2016 Acura RLX reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2016 Acura RLX has 6 complaints with NHTSA after 11 years, or 1 per year. That is more complaints per year than most RLX years here — over the median of the other years, which is 0. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.

2014 Acura RLX
Photo by Kevauto, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

6

Per year

1

Recalls

0

Years on the road

11

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Structure (2 of 6), then Suspension (2) and Air bags (1). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash and 1 that reports an injury.

Next to 2015 and 2017

The 2015 RLX has 11 complaints, 0 per year, and the 2017 has 3 complaints, 0 per year. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2017.

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 2016 Acura RLX. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (0)

No recalls on file with NHTSA for this model year.

Complaints by component (6 total)

Structure
2
Suspension
2
Air bags
1
Electrical system
1
Fuel and propulsion system
1
Steering
1
Wheels
1
Crash-flagged

1

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

1

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

22016120201202122026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The contact owns a 2016 Acura RLX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and turning, the rear axle made a rubbing sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that…"
    Suspension · filed 2026-09-21
  • "The car died on the freeway, tow truck towed contacted mechanic next day and they came and diagnosed the car and needed a crank shaft sensor and change was complete. Car is still showing the same issues stalls…"
    Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-07-29
  • "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…"
    Steering · filed 2021-04-25
  • "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…"
    Electrical system, Structure · filed 2020-10-01
  • "3 SIDEWALL SEPARATIONS ON 3 DIFFERENT WHEEL LOCATIONS IN NORMAL DRIVING AFTER HITTING MODERATE POTHOLES AT BETWEEN 30-40 MPH. THE MID PROFILE MICHELIN PRIMACY OEM TIRES, 19 INCH WHEELS, AND SUSPENSION DO NOT FUNCTION…"
    Suspension, Wheels, Unknown or other · filed 2016-08-07

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2016 Acura RLX 4 DR FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars
2016 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid 4 DR AWD Not rated Not rated 5 stars 5 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
RLX 3.5L, 6-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 20 30 23 MPG $3450
RLX hybrid 3.5L, 6-cyl Automatic (7-speed) All-wheel drive 28 31 30 MPG $2650

Specs and fitment

1st generation (KC1/KC2), 2014–2020
Body styles Sedan
Oil 0W-20 , 4.5 qt capacity
Tire size 245/40R19

Known issues for this generation

Recall 13V-622 covers certain 2014 Acura RLX vehicles: bolts that attach the rear lower control arms to the subframe may have loosened during transport to dealerships. Loose rear lower control arm bolts may reduce steering ability and increase crash risk; dealers replace those bolts. Recall 23V-858 covers certain Acura RLX vehicles among many Honda and Acura models: the low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail, which can stall the engine while driving and increase crash risk. Dealers replace the fuel pump module. That campaign's published unit count is shared across the listed Honda and Acura nameplates.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Acura RLX reliable?

The 2016 Acura RLX has 6 complaints with NHTSA after 11 years, or 1 per year. That is more complaints per year than most RLX years here — over the median of the other years, which is 0. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.

What are common problems with a 2016 Acura RLX?

The complaints owners file most often name Structure (2 of 6), then Suspension (2) and Air bags (1). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash and 1 that reports an injury.

Is the 2016 Acura RLX more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2015 RLX has 11 complaints, 0 per year, and the 2017 has 3 complaints, 0 per year. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2017.

Has the 2016 Acura RLX been recalled?

NHTSA has no recalls on file for the 2016 Acura RLX.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2016 Acura RLX?

Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2016 Acura RLX with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2016 Acura RLX get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2016 Acura RLX is 26.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does an Acura RLX use?

U.S. owner manuals specify 0W-20 with about 4.5 qt including filter on typical RLX powertrains.

What tire size is on the Acura RLX?

Common OE fitment is 245/40R19 on front and rear for many RLX sedans; verify on the door placard.

What NHTSA recalls mention the Acura RLX?

Recall 13V-622 covers certain 2014 RLX rear lower control arm bolts; recall 23V-858 covers certain RLX models for low-pressure fuel pump failure among shared Honda/Acura campaigns.