2014 Acura RLX: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
84 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
60,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2014 model year. Data snapshot: . 51 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 48 of 84 complaints (57.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 50 | 59.5% |
| Braking behavior | 15 | 17.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 7.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering | 48 |
| Suspension | 16 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 12 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Engine | 7 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Wheels | 5 |
Steering: 48; Suspension: 16; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 12; Electrical System: 9; Engine: 7; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Wheels: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 15 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 12 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 15; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 12; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 33 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 |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2013: 4; 2014: 7; 2015: 4; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 5; 2019: 9; 2020: 13; 2021: 5; 2022: 9; 2023: 6; 2024: 6; 2025: 9; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 50 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10523378 · 2013-07-05 (July 5, 2013)
WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE FROM THE FACTORY. VEHICLE HAD NO ABILITY TO WASH WINDSHIELD. PART REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BUT WITH CALIFORNIA SUN, THIS BECAME A SERIOUS ISSUE. I HAD TO DRIVE AROUND WITH A SQUIRT BOTTLE IN THE CAR IN ORDER TO KEEP WINDSHIELD CLEAR DUE TO DUST. PART TOOK SOME TIME TO ARRIVE TO LOCAL DEALER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 246 miles reported. Look up ODI 10523378 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10547849 · 2013-10-14 (October 14, 2013)
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY WHEN THE BACK-END OF THE CAR BECAME VERY LOOSE AND OUT OF CONTROL. THE CAR WAS SWERVING BACK AND FORTH VIOLENTLY. I WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL AVOIDING THE CARS TO THE LEFT OF ME AND THE DITCH TO THE RIGHT. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR UNDER CONTROL AND I SLOWED THE SPEED WAY DOWN. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND INTO A DRIVEWAY TO INSPECT. I FOUND THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE TILTED INWARDS TOWARDS THE CAR AT ABOUT A 20 DEGREE ANGLE AND FOUND THE TIE ROD THAT CONNECTS THE CAR TO THE NEW ALL WHEEL STEERING DEVICE DISCONNE…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10547849 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10551628 · 2013-11-09 (November 9, 2013)
VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR AT RANDOM TIMES - THIS CAN BE WHEN UNDER MODERATE LOAD TO LIGHT LOAD. THIS WILL LIMIT THE CAR TO A SPEED TO APPROX. 50MPH, THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAS SLOWED DOWN 10+MPH AND SOMETIMES WILL REQUIRE YOU TO COME TO A DEAD STOP TO FUNCTION CORRECTLY. THIS HAS CAUSED A HANDFUL OF SAFETY RISK AS YOU CANNOT FORCE THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN SOME INSTANCES - LIKE MERGING ON A HIGHWAY OR A HIGHWAY WITHOUT A SHOULDER. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO 4 OTHER RLX THAT HAVE BEEN DOCUME…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10551628 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10555825 · 2013-12-12 (December 12, 2013)
DEER WERE CROSSING THE ROAD IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE ON THIS VEHICLE TO TURN OFF OR DIM HEADLIGHTS UNLESS VEHICLE IS IN PARK OR PARKING BRAKE IS ON (HENCE A COMPLETE STOP). DEER FROZE IN THE HEADLIGHTS AND I HAD TO COMPLETELY STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD IN ORDER TO HAVE THE DEER SAFELY MOVE ON (ONCE LIGHTS WERE OUT). THIS IS A HAZARD TO ME, ANYONE BEHIND ME AND OTHER DRIVERS TRAVELING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. TURNING OFF THE HEADLIGHTS WHILE MOVING WILL KEEP THE DEER MOVING MOST OF THE TIME. ACURA CLIENT RELATIONS HAS …
Owner-reported narrative. 10,150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10555825 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10566282 · 2014-02-27 (February 27, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 ACURA RLX EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN RADIAL X TUBELESS TIRES, SIZE 245/40R19, AND DOT NUMBER HN1C00LX4312. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE AND EXHIBITED BUBBLING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE TIRES. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRES WAS 6,376. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,601. UPDATED 3/21/14*CN *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 9,601 miles reported. Look up ODI 10566282 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10584264 · 2014-04-22 (April 22, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 ACURA RLX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH AND DECELERATING, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT. UPON COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE REAR CONTROL ARM BOLT FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT WOULD BE SENDING OUT AN ENGINEER TO EVALUATE THE WORK DONE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V622000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURREN…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10584264 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10608957 · 2014-07-08 (July 8, 2014)
AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A SHOPPING PLAZA, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CAUSING ME TO HIT A PARKED VEHICLE ABOUT 10 FT TO MY LEFT. UPDATED 3/17/2015 *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 4,620 miles reported. Look up ODI 10608957 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10610879 · 2014-07-16 (July 16, 2014)
SINCE TAKING DELIVERY OF THE CAR, IT HAS MADE LOUD CLUNKING AND RATTLING NOISES AND VIBRATION FROM ALL FOUR WHEELS, PARTICULARLY NOTICEABLE WHILE DRIVING AT SLOWER SPEEDS (15-45 MPH). THE DEALER MADE AN ATTEMPT TO FIX THIS BY REPLACING THE DAMPERS ON ALL FOUR STRUTS AT THE DIRECTION OF ACURA. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. SINCE THEN, THE DEALER HAS BEEN AWAITING DIRECTION FROM ACURA AS TO HOW TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT. DURING AN ARBITRATION HEARING, ACURA INFORMED THE ARBITRATOR AND ME THAT ALL 2014 RLXS HAVE THIS DEFECT. THEY SAID REDESIGNED P…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10610879 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
13V622000 · Suspension:Rear
Reported: 2013-12-16 (December 16, 2013)
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, through November 5, 2013. The bolts that attach the rear lower control arms to the sub-frame of the vehicle may have loosened during transport to dealerships.
Consequence: Loose rear lower control arm bolts may reduce steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension lower control arm bolts, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early January 2014. Customers may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's number for this recall is JD0.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V639000 · Seat Belts
Reported: 2014-10-10 (October 10, 2014)
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to August 25, 2014, and 2014 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured November 5, 2012, to November 25, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the driver and front passenger seat belt may not extend or retract in low temperatures.
Consequence: A seatbelt that does not function increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Honda has notified owners, and dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belts, free of charge. The recall began in November 2014. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's number for this recall is JK7 for the MKX, and JK8 for the RLX.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V792000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights
Reported: 2014-12-16 (December 16, 2014)
American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured November 22, 2012, to January 30, 2014, 2015 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured June 4, 2014, to November 18, 2014, and 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid vehicles manufactured November 5, 2013, to July 25, 2014. An aluminum film applied to the inner reflector of the headlight may experience adhesion issues causing the film to delaminate. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Consequence: Delamination of the aluminum film may diminish output of the headlight, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace both of the headlights, free of charge. The recall began February 2, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-310-783-2000. Honda's number for this recall is JN2.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V301000 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Crash Imminent Braking
Reported: 2015-05-20 (May 20, 2015)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX 2WD and AWD, RLX and 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid vehicles. In certain driving conditions, the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) may incorrectly interpret certain roadside objects such as metal fences or metal guardrails as obstacles and unexpectedly apply the brakes.
Consequence: If the CMBS unexpectedly applies emergency braking force while driving, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the CMBS software, free of charge. The recall began on July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's numbers for this recall is JQ4, JQ5 and JQ6.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V858000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2023-12-18 (December 18, 2023)
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.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