2016 Acura Rlx

Owner complaints

What owners report most

1. Suspension2
2. Unknown or other2
3. Structure2
4. Steering1
5. Air bags1
6. Wheels1
7. Electrical system1
8. Fuel/propulsion system1

Latest complaints

• Sep 21, 2026MO44,000 mi
  Suspension
  The contact owns a 2016 Acura RLX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and turning, the rear axle made a rubbing sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear axle actuators had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was…

  The contact owns a 2016 Acura RLX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and turning, the rear axle made a rubbing sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear axle actuators had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered because the 10-year extended warranty had expired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone, and a case was filed, but coverage was denied. The contact was awaiting a callback from an Acura regional manager. The contact stated that the failure was a factory defect. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.

• Jul 29, 2026CA
  Fuel/propulsion system
  The car died on the freeway, tow truck towed contacted mechanic next day and they came and diagnosed the car and needed a crank shaft sensor and change was complete. Car is still showing the same issues stalls approximately 30 to 40 mins of idle I had mechanic pull live data stream from scanner…

  The car died on the freeway, tow truck towed contacted mechanic next day and they came and diagnosed the car and needed a crank shaft sensor and change was complete. Car is still showing the same issues stalls approximately 30 to 40 mins of idle I had mechanic pull live data stream from scanner upon monitoring short term fuel trim bank 1 still shows that the fuel pump is seizing one warm, causing the car to stall, which is a huge safety issue I have a 5 month old and 8 year old in the car when she stalled on the freeway. Pump is seizing when it’s hot.

• Apr 25, 2021FL70,000 mi
  Steering

  The vehicle IS equipped with 4 wheel steering. The rear wheels are controled by the computer. While maneuvering in a parking lot or after sharp turns the rear wheels do not respond to driver input. The wheels get stuck in the wrong direction and the driver must correct direction of travel to compensate. The steering actuators were replaced by dealership and the issues IS still happening

• Oct 1, 2020SD19,700 mi
  Electrical system · Structure › Body
  TL* the contact owns a 2016 acura rlx. The contact stated that after loading groceries into the trunk of the vehicle, the trunk to was manually closed however, the trunk unlocked independently. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no fix for the…

  TL* the contact owns a 2016 acura rlx. The contact stated that after loading groceries into the trunk of the vehicle, the trunk to was manually closed however, the trunk unlocked independently. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no fix for the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer admitted that the failure was due to a design flaw. A case number was provided. The vehicle was taken to vern eide acura (4030 s grange ave, sioux falls, sd 57105, where the dealer replaced two new antennas for the remote used to unlocked the trunk, and a new battery in the key fob. The antenna and battery replacement failed to fix the issue. The failure mileage was 19,700.*dt consumer was told nothing could be done about it by customer service.*jb*dt *tr

• Aug 7, 2016NJ15,400 mi
  Suspension · Unknown or other · Wheels
  3 sidewall separations on 3 different wheel locations in normal driving after hitting moderate potholes at between 30-40 mph. the mid profile michelin primacy oem tires, 19 inch wheels, and suspension do not function safely on this heavy sedan. the risk of even a small pothole, expansion joint…

  3 sidewall separations on 3 different wheel locations in normal driving after hitting moderate potholes at between 30-40 mph. the mid profile michelin primacy oem tires, 19 inch wheels, and suspension do not function safely on this heavy sedan. the risk of even a small pothole, expansion joint, or manhole IS a danger since the sidewalls get cut without actually blowing out, so a blowout could happen at any time. it IS noteworthy that I have never had this issue with a tire in a million miles of driving over 35+ years. to have 3 in 5 months screams of a safety issue which michelin denies and acura won't address. 1. Turning right on an entrance ramp at about 35mph, separated driver front tire when I hit a pothole in the dark. 8,000 miles on tire. (feb 2016) 2. Slowing for a traffic light at about 20mph, separated passenger rear tire when I hit a pothole in the driving lane. 15,000 miles on tire. (june 2016) 3. Just after turning right onto an entrance ramp to a highway, hit a pothole at 15-20mph. passenger front tire separated. 15,400 miles on tire. (June 2016)

• Jul 7, 2016GA985 miCrash1 injury
  Air bags · Structure › Body · Unknown or other

  I was involved in a moderate to severe frontal crash driving down a road and a left turning driver struck my car the knee airbag was the only airbag to deploy causing leg.pain due to the air bag in the steering wheel not going off caused neck, back pain with headaches along with pain going into my legs. The car IS showing two air bag codes car IS a 2016 acura rlx

Defect investigations

NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.

• Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

  EA21002Opened Sep 17, 2021Open
  From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant…

  From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

• Electrical overstress

  EA19001Opened Apr 19, 2019Closed Sep 19, 2024Recall 20V024
  The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air…

  The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications.  The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU.  In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment.  FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle.  Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW.  These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes.  An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time.   In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU.  This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners.  Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation.  The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage.  There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation.  The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU.  If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC.  Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC.  All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled.  In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024.  With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

Service bulletins

Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.

