2018 Acura RLX Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jun 2, 2026 · 6 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other RLX years
Not enough data 3rd of 7 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
5 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Acura RLX. That ranks 3rd out of 7 RLX model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (2 complaints, 33%), typically at around 80,893 miles. There is 1 safety recall covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.

Acura RLX
In New York International Auto Show, at Manhattan, New York, USA.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2018 Acura RLX problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Electrical System2 · ~80,893 mi
Engine2
Engine and Engine Cooling2 · ~71,500 mi
Fuel System, Gasoline1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electrical System233%80,893——
Engine233%———
Engine and Engine Cooling233%71,500——
Fuel System, Gasoline117%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2026, with 3 complaints
2024: 2202422025: 1202512026: 320263

n = 6 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2018 Acura RLX recalls (1)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpDec 18, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V858000 · 2,490,460 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

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

  • Electrical overstress (EA19001) — opened Apr 19, 2019, closed Sep 19, 2024, led to recall 20V024.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

The first time I heard the engine noise was on [XXX]. I brought the vehicle to the Schaumburg Muller Acura dealership and dropped it off on May 20. On May 21, the dealership performed an initial inspection and informed me that they needed authorization to further disassemble the engine in order to…

Engine · received Jun 2, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11741672

The contact owns a 2018 Acura RLX. The contact stated while driving her vehicle at an undisclosed speed, stated that the vehicle would not start up, and noticed every single waring light illuminated up on her dash. The vehicle was taken to a dealer twice, first time it was diagnosed to have a crank…

Engine and Engine Cooling · received May 18, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11738529

The contact owns a 2018 Acura RLX. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the headlight failure message was displayed. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the A/C compressor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not…

Electrical System · received Mar 6, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11722582

The contact owns a 2018 Acura RLX. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the oil change and tire rotation messages were displayed. The contact stated that a dealer was contacted. The contact stated that an oil change and tire rotation were performed, and the contact was informed that the engine…

Engine and Engine Cooling · received Feb 12, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11642306

The contact owns a 2018 Acura RLX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…

Fuel System, Gasoline · received Dec 3, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11628568

Other Acura RLX years

← 2017 RLX · 2019 RLX →

YearComplaintsRecalls
2020 RLX31
2019 RLX03
201861
2017 RLX30
2016 RLX60
2015 RLX113
2014 RLX845

See all Acura RLX 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 2018 Acura RLX?

Owners most often report electrical system, engine, engine and engine cooling problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 2 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2018 Acura RLX?

Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2018 Acura RLX a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other RLX model years, the 2018 has too little data to compare, 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.