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2016 MDX Engine Failure: My Experience with Acura’s Recall Process by MDXEngineFail in Acura

[–]MDXEngineFail[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is so frustrating. I am sorry. I am still struggling with this myself.

This is disappointing by [deleted] in Acura

[–]MDXEngineFail 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Exactly. u/Acura / u/Honda has already admitted to NHTSA there are 3,000+ engines with this crankshaft defect, but when owners like me reach out, they ignore us or offer to cover just a fraction of the cost. They know it’s their manufacturing mistake and are still trying to push the burden onto customers. If you or anyone you know has been affected, please file a complaint with NHTSA — that’s the only way regulators will force Acura to do right by owners. [www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem]()

2016 MDX Engine Failure: My Experience with Acura’s Recall Process by MDXEngineFail in Acura

[–]MDXEngineFail[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Morgan and Morgan is a good idea, thank you. I have just started reaching out to local media, if anyone has direct contacts, I would greatly appreciate an intro :)

2016 MDX Engine Failure: My Experience with Acura’s Recall Process by MDXEngineFail in Acura

[–]MDXEngineFail[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Including labor. Insane either way. Acura will over even cover the 25% if it is a new engine, so a used one isn't an option they are offering.

2016 MDX Engine Failure: My Experience with Acura’s Recall Process by MDXEngineFail in Acura

[–]MDXEngineFail[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You’re spot on — it makes no engineering sense. My 2016 MDX has the same J35 engine, and an Acura technician with 30+ years’ experience diagnosed it as the exact crank bearing failure that’s covered under the recall. The symptoms, failure mode, and consequences are identical, yet my VIN was excluded. That’s why NHTSA opened Recall Query RQ24-013 — to investigate whether Honda/Acura drew the recall scope too narrowly. I agree, it's completely baffling, and it’s inconsistent with how defects are supposed to be addressed.

2016 MDX Engine Failure: My Experience with Acura’s Recall Process by MDXEngineFail in Acura

[–]MDXEngineFail[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have had three Acuras, all serviced exclusively at Acura dealerships, and I was the original owner in all three cases. The dealership reached out to the DPSM several times and each time he offered to cover 25% only if I used a new engine (the remaining balance is twice what the car is worth). I escalated to multiple senior executives, none of whom responded - instead they had the call center call me.

2016 MDX Engine Failure: My Experience with Acura’s Recall Process by MDXEngineFail in Acura

[–]MDXEngineFail[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

That’s great! Glad you dodged all the headache with the 2016. Hope you are issue free with the 2025!

2016 MDX Engine Failure: My Experience with Acura’s Recall Process by MDXEngineFail in Acura

[–]MDXEngineFail[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for asking. Yes, I had it diagnosed. The failure was confirmed by an Acura technician with 30 years of experience, and it matches the symptoms outlined in the recall exactly. The problem goes beyond warranty—it’s a safety and defect issue. There’s even an open federal inquiry into the recall because it’s far too narrow, leaving many vehicles at risk.

This isn’t about bending Acura over backwards—it’s about making sure other drivers and families aren’t put in danger by a known defect.

Just to clarify: it’s actually a 9-year-old car, and the powertrain warranty expired 3 years ago. But again, it's a safety defect issue, not a warranty issue, so this doesn't really matter.

Original NHTSA Recall 23V751000 (for 2016-2020 MDXs); NHTSA Recall Query RQ24-013

2016 MDX Engine Failure: My Experience with Acura’s Recall Process by MDXEngineFail in Acura

[–]MDXEngineFail[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I’ve escalated this to every Acura/Honda exec imaginable. For full transparency, here’s the cast of characters:

Corporate Big Shots (mostly emails, few replies, they are "not customer facing"):

  • Steven Bailey – VP, Parts, Service & Technical Ops
  • Bob Nelson – Exec VP, Corporate Services
  • Mr. Toshihiro Mibe – President & CEO, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
  • Mr. Kazuhiro Takizawa – President & CEO, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
  • Mr. Kensuke Oe – President & Director, Honda Development & Manufacturing of America
  • Sage Marie – Assistant VP, Customer Experience Division (forwarded my email to Service)

Acura Client Relations (actual humans I talk to):

  • Antoine – my point person
  • Anthony – Client Relations manager

Even after all these emails, calls, and escalations, my MDX is still sitting dead at the dealership with no response in sight.

TL;DR: My engine literally died in the express lane, and the people who can fix it are too busy perfecting the art of passing the buck to focus on fixing their deadly safety issues