I've got an '11 MDX with 20k miles and have noticed a few issues. One, there is a pronounced ticking noise under somewhat brisk acceleration. It isn't present during typical acceleration. Two, the car occasionally clunks into gear, whether it be park, drive or reverse. Also, I've noticed that during very slight acceleration, the RPM's fluctuate up and down by 100-200 RPM's sort of rapidly. Do these issues sound related? Any thoughts?

 

Are you using premium (91) octane?

 

Yeah sounds like pinging from too low grade of fuel. As for the clunking, if the clunking happens also if you take off kind of hard from a stop I almost gurantee its the passenger side motor mount. Common to rip very early on. Mine has been busted on my 05 for a while now and it does just that. Just havent gotten around to replacing it yet.

 

And since it's an 11 under full warranty. I'd just go to the dealership and take a tech on a test drive.