2017 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 2017 Acura Rlx problems
The 2017 Acura RLX has been reported to have several common problems by its owners. While the number of complaints for the 2017 model is not as high as the 2014 model, there are still issues that potential buyers should be aware of.
- CPO Warranty: Some owners have reported issues with the certified pre-owned (CPO) warranty on the 2017 RLX. The higher mileage lease returns RLX were hit or miss with the CPO warranty and priced in the high 30s to very low 40s. The lower mileage loaner cars sold by Acura often had CPO warranties and priced in the low to mid 40s. This can be a significant concern for buyers looking for a reliable and trustworthy vehicle, as a CPO warranty is often seen as a key selling point for used cars.
- Check Engine and D4 Lights Flashing: Another common problem reported by owners of the 2017 Acura RLX is the check engine and D4 lights flashing. This issue has been reported by multiple owners, and can be quite concerning for drivers, as it can affect the overall performance and safety of the vehicle.
- Check Engine Light for Running Rough and Difficulty Starting: Another issue reported by owners of the 2017 Acura RLX is the check engine light coming on for running rough and difficulty starting. This issue has been reported by multiple owners, and can be quite concerning for drivers, as it can affect the overall performance and safety of the vehicle.
In summary, the 2017 Acura RLX has been reported to have several common problems by its owners, including suspension rattle, issues with the CPO warranty, and check engine and D4 lights flashing. While these issues can be concerning, it's important to note that every vehicle is different, and not every 2017 Acura RLX will experience these problems. However, potential buyers should be aware of these issues and consider them when making their purchasing decision.
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.
Why was RLX discontinued?
Besides its age and lack of redesigns, the RLX also faced strong competition from the more affordable TLX that's similar in size. Interestingly, the RLX was more expensive than the majority of its rivals, too, carrying a larger price tag than the Lexus ES, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and BMW 5-Series.
Is Acura RLX rare?
The RLX is a niche vehicle; Acura reported selling just over 1,000 examples in 2019 while the TLX sedan sold more than 26,000. And as Acura sold over 50,000 MDX and more than 60,000 RDX crossovers in the same period, the business sense of keeping the aging RLX around isn't clear.
2017 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:
- Suspension problems
- Wheels problems
- Service brakes problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2017 Acura Rlx vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2017 Acura Rlx complaints
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2017 Acura Rlx.
SUSPENSION,WHEELS,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-11-16
- VIN: JH4KC1F53HC
- Components: SUSPENSION,WHEELS,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: 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.
Negative 2017 Acura Rlx car reviews
Positive 2017 Acura Rlx car reviews
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To give a little background, my last two cars were a Lexus GS and an Acura RL. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy my Lexus at all and had to get rid of it after less than two years due to various problems. Before that, I had mostly owned Toyota or Lexus cars. In 2008, I decided to replace my Lexus GS with an Acura RL, which treated me very well for six years until I gave it to my daughter. When it was time to get a new car, I considered many different luxury brands but kept coming back to Acura. I can honestly say that this is the best car I have ever owned, and I look forward to driving it every day. Although there were a couple of recalls, they were easily taken care of, and I did not have any problems before the recalls. If I had to do it again, I would not hesitate to get the RLX. I would love to have the hybrid version, but unfortunately, it was not available when I bought my car. I had a deposit for one with the dealer, but after waiting a year, they finally told me they were unsure when it would be available. My only complaint with Acura is that they had a predicted release date for the hybrid, but it kept getting delayed, and there was no information available as to if and when they were going to come out with the car.
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We purchased this car about a month ago, and it was the most expensive car we've ever bought. We test drove almost every car at the Acura dealership, including comparable Lexus sedans and the Accord, which has been our go-to choice. After driving the car for five weeks, we can confidently say that it's fantastic! We left the 'value' category blank because it's in a different class than our previous cars, although we still consider the Accord a great value. We've been thrilled with the RLX Hybrid so far. It's comfortable for both long and short rides, sporty, and demands the driver's attention when driven aggressively in sport mode. The safety features, such as CMBS and LKAS, are amazing. Although the safety and tech features required some study, they are now very intuitive. Overall, it's an outstanding car!
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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.
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I absolutely love driving this car! I've been a fan since the '88 legend (i.e. '88 legend, '96 RLX premium, '98 RL premium, '16 RLX tech). The ride is incredibly smooth and reliable. It always puts a smile on my face when I look at it. The stereo is fantastic and it has good power - it really gets up and goes when you need it to. I know that other brands like Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, and Genesis may excel in certain categories, but I'm still in love with my car. I had the opportunity to get an E350 and I've also considered the GS/LS models, but I'm just too attached to my car. Although, I must admit, I'm definitely getting a NSX when I hit the lottery! :)
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2017 Acura Rlx problems:
Why So Many RL/RLX Problems? - AcuraZine - Acura Enthusiast ...
Aug 1, 2014 ... However misaligned body panels, brittle clunking suspensions, crooked steering columns, ill fitting interior panels, drooping headliners, ...
Acura RLX Problems and Complaints - 4 Issues
Top Acura RLX Problems · Check Engine and D4 Lights Flashing · Check Engine Light for Running Rough and Difficulty Starting · Check Engine Light and Engine Takes ...
Get an RLX or run away? - AcuraZine - Acura Enthusiast Community
Dec 30, 2019 ... I don't want a hybrid car, so I am looking at 2016/2017 RLX advanced. ... common across a lot of Honda/Acura vehicles. ... This is a known problem ...
Acura RLX Repair: Service and Maintenance Cost
The 2014-2017 acura rlx may develop issues with the automatic transmission. rough shifting may occur, and the “d4”... ... Check Engine Light for Running Rough and ...
Issues with 2016 RLX Sport Hybrid - AcuraZine - Acura Enthusiast ...
Jun 4, 2019 ... 3G RLX (2013+) - Issues with 2016 RLX Sport Hybrid - Hi all, I've had my RLX Hybrid for about 2 and a half years now (34.5k miles) and ...
Other years of Acura Rlx
Are you having problems with your 2017 Acura Rlx?
Jasper Stehr 2025-01-01
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.
Braeden Mills 2024-10-23
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?
Alessandro Hammes 2024-08-12
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.
Kennith Greenholt 2024-07-14
I bought my Acura RLX in 2019 with 59,000 miles on it. Unfortunately, after only two weeks of driving it, I noticed that the car was 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. Unfortunately, the Acura dealership has informed me that I am responsible for the repair as their warranty only covers repairs for 12 months. I did some research and found out that this vehicle had a recall on the steering suspension in the past. I reached out to Acura client relations to make a complaint and while a case manager was assigned to my case, it has been a month and I have not heard back from her despite leaving several messages. I am concerned about the safety of this vehicle and I refuse to drive it until the issue is resolved. I hope that the Acura Dealership will recall this issue as it poses a serious risk to drivers and passengers alike.
Bernhard Reynolds 2024-06-25
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.