2015 Acura Rlx problems
The Acura RLX is a mid-size flagship luxury car manufactured by Honda and sold under their Acura division, released in 2013, succeeding the RL. The RLX was discontinued in 2020.
Background and development
The Acura Legend was a very successful vehicle to launch Acura as a separate division, and combined with sales of the Integra this resulted in Acura outselling longtime luxury marques BMW and Mercedes-Benz as well as Toyota's new luxury division Lexus. However, the successor RL sold below expectations due to relatively tight interior for its size, the lack of a V8 performance engine option and better handling rear-wheel drive experience, and/or relatively expensive compared to its rivals.
An October 2009 Car and Driver blog cited a dinner with Acura executives who acknowledged that the introduction of the new, larger, and in some guises, more powerful, fourth generation Acura TL made it difficult to market the then-current RL. In November 2009, an Autoweek article reported that new Honda CEO Takanobu Ito told Automotive News that Acura is going to change course. Speaking of the worldwide economy before the collapse of investment bank Lehman Brothers, Ito said through an interpreter, "Pre-Lehman, we did have the idea to produce more multicylinder engines... I see the future of Acura as a merger of BMW and Audi -- something between high performance and high technology." As a result of this midstream change, Acura will be in a "low-growth period of developing new products," Ito said. "We were thinking that we could come up with glamorous, gorgeous products that would sell. Now, our premium products will be expressed in advanced environmental technologies, rather than glamorous things attached to the product," he said.
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Common 2015 Acura Rlx problems
The 2015 Acura RLX has been reported to have several common problems based on complaints from owners. One of the most serious issues is a faulty valve in the front shock absorber. This problem affects the car's suspension and handling, leading to a less comfortable and less safe driving experience.
Another significant issue with the 2015 Acura RLX is related to the Collision Mitigation Braking System. The system was designed to automatically stop the vehicle if there was an obstacle or hazard in the road that the driver didn’t see in time. However, the system in the 2015 RLX was registering common roadside objects like guardrails and telephone poles, causing the vehicle to apply the brakes unexpectedly. This presented a serious safety issue, leading to a recall of the model year.
The 2015 Acura RLX also had issues with the headlights. An aluminum film applied to the inner reflector of the headlight may experience adhesion issues causing the film to delaminate. This failure to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, “Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment” led to another recall of the model year.
Additionally, the 2015 Acura RLX has been reported to have problems with the wheels and hubs, with the worst problem category being Acura RLX wheels / hubs problems.
It is important to note that while these issues have been reported by some owners, the 2015 Acura RLX still has a reputation for reliability, as it is the luxury branch of the Honda Motor Company, which is known for its dedication to longevity in its vehicles. However, these common problems should be taken into consideration when purchasing a 2015 Acura RLX.
Is Acura RLX reliable?
Compared to rivals, the RLX offers far fewer trims, doesn't have CarPlay or Android Auto smartphone integration, and isn't as well known. And while Acura vehicles have a good record of reliability, the RLX's resale value is below average.
Is Acura RLX expensive to maintain?
The average annual repair cost for a Acura is $501, which means it has above average ownership costs. The other factors that contribute to Acura reliability include an average of 0.4 visits to a repair shop per year and a 8% probability of a repair being severe.
What is the mileage of Acura RLX?
Find and Compare Cars
| 2020 Acura RLX | |
|---|---|
| Personalize Find a car | 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Automatic (S10) Compare |
| Fuel Economy | |
| EPA MPG | Premium Gasoline 23 combined city/highway MPG 20 city 29 highway 4.3 gals/100 miles |
What is the RLX recall?
