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 wit…
2017 acura RDX powertrain problems
severe 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$2,500
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 freew…
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 ACCELERATI…
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 DOWNSH…
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 the…
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2017 acura RDX?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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