2014 Acura RLX Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 7 RLX years
The 2014 Acura RLX ranks worst among 7 model years, with a Complaint Index of 100, 84 complaints, and 5 recalls. Steering issues dominate at 58% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 78,000 miles, giving it the site's Avoid verdict relative to other RLX years.
- Complaints
- 84
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 26.5
- 24 city / 30.5 hwy
Top 2014 Acura RLX problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering49 (58%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires23 (27%)
- Brakes15 (18%)
- Electrical System12 (14%)
- Engine10 (12%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras6 (7%)
- Lane Departure5 (6%)
- Other5 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (4%)
- Airbags2 (2%)
What owners report
- Rear-wheel steering actuators make a groaning noise that Acura has not resolved due to unavailable parts.
- Rear lower control arm bolts can fracture, causing a rear tire to detach while driving.
- Vehicles suffer persistent clunking, rattling, and vibration from all four wheels, especially at slower speeds, even after strut and damper replacements.
- The transmission intermittently fails to shift into 3rd gear, limiting speed until the vehicle slows or stops.
- Headlights cannot be dimmed or turned off unless the vehicle is stopped and in park or with the parking brake engaged.
- Factory-defective windshield washer pumps leave the windshield unable to be cleared of dust or debris.
2014 Acura RLX recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V858000Dec 18, 2023Fuel System2,490,460 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
- NHTSA 15V301000May 20, 2015Collision Avoidance & Cameras19,502 vehicles
Forward collision avoidance: crash imminent braking
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX 2WD and AWD, RLX and 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid vehicles. In certain driving conditions, the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) may incorrectly interpret certain roadside objects such as metal fences or metal guardrails as obstacles and unexpectedly apply the brakes.
Risk: If the CMBS unexpectedly applies emergency braking force while driving, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the CMBS software, free of charge. The recall began on July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's numbers for this recall is JQ4, JQ5 and JQ6.
- NHTSA 14V792000Dec 16, 2014Electrical System9,751 vehicles
Exterior lighting:headlights
American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured November 22, 2012, to January 30, 2014, 2015 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured June 4, 2014, to November 18, 2014, and 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid vehicles manufactured November 5, 2013, to July 25, 2014. An aluminum film applied to the inner reflector of the headlight may experience adhesion issues causing the film to delaminate. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Risk: Delamination of the aluminum film may diminish output of the headlight, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace both of the headlights, free of charge. The recall began February 2, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-310-783-2000. Honda's number for this recall is JN2.
2014 Acura RLX fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24 MPG
- Highway
- 30.5 MPG
- Combined
- 26.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,050
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2014 compared with other RLX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Acura RLX reliable?
- Compared to other RLX model years, the 2014 ranks worst, with a Complaint Index of 100 and 84 NHTSA complaints, the highest of the 7 years with data. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this year, more than any other RLX model year.
- What are the most common problems with the 2014 Acura RLX?
- Steering issues make up 58% of complaints, followed by suspension, wheels and tires at 27% and brakes at 18%. Median mileage at failure for steering complaints is 78,000 miles.
- Does the 2014 Acura RLX have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2014 RLX, covering the fuel system, collision mitigation braking software, headlights, seat belts, and rear suspension control arm bolts. None of these recalls are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2014 RLX compare to other RLX years?
- The 2014 RLX has the worst rank (1st worst of 7 years) with a Complaint Index of 100, compared to 2016's index of 83 and 2015's index of 67, both also rated Avoid or Caution.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2014 Acura RLX?
- The 2014 RLX gets an EPA-rated 26.5 mpg combined (24 city / 30.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050.