AI Damage2014 Acura RLX: common problems
Owners of the 2014 Acura RLX filed 84 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and suspension. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 84
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 58% of all complaints
- 2 Suspension 20% of all complaints
- 3 Electronic stability control 14% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 12% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 8% of all complaints
- 6 Forward collision avoidance 7% of all complaints
- 7 Lane departure 6% of all complaints
- 8 Wheels 6% of all complaints
- Steering: 49 complaints (58% of all).
- Suspension: 17 complaints (20% of all).
- Electronic stability control: 12 complaints (14% of all).
- Electrical system: 10 complaints (12% of all).
- Engine: 7 complaints (8% of all).
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 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 3.5 L · hybrid · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
- automatic, 7-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 84 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 49 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Lane departure | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 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.
As I was pulling into a parking space in a shopping plaza, the vehicle suddenly accelerated causing me to hit a parked vehicle about 10 ft to my left. Updated 3/17/2015
Sept of 2023 car was making a knocking noise. (128K ) Took to local Acura dealership. Told they could not find anything and told to drive the car till failure. Have 2 children and since this was a family car that was not a good idea. Insisted on tear down diagnostic to inspect problem.
The contact stated that while driving on the highway at an undisclosed speed, the power steering became inoperable, the vehicle steering wheel veered left or right and is misaligned. The warning lights lane departure, forward collision, all wheel steering, power steering and other warning indicators illuminated.
2014 Acura RLX Advance suffered an Engine Failure from internal bearing defect. The vehicle was meticulously maintained by Acura dealerships, and had extensive service records. While driving, the engine produced a knocking sound, then abruptly shook and died.
In my opinion any part that is known to have manufacturer defects that effect the primary Rear wheel drive system that effects almost all safety systems on the vehicle to include limp mode on a highway needs to be replaced, this is a large safety issue. Fact; Honda admits manufacturers errors on parts.
Rear toe actuator (PAWS system) failure causes steering instability, warning lights, and loss of control during cornering. Acura denied warranty coverage despite a known defect and VIN-based extension (TSB 23-021, 23-022).
In stead I have experienced the car making abrupt jerks to the right on multiple occasions. One instance, I turned onto an on-ramp that was dual lane. There was a vehicle to the right of me and my car abruptly jerked to the right towards the other car.
The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH in the rain, the vehicle started to fishtail, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the passengerâs side rear toe control actuator had failed and needed to be replaced.
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 3,956 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 11% most complained about).
On average one model year of the RLX has 16 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 84, above average.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Electronic stability control. ABS/ESC sensors, steering angle, codes after suspension repair.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Acura RLX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, suspension, electronic stability control. Total complaints: 84. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (32%), driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (17%), steering or power steering problems (15%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2014 Acura RLX?
NHTSA lists 0 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 2014 Acura RLX 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 2014 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 2026-11-05.