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 will have shudder/jerking/ hard shifting. (we have changed the transmission fluid 1-2x since have had the car, which is…
2017 Acura RDX powertrain problems
moderate 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
What stands out
Among the 8 model years of Acura RDX in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Powertrain accounts for 27% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 6 categories tracked.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
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, the driver could be stranded in unsafe conditions -- weather extremes (heat or cold) or parking at the side of the…
When the engine does not respond to the throttle, you continue to depress throttle, then the engine begines to jerk and slowly accelerate. Engine appears to die when you are in the slow down situation. I have to press accelerator to the floor to get the car going. Getting on the highway, is very unsafe because you need a lot of room to accelerate because a v6 engine hesitated at the…
1) harsh transmission shifts the transmission's gear shifts (both up and down) are jerky, and it's very obvious & unpleasant when compared to driving other cars (even to a 2005 Toyota corolla). The shifts seem much harsher especially when downshifting. When the car slows down, there is a sudden jerk and a noticeable drop in speed. I've concluded that it occurs most when the transmission…
The car accelerated rapidly when I came to a stop. When I brought it to, the dealership they found 3 problems with the transmission. First, the transmission had overheated, there were problems in the clutch assembly, and I don't know the third.
While driving, the car slips into manual gear shift and is slow to accelerate and it will have a hard shift of gears from 20 - 60 mph. The emissions check and transmission indicator lights are on. I can not drive the car safely because of the jerks of gear shifts or the slow acceleration when driving on roads and highways. The car is being inspected for transmission issues with concerns that…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2017 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 powertrain problem on the 2017 Acura RDX?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 20 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 20 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 100,462 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/2017/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.