2017 Acura RDX problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Acura RDX, most often about transmission & drivetrain. There is 1 recall for this model year.

Complaints
55
Recalls
1
Crashes
5
Fires
1
Injuries
4
Median mileage
43,834 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Transmission & Drivetrain is the most-reported problem area, named in 20 of 55 complaints (36%).
  • Electrical System (14) and engine (8) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 43,834 mi.
  • Owners reported 5 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries.
  • The 2017 Acura RDX has 1 recall on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 6th of 19 Acura RDX model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 189% more complaints than the 2016 model year (19).

2017 Acura RDX problems by category

  • 20 complaints
  • Electrical System
    14 complaints
  • Engine
    8 complaints
  • Other / Unknown · 1 crash
    6 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    5 complaints
  • Brakes · 1 crash
    5 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    4 complaints
  • Airbags · 2 crashes
    3 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    3 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts · 1 crash
    2 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    2 complaints
  • Lighting
    1 complaints
  • Suspension
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Power train19
Electrical system13
Engine8
Unknown or other6
Service brakes5
Vehicle speed control4
Structure:body3
Air bags3

When problems happen (mileage)

3Under 10k210k–30k330k–60k260k–100k2100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2017 Acura RDX complaints that list mileage.

2017 Acura RDX recalls (1)

  • Recall 17V256000Apr 18, 20171,425 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017 CR-V and Acura RDX vehicles. The Certification Labels on the affected vehicles were printed with ink that may be inadvertently wiped away with an alcohol solvent. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

    Risk: If the label information can be wiped away, the operator may not be able to refer to the information, possibly resulting in the vehicle being overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Honda and Acura will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Certification Label, free of charge. The recall began June 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KF3 (CR-V)and KF4 (RDX).

NHTSA defect investigations

  • EA21002Opened Sep 17, 2021Open

    Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

    From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C…

Recent 2017 Acura RDX complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Oct 2, 2026MNAirbags
    The airbag light came on in XXX. on our 2017 Acura RDX. Took the vehicle to Acura Buerkle in [XXX] for service and to look at the light. We were told the vehicle is not safe to drive as the air bag sensor needs to be replaced. Initially the dealership gave us a loaner vehicle and then called and said they don't know when the part will be available and gave us a rental vehicle. That was in XXX. Every month since all we hear is there is no estimated time of delivery for the…
    NHTSA complaint #11768629 · source
  2. Filed Sep 26, 2026ILBody & Structure
    I was driving on 94E/ in Illinois; suddenly, I heard a loud shattering sound. When I was able to exit the highway and check, I was shocked to see my sunroof had shattered! Nothing had hit the sunroof. It was a spontaneous break! If I hadn’t had the inside sunroof closed, glass would have hit me and my passenger.
    NHTSA complaint #11767169 · source
  3. Filed Sep 18, 2026SCTransmission & Drivetrain
    DTC23-029 and SB P0741 “torque converter and transmission system problem” illuminated on dash. My vehicle is eligible based on 10 year or 150k miles per warranty extension however the dealership where I purchased the vehicle, A bra. Ananda, and A bra America are denying coverage for the needed replacement of the torque converter. The vin decoder verifies the vehicle was manufactured in Ohio, USA. Carfax states it was then exported to Canada for the Canadian market. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11765382 · source
  4. Filed Aug 27, 2026ILTransmission & Drivetrain
    Transmision warning light comes on along with side warning indicator , stays on till vehicle is turned off . Then may or maynot come back on . Very intermitent.
    NHTSA complaint #11759968 · source
  5. Filed Aug 6, 2026MDElectrical System
    I have been experiencing issues with the alarm system when I lock the car the alarm randomly goes off. I have had my battery replaced and it still happens. There is nothing touching the handles during these times, it happens randomly, something internal going on. The only way to be sure it won’t disturb my neighbors is to leave my door unlocked which is unsafe.
    NHTSA complaint #11755243 · source
  6. Filed May 12, 202670,000 miTXTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2017 Acura RDX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle loss automotive power while the accelerator pedal was depressed. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure occurred on several different occasions. A dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure and stated that the failure was possibly caused by the torque converter however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was…
    NHTSA complaint #11737421 · source
  7. Filed Apr 27, 2026143,500 miPAAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2017 Acura RDX. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact's wife enabled the parking brake. The contact stated that at a later while, the vehicle independently accelerated. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent…
    NHTSA complaint #11734021 · source
  8. Filed Mar 24, 2026138,477 miMOTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2017 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly sputtered, and the transmission warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and DTC: P0741 was retrieved. The mechanic determined that the torque converter clutch had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, where the same diagnostic results were provided. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11726756 · source

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Other 2017 Acura models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology