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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I believe that this car is much better than the reviews suggest. In my opinion, the issue is that it should not be compared to the BMW 5 series or MB E-Class (regardless of what Acura would like). It is more comparable to Lexus, Infiniti or Lincoln based on my experience. However, considering the actual purchase price, which is significantly lower than BMW/MB's MSRP/Invoice, this is a high-quality vehicle that drives nicely (I love the AWS). Although not flashy, the car has a sophisticated look. Overall, I am very pleased with the package.
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By far the best car I have ever owned! It does all the bells and whistles in an outstanding manner. Although it may be a bit pricey for most folks, it's definitely worth the investment.
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Traded in a 2012 Acura TL. The 2017 Acura RLX is a perfect car. It's quiet, powerful, and a great value. I tested a Lexus GS350, but the Acura RLX is much better.
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Great car! It's comfortable, handles great, has plenty of power, is reliable, and gets great gas mileage! I bought the Hybrid and it gets great gas mileage in the city and on the highway. I've been driving the car for over four years and I'm still quite impressed. It's a shame that Acura discontinued this model. I'm still driving this car and have no plans to trade it! The only thing I didn't like was the trade-in value on my last car.
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Before making a purchase, we highly recommend taking a closer look at the RLX Hybrid and comparing it to other cars in its class. We are confident that you will be thoroughly impressed. Unfortunately, the Accord has not received the recognition it deserves due to poor marketing efforts, but we believe it to be a truly magnificent vehicle.
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?
Clinton Luettgen 2025-07-28
I am pleased with the performance, handling, ergonomics, and fuel efficiency of the car. However, there is a recurring issue with the battery going dead after the car sits for more than 2 days. I suspect it may be a parasitic draw, possibly from the HFL module. I have taken it back to the dealer and will leave it with them until they resolve the issue. It is worth noting that this is a known issue with Acuras, and I believe it is important for the manufacturer to address it. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Loy Wyman 2025-07-05
After only 500 miles, I noticed rattles coming from the front suspension of my vehicle. Despite the dealership's initial inability to find anything wrong with it, I persisted in my concerns and they eventually replaced the front struts, which resolved the majority of the issue. However, the rear rattle persisted and required another visit to the dealership. While the rear rattle has improved, the front rattle remains ever-present over every bump. It is disappointing that even a loaner vehicle from 2014 had the same issue as my car and the service rep's car. This issue should be a top priority for the engineering team. I caution anyone considering an RLX to be aware of this issue.
Rafael Ebert 2025-06-15
I purchased my RLX-ADV about four months ago and have only driven it for 1500 miles so far. Unfortunately, I have had to take it back to the dealer three times for repairs. The issues I experienced included an iPhone 4S problem with automatic dialling and hanging up, a low battery and charging system warning sign (which occurred in less than the first 50 miles), and the camera and LDW/LKAS shutting down due to overheating (when it was 90 degrees outside). Although the dealer recharged the battery, no action was taken to address the other issues. Acura and the dealer explained that the shut-down was a necessary precaution to protect the delicate electronic system. I was disappointed that the LDW and LKAS safety features consistently shut down when the temperature was around 90 degrees. I spent extra money on this car because it was promised to have these safety features, but it seems that Acura sold me an ill-designed product that prioritizes the protection of the car over the driver. Despite my frustration, I must say that the dealer and Acura have been helpful in resolving some of the issues, such as the battery and phone problems. However, the LDW and LKAS shut-down issue still persists, and I hope that Acura will find a solution soon.
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?