Which Acura RLX years should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, 2014 and 2016 are the RLX years to avoid, with 2014 having the highest complaint index at 100 and 84 total complaints.

Is there a best year for the Acura RLX?

No RLX year is listed as a best year in this data; 2015 and 2018 are marked Caution, and 2019 has zero complaints logged.

What is the most common problem area for the Acura RLX?

Steering is the top problem area across all RLX years, accounting for 59 complaints and a 53% share of total complaints.

Does the 2014 Acura RLX have recalls?

Yes, NHTSA lists five recall campaigns for the 2014 RLX, covering the fuel system, collision mitigation braking software, and headlight replacement.

How many total complaints does the Acura RLX have?

NHTSA lists 112 total complaints across all Acura RLX model years from 2014 to 2020, with 7 recall campaigns recorded.

Acura RLX Best and Worst Years (2014–2020)

Acura RLX 2014 and 2016 are the model years to avoid, based on NHTSA data. The 2014 leads with 84 complaints and a complaint index of 100, dominated by steering issues (58% share), while 2016 shows a lower complaint count but a crash-linked airbag and structural pattern. No RLX year is flagged as a clear best.

Avoid 2014 Avoid 2016

Model years: 7; 2014–2020
NHTSA complaints: 112
Recall campaigns: 7
Crashes reported: 2
Fires reported: 1
Top problem area: Steering

RLX Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Acura RLX problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2014	Avoid	100	84	1	0	5	Steering	26.5	—
2015	Caution	67	11	0	0	3	Steering	23	5★
2016	Avoid	83	6	1	0	0	Structure & Body	26.5	5★
2017	No verdict	33	3	0	1	0	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	26	5★
2018	Caution	50	6	0	0	1	Engine	25.5	5★
2019	No verdict	0	0	0	0	3	—	25.5	5★
2020	No verdict	17	2	0	0	1	Engine	25.5	5★

RLX years to avoid: what went wrong

2014 Acura RLX Index 100 · 84 complaints · 5 recalls

The 2014 RLX has the highest complaint volume of any RLX year, 84 complaints, and the top complaint index of 100 among all years. Steering problems dominate, making up 58% of complaints for the year with a median failure mileage of 78,000. Suspension, wheels, and tires issues follow at 27% share, with brakes and electrical system problems also reported. NHTSA lists five recall campaigns for this year, including a fuel system recall, a collision mitigation braking software update, and a headlight replacement recall. Owners describe loss of rear-end control at highway speed and unexpected steering behavior, along with transmission hesitation issues at lower mileage.

2014 steering problems →2014 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2014 brakes problems →

2016 Acura RLX Index 83 · 6 complaints · 0 recalls

The 2016 RLX carries a complaint index of 83, the second-highest among RLX years despite a low total of 6 complaints. One complaint involved a crash with an injury tied to airbag deployment issues, where only the knee airbag deployed in a frontal collision at 985 miles. Structure & Body and Suspension, Wheels & Tires each account for a third of the year's complaints. Owners also reported a trunk that unlocked on its own after being manually closed, with no fix offered, and rear-wheel steering actuators that failed to respond correctly during parking maneuvers, even after actuator replacement. No recall campaigns are listed for this year.

Most common Acura RLX problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Steering59 (53%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires29 (26%)
Brakes17 (15%)
Electrical System17 (15%)
Engine17 (15%)
Other7 (6%)
Collision Avoidance & Cameras6 (5%)
Lane Departure5 (4%)
Airbags3 (3%)
Fuel System3 (3%)

Frequently asked questions

Which Acura RLX years should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, 2014 and 2016 are the RLX years to avoid, with 2014 having the highest complaint index at 100 and 84 total complaints.
Is there a best year for the Acura RLX?: No RLX year is listed as a best year in this data; 2015 and 2018 are marked Caution, and 2019 has zero complaints logged.
What is the most common problem area for the Acura RLX?: Steering is the top problem area across all RLX years, accounting for 59 complaints and a 53% share of total complaints.
Does the 2014 Acura RLX have recalls?: Yes, NHTSA lists five recall campaigns for the 2014 RLX, covering the fuel system, collision mitigation braking software, and headlight replacement.
How many total complaints does the Acura RLX have?: NHTSA lists 112 total complaints across all Acura RLX model years from 2014 to 2020, with 7 recall campaigns recorded.