and another in the middle). It's impossible to pull down the remaining second row seat and access the third row when there's a car seat in the middle. I had no problem doing that in the ML (needed the remaining seat pulled down sometimes to transport my bicycle). Finally, there's the cargo net or lack thereof. I kept the cargo net from the 2010 and was able to easily install it on the ML. I figured it would also fit on the 2016 MDX. Wrong again! Acura has changed that as well.
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Acura MDX review
Peter Goldfarb, 11/25/2015
updated 06/29/2021
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Technology Package (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
The ride is very comfortable and quite, acceleration for this size of vehicle is not bad. The backup screen - need to developed like in most cars - difficult to see , not bright. I have to drive my grand kids to and from school, car is convenient only for 2 kids, but I have now 4.Should be redesigned the back seats to accommodate more people on second and third rows, Improve loading and car seat installation on third row,
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Transmission Gone at 7400 miles
Darrin Mangiacarne DO, 06/29/2016
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Technology Package (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
My car was making a loud squeak sound while shifting gears. I was told that there is a leak of coolant into the transmission. They need to replace the transmission already. What a piece of junk. Can't believe that I bought this car. Going to go after the Lemon Law for assistance.
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A unhappy new owner!!!
Dustin, 06/25/2016
2016 Acura MDX 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
The 9 speed transmission is terrible. Worst I have ever had. I will check out the Lemon Law in our state.
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Problem in two week after 630 miles
:(, 05/03/2016
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Technology Package (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
These is the list of problems that I had after two weeks (630 miles) The Car is in service center. 1. Navigation problem with failed HDD - take about week to fix 2. Transmission, The ride is jerky at low speed - service told me that never reported as problem and not fix for it. 3. Back up camera feed is showing for long time after driving forward - They will try to fix it. * Dealer told me nothing wrong with transmission and try different settings might fix the problem which means no solution and no fix. * I had 4 Honda/Acura before Prelude, Pilot, CL, RL and this time I am so disappointed. Maybe no more Honda/Acura in the future. This is follow up on the fix. * Dealer service department call me after 1.5 weeks after I drop off the car about a problem with audio system. Now waiting for new audio system to arrive. Mean time the loaner car is making squeaking sounds and this car has only 3800 miles. I hope other people have better luck with this car.
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Terrible Transmission
Terry, 05/24/2016
2016 Acura MDX Technology Package 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
15 of 17 people found this review helpful
I have had the car for 7,000 miles now. The transmission is very jerky. There are times when making a right turn going from high to low speed and trying to get the car back up to speed is a pain. I have to push the accelerator much harder around turns and the car struggles to find a gear. For a luxury car, this is not acceptable. The drive is not fun at all and the service department at Weir Canyon Acura said this is the way the car drives. I have called Acura directly to log a complaint. Contact them directly so they can fix this issue. I don't think I would buy another Acura again.
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They just can't get it right
jl, 09/03/2016
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Advance Package (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
22 of 26 people found this review helpful
I thought many times before writing this review. I felt that there was no need to let others know about my problems , but my conscience just kept telling me to share my thoughts with the media. When I was driving home the first time from the showroom there was a metal knocking noise under vehicle and was quite concerned. I immediately called my salesman who put me through to service.the manager said there is a bulletin on this but acura had no fix ,but are working on one. i asked how long? and he responded by saying they have been working on it since 2014.I laughed and then choked and said what are you talking about. He said the design of the parking brake cable was not designed correctly and it knocks like a chain hitting the bottom. after quite a few adjustments and the rear brakes overheated from overtightening the cable, I just gave up and said I will live with it until acura comes up with a fix. Well, to continue, Ive had countless parking sensor issues that just go off even if no one is around waiting for the red light to change. It sometimes scares me thinking another vehicle is approaching .The only way to shut the sensors off is to override them and shut the system off completely. they removed my bumper 6 times ( damaging the bumper)and replaced modules and sensors and harness and still no fix.The dealers remedy is to just shut them off permanently, even though i bought the advance model to get this option factory installed.My preset steering wheel only works sometimes. My 9 speed tranny clanks ,I guess it wants to let me know its still there . My brakes practically go down to the floor and acura tells me that its ok. Seat