Engine
3.5L 6-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 374 of 374 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 160 of 374 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Engine & cooling
171 complaint records2 fire reports2 crash reports
"Engine began knocking, brass colored shaving in drained oil due to bearing damage. This vin is not covered by the recall scope..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →
Power train
111 complaint records1 crash report
"ROUGH GEAR SHIFT AND CARS SEEMS TO BE REV-UP AT LOW GEARS . THIS CAN CREATE A DANGEROUS CONDITION WHILE ACCELERATING FROM STOPS ...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse power train parts in the directory →
Electrical system
37 complaint records1 fire report
"The engine light came on more than 12 times in the past 3 months. I tried to have the dealer check, but they found nothing. Then the light started to of on and off every time I drive in the rain..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE25008 opened Aug 2025 | OPEN | Engine | Engine failure The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 414 reports of connecting rod bearing failures in the 3.5L V6 engine used in the following vehicles: Model Years (MY) 2018-2020 Acura TLX, MY2016-2020 Acura MDX, MY2016-2020 Honda Pilot, MY2018-2020 Honda... |
| EA25004 opened Mar 2025 | OPEN | Engine And Engine Cooling | No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. |
| RQ24013 opened Nov 2024 | closed Aug 2025 | Engine | Engine failure On November 8, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ24013 to assess the scope of Honda recall 23V-751 after receiving complaints that alleged connecting rod bearing failures in vehicles that were not within the scope of recall... |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26V365000 | Suspension | American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia,... | Normally free |
| 25V259000 | Interior Lighting | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid light assembly and wiring harness, which can cause the interior and exterior lights to fail,... | Normally free |
| 23V858000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022... | Normally free |
| 23V751000 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. | Normally free |
| 19V256000 | Exterior Lighting | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Acura MDX and 2017-2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid vehicles. | Normally free |
| 19V060000 | Fuel System, Other | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine. | Normally free |
| 16V417000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura MDX 2WD and MDX 4WD vehicles, 2016 Acura MDX 4WD vehicles, 2015-2016 Honda Odyssey vehicles, and 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD and 4WD vehicles. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026275 2026-06-04 | Structure | 136,434 | Issue: On certain vehicles, the suspension mounting points on the rear subframe could rust. As a result, rear suspension components could fail. This could lead to poor handling and a loss of vehicle control. |
| 2025212 2025-04-17 | Lights And Instruments | 40,454 | Issue: On certain vehicles, the recall repairs completed by a Honda or Acura dealer during recall AL65/AL66 (Transport Canada recall no. 2019-159) may not have been effective. As a result, a second repair is required. |
| 2019159 2019-03-28 | Lights And Instruments | 32,880 | This recall was replaced by Transport Canada recall no. 2025-212. Issue: On certain vehicles, water could enter the tail lamps located on the tailgate. This could cause the tail lamps not to work properly. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| ONL6AX01302026 Jan 2026 | Fuel/Propulsion System | Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engaging, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Acura is providing a product update with a new PGM-FI software update to fix this issue. | |
| B25-003 Sep 2025 | Visibility/Wiper | Service Bulletin - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one or both of the inner taillights not to work. | |
| BPS&08122025901 Aug 2025 | Engine | Dealer Message - Acura is also implementing an additional (1) twenty-four (24) month period for 2015 model year Acura TLX vehicles, commencing at the expiration of the 10-year warranty extension period for each vehicle, and (2) eighteen (18) month period for 2016 model year... | |
| B25-003 Jul 2025 | Visibility/Wiper | Service Bulletin - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one or both of the inner taillights not to work. | |
| B25-026 Jul 2025 | Visibility/Wiper | Service Bulletin - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one or both of the inner taillights not to work. |
Show 55 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B23-002 Jul 2025 | Engine | Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or low cranking torque. | |
| ONL6L806042025 Letter Jun 2025 | Exterior Lighting | Owner Notification Letter - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one or both of the inner taillights not to work. | |
