Hi Scotty,
Thanks for all the great content. I’m having some trouble with my 2016 Acura MDX sh-awd with about 87000 miles. I bought it with about 32000 miles back in January 2019. I bought the MDX from Carmax with the extended warranty. I’ve had to take it for service several times. I’ve had to replace 3 door actuators, and issue with the rear heated seat. I then got a bunch of codes, which I knew because I bought the blue driver (thanks for the recommendation). When I took it for repair, they told me I needed a new TCM. They replaced it. As soon as I got my MDX back, I heard a noise coming from my engine bay. I took my car back to the shop. They told me the rod on cylinder 6 went bad and destroyed my engine. There was metal shavings. They’ll fix it under warranty. Could this be related to the work they Had just done. I’m afraid of keeping this MDX. I’ve done all the recommended maintenance, such as oil changes, transmission and differential fluid changes every 40k miles (2x) and had any issues that came up looked at. Did I have bad luck? Should my MDX have been more reliable? I really like the comfort, and feel of the MDX. I’m considering trading it in for a 2019 MDX SH-AWD, certified. I’m afraid of running into all these issues again. What could cause all these problems? Can I expect a more reliable MDX?
Thanks for your help.
-Carlos.
I forgot to mention that the last time I got my car back from service, they had my ODBII port loose. I had mentioned I had been scanning for codes. It feels like someone may have intentionally left it like that in order to prevent me from checking codes with my blue driver.
I’ve had to replace 3 door actuators, and issue with the rear heated seat (...) I needed a new TCM (...) rod on cylinder 6 went bad and destroyed my engine
That's insane. I've never seen a car, especially a Japanese one, fall apart that hard.
(And I'm saying that as someone who used to own an early 2000s Renault nightmare - a lot of garbage cars have more issues, but usually these issues aren't THAT expensive.)
I do not think that any modern car can fall apart that hard that early on, Not even most GM/Stellantis products - they have the same issues but usually at over 100k-120k miles not 32k-87k.
I’m afraid of keeping this MDX (...) I’m considering trading it in for a 2019. Can I expect a more reliable MDX?
Although your car is exceptionally bad, In recent years IMO Acura hasn't been great at all.
I'd just recommend getting a RAV4, or a late MY previous generation Highlander, or even the 4Runner or a Lexus RX (AVOID the Honda Pilot, their transmissions are absolute garbage). For the price of the upgrade, you maybe even can swap your MDX for an out-going generation Sequoia.
Thanks!