Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 MDX.
The 2016 Acura MDX is an SUV that pairs a 9-speed automatic transmission with EPA fuel-economy ratings of 20/27/23 mpg and calls for 5.7 quarts of 0W-20 engine oil. Across the MDX’s recorded complaint history from 2001 through 2026, the 2016 model stands at the top with 359 owner complaints, the engine being the most frequently reported problem area and seven recalls on file. That position makes the 2016 MDX a clear outlier in the model’s reliability timeline—well above later years such as the 2026 model’s six complaints—and signals that researchers should weigh engine-related reports and recall records carefully when assessing this model year.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 550 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S9) |
| Overall length | 193.7 in |
| Overall width | 77.2 in |
| Overall height | 67.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 111 in |
| Curb weight | 4343 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 66.5 / 66.1 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 58/42 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 20 / 27 / 23 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the MDX of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | SH-AWD Advance & Entertainment Package 3.5L V6 | 5.90 sec | 14.60 sec | 290 hp | AWD |
| 2016 | SH-AWD Advance & Entertainment Package 3.5L V6 | 6.40 sec | 14.90 sec | 290 hp | AWD |
| 2017 | Sport Hybrid SH-AWD Technology Package 3.0L V6 + Elec | 5.70 sec | 14.50 sec | 321 hp | AWD |
| 2017 | SH-AWD Advance Package 3.5L V6 | 6.00 sec | 14.70 sec | 290 hp | AWD |
| 2017 | SH-AWD Advance Package 3.5L V6 | 6.20 sec | 14.70 sec | 290 hp | AWD |
| 2017 | SH-AWD Advance Package 3.5L V6 | 6.30 sec | 14.90 sec | 290 hp | AWD |
| 2014 | SH-AWD Advance & Entertainment Package 3.5L V6 | 6.40 sec | 14.90 sec | 290 hp | AWD |
| 2014 | SH-AWD Advance & Entertainment Package 3.5L V6 | 6.40 sec | 14.90 sec | 290 hp | AWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 5.7 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, Acura All Wheel Drive Fluid in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.3 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Differential Gear Oil | Acura All Wheel Drive Fluid |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 3.0-4.8 |
| Engine Oil | 0W-20 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.7 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | Honda part number 082069002 |
| Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) | 68.0 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 24 |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 24 |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 29.0 ft-lbs |
| Driveshaft Flange to Transmission | 53.0 ft-lbs |
| Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts | 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Fill Plug | 35.0 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Drain Plug | 35.0 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 242 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 181 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-4-2-5-3-6 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 630-730 rpm |
| Ignition Timing | 5 degrees |
| Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance | 2 degrees |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.50-1.80 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 4.4 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 24F |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 550 cca |
| Pressure Test | 14-18 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 14-18 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 169-176 °F |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 57-64 psi |
| Engine Compression | 135 min. psi |
| Intake Valve Lash | 0.008-0.009 in |
| Exhaust Valve Lash | 0.011-0.013 in |
| Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque | Front: 53; Rear: 25 /; Front: 53; Rear: 25 |
| Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque | Front: 25; Rear: 65 /; Front: 101; Rear: 65 |
| ABS Sensor Torque | 15 / NS |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | 0.063 in |
| Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement | Front: 1.024; Rear: .354 |
| Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation | .0006 |
| Maximum Rotor Runout | .0016 |
| Maximum Drum Diameter | 8.272 Parking Brake Drum. |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2016 Acura MDX shows the highest complaint volume in the dataset at 359 reports, marking a peak in issues compared to 180 in 2015 and 245 in 2017. This year introduces formal investigations (3) for the first time, indicating active issue tracking that likely contributed to the subsequent decline in complaints through 2018 (159 reports). While complaint counts were elevated in 2014-2016 (168, 180, 359), the trend shows improvement beginning in 2017 with decreasing complaints and recalls. The 2016 year falls at the peak of the problem arc before manufacturer responsiveness led to better outcomes in later model years. For a used vehicle purchase, 2016 carries higher reported issue risk than adjacent years, though the documented investigation process shows active problem resolution. Based on the clear improvement trend after 2016, model years 2017+ may represent better value for used buyers seeking this MDX generation.
All 359 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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. Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the fuel injection engine control unit (FI-ECU) software and, if necessary, replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall…
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Acura MDX and 2017-2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid lights, possibly causing a loss of the tailgate lid lights and… Remedy: Acura will notify owners, and dealers will modify the tailgate lid lights and install updated gaskets and a wiring sub-harness or will replace both tailgate lid lights. The…
Showing 5 of 334 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| ONL6AX01302026 | 2026-01-31 | Fuel/Propulsion System | Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the… |
| B25-003 | 2025-09-03 | Visibility/Wiper | Service Bulletin - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner… |
| BPS&08122025901 | 2025-08-12 | Engine | Dealer Message - Acura is also implementing an additional (1) twenty-four (24) month… |
| B25-026 | 2025-07-09 | Visibility/Wiper | Service Bulletin - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner… |
| B25-003 | 2025-07-09 | Visibility/Wiper | Service Bulletin - An uneven sealing surface allows moisture to enter the inner… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
5.7 qt of 0W-20 STARBURST, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined mpg.