adjustments are not great,but i guess acceptable. My rear backup camera looks like I have been driving in a dense fog ( useless) .They say other mdx cameras look similar. The ride quality on smooth roads is fine ,but try hitting a few minor potholes and it goes right through the cabin. While I was even servicing the vehicle a woman was complaining about the terrible ride quality and vowed to sell her mdx just to keep her sanity. There is a scraping noise when you first start the suv in the morning. Might I have to say more. Acura customer relations keeps telling me that they would like to continue working with me to correct these issues after more then 5 attempts ( i stopped counting) and yes I am aware of the lemon law.I said the right thing is to put me in another vehicle and you can continue to correcting these issues on your own and spend 24 hours a day to figure it out so other loyal customers don't suffer. Acura ,unfortunately with being the best selling luxury suv cannot get it right. i guess people gravitate to it because the price is great compared to other similar suvs .Also, acura shares the same mother company as the civic and accord who have held top honors for many year, so people that want luxury and reliability will hopefully get it like the honda products previously mentioned.I am not writing to punish acura I just want them to get it right. In closing, Maybe I just might just decide to stop punishing myself one day and move on to another brand after owning acura's for many years. I guess Im finally getting wise that taking off a shield on the front grill or giving real wood trim instead of plastic will ultimately not shield this company from customers realizing that there is something wrong here. What acura needs to do instead of fixing a grill issue is to fix mechanical issues that are the real reason why people have always purchased honda products in the first place called reliability.
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Smooth like a weedwacker
Joey, 12/12/2015
2016 Acura MDX Technology Package 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
18 of 21 people found this review helpful
What happened to Acura? It used to be a luxury brand! The 9 speed transmission cannot figure out what gear to be in. And the ride is very bouncy! Lot of vibrations when driving on the highway. If you plan on spending $50k, I would look elsewhere.
Jerky Transmission + Clunky Shifting = last Acura
KLance, 05/18/2016
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Advance Package (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
14 of 16 people found this review helpful
Background: Purchased this 2016 model in May of 2015 - have driven for a year. Thud/clunk noise e-v-e-r-y time I accelerate from around 40 to a higher speed. Head mechanic at dealer acknowledged this shouldn't be happening, had my car for weeks, put in a new drive train. Problem still there so then they told me that all of the MDXs do this. Wait-what?? Engine will shut off when I stop, every single time I stop, unless I deactivate the fuel saving feature. Get in the car in the AM, deactivate, go to grocery, get back in car, deactivate, stop to get gas, get back in car, deactivate. You can see how irritating this becomes on a daily basis. Dealer tells me no way to get around this. Driver's side window rattles when it's about 1/3 of the way down. After my first month of driving this car, transmission made a thud noise when in reverse (dealer was able to fix this). Very jerky ride at slow speeds (i.e., pulling slowly out of my driveway or rounding a corner). Lots of "cool" touch screen controls -- until you realize that you can't just turn a knob to change the AC or heat, you have to hit the control screen multiple times. Even my husband, who loves everything tech, complains about what a pain this is. When you shift gears, rolls forward or backward quite a bit so don't you dare park too close to anything. And there are other smaller things that make driving this vehicle every day unpleasant. My car history: every 3-5 yrs, when a typical manuf. warranty runs out, I get a new car (I've been hit more than once so I'm very concerned about safety) and this is the WORST car I've ever owned. I hate it. What am I comparing it to? Going way back to my Honda Passport, Mercedes ML350, Mazda MPV, Subaru Tribeca, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Volvo XC60 (all of them high-end models w lots of features). This vehicle may get a great review after being test driven once for a car website, but check online and see how disappointed all of us owners are who have to drive it every day.
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Transmission went after 15k
Krang, 11/06/2016
2016 Acura MDX Technology Package 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I have had my SUV in for repairs several times. Window would go up and down. In the fourth try they almost fixed it. It doesn't just go down on its own any longer. It just doesn't stay up if you roll it down. It takes about 4-5 tries. The USB ports don't work. They said it's my phone, I have had 6 chargers and a new phone since my purchase. The computer/transmission has been in 3 times. They claimed it was a computer issue with shifting. However when my car failed to go over 30 MPH. I called, their response was there is no engine light on, there is no problem. However after my car being there for a week, they called to let me know the transmission is faulty and needs to be replaced. I called my sales rep (who we've used for 5 cars) to see if he could swap my car out for a similar one. He didn't help and told me to call Acura and file a complaint. He also said they will not do anything to help you. Extremely disappointed after spending 50k on a lemon. I did plan on purchasing this car at the end of the lease.
