CarBrief

The 2016 Acura RDX has a small complaint file, with 41 owner complaints at NHTSA[1]. It is covered by 2 airbag inflator recalls, so check that both repairs were done[2][3].

41owner complaints[1]
2recalls[4]
22–23MPG combined (EPA)[5]
5★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 41 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 3 mention a crash, 2 a fire and 3 an injury, and none report a death[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name more than one part of the car.

The biggest groups are:

The counts are small, so none of these groups is a pattern by itself. We also read a small sample of the complaint texts. Here is what we saw in that sample.

In the power train sample, owners describe the car hesitating, surging, stalling or losing power while accelerating (6 of 8 texts)[7]. In the engine sample, owners describe loss of power or stuttering (4 of 7 texts) and two describe an engine fire (2 of 7)[9]. In the electrical sample, owners describe infotainment, navigation or phone trouble (2 of 8 texts) and a drained battery or an alarm that goes off by itself (2 of 8)[8]. In the brakes sample, owners describe noise or grinding (3 of 6 texts) and automatic braking that engaged when it should not have (2 of 6)[10].

A sample this small cannot tell you how often any of this happens across all cars.

Recalls

Two recalls on file cover the 2016 RDX. Both involve the driver's frontal airbag inflator, and both fix it with a free replacement at a dealer.

Both recalls list the 2007 to 2016 RDX among the affected models[2][3]. If you are looking at a used car, ask the seller for proof that both repairs were done.

Fuel economy

Both versions use a 3.5L 6-cylinder with an Automatic (S6) and need premium fuel[5][15].

Version City Highway Combined EPA annual fuel cost
2WD (front-wheel drive)[5] 20 28 23 $3,550
4WD (all-wheel drive)[15] 19 27 22 $3,750

MPG figures are miles per gallon from EPA[5][15]. The annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the all-wheel-drive version 5 stars overall, 5 stars for frontal crashes, 5 stars for side crashes and 4 stars for rollover[6]. NHTSA puts its rollover risk at 15.5%[6].

The front-wheel-drive version gets the same star ratings, with a rollover risk of 16.4%[16].

Engine and size

EPA lists the 3.5L 6-cylinder at 279 hp[17]. The sizes below are Canadian-market specifications for the AWD SUV and can differ slightly from US cars[18].

Measure Value
Length[18] 183 in
Width[18] 74 in
Height[18] 67 in
Wheelbase[18] 106 in
Curb weight[18] 3,856 lb

How 2016 compares with other years

2007: 53 complaints, 2 recalls20072008: 33 complaints, 3 recalls2009: 15 complaints, 2 recalls20092010: 22 complaints, 2 recalls2011: 16 complaints, 2 recalls20112012: 15 complaints, 2 recalls2013: 162 complaints, 3 recalls20132014: 244 complaints, 3 recalls2015: 415 complaints, 3 recalls20152016: 41 complaints, 2 recalls4120162017: 79 complaints, 1 recalls20172018: 77 complaints, 1 recalls2019: 440 complaints, 5 recalls20192020: 348 complaints, 5 recalls2021: 116 complaints, 3 recalls20212022: 31 complaints, 2 recalls2023: 24 complaints, 2 recalls20232024: 12 complaints, 2 recalls2025: 30 complaints, 1 recalls20252026: 1 complaints, 0 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each RDX model year. The 2016 is highlighted[4].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
2007532
2008333
2009152
2010222
2011162
2012152
20131623
20142443
20154153
2016412
2017791
2018771
20194405
20203485
20211163
2022312
2023242
2024122
2025301
202610

NHTSA has 41 complaints and 2 recalls for the 2016 RDX[4]. The model years next to it look different. The 2015 RDX has 415 complaints and 3 recalls, and the 2017 RDX has 79 complaints and 1 recall[4].

The 2016 count is lower than 2013 (162), 2014 (244), 2015 (415) and 2017 to 2021 (79, 77, 440, 348 and 116)[4]. Some older and newer years have fewer, including 2008 to 2012 and 2022 to 2026[4]. These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they show a rough picture only.

Should you buy a used 2016 Acura RDX?

The complaint file is small next to the 2015 model year, and the safety ratings are strong at 5 stars overall[1][4][6][16]. The main thing to settle is the recalls. Both involve the driver airbag inflator, and both have a free dealer repair, so ask for proof that the work was done[2][3]. Owner reports of hesitation or power loss while accelerating, and of engine fires, are worth a careful test drive and a close look at service records, though the sample is small[7][9]. Fuel economy is modest at 22 to 23 combined MPG and the car needs premium fuel[5][15].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Acura RDX?
NHTSA has 41 complaints, and the largest groups are power train (9), electrical system (8), engine (7) and brakes (6)[1][7][8][9][10].
Does the 2016 Acura RDX have any recalls?
Yes. Recalls 16V061 and 19V182 both involve the driver airbag inflator, and dealers replace it for free[2][3].
What is the gas mileage of the 2016 Acura RDX?
EPA rates the 2WD at 23 combined MPG and the 4WD at 22 combined MPG[5][15].
How safe is the 2016 Acura RDX?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall in both drive types, with 4 stars for rollover[6][16].
How much horsepower does the 2016 Acura RDX have?
EPA lists the 3.5L 6-cylinder at 279 hp[17].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 41 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Acura RDX (3 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Recall 19V182, filed March 6, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 16V061, filed February 3, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  4. Owner complaints and recalls for every Acura RDX model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for RDX 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 9 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 8 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 7 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 6 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 4 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 4 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 4 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 3 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. EPA rating for RDX 4WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  17. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Acura RDX with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 279 hp. www.epa.gov
  18. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RDX 4DR SUV AWD: length 183 in, width 74 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,856 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.