2016 Acura RDX Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other RDX years
- About as many complaints as other years 10th of 20 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 41 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Acura RDX. That ranks 10th out of 20 RDX model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is power train (9 complaints, 22%), typically at around 42,544 miles. Complaints mention 3 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 41owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 3complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2016 Acura RDX problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 9 | 22% | 42,544 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 8 | 20% | 7,507 | — | — |
| Engine | 7 | 17% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 6 | 15% | 26,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 4 | 10% | 5,018 | — | — |
| Steering | 4 | 10% | 12,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 4 | 10% | 32,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 3 | 7% | 32,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 2 | 5% | 20,500 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 2 | 5% | 3,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 2 | 5% | 55,495 | — | — |
| Visibility | 2 | 5% | 65,000 | — | — |
| Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 2% | 4,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 2% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 2% | 500 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2016 Acura RDX recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Unknown lkas sytem lights came on and will not go out. All of them. 3 weeks ago everything locked up and i had to take to a dealer, they replaced the alternator but the system still malfuctioning and now the emissions control lights stay on with a p0443 code, replaced the evap control valve and the…
On May 25, 2026, while driving my 2016 Acura RDX AWD on the interstate at highway speed, it suddenly began running rough and felt as if I was driving over low, spaced-out speed bumps. The check engine light started flashing, and multiple safety-system warnings appeared, including AWD System…
On several occasions, the car alarm starts randomly sounding. When my son went to the vehicle, the lights on the dash board were flashing on and off and there was a clicking sound. We replaced the batteries in the key fobs. The battery was low so we had that recharged but the problem continued. We…
The driver side airbag. And yes, it can be inspected. I was involved in a low impact accident, where I struck a minor curb. The airbag deployed in my face, causing a loss of consciousness and ongoing concussion. No warning signs at all. Not yet, the vehicle is being looked at on Monday. The vehicle…
The contact owns a 2016 Acura RDX. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle while turning to the left or the right. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed to function as intended. There were no warning lights illuminated. The…
Other Acura RDX years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 RDX | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 RDX | 30 | 1 |
| 2024 RDX | 12 | 2 |
| 2023 RDX | 24 | 2 |
| 2022 RDX | 31 | 2 |
| 2021 RDX | 116 | 3 |
| 2020 RDX | 348 | 5 |
| 2019 RDX | 440 | 5 |
| 2018 RDX | 77 | 1 |
| 2017 RDX | 79 | 1 |
| 2016 | 41 | 2 |
| 2015 RDX | 415 | 3 |
| 2014 RDX | 244 | 3 |
| 2013 RDX | 162 | 3 |
| 2012 RDX | 15 | 2 |
| 2011 RDX | 16 | 2 |
| 2010 RDX | 22 | 2 |
| 2009 RDX | 15 | 2 |
| 2008 RDX | 33 | 3 |
| 2007 RDX | 53 | 2 |
See all Acura RDX problems by year, every Acura model, or the Acura VIN decoder.
Similar Acura models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Acura RDX?
Owners most often report power train, electrical system, engine problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 9 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Acura RDX?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2016 Acura RDX a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other RDX model years, the 2016 has about as many complaints as a typical year, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.