Problems · NHTSA complaints

2017 Acura RLX problems

Owners filed 3 complaints about the 2017 Acura RLX with NHTSA between Feb 2018 and Jun 2026. The most-cited component is suspension (2).

Complaints
3
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
1
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. Suspension2
  2. Steering1
  3. Engine1
  4. Wheels1
  5. Service brakes1

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
20181
20190
20200
20210
20220
20230
20240
20250
20262

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

Suspension

2 reports
“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 failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure persisted after the wheels were rotated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the steering column and suspension had failed, and the dealer replaced the steering column. Despite all the repairs, the failures persisted and became progressively worse. In addition to all the failures, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside and outside the vehicle. The vehicle intermittently failed to start. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure or determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, Atlantic Coast Acura (11225 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32225); who was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 5, 2026Steering, SuspensionODI 11742249

Steering

1 report

Engine

1 report1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 3, 2026EngineFire reportedODI 11728965

Wheels

1 report
“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 BLANDING BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA) STATED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE RESURFACED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT AN ACURA CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN WOULD HAVE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE BEFORE ANY FURTHER ACTION WAS TAKEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,500.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 5, 2018Suspension, Wheels, Service brakesODI 11066940

Service brakes

1 report
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.