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura NSX, 2019 Acura RDX, RLX and RLX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R and HR-V, 2019-2020 Insight and 2019 Fit vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
2015 Acura Rlx car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Acura Rlx problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Steering problems
- Suspension problems
- Engine problems
- Electrical system problems
- Electronic stability control (esc) problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2015 Acura Rlx vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2015 Acura Rlx complaints
The NHTSA has received 9 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2015 Acura Rlx.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-06-01
- VIN: JH4KC1F95FC
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: I have a 2015 Acura RLX equipped with precision all wheel steer(PAWS). According to Acura, PAWS allows the rear wheels to move independently of the front wheels for better control and handling. The system often malfunctions and moves the vehicle in a path other than what is intended based on my steering wheel input. It is very dangerous as I do not know when the system will malfunction and I have to quickly adjust the steering wheel to correct the PAWS malfunctioning. I have brought this to the attention of my local Acura dealer and American Honda. I now understand there is a known defect with the PAWS systems but Honda does not deem this a safety issue. There is a national backorder to have the appropriate part(s) in to remedy the issue. I do not feel safe driving the vehicle due to it's unpredictable nature and risk of causing a collision.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-07-15
- VIN: JH4KC1F57FC
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: When you are driving the steering wheel is jerked out of your hand causing the vehicle to change lanes. The problem happens intermintently. Date the issue started was around 7/15/2022 and has continued since. Our vehicle has been taken to Acura of Baton Rouge but they are unable to get a fault code on the computer to know what to fix. Please note this is note the first issue with this so called all wheel steering system. See Acura service bulletin 13-041. Your agency has addressed this issue in the past but did not go far enough. We have contacted Acura customer service and have been advised that without a diagnosis code, they cannot help. In my research it appears there is a constant issue with this "all wheel steering system". Most can be seen at: https://www.carproblemzoo.com/acura/rlx/steering-problems.php and https://www.cars.com/articles/2014-16-acura-rlx-steering-wheel-issue-1420682714078/d There are numerous complaints about this all wheel steering system and as most have posted, Acura/Honda has refused to address the issue. These vehicles are a hazard to drive and are going to get someone seriously injured. My wife nearly missed a head on collision the other day. Time to re-open the investigation on all of Acura's "all wheel drive systems" before deaths occur.
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-06-07
- VIN: JH4KC1F56FC
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: The contact owns a 2015 Acura RLX. The contact stated while switching lanes to the left, the vehicle started fishtailing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated the failure recurred and the vehicle was taken to the dealer a second time. The contact was informed that the RTC actuators needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle could not be repaired under Technical Service Bulletin: 13-041 because the vehicle was over the mileage. The failure mileage was 63,000. The consumer stated the vehicle was repaired on 7/28/2022 at the cost of $4821.79, and requesting reimbursement for the repairs.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-09-06
- VIN: JH4KC1F91FC
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2015 Acura RLX. The contact stated while driving 38 MPH, the rear-end of the vehicle was fishtailing and the steering wheel was turning towards the left. The contact stated that the vehicle would not accelerate above 50 MPH. Several unknown warning lights illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and called and informed the local dealer about the failure. The contact stated that the steering was previously repaired by the dealer. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the driver’s and passenger’s side rear tow actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,386.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-06-05
- VIN: jh4kc1f53fc
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: I have 2014 built, 2015 registered Acura rlx. Problem is when I make left turn all warning yellow lights on, like X-mas trees and shows all faults like traction control, brake, steering ...etc. Around 45 degrees angle to my right hand side on steering wheel if I control my car to go straight. (Cars tail swings to right hand side line) Max speed is around 50mph. This problem disappears after turns off engine and wait for while. It have happened for several times since 2019. I believe this is related with rear steering or actuator. Bad PAWS (rear steering) system. ):
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-02-12
- VIN: JH4KC1F52FC
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: I HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME EXPERIENCE AS #11246196. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN, MY CAR STEERING LOSES CONTROL, FISH TAILS, THEN ALL DASHBOARD ERRORS LIGHT UP. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN CHANGING LANES ON A HIGHWAY AND ON CITY STREETS ALSO. THE CAR GOES INTO LIMP MODE, WITH ALL ERRORS FLASHING. STEERING WHEEL IS IN A TURNED POSITION WHEN MOVING FORWARD, BROUGHT IT TO A FRIEND WHO HAD A CODE READER, TWO CODES WERE FOUND, 27-21 STEERING ANGLE SENSOR INTERNAL FAILURE AND 86-23 F-CAN COMMUNICATION WITH ACC (ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL) MALFUNCTION. THIS CAN ONLY BE CLEARED IF BATTERY IS DISCONNECTED FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN THE CAR RETURNS TO NORMAL AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET ON THIS SUBJECT AND HAVE FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE INCLUDING #11246196. SEE ATTACHED ERROR CODES. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON 7 OR 8 OCCASIONS. THE FISHTAILING THAT OCCURS CAN BE SCARY ON THE HIGHWAY!
