Research · Midsize Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2014 Acura RLX HybridRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 1 owner complaint for the 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid. Most complaints involve electrical system (1). The EPA rates it 30 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
30mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest May 2015
Owner complaints
1
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Forward collision avoidance: crash imminent braking

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX 2WD and AWD, RLX and 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid vehicles. In certain driving conditions, the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) may incorrectly interpret certain roadside objects such as metal fences or metal guardrails as obstacles and unexpectedly apply the brakes.

Forward collision avoidanceReported May 20, 2015NHTSA 15V301000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured November 22, 2012, to January 30, 2014, 2015 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured June 4, 2014, to November 18, 2014, and 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid vehicles manufactured November 5, 2013, to July 25, 2014. An aluminum film applied to the inner reflector of the headlight may experience adhesion issues causing the film to delaminate. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

Exterior lightingReported Dec 16, 2014NHTSA 14V792000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2018 – Feb 2018
  1. Electrical system1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each RLX Hybrid model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20141
20162
20183
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

1 report
“MY CAR HAS BEEN DAMAGED 3 TIMES BY RODENTS CHEWING ON WIRING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TWICE. FORTUNATELY, THE BREAKDOWNS HAVE OCCURRED WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED, AND NOT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. BUT, YOU ONLY NEED TO DO A SEARCH OF THE 'NET TO FIND REPORTS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD BREAKDOWNS WHILE DRIVING, AND EVEN FIRES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE ROOT CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM IS THAT MANUFACTURING OF WIRING IS NOW USING "ECO-FRIENDLY" LUBRICANTS BASED ON SOY OR PEANUTS. THIS CREATES AN "ATTRACTIVE NUISANCE" FOR RODENTS TO CHEW ON THE WIRING, THINKING IT MAY CONCEAL FOOD. IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY AT THE PICTURE I ATTACHED, THE WIRING HAD BEEN WRAPPED WITH A GREY "ANTI-RODENT" TAPE (WHICH CONTAINS CAPSAICIN) THE SECOND TIME IT WAS REPAIRED. BUT, I DON'T THINK IT WAS COMPLETELY WRAPPED ALL THE WAY TO THE CONNECTOR, AND ONLY A SMALL PART WAS LEFT EXPOSED. THIS TAPE IS AN ACTUAL HONDA PART THAT CAN BE ORDERED BY THEIR SERVICE DEPT. SO, HONDA IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THREE MEN FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST AMERICAN HONDA IN 2016. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS BY HONDA TO DISMISS IT, THE PLAINTIFFS FILED A MOTION TO CERTIFY THE LAWSUIT AS A CLASS ACTION.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 7, 2018Electrical systemODI 11071578
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic (S7)
Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
RLX Hybrid
Auto (S7), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
283130$2,600302
  • RLX Hybrid
    Auto (S7), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    28 city · 31 hwy · $2,600/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 8479
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2014 RLX Hybrid questions

How many recalls does the 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid problems?

Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid at 30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026