Reliable Auto DB

2017 Acura RDX reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2017 Acura RDX holds 76 complaints after 10 years, a rate of 8 per year. That is more complaints per year than most RDX years here — over the median of the other years, which is 6. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Labels.

2012 Acura RDX
Photo by IFCAR, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons Public domain
Complaints

76

Per year

8

Recalls

1

Years on the road

10

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (23 of 76), then Electrical system (18) and Engine (11). Those filings include 7 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, 4 that report an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Next to 2016 and 2018

The 2016 RDX has 40 complaints, 6 per year, and the 2018 has 77 complaints, 5 per year. The 2017 has more complaints per year than the 2016. The 2017 has more complaints per year than the 2018.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2017 Acura RDX. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (1)

Recall Labels 2017-04-18 · NHTSA campaign 17V256000
Summary Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017 CR-V and Acura RDX vehicles. The Certification Labels on the affected vehicles were printed with ink that may be inadvertently wiped away with an alcohol solvent. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
Remedy Honda and Acura will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Certification Label, free of charge. The recall began June 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KF3 (CR-V)and KF4 (RDX).

Complaints by component (76 total)

Powertrain
23
Electrical system
18
Engine
11
Service brakes
11
Speed control
8
Forward collision avoidance
4
Air bags
3
Fuel and propulsion system
3
Lane departure
3
Electronic stability control (ESC)
2
Seat belts
2
Structure
2
Suspension
2
Visibility and wipers
2
Back-over prevention
1
Exterior lighting
1
Fire-related
1
Steering
1
Wheels
1
Show 11 more Show less
Crash-flagged

7

Fire-flagged

1

Injury reports

4

Death reports

1

Complaints filed per year

920177201872019320209202182022420239202412202582026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "DTC23-029 and SB P0741 “torque converter and transmission system problem” illuminated on dash. My vehicle is eligible based on 10 year or 150k miles per warranty extension however the dealership where I purchased the…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-09-18
  • "TRANSMISION WARNING LIGHT COMES ON ALONG WITH SIDE WARNING INDICATOR , STAYS ON TILL VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF . THEN MAY OR MAYNOT COME BACK ON . VERY INTERMITENT."
    Powertrain · filed 2026-08-27
  • "I have been experiencing issues with the alarm system when I lock the car the alarm randomly goes off. I have had my battery replaced and it still happens. There is nothing touching the handles during these times, it…"
    Electrical system · filed 2026-08-06
  • "The contact owns a 2017 Acura RDX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle loss automotive power while the accelerator pedal was depressed. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-05-12
  • "The contact owns a 2017 Acura RDX. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact's wife enabled the parking…"
    Powertrain, Speed control · filed 2026-04-27

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2017 Acura RDX SUV AWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2017 Acura RDX SUV FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
RDX all-wheel drive 3.5L, 6-cyl Automatic (6-speed) All-wheel drive 19 27 22 MPG $3650
RDX front-wheel drive 3.5L, 6-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 20 28 23 MPG $3450

Specs and fitment

3rd generation (TC1/TC2), 2016–2021
Body styles SUV
Oil 0W-20 (2.0L turbo) , 4.6 qt capacity
Tire size 235/55R19
Towing capacity 1,500 lbs

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA safety recall 21V215000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.

Compare

Previous year 2016 Acura RDX Next year 2018 Acura RDX See every Acura RDX model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Acura RDX reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2017 Acura RDX holds 76 complaints after 10 years, a rate of 8 per year. That is more complaints per year than most RDX years here — over the median of the other years, which is 6. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Labels.

What are common problems with a 2017 Acura RDX?

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (23 of 76), then Electrical system (18) and Engine (11). Those filings include 7 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, 4 that report an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Is the 2017 Acura RDX more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2016 RDX has 40 complaints, 6 per year, and the 2018 has 77 complaints, 5 per year. The 2017 has more complaints per year than the 2016. The 2017 has more complaints per year than the 2018.

Has the 2017 Acura RDX been recalled?

The 2017 Acura RDX has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2017 Acura RDX?

Owners have filed 76 complaints about the 2017 Acura RDX with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2017 Acura RDX get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2017 Acura RDX is 22.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a Acura RDX use?

US RDX manuals specify 0W-20 for recent turbo four-cylinder engines.

What generation is the 2018 Acura RDX?

3rd generation / TC1-TC2 (2016-2021).

What tire size does a recent Acura RDX use?

Many 2016-on US RDX pages list 235/55R19; earlier second-gen rows list 235/60R18.