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I can't believe this is an Acura...
brianc, 01/24/2017
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
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.
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Mostly OK with the SUV - terrible transmission!
Heather, 04/26/2016
2016 Acura MDX 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Mostly this car is OK for the price. But the transmission is terrible and has an odd shift that makes it uncomfortable to drive and for passengers. No matter what "mode" you're in. It's been in the shop twice now for this problem and we just keep hearing - it is what it is. Which is frustrating given how much we are paying for it. The Acura service department we also have been going to is less than stellar at communication and makes us even more frustrated with the car. I loved, loved, loved my first Acura many years ago - but I do not think I will be purchasing / leasing another one anytime soon.
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Lipstick on a pig
bluehvn, 12/06/2016
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Technology Package (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
13 of 15 people found this review helpful
This car has all of the creature comforts. Good handling, comfortable interior, quiet on the inside, great gas mileage for an SUV. None of those things matter, because these vehicles have BAD TRANSMISSIONS! Have you ever been in a car with someone who is learning to drive a stick shift? That's the way this car shifts in low gears. It bucks, snorts, hesitates, and can't decide what gear to be in. If you are coasting down a hill, it surges and accelerates. Driving in bumper to bumper rush hour traffic was like wrestling a bear. More than once I thought I had been rear-ended in slow moving traffic.....nope, just the car shifting. I had the car back to the dealership 4 times. They couldn't get their stories straight. The Salesman told me it could not possibly be doing what I described and dismissed me. The Service Manager said "yeah, I've had 14 of those in here doing the same thing this week. That's' just the way they drive". The District Manager told me that the car was hunting for the right gear to save me money on gasoline. After 20 years of driving Acuras, I will never again be a customer. I traded the car with 10,000 miles on it and took a huge financial loss.
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MDX has major problem, Please read before buying
CaryRaleigh, 11/02/2016
2016 Acura MDX Technology Package 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
I have bought a brand new Acura MDX in February, 2016. My experience with my new Acura MDX is pretty bad so far. On June 20th, I had the first experience of the problem with dashboard showing that there is Transmission, Emission, and all other system problem. The car stopped on the road. Later it started but continue to flash the warnings. This same problem occurred second time on September 6th and at the time, I was starting the car and it won't even start. Later it started but continue to flash the warnings. I took the car to Acura dealership on these both occasions and it shows up later. Again, Third time it happened on October 30th. Checkout the https://community.cartalk.com/t/dashboard-showing-that-there-is-transmission-emission-and-all-other-system-problem/96331 for multiple people reporting the issue. Please think hard before you sink in 50K for this car.
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Disappointed With the Test Drive
Chris, 08/02/2016
2016 Acura MDX Technology Package 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
I've owned 3 MDXs--2005, 2010, 2014 and I've loved them all. Each of those years I test drove a variety of SUVs (the usual suspects) and always ended up with the Acura! So when the 2017 Acura hit the showroom last week, I was pretty sure I would end up buying another one. It's not going to happen. Took it for a test ride and noticed immediately how differently it shifted when accelerating onto a highway. Couldn't get out of its own way--that's the way it feels anyway. Back in the showroom the salesperson told me they changed the gears from 6 to 9 back in 2016. I have no idea what that means I only know that the car doesn't feel right going through NINE gears. Like I'm towing a boat or something. It has the power; it just takes too long to get to it. What a shame--just when they finally changed the front grill.
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Transmission Problem
Nagaraja Kini, 08/31/2016
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Technology and AcuraWatch Plus Packages (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
2016 Model, only 8200 miles has transmission problem. Dealer told me transmission to needs to be replaced. For a brand new vehicle we had small minor issues from the beginning. This one is big. Dealer has been very courteous.
