AI Damage2016 Acura RLX: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Acura RLX filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about structure and suspension. The maker issued 69 service bulletins for this year. We found 2 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 6
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 69
- YouTube repair videos
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Structure 33% of all complaints
- 2 Suspension 33% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 17% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 17% of all complaints
- 5 Wheels 17% of all complaints
- 6 Air bags 17% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 17% of all complaints
- Structure: 2 complaints (33% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Suspension: 2 complaints (33% of all).
- Steering: 1 complaints (17% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 12.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (17% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 11.
- Wheels: 1 complaints (17% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
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
- 3.5 L · hybrid · 6 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
- dual-clutch (DCT), 7-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 6 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 12 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 11 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 19 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Parking brake | 0 | 0 | 2 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 1,633 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 22% least complained about).
On average one model year of the RLX has 4 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 6, above average.
What to check before buying
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Service Bulletin - Drivers may experience a chirping sound coming from the engine area with the engine…
Service 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.
- Warranty Extension - Under certain circumstances, abnormal noise may be heard from the rear when driving…
Warranty 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…
- Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, abnormal noise may be heard from the rear when…
Owner 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…
- Service Bulletin - Due to manufacturing errors, abnormal noise may be heard from the rear when driving…
Service 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…
- Dealer Message - Due to manufacturing errors, abnormal noise may be heard from the rear when driving…
Dealer 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…
- American 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…
- BACKGROUND 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…
- SYMPTOM 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.
- American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2016 RLXs with a client complaint of a chirping noise…
American 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…
- Basic Problem American Honda had a computer programming issue; an obsolete program name causing printing…
Basic 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…
- ServiceNews Article - Do you have a slow tire leak, but there are no signs of sidewall damage or anything…
ServiceNews 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…
- Service Bulletin - The timing belt area chirps after the engine warms up
NHTSA lists 69 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Acura RLX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: structure, suspension, steering. Total complaints: 6. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (17%), stalls while driving (17%), tires: bulges, blowouts (17%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Acura RLX?
NHTSA lists 69 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 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 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.