| ONL6L806042025 Form Jun 2025 | Exterior Lighting | Owner Notification Letter - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one or both of the inner taillights not to work. | |
| ONL6M606032025 Letter Jun 2025 | Exterior Lighting | Owner Notification Letter - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one or both of the inner taillights not to work. | |
| ONL6M606032025 Form Jun 2025 | Exterior Lighting | Owner Notification Letter - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one or both of the inner taillights not to work. | |
| B25-003 Apr 2025 | Visibility/Wiper | Service Bulletin - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one or both of the inner taillights not to work. | |
| B25-026 Apr 2025 | Visibility/Wiper | Service Bulletin - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one or both of the inner taillights not to work. | |
| B24-022 Feb 2025 | Engine | Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on with one or more AWD DTCs having been set due to water intrusion into the electric oil pump motor connector area corrodes the terminals. | |
| B24-022 Nov 2024 | Structure | Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on potentially due to water intrusion into the rear differential pump motor connector area that corrodes the terminals. | |
| B16-008 Sep 2024 | Engine | Service Bulletin - Drivers may experience a chirping sound coming from the engine area with the engine warmed up due to the high pressure fuel pump is making a chirp. | |
| ONL6AX05292024 May 2024 | Engine | Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engaging, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Acura is providing a product update with a new PGM-FI software update to fix this issue. | |
| B23-009 Apr 2023 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Service Bulletin - The engine will not crank on the initial startup attempt after the vehicle has been exposed to precipitation and then freezing temperatures. Water can enter the starter motor. | |
| B23-002 Mar 2023 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or low cranking torque. | |
| ONL6T603102023 Mar 2023 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Warranty Extension - Warranty Extension reimbursement form for engine idle stop repairs made before the warranty extension notice date. | |
| ONL6T603102023-3 Mar 2023 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Warranty Extension - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. | |
| ONL6AX03102023 Mar 2023 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Product Update - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engaging, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Acura is providing a product update with a new PGM-FI software update to fix this issue. | |
| B19-019 Mar 2023 | Exterior Lighting | Service Bulletin - Recall update for 2014 - 2019 MDX and 2017 - 2019 MDX Hybrid Sport models. An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner taillight(s), causing one or all of the taillights not to work. | |
| B23-009 Mar 2023 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Service Bulletin - The engine will not crank on the initial startup attempt after the vehicle has been exposed to precipitation and then freezing temperatures. | |
| B23-001 Jan 2023 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Typically, the customer can immediately restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pushing the ENGINE START/STOP button. | |
| B23-002 Jan 2023 | Electrical System | Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or low cranking torque. | |
| BBOM01062023 Jan 2023 | Electrical System | Dealer Message - During development, the idle stop enable criteria was mis-set allowing idle stop to improperly engage while battery health is low. Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop, the vehicle may not automatically restart. | |
| BTI&05102022901 May 2022 | Engine And Engine Cooling | American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RLXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0171 & P0174 (Rear/Front Bank Fuel System Too Lean), or P219A&B... | |
| BTI&04132022901 Apr 2022 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Dealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0171 & P0174 (Rear/Front Bank Fuel System Too Lean), or... | |
| BTI&03282022903 Mar 2022 | Engine | Dealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0171 & P0174 (Rear/Front Bank Fuel System Too Lean), or... | |
| BTI&03112022904 Mar 2022 | Fuel System | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0171 & P0174 (Rear/Front Bank Fuel System Too Lean), or... | |
| BTI&02222022902 Feb 2022 | Electrical System | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0171 & P0174 (Rear/Front Bank Fuel System Too Lean), or... | |
| BTI&02072022901 Feb 2022 | Fuel System | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0171 & P0174 (Rear/Front Bank Fuel System Too Lean), or... | |
| BTI&01212022902 Jan 2022 | Engine | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0171 & P0174 (Rear/Front Bank Fuel System Too Lean), or... | |
| BTI&01032022904 Jan 2022 | Fuel System | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0171 & P0174 (Rear/Front Bank Fuel System Too Lean), or... | |