Sold after 8 Months
Bob, 06/18/2016
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Advance and Entertainment Packages (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
The Bad Slow electronics especially navigation iPhone interface doesn't work well Auto idle awfully annoying and can't turn off permanently Doors don't shut well and often require 2nd attempt Funky noise at 18k when shifting gears Paint seems to chip more easily than other vehicles Auto wipers no so good Climate controls not convenient Good Peppy and quiet smooth ride. AWD is spectacular in snow
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Overall, this SUV is a good compromise
Steve Chang, 04/13/2016
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Advance Package (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
After driving this vehicle for 12k mile, I think this vehicle is a good compromise. It's not as sporty as a BMW X5, not as big/bold as a Chevy Tahoe, not as pretty/sexy as an Audi Q5, but its (fully loaded) price is most likely the lowest in this group, its fuel efficiency is good (I averaged almost 21 mpg with mostly city driving, and about 28 mpg on highway), has very large cargo area (if you fold down the 3rd row), a quiet/comfortable ride, handles impresively on snow, and it comes with almost all the safety features that you can imagine. A few major gripes: 1) Watch out for the middle seat's seatbelt (a real safety hazard, and a major design flaw) - since the seatbelt automatically retracts to the roof where it is anchored, my mom was hit hard on her face (by the seat belt buckle) as the middle passenger released his seatbelt. 2) On a two-lane windy road, the auto collision sensor can mistaken an oncoming vehicle (in the other lane) as an obsticle and suddenly hit the brake for you (which can be very scarely to anyone in the vehicle) 3) Unimpressive accleration for a 3.5L VTECH engine. 4) So-so brake performance 5) Lacks a "360 degree camera" which I believe is an option for other countries (since the owner's manual talks about it) 6) No way to program the vehicle to "remember" the heated seat settings, which can be very annoying in cold climates 7) Interia material is OK, but not in the same league with the Germans 8) Why an SUV requires premium fuel??
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Death Trap On Wheels
I drive a death trap!, 10/03/2018
2016 Acura MDX Technology Package 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
16 of 20 people found this review helpful
I have been going round & round with Acura for months with nothing resolved. Since leasing the MDX in 2016 shifting & transmission has been horrible. That was an annoyance! Acura sent out a letter stating that it 2016 MDX were experiencing linkage issues. I called the dealership (that was 3 hours from my house) - the service department stated this was something they could only assess during the week. No exceptions! I explained that I was driving in and would need to have this looked at over the weekend. I was told there was not deadline on this warranty issue & to call when I would be available during the week. The hard shifting/ jerking only continued to increase and have intermittent times of briefly losing power while driving. Several months later ( after moving closer to a dealership) - I took the vehicle in to the service department. No one has knowledge of the letter that was sent out to the consumer. They told me that resetting the software would take care of the issues. ABSOLUTELY NOT - THEY ARE WORSE!! Several weeks after resetting the software - I was driving 75/80 mph on interstate passing a semi & traffic behind me and my MDX lost power. I would push on the accelerator and nothing! This was completely terrifying for me & my daughter who was in the passenger seat. Within 20 seconds or so - power kicked back in. The only positive in this situation is I was on a 4 lane interstate and not passing someone on a 2 lane highway. I took the vehicle into another Acura dealership and left it for a couple of days. They tried everything and can not get a diagnostic read on the computer. So - I know have a $40,000 vehicle parked in my driveway waiting for the lease to expire. As Acura has made very clear - without diagnostics - there is nothing wrong with the vehicle. This vehicle is no longer a nuisance to drive - but a safety issue for my family & everyone else on the road. Acura has been more than accommodating to release me another vehicle and let me out of my lease on the 2016 MDX. NO THANK YOU!! I am now in the process of filing a complaint with my State Attorney General and contacting my personal attorney. Apparently Acura does not care about the safety of the consumers driving/riding in their products or their liability of sticking their head in the sand and ignoring their issues. Google 2016 MDX complaints & you will see that I am not alone!!
