2017 Acura RDX problems
The 2017 Acura RDX has 73 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2017 Acura RDX has 73 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 20 complaints, typically surfacing around 100,462 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 RDX | 239 | 0 |
| 2015 RDX | 407 | 0 |
| 2016 RDX | 40 | 2 |
| 2017 RDX (this page) | 73 | 0 |
| 2018 RDX | 76 | 0 |
| 2019 RDX | 431 | 0 |
| 2020 RDX | 339 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average
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.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2017 Acura RDX SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2017 Acura RDX? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- powertrain — 20 owner reports · tends to show around 100,462 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- electrical — 13 owner reports · tends to show around 24,512 mi · ~$850 to fix
- brakes — 9 owner reports · tends to show around 10,058 mi · ~$450 to fix
- cruise control — 5 owner reports · tends to show around 27,800 mi · ~$600 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: brakes is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 10,058 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2017 Acura RDX
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 6 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Since we have had the car we have had multiple issues with the car jerking and shifting hard after driving in S mode then going to standard mode. Dealership told us the transmission is "sensitive" in our model year and if we go 1 mile overdue for a transmission fluid flush we…
Keyless entry system failed at under 50k miles. When this Keyless Access Unit fails, you cannot start the car and the powertrain. The only way to resolve is to have the car towed to the dealership and have the part orders and installed at over $800. In a worst case scenario,…
I requested free diagnostic from Acura and they denied due to involvement of accident on 2/27/2018(rear-end). But the vehicle was repaired in the body shop certified by Acura and I made claim again to geico insurance company to figure out. The subject vehicle have the fuel…
Premature defective hydraulic timing belt tensioner similarly to the 2018 and 2019 RDX under recall. The seal in the tensioner prematurely aged causing hydraulic leakage making it unable to maintain timing belt tension. If the tensioner fail at highway speed causing the timing…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2017 Acura RDX reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 73 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 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 2017 Acura RDX?
On the NHTSA data, the 2017 Acura RDX does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2017 Acura RDX?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 20 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 100,462 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2017 Acura RDX a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 73 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 100,462 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2017 Acura RDX?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 20 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 100,462 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 100,462 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 2017 Acura RDX?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 73 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, 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.