AI Damage2016 Acura RDX: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Acura RDX filed 41 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electrical system. The maker issued 133 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 41
- involving a crash
- 3
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 133
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 22% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 20% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 17% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 15% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 10% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 10% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 7% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 5% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 9 complaints (22% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Electrical system: 8 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 21.
- Engine: 7 complaints (17% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Service brakes: 6 complaints (15% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Steering: 4 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 41 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 9 | 0 | 5 |
| Electrical system | 8 | 0 | 21 |
| Engine | 7 | 0 | 3 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 1 | 9 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 8 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 20 |
| Air bags | 2 | 2 | 25 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Visibility | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| Lane departure | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The driver side airbag. And yes, it can be inspected. I was involved in a low impact accident, where I struck a minor curb. The airbag deployed in my face, causing a loss of consciousness and ongoing concussion. No warning signs at all. Not yet, the vehicle is being looked at on Monday.
The contact observed that the vehicle was having a failure of the tire pressure monitoring system light which was constantly illuminated, the windshield wiper motor was failing intermittently and the brakes continued to feel "mushy." The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer who determined that the vehicle…
The driver side window shattered and cut me with glass. The side air bag curtain and the door airbags didn't deploy. The emergency personnel was concerned about this and looked at the issue and trying to deploy the bags, which still did not deploy. The airbags in the other cars deployed.
Unknown lkas sytem lights came on and will not go out. All of them. 3 weeks ago everything locked up and I had to take to a dealer, they replaced the alternator but the system still malfuctioning and now the emissions control lights stay on with a p0443 code, replaced the evap control valve and the light keeps coming…
The check engine light started flashing, and multiple safety-system warnings appeared, including AWD System Problem, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) Problem, Hill Start Assist Problem, Electric Power Steering (EPS) Problem, and lane-keeping warnings.
There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering gear and suspension had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted.
No warning lights were illuminated. The contact’s wife took the vehicle to the local independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the front passenger’s side axle was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure.
As the car ahead was drastically slowing, I had to hit the brakes hard to avoid rear-ending him, and the momentum of sudden braking threw my hand and the shifter all the way forward into Park.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 960 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 46% most complained about).
On average one model year of the RDX has 109 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 41, below average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension
Customer Support Program For Driver's Airbag Inflator for 2016 ILX and 2016 RDX.
- Dealer message - American Honda is investigating a potential quality concern with RDX Accessory Cross Bar kit
Due to this investigation, American Honda is requesting all dealers to return any uninstalled inventory to American Honda for investigation and validation by the supplier.
- Dealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & 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…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2018 RDXs with a client complaint of the rear view camera loose or hanging. Clients may also notice a shaky image or a skewed angle view on the rear view camera screen when the…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is searching for certain 2013-2017 RDXs with a client complaint of paint peeling on the rear roof panel. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle…
- SYMPTOM The audio unit displays the wrong presets, blank presets, or random character presets
POSSIBLE CAUSES There is an internal failure in the tuner unit. CORRECTIVE ACTION Replace the tuner unit.
- SYMPTOM There is front brake noise during light brake pedal application
A vibration may also be felt through the steering wheel while braking. CORRECTIVE ACTION Install new front brake discs and pads.
- BACKGROUND When the client uses the HFL, the person they are speaking with may experience poor sound…
BACKGROUND When the client uses the HFL, the person they are speaking with may experience poor sound quality, static, or the speakers voice cutting out. CORRECTIVE ACTION Cross-check the HFL part number and the HFL…
- Background American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2016-2017 RDXs with a client complaint of a noise…
Background American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2016-2017 RDXs with a client complaint of a noise coming from the steering wheel (drivers airbag area) when turning ordriving. To fully understand the cause of…
- American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2016 RDXs with evidence of fuel leak from the fuel tank…
American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2016 RDXs with evidence of fuel leak from the fuel tank to the fuel pump connection. To fully understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect…
- Background American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2016 RDXs with evidence of fuel leak from…
Background American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2016 RDXs with evidence of fuel leak from the fuel tank to the fuel pump connection. To fully understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to…
- Service Bulletin - While driving, the steering wheel rattles when you turn it
NHTSA lists 133 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Acura RDX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electrical system, engine. Total complaints: 41. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (15%), windows, sunroof (12%), knocking, grinding or other noise (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Acura RDX?
NHTSA lists 133 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Acura RDX from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.