• 11007653Service 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.
• 10241470Warranty Extension - Under certain circumstances, abnormal noise may be heard from the rear when driving straight or making small side-to-side turning movements with the steering wheel. The P-AWS indicator or warning light may also illuminate with certain diagnostic trouble codes.
• 10239512Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, abnormal noise may be heard from the rear when driving straight or making small side-to-side turning movements with the steering wheel. The MIL may also illuminate with certain DTC codes.
• 10237815Service Bulletin - Due to manufacturing errors, abnormal noise may be heard from the rear when driving straight or making small side-toside turning movements with the steering wheel. The MIL may also illuminate with DTC C1600-94 (PAWS unexpected behavior) and/or C1611-13/C1621-13 (PAWS actuator disconnection L&R).
• 10237809Dealer Message - Due to manufacturing errors, abnormal noise may be heard from the rear when driving straight or making small side-to-side turning movements with the steering wheel. The MIL may also illuminate with DTC C1600-94 (PAWS unexpected behavior) and/or C1611-13/C1621-13 (PAWS actuator disconnection L&R).
• 10213569American 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 (Air-Fuel Ratio Variation of Cylinder) stored. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
• 10211615On the Monroney label, the bumper compliance statement is missing. Do an iN VIN status inquiry to make sure the vehicle is shown as eligible. Vehicles affected by this campaign may be in your new vehicle inventory. Repair these vehicles before they are sold. No action is needed on vehicles that have been sold.
• 10211608Special Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated.
• 10211605The clearance between the starter motor gear and the torque converter ring gear is not optimal.
• 10211543American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2016 RLXs with a client complaint of a chirping noise coming from the high pressure fuel pump during engine operation. To fully understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
• 10211538Today, February 26, 2016, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. is announcing a Product Update for certain ILX, RLX, RLX Hybrid, and TLX model years 2014-16 vehicles for sale in the state of Hawaii to amend Monroney labels that were printed without bumper impact information.
• 10193293BACKGROUND On the Monroney label, the bumper compliance statement is missing. Do an iN VIN status inquiry to make sure the vehicle is shown as eligible. Vehicles affected by this campaign may be in your new vehicle inventory. Repair these vehicles before they are sold. No action is needed on vehicles that have been sold. CORRECTIVE ACTION Attach the Monroney update label to the window area next to the Monroney label.
• 10193239SYMPTOM The starter grinds or spins at startup. POSSIBLE CAUSES The clearance between the starter motor gear and the torque converter ring gear is not optimal. CORRECTIVE ACTION Replace the starter and rotate the torque converter clockwise one bolt hole.
• 10191898American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2016 RLXs with a client complaint of a chirping noise coming from the high pressure fuel pump during engine operation. To fully understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
• 10191896Basic Problem American Honda had a computer programming issue; an obsolete program name causing printing of no bumper impact information on the Monroney label for the state of Hawaii. The Repair All vehicles affected and with the error on the Monroney label in dealer stock shall receive an additional sticker to be placed next to the Monroney label. The sticker includes the bumper impact compliance information required by Hawaii law.
• 10186657ServiceNews Article - Do you have a slow tire leak, but there are no signs of sidewall damage or anything stuck in the tread? While you're checking for leaks, check the valve stem; it could have oxidation buildup from road salt. This buildup can cause a poor seal, resulting in a slow leak.
• 10180017Service Bulletin - The timing belt area chirps after the engine warms up.
• 10178469Service Bulletin - The timing belt area makes a chirping noise after the engine warms up.
• 10176782Service Bulletin - The blower motor makes excessive noise, runs slowly, or intermittently stops working.
• 10170793Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2016 RLXs with a client complaint of slow air leak in the tires. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
• 10170240Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2016 RLXs with a client complaint of slow air leak in the tires. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
• 10169076Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2016 RLXs with a client complaint of slow air leak in the tires. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
• 10168088Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2016 RLXs with a client complaint of slow air leak in the tires. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
• 10167169Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2016 RLXs with a client complaint of slow air leak in the tires. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
• 10166520Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2016 RLXs with a client complaint of slow air leak in the tires. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
• 10165646Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2016 RLXs with a client complaint of slow air leak in the tires. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
• 10165017Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2016 RLXs with a client complaint of slow air leak in the tires. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
• 10164061Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2016 RLXs with a client complaint of slow air leak in the tires. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
• 10163446Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2016 RLXs with a client complaint of slow air leak in the tires. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
• 10163169Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2016 RLXs with a client complaint of slow air leak in the tires. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
• 10162005Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2016 RLXs with a client complaint of slow air leak in the tires. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
• 10160873ServiceNews Article - When removing and installing a cable reel, you need to keep both the cable reel and the steering angle sensor in position. If you don't, the VSA indicator may come on along with one or more VSA DTCs. And when you run the Neutral Memorization Procedure in the i-HDS, it won't complete.
• 10145032Service bulletin - The high pressure fuel pump area chirps after the engine is warm. The high pressure fuel pump is making a chirp.
• 10143346Service news article - If the On Demand Multi-Use Display? (ODMD) isn't responding to touch or is freezing up, the reason could be there's debris lodged in the gap between the touch screen and the bezel. Lodged debris contacting the screen can cause a false input, resulting in this issue. And since that gap widens and narrows with cabin temperature, this issue can be intermittent, especially in cold weather.
• 10143213Service news article - If the On Demand Multi-Use Display? (ODMD) isn't responding to touch or is freezing up, the reason could be there's debris lodged in the gap between the touch screen and the bezel. Lodged debris contacting the screen can cause a false input, resulting in this issue. And since that gap widens and narrows with cabin temperature, this issue can be intermittent, especially in cold weather.
• 10142673Service bulletin - In high ambient temperatures, the steering column screeches or squeals when it moves in or out. Premature wear of the steering column gearbox components.
• 10142449Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passengers airbag inflator only.
• 10139576Dealer message - Today, May 24, 2018, Acura is announcing a warranty extension for 2002-17 Acura vehicles. This warranty extension applies in cases where any of the replacement driver?s and/or front passenger?s airbag inflators have failed internally.
• 10136425Service bulletin - The high pressure fuel pump area chirps after the engine is warm. The high pressure fuel pump is making a chirp noise. NOTE: This noise does not impact the pump, engine function, or reliability.
• 10134520Service bulletin - The front brakes squeal when braking at slow speeds after the brakes are warm (after approximately 20 miles or 30 minutes of driving).

Every Acura Rlx model year

Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.