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-11-05
- VIN: JH4KC1F91FC
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 ACURA RLX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE STALLING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DUVAL ACURA LOCATED AT 11225 ATLANTIC BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32225; WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING TENSIONER FAILED, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT YET NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,600.
STEERING,SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-07-06
- VIN: JH4KC1F96FC
- Components: STEERING,SUSPENSION
- Summary: A MOANING OR RUBBING NOISE IS HEARD FROM THE REAR WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT AND MAKIN SMALL SIDE-TO-SIDE TURNING MOVEMENTS AND WHEN YOU MAKE A SMALL TURN IT FISH TAIL SO U HAVE TO SLOW DOWN AND LET THE WHEELS CATCH UP. WITH THE REAR P-AWS ACTUATORS. I FELL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR 2015 ACURA RLX. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN JACKSON MS AND THEY SAY THE ACTUATORS IS BAD. THEY TOLD ME THAT EVERYONE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. HOW CAN I GET THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX MY CAR. HOW CAN I SEND YOU MY COPY.
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-08-19
- VIN: JH4KC1F94FC
- Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
- Summary: WHEN I MAKE A LEFT TURN, MY WHEELS AND STEERING WHEEL GET OUT OF SYNC AND THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO TEMPORARILY BECOME HARD TO STEER. AT THIS POINT, THE CAR DOESN'T RESPOND TO NORMAL STEERING GESTURES. IT FEELS AS IF THE CAR IS GOING TO VEER OUT OF THE LANE AND IT DOESN'T RESPOND FOR ME TO CORRECT IT FROM VEERING OFF UNLESS I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY TOWARDS THE LEFT HAND TRAFFIC WHICH IS VERY UNUSUAL AND VERY SCARY. WHEN TO CORRECT ITSELF, THE CAR JERKS ITSELF AS THE STEERING WHEEL AND TIRES RE-ALLIGN THEMSELVES. THIS MAKES THE CAR SWERVE TOWARDS THE OTHER LANE AND I THEN HAVE TO VIOLENTLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WITH THE OPPOSITE WAY TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR. JUST SEEM TO ONLY HAPPEN WHEN I MAKE LEFT TURNS. THE DEEPER THE LEFT TURN THE MORE NOTICEABLE IT IS. I HAVE NOT SEEM TO NOTICE IT WHEN I MAKE RIGHT TURNS. THIS SEEMS TO BE WEARING OUT THE TREAD ON THE LEFT REAR TIRE. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING, THE ALL-WHEEL STEERING OR COMPUTER CALCULATIONS. I'M GOING TO TAKE IT TO YOU LOOKED AT THIS WEEK. THIS JUST BECAME MORE NOTICEABLE THIS PAST WEEK. PRIORITY IS I ASSUMED THAT THERE WERE SOME IMPERFECTIONS ON THE STREET THAT CAUSES THIS LIKE A SMALL SINKHOLE OR AN UNEVEN SECTION OF THE ROAD. I'VE OWNED TWO TLS, AND I OWN A RL AND THIS RLX, AND I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE OR ANYTHING LIKE THIS.
2015 Acura Rlx recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 2015 Acura Rlx.
- Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
- Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
- Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: CRASH IMMINENT BRAKING
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: If the CMBS unexpectedly applies emergency braking force while driving, there is an increased risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the CMBS software, free of charge. The recall began on July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's numbers for this recall is JQ4, JQ5 and JQ6.
- Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
- Summary: 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."
- Consequence: Delamination of the aluminum film may diminish output of the headlight, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace both of the headlights, free of charge. The recall began February 2, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-310-783-2000. Honda's number for this recall is JN2.
Negative 2015 Acura Rlx car reviews
Positive 2015 Acura Rlx car reviews
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If you're in search of a well-built and luxurious car, this is the one for you.
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I'm so glad you like the car! It's funny to think that you were considering a Lexus 460.
