2017 Acura RLX problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 3 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2017 Acura RLX has 3 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 RLX | 83 | 5 |
| 2015 RLX | 11 | 3 |
| 2016 RLX | 5 | 0 |
| 2017 RLX (this page) | 3 | 0 |
| 2018 RLX | 6 | 1 |
| 2019 RLX | 0 | 3 |
| 2020 RLX | 2 | 1 |
Limited NHTSA data — only 3 complaints on file. The score reflects what's reported, but a small sample skews easily.
Only 3 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident reliability call. Could be a clean record or just thin data.
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: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2017 Acura RLX 4 DR FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The contact owns a 2017 Acura RLX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle pulled to the right, with a creaking sound while turning the steering wheel to the left or the right. The contact replaced the brake pads and rotors every year, but the…
Catastrophic engine failure at speed, connecting rod failure, which is a known failure for this engine. Engine blew, lost all power, and hot oil hit the hot exhaust and the car caught on fire. A fire truck came to put out the engine fire.
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Acura rlx. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a severe vibration on the driver's side wheel. The contact was able to feel the failure more while driving higher speeds. The failure occurred without warning. Acura of orange park (7200…
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 RLX reliable?
Limited NHTSA data. Only 3 owner complaints have been filed for the 2017 Acura RLX, which is not enough for a meaningful reliability score. Active recalls (if any) are listed on this page and remain authoritative — those are verified defects regardless of complaint volume. For a confident reliability read we look for at least 10 owner complaints in the federal database.
Should you avoid the 2017 Acura RLX?
Only 3 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident reliability call. Could be a clean record or just thin data. We don't issue a buy/avoid verdict on the 2017 Acura RLX without a meaningful complaint sample — doing so off a handful of filings would be guesswork.
What should I check before buying a used 2017 Acura RLX?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on the 2017 Acura RLX to flag a standout failure pattern. Run the VIN for open recalls — those are free to fix regardless of warranty — get a standard pre-purchase inspection, and ask the seller for service records.
Is the 2017 Acura RLX a good used car to buy?
Hard to say from federal data alone — only 3 owner complaints have been filed. Lean on the recall list above, a pre-purchase inspection, and a vehicle-history report on the specific VIN. Our data tells you what the model is known for; a history report tells you what that exact car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2017 Acura RLX?
No problem area has crossed our reporting threshold yet, which is a good sign for this vehicle.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
Major repair items haven't been flagged often enough on this vehicle to single one out.
How do I check if my Acura RLX 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 RLX?
Hard to say from NHTSA data alone with only 3 complaints on file. A quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. The decision comes down to your specific situation: vehicle cost, miles on it, how long you plan to keep it, and whether you can absorb a $3K–$8K repair without straining cashflow. With limited public data on this vehicle, lean on the recall list above and check owner forums before committing.