AI Damage2017 Acura RLX: common problems
Owners of the 2017 Acura RLX filed 3 complaints with NHTSA, most often about suspension and steering. The maker issued 37 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 3
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 37
What fails most often
- 1 Suspension 67% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 33% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 33% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 33% of all complaints
- 5 Wheels 33% of all complaints
- Suspension: 2 complaints (67% of all).
- Steering: 1 complaints (33% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
- Engine: 1 complaints (33% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (33% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Wheels: 1 complaints (33% 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 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 3 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The vehicle intermittently failed to start. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure or determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, Atlantic Coast Acura ([address], Jacksonville, [ZIP]); who was unable to diagnose the vehicle.
Catastrophic engine failure at speed, connecting rod failure, which is a known failure for this engine. Engine blew, lost all power, and hot oil hit the hot exhaust and the car caught on fire. A fire truck came to put out the engine fire.
The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a severe vibration on the driver's side wheel. The contact was able to feel the failure more while driving higher speeds. The failure occurred without warning. Acura of orange park ([address], jacksonville, florida) stated that the brakes needed to be resurfaced.
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 1,806 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 14% least complained about).
On average one model year of the RLX has 4 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 3, below average.
What to check before buying
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- 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 - 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…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
(AHM) is searching for 2017 MDXs, RDXs, RLXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P2652 (Rocker Arm Oil Pressure Switch B [Bank 1] Stuck On) & P3400 (Valve Pause…
- Service Bulletin - The timing belt area chirps after the engine warms up
- Service Bulletin - The timing belt area makes a chirping noise after the engine warms up
- Service Bulletin - The blower motor makes excessive noise, runs slowly, or intermittently stops working
- Service Bulletin - There is a high-pitched sound from the speakers while on a Bluetooth HandsFreeLink…
- Service bulletin - After the vehicle has been running for approximately 15 minutes with the A/C on, a…
Service bulletin - After the vehicle has been running for approximately 15 minutes with the A/C on, a whine can be heard that changes at different rpms. A whine from the A/C compressor is entering the cabin via the A/C…
NHTSA lists 37 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 2017 Acura RLX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: suspension, steering, engine. Total complaints: 3. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: engine failure or replacement (33%), won't start (33%), smoke, burning smell, fire (33%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 Acura RLX?
NHTSA lists 37 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 2017 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 2017 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.