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Just bought a 2014 RLX Advance and the difference from my 2011 RL is like night and day! We absolutely love this car. The RLX has it all - a great ride, state-of-the-art technology, and it looks fantastic. Thanks for making such a great car! - JG
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This is a fantastic car! It's actually my 4th Acura (2 TSX, 1 TL). The interior is better than anything I've seen, and the standard technology is exceptional. While it could be a bit sharper on the outside, it still gets lots of looks and certainly beats the Lexus GS. Plus, with the great discounting going on, it would be hard to find a better value.
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This car has a lot of room and good gas mileage, especially if you keep your foot off the accelerator. It's still running great, although the rear passenger door lock has stopped working. It could benefit from bigger brakes for the driving I do, but other than that, it's still very smooth, solid, and quiet.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2015 Acura Rlx problems:
2015 Acura RLX Problems and Complaints - 4 Issues
Problem with your 2015 Acura RLX? Our list of 4 known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your 2015 Acura RLX.
Get an RLX or run away? - AcuraZine - Acura Enthusiast Community
Dec 30, 2019 ... ... common across a lot of Honda/Acura vehicles. Heck ... I recently went to the 2015+ problem boards ... This is a known problem for shawd models ...
Unreliable Vehicles To Avoid: 2015 Acura RLX | Endurance Warranty
Oct 25, 2021 ... One of the most serious consumer complaints about the 2015 Acura RLX is a faulty valve in the front shock absorber. This common issue ...
my RLX is JUNK - anyone else with issues - AcuraZine - Acura ...
Oct 25, 2013 ... 3G RLX Problems & Fixes - my RLX is JUNK - anyone else with issues - I'm very disappointed with Acura and how they've handled my issues.
Common Problems with 2014 Acura RLX | Q&A on RLX-800, Engine ...
Jul 30, 2019 ... Acura 2014 rlx, vsa, forward collison, power steering lights come on and car will not go over 50. Stop car, put in - Answered by a verified ...
Other years of Acura Rlx
Are you having problems with your 2015 Acura Rlx?
Clyde Marks 2024-06-13
All in all, it sounds like you had a good experience with the car. However, you mentioned that you are unsure if you would lease it again if given the opportunity. Is there anything in particular that you didn't like about it?
Weldon Mante 2024-06-03
I bought my Acura RLX in 2019 with 59,000 miles. Unfortunately, after only two weeks of driving, the car started veering to the right when I was driving straight. I took it to the Acura Dealership and they diagnosed the issue as the rear actuators. Thankfully, the car was still under warranty and the repair was covered. However, the same issue has now occurred again and it's a safety concern. The car turned sideways while I was driving and another car almost hit me from the side. The Acura dealership informed me that I would be responsible for the repair as they only warrant the repair for 12 months. I did some research and found that the vehicle had previously been recalled for steering suspension issues. I made a complaint with Acura client relations and a case manager was assigned to my case. Unfortunately, it has been a month and I have not received any follow-up from the case manager despite leaving several messages. I am grateful to have another car, but I am concerned about the safety of this vehicle. I refuse to drive it and put myself or someone else in danger. I hope that Acura will recall this issue as it is a serious safety concern. The car could veer in any direction at any time.
Norris Greenfelder 2024-05-03
I recently upgraded from a 2009 RL to a 2014 RLX with Navigation. However, I have noticed a significant decrease in features and quality. The interior design is not up to par with what I expected from a luxury car. Additionally, the radio is not as good as the standard model in 2009. The only additional feature I have noticed is the X. After a week of driving the RLX, I find myself wishing I had stayed with my 2009 model. If you are considering purchasing an RLX, I would recommend avoiding any models except for the Advanced package, which comes with a higher price tag. It is disappointing that Honda would market this as a luxury car, as it falls short of that standard. A fully loaded Civic would be a better option.
Izaiah Ebert 2024-04-14
The quality of the interior could be improved. Additionally, the shifting of the cylinder can be quite rough and may be bothersome to some drivers. In fact, my wife's 12-year-old Subaru has a smoother shifting experience.
Ethan Gleason 2024-03-09
Ever since I got this car, I've been having a lot of problems with it. Whenever I take a left or right turn, the steering wheel locks up at a 45-degree angle and then jerks the car to straighten it out. This is really dangerous, and even though I've brought it in to get it fixed, the problem keeps coming back. I would advise you to save yourself the stress and protect yourself and others by not getting this car.