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ProblemsByVinFile / 2016-ACURA-RDXNHTSA data synced 3 days ago
2016 · Acura
Acura RDX problems
2 critical safety recalls on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 39 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
Reliability score
7.0 / 10
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
2
Critical
0
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2016 RDX?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average
2 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2016 RDX· engine
Happened twice. Press accelerator and engine bogs way down, warning lights seem to cycle through numerous issues. Dealer could not find anything wrong. Someone said that internally the electronics switched it to highway mode where the engine switches from 6 cylinders to 3…
I was driving my 2016 Acura rdx down a local city road midday. There were no cars in the vicinity. While driving (about 35 MPH), I suddenly and without warning heard a loud noise of glass shattering. There was no prior sound of any animal or object hitting the car. I turned…
The contact owns a 2016 Acura RDX. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH a deer had jumped in front of his vehicle. The contact stated that he depressed the brake pedal with force, however, the pedal did not respond and depressed to the floorboard with no…
June 18, 2016, I had a service appointment for a road trip special. I was going on a road trip a few days later. I advised [xxx] my steering wheel is shaking a little when breaking from higher speeds. When I got my car back, [xxx] stated they replaced the front rotors and…
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An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.
Under investigation
1 open at NHTSA
EAAir Bags › Frontal · opened September 2021
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Acura RDX is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2016 Acura RDX?
The 2016 Acura RDX is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 Acura RDX?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 8 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 15,671 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 15,671 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Acura RDX has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Acura RDX?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 39 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 3 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Acura/RDX.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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