| BTI&12152021902 Dec 2021 | Fuel System | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0171 & P0174 (Rear/Front Bank Fuel System Too Lean), or... | |
| BTI&11292021909 Nov 2021 | Fuel System | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0171 & P0174 (Rear/Front Bank Fuel System Too Lean), or... | |
| BTI&11162021904 Nov 2021 | Fuel System | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0171 & P0174 (Rear/Front Bank Fuel System Too Lean), or... | |
| BTI&10302021902 Oct 2021 | Fuel System | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0171 & P0174 (Rear/Front Bank Fuel System Too Lean), or... | |
| BTI&10132021901 Oct 2021 | Fuel System | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0171 & P0174 (Rear/Front Bank Fuel System Too Lean), or... | |
| BPaS09272021 Sep 2021 | Fuel System | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0171 & P0174 (Rear/Front Bank Fuel System Too Lean), or... | |
| BPaS09232021902 Sep 2021 | Electrical System | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0171 & P0174 (Rear/Front Bank Fuel System Too Lean), or... | |
| BPaS08302021 Aug 2021 | Electrical System | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0171 & P0174 (Rear/Front Bank Fuel System Too Lean), or... | |
| B19-003 Dec 2020 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Service Bulletin - During a downshift from 9th or 8th gear to 7th gear or lower, a miscalculation in the TCM software causes the MIL to come on with DTC P0716 (input shaft [mainshaft] speed sensor [range/performance]). | |
| B20-015 Oct 2020 | Power Train | Service Bulletin - The transmission has intermittent harsh or jerky upshifts with steady acceleration. | |
| B19-003 Oct 2020 | Power Train | Service Bulletin - During a downshift from 9th or 8th gear to 7th gear or lower, a miscalculation in the TCM software causes the MIL to come on with DTC P0716 (input shaft [mainshaft] speed sensor [range/performance]). | |
| B14-025 Sep 2020 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Service Bulletin - The timing belt area chirps after the engine warms up. | |
| B20-015 Aug 2020 | Power Train | Service Bulletin - The transmission has intermittent harsh or jerky upshifts with steady acceleration. | |
| B14-025 Aug 2020 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Service Bulletin - The timing belt area makes a chirping noise after the engine warms up. | |
| BPaS06152020 Jun 2020 | Fuel System | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2019 MDXs & 2015-2019 TLX with a client complaint of a fuel leak at the fuel joint pipe. | |
| BPaS05292020 May 2020 | Fuel System | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2019 MDXs & 2015-2019 TLX with a client complaint of a fuel leak at the fuel joint pipe. | |
| B20-022 Apr 2020 | Seats | Service Bulletin - The bolt holes for the replacement second row seat frames are not threaded and require special self-tapping bolts to secure the seat cushion and seat-back frame to the seat frame. | |
| BPaS03032020901 Mar 2020 | Electrical System | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2017 MDXs with a complaint of the automatic tailgate inop. | |
| BPaS02202020901 Feb 2020 | Fuel System | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2019 MDXs & 2015-2019 TLX with a client complaint of a fuel leak at the fuel joint pipe. | |
| BPaS02132020901 Feb 2020 | Structure | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2017 MDXs with a complaint of the automatic tailgate inop. | |
| BPaS02052020 Feb 2020 | Fuel System | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2019 MDXs & 2015-2019 TLX with a client complaint of a fuel leak at the fuel joint pipe. | |
| BPaS01282020 Jan 2020 | Vehicle Speed Control | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2016 MDXs & 2015-2017 TLX AWDs with a client complaint of a no auto re-start condition after going into an auto idle stop. | |
| BPaS01242020901 Jan 2020 | Latches/Locks/Linkages | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2017 MDXs with a complaint of the automatic tailgate inop. | |
| BPaS01072020905 Jan 2020 | Structure | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2017 MDXs with a complaint of the automatic tailgate inop. | |
| BPaS12022019902 Dec 2019 | Latches/Locks/Linkages | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2017 MDXs with a complaint of the automatic tailgate inop. | |
| B19-017 Nov 2019 | Seats | Service Bulletin - There is a loud buzzing or whining when adjusting the driver's or front passenger's seat forward and backward. The flex cable in the seat adjustment mechanism is not correctly lubricated. |
Showing 60 of 304 distinct bulletins on file for this vehicle.
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
- Drive it from a dead stop, twice, on a hill if you can.Shudder, hesitation, or a lurch under light throttle is how this vehicle's largest complaint cluster shows itself. Then ask for the transmission service history in writing; repeat repairs are a pattern, not a fluke.
- Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 7 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Acura MDX →