AI Damage2018 Acura RLX: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Acura RLX filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine and cooling. The maker issued 12 service bulletins for this year. We found 2 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 6
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 12
- YouTube repair videos
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 33% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 33% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 33% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel system 17% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (33% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (33% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Engine: 2 complaints (33% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (17% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
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, 10-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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 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 first time I heard the engine noise was on [XXX]. I brought the vehicle to the [dealer] dealership and dropped it off on May 20. On May 21, the dealership performed an initial inspection and informed me that they needed authorization to further disassemble the engine in order to determine the cause of the problem.
The contact stated while driving her vehicle at an undisclosed speed, stated that the vehicle would not start up, and noticed every single waring light illuminated up on her dash. The vehicle was taken to a dealer twice, first time it was diagnosed to have a crank sensor failure, it was replaced.
The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the headlight failure message was displayed. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the A/C compressor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.
The contact stated that an oil change and tire rotation were performed, and the contact was informed that the engine was knocking. The contact received a call notification from the dealer two days after the vehicle was repaired regarding the connecting rod bearing.
The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue.
My vehicle has the same 3.5 liter naturally aspirated V6 that comes in the Acrua MDX which is currently on recall for connecting rod bearings on vehicles with 3.5-liter V6 engines can fail, leading to complete engine failure. my car has the excact same engin with the exact same problem.
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
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- 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…
- 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 news article - To prevent damage during shipping, leather-wrapped steering wheels come with a…
Service news article - To prevent damage during shipping, leather-wrapped steering wheels come with a protective plastic covering. The easiest way to remove it during PDI is to grab the covering with both hands near…
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.
- 🏁2018 Acura RLX Sport🏁 #DealerKiller #cantycars #brakes #viral #Jerseyamount per author: 1,200 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
- 2018 Acura MDX Engine failure. #acuramdx #enginefailure
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Acura RLX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine and cooling, engine. Total complaints: 6. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: A/C or heater (17%), engine failure or replacement (17%), headlights and tail lights (17%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Acura RLX?
NHTSA lists 12 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 2018 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 2018 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.