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Nice ride but a few issues
Tom, 01/07/2016
updated 01/08/2018
2016 Acura MDX 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
10 of 12 people found this review helpful
We have leased this SUV for 2 years. It has been a pleasure to drive. The ride is generally smooth and comfortable. The infotainment system is not very intuitive, can be annoying at times, and the bluetooth does not work seamlessly, in comparison to our 2017 Toyota Tacoma and 2016 RAV4. We have had minor transmission problems that caused the vehicle to jerk forward when near idling at very low speeds. That problem seems to have been fixed with a computer system reboot. However, we have had intermittent tailgate malfunctions that the dealer to this point has been unable to resolve. At this point we haven't decided on whether to purchase at the end of the lease. We probably will not switch to a lease on a new MDX considering that Consumer Reports no longer recommends the MDX based on lower than average reliability.
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God Awful Noises!
Rita Kitchens, 01/06/2016
2016 Acura MDX Technology Package 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
18 of 23 people found this review helpful
You should not buy this car! It makes terrible noises that come from the rear end, possibly the suspension. My car has been the the service department in Omaha, NE 3 times and the first two times they quickly replaced parts and said they fixed the noise. The 3rd time, I rode with a service tech and service manager and they heard the noises but said they did not know how to fix it. When I returned to pick up my car the service invoice coveniently mentioned that they "could not duplicate the noise". I got no support from the dealership at all and called Acura Corporate hoping for some better service but no such luck. They will tell you this very loud noise is a characteristic of the vehicle and likely won't do anything to fix it! Do not buy an Acura MDX!
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The Money Trap
Karen, 08/05/2016
2016 Acura MDX Technology Package 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
I looked for a new car for months and decided on this nice MDX, only to be left on the side of the road when the transmission broke. We waited 3 hours for a tow truck to come. My 2016 MDX had just 3800 miles on it. I asked for a new transmission, but they said all it needed was a gasket. I ghad a BMW which I loved, but it had 190,000 miles on it and I wanted dependable transportation for traveling now this is what I am stuck with. I will say the people at the Acura dealer were very nice, but I did not get great end results. When you spend that kind of money and this happens they should make it right.
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Best Vehicle I've Ever Owned
Ron, 12/23/2016
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Technology and AcuraWatch Plus Packages (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
I've driven the Acura MDX model since it arrived in 2001 and been an Acura owner since 1995. This being my 4th MDX the 2016 is the best driving experience I've ever had. I was a little nervous with the move to a crossover design, happy with the feel of the RL I've missed. The slight one inch lowering to the ground was a concern but still keeps me high enough on the road to see ahead in traffic. The new safety innovations are incredible and give me a new sense of road safety beyond what I've ever experienced. The gas mileage is through the roof beyond what I expected which was my main motivation for buying in May of 2016. I don't get all the transmission complaints, but I must say, I don't drive the car fast, I drive it economically for safety and good gas mileage. For this reason, the car is a dream. If you want a sports car, then go buy one. I love having the option of the engine stopping if you press the brake a tad harder at a stop. At first this was strange, but now a natural part of driving the car. All the technology took a small learning curve but once you learn, it's part of you. My Acura dealership has been completely responsive with any questions I have. The MDX handles beautifully with new smart technology helping to keep me in my lane when driving the freeway. I love the distance setting of three choices when using cruise. I'm not trying to out drive anyone, just selecting my space on the freeway to drive most economically. Hitting 28 miles to the gallon on a long trip is the best MPG I've ever received from any Acura. The sound system and tech package is delivers all I need and then some. This new 2016 MDX delivers the most enjoyable driving experience I've ever had!
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Terrible customer service and tech problems
Jeff Axup, 09/30/2016
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Technology Package (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Acura customer care refused to return my calls for 8 months when the backup camera was intermittently not functioning. Even after I send videos of it occurring they refused to accept responsibility or communicate. Acura clearly doesn't care about customers after they make the purchase. The navigation system and voice recognition system is really a joke as well. I replaced it with a dash-mounted iPhone. The car does handle well and the all-wheel drive is great.
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First Acura
Paul Moyer, 08/01/2015
2016 Acura MDX SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Advance Package (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
After owning several BMW's, Mercedes, and lastly a Jeep Grand Cherokee, I decided to look at Acura due to its quality reputation and value. A comparable BMW or Porsche would have cost 20K more. I was immediately impressed with the comfort, quality, and performance. Although not as sporty as BMW products I have owned, it drives and corners smartly. Probably the quietest vehicle I have owned. After many dealership visits with the Jeep, I look forward to years of routine service only with the Acura.
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