2017 Acura RDX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
75 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
13,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 31 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 21 of 75 complaints (28.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 18 | 24.0% |
| Braking behavior | 17 | 22.7% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 8.0% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 6.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 6.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 21 |
| Electrical System | 17 |
| Engine | 11 |
| Service Brakes | 11 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
Power Train: 21; Electrical System: 17; Engine: 11; Service Brakes: 11; Unknown Or Other: 8; Vehicle Speed Control: 8; Air Bags: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 20 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 20; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (20). 44 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 7 |
2017: 9; 2018: 7; 2019: 7; 2020: 3; 2021: 9; 2022: 8; 2023: 4; 2024: 9; 2025: 12; 2026: 7
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 18 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11035916 · 2017-10-23 (October 23, 2017)
1) HARSH TRANSMISSION SHIFTS THE TRANSMISSION'S GEAR SHIFTS (BOTH UP AND DOWN) ARE JERKY, AND IT'S VERY OBVIOUS & UNPLEASANT WHEN COMPARED TO DRIVING OTHER CARS (EVEN TO A 2005 TOYOTA COROLLA). THE SHIFTS SEEM MUCH HARSHER ESPECIALLY WHEN DOWNSHIFTING. WHEN THE CAR SLOWS DOWN, THERE IS A SUDDEN JERK AND A NOTICEABLE DROP IN SPEED. I'VE CONCLUDED THAT IT OCCURS MOST WHEN THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS FROM GEAR 5 TO 4 (AROUND 30-35 MPH) AND 4 TO 3 (AT 20 MPH). IT ALMOST APPEARS THAT WHEN THE CAR IS IN "DRIVE" IT SHIFTS TOO EARLY CAUSING THE CA…
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11035916 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11035918 · 2017-10-23 (October 23, 2017)
BRAKE NOISE: BRAKES MAKE A LOUD THUMPING/KNOCKING NOISE WHEN I STEP OFF THE BRAKE TO START CRAWLING FROM A COMPLETE STOP IN 'DRIVE' MODE (I.E. AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN). HERE ARE VIDEOS WHICH DEMONSTRATE THIS. THIS HAPPENS VERY FREQUENTLY AND IS LOUD. AND IN RARE OCCASIONS, THE BRAKES MAKE A SQUEALING NOISE. OVERALL, THE BRAKES ARE WORKING (E.G. I CAN USE THEM TO STOP FINE) BUT THESE ISSUES ARE FREQUENT ENOUGH THAT IT'S CONCERNING, IRRITATING AND REALLY, JUST COMPLETELY EMBARRASSING TO DRIVE WITH SUCH A HIGH-END BRAND. PLEASE SEE T…
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11035918 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11111895 · 2018-07-17 (July 17, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 ACURA RDX. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DUNCAN ACURA (2032 PETERS CREEK RD, ROANOKE, VA 24017) WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS THAT WERE COMPLETED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REP…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11111895 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11257617 · 2019-09-24 (September 24, 2019)
DURING MORNING COMMUTE ON HIGHWAY MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, INCLUDING ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EMISSIONS, LANE DEPARTURE, AND POWER STEERING. ON RAPID ACCELERATION VEHICLE HAD PRONOUNCED POWER LOSS, WHICH OBVIOUSLY COULD BE DANGEROUS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS VERY THING HAS HAPPENED TO THE VEHICLE. IT'S AT LEAST THE 4TH TIME MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS HAVE COME ON, AND THE SECOND FOR THE LOSS OF POWER ON ACCELERATION. THE DEALERSHIP CONSULTED ACURA TECHNICAL SUPPORT THE LAST TIME AND SAID THEY HAD IDENTIFIED AND FIXED THE PROBL…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11257617 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10954547 · 2017-02-14 (February 14, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 ACURA RDX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER AND THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10954547 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11000156 · 2017-06-20 (June 20, 2017)
9,249 MILES ON A 2017 ACURA RDX. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WITH NOTABLE LOSS OF POWER (ONCE STOPPED IT TOOK A FULL 30 SECONDS TO GET TO 15 MPH). LET CAR SIT FOR 2 HOURS AS MANUAL STATED. ONCE RESTARTED AND DRIVEN FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET ALL LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD WHERE FLASHING AND AGAIN VIRTUALLY NO POWER. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. TECH PERFORMED HDS SCAN AND RETRIEVED ERROR CODES: P0304, P0 05, AND P0306...4/5/6. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS WAS ALL DUE TO NEEDING A SOFTWARE UPDATE. OF WHIC…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,249 miles reported. Look up ODI 11000156 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11499553 · 2022-12-30 (December 30, 2022)
Since we have had the car we have had multiple issues with the car jerking and shifting hard after driving in S mode then going to standard mode. Dealership told us the transmission is "sensitive" in our model year and if we go 1 mile overdue for a transmission fluid flush we will have shudder/jerking/ hard shifting. (we have changed the transmission fluid 1-2x since have had the car, which is within range of recommended). Last episode- battery was dead, jumpstarted and car jerking at low speeds to the point I did not drive it and had it told…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11499553 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11519097 · 2023-04-26 (April 26, 2023)
Part - Control Unit, Smart Power - Acura 38320-TX4-A31 has been diagnosed as defective causing major electrical issues. Dealer says it affects the safety features of the car yet they can't get a replacment part. Afraid to allow my wife to drive not knowing if the safety features we paid for actually work. Air bags? Electrical breakdown during operation? A simple search finds it is a common problem with Acura and Hondas of this time period.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11519097 at NHTSA ↗