Problems · NHTSA complaints

2014 Acura RLX problems

Owners filed 84 complaints about the 2014 Acura RLX with NHTSA between Jul 2013 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is steering (49).

Complaints
84
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Steering49
  2. Suspension17
  3. Electronic stability control (esc)12
  4. Electrical system10
  5. Engine7
  6. Forward collision avoidance6
  7. Lane departure5
  8. Wheels5
  9. Power train3
  10. Vehicle speed control3
  11. Seat belts2
  12. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  13. Service brakes2
  14. Air bags2

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20134
20147
20154
20161
20171
20185
20199
202013
20215
20229
20236
20246
20259
20265

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Steering

49 reports
“My 2014 Acura RLX has experienced a severe failure of the Precision All-Wheel Steer (P-AWS) Rear Toe Control (RTC) Actuators. The vehicle and its components are currently located at the Hiley Acura of Fort Worth dealership and are fully available for inspection. Safety Risk: This failure causes dangerous rear-end fish-tailing, violent swaying, and completely unpredictable steering control at highway speeds, creating an immediate crash risk for myself and other drivers. Confirmation & Inspection: The problem first appeared on July 8, 2026. Upon failure, the instrument panel immediately lit up with every available indicator light and continuously rotated through all system warnings. I captured video evidence of this total dashboard cascade and presented it directly to the dealership. The authorized dealer, Hiley Acura, inspected the vehicle but misdiagnosed the symptom. They incorrectly charged me $455 to replace a steering angle sensor and bundled it into a total bill of $3,808.63 heavily loaded with elective maintenance items. Upon a secondary inspection after the issue persisted, Hiley Acura officially confirmed that the RTC actuators have failed and match…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 1, 2026Steering, SuspensionODI 11761406

Suspension

17 reports1 related recall
“Rear toe actuator (PAWS system) failure causes steering instability, warning lights, and loss of control during cornering. Acura denied warranty coverage despite a known defect and VIN-based extension (TSB 23-021, 23-022).”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 5, 2025SuspensionODI 11697542

Electronic stability control (esc)

12 reports
“Electronic Stability Control Problem-available for inspection upon request. 1. I have had issues with the rear end fishtailing for a few seconds that would correct itself. Today after I pulled out of work, the car fishtailed when I was entering the highway. All the warning lights started flashing-paws, brake assist,power steering, hill,lane departure,etc. 2. This is very dangerous and a safety issue that Acura should take responsibility for before accidents occur! 3. I notified the dealer on 5-13-2022 who stated the problem was probably just battery voltage related. 4. No warnings with the dashboard flashing lights until 5-13-2022 but the sudden fishtailing has been occurring for several months now. 5. I assumed it was the tires and bought 4 new ones. On 5-15-2022 the car fishtailed so suddenly my passangers thought i was trying to avoid hitting something in the road.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 15, 2022Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11464740

Electrical system

10 reports
“The contact owns a 2014 Acura RLX. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at an undisclosed speed, the power steering became inoperable, the vehicle steering wheel veered left or right and is misaligned. The warning lights lane departure, forward collision, all wheel steering, power steering and other warning indicators illuminated. In another occurrence, a noise could be heard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with power steering failure. A used part for a rear wheel steering actuator was replaced.; however the issue persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 15, 2026Steering, Electrical systemODI 11738094

Engine

7 reports
“Sept of 2023 car was making a knocking noise. (128K ) Took to local Acura dealership. Told they could not find anything and told to drive the car till failure. Have 2 children and since this was a family car that was not a good idea. Insisted on tear down diagnostic to inspect problem. Metal fragments in engine oil, connecting rod on cylinder 2. Dealership suggested to replace the engine. Engine was replaced at $13k Oct 31, 2023. (invoice provided) New engine has 40k miles and is now making the same knocking noise. Dealership says rod/crank failure, suggests REPLACING ENGINE AGAIN along with heads for $35K”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 10, 2026EngineODI 11743109

Forward collision avoidance

6 reports1 related recall
“Per Acura service bulletin 23-022, Dated June 9th 2023, Acura extended a warranty on the rear steering actuators that were admitted to be “manufacturer error” parts, to extend 10 years from purchase date. In my opinion any part that is known to have manufacturer defects that effect the primary Rear wheel drive system that effects almost all safety systems on the vehicle to include limp mode on a highway needs to be replaced, this is a large safety issue. Fact; Honda admits manufacturers errors on parts. Fact; Honda recognizes the issue and issues a service bulletin. Fact; Honda extends the duration to repair the manufacturing defective part. Fact; Honda denies claims ( even when vehicle safety is a concern) after the 10 year deadline Fact; most average 2014 cars driven 12,500 miles per year have roughly 125,000 miles in 10 years and the manufacturer error was realized most likely due to usage. My 2014 now 12 years old has just recently realized the manufacturer error at 81,000 miles and Honda will not honor repairs for their errors. Facts; Google; “is it safe to drive my Acura RLX with a defective Precision all wheel steering actuator”…safety concerns realized.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 30, 2026Steering, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11728136
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026

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