Service Bulletin - While driving, the steering wheel rattles when you turn it.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Acura RDX steering problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 Acura RDX have filed 4 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 RDX | 3 |
| 2016 RDX (this page) | 4 |
| 2019 RDX | 5 |
| 2020 RDX | 3 |
When does it fail?
Of the 4 steering complaints filed for the 2016 Acura RDX, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 5 model years of Acura RDX in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service Bulletin - The front brakes squeal when lightly applied. There may also be vibration through the steering wheel while braking.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service bulletin - There is a creaking, rattling, buzzing, clicking, or rubbing noise coming from the driver's airbag area of the steering wheel when turning or driving.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE BULLETIN - THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG RIB, LOCATED BELOW THE SURFACE OF THE COVER, CONTACTS THE LEATHER WRAP ON THE STEERING WHEEL SPOKES, CAUSING A CREAKING, RATTLING, BUZZING, CLICKING, OR RUBBING NOISE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING OR DRIVING.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗DEALER MESSAGE - INVESTIGATING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING OR DRIVING.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Acura rdx. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed while exiting a fuel service station. When the contact attempted to turn the steering wheel to the right, the steering wheel abruptly locked and the vehicle drove into a ditch. There were no injuries. The steering wheel regained normal operation while reversing the vehicle out of the ditch. The contact drove…
Had steering trouble with your 2016 Acura RDX?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2016 Acura RDX?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 4 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 12,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Acura/RDX.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.