2016 Acura RDX Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 17%of 41 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the engine of the 2016 Acura RDX, 17% of the 41 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While accelerating the car started stuttering and lost power. It seemed like it was in neutral. At the light I shifted to park and back to drive and the same problem occurred. I was only 2 blocks from home so I checked all fluid levels and they are all ok. I drove the car around the block several times and the problem went away.”
NHTSA complaint #11412945, filed 2021-04, 108,000 miles“Happened twice. Press accelerator and engine bogs way down, warning lights seem to cycle through numerous issues. Dealer could not find anything wrong. Someone said that internally the electronics switched it to highway mode where the engine switches from 6 cylinders to 3 cylinders in order to provide better mileage. First time it happened I was 6 miles from home so I carefully drove it slowly home, called the dealer, and they had it towed to the dealership. Second time I was 100+ miles from home. …”
NHTSA complaint #11383481, filed 2020-12, 40,000 miles“The 2016 Acura RDX newly purchased on 4/25/2016 from fresno Acura had a spontaneous fire and subsequent immediate electrical system failure during a trip from fresno (california) to monterey (california). The vehicle had an estimated 250 miles on the odometer at the time of the engine and electrical failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #10874431, filed 2016-06, 250 miles“2016 Acura RDX with approx 31,000 miles. After approx 1.5 mile trip parked it at a shopping center, turned off the engine and locked the car. Within 3 min the engine spontaneously caught fire and burned the entire engine compartment before the fire dept put it out. Contacted honda and told them they should look at it to see if it was an inherant safety problem. Honda said they were not interested in looking at the car and to let my insurance handle it. Took it to the dealership where it was purchased after being told by them that they would look into it as it still had a power train warranty. …”
NHTSA complaint #11269262, filed 2019-10, 31,000 miles“On May 25, 2026, while driving my 2016 Acura RDX AWD on the interstate at highway speed, it suddenly began running rough and felt as if I was driving over low, spaced-out speed bumps. The check engine light started flashing, and multiple safety-system warnings appeared, including AWD System Problem, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) Problem, Hill Start Assist Problem, Electric Power Steering (EPS) Problem, and lane-keeping warnings. The vehicle lost normal performance, and I was concerned about safely continuing in interstate traffic. …”
NHTSA complaint #11744363, filed 2026-06Related service bulletins
- 10210096Mar 28, 2022Dealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on…
- 10206804Jan 21, 2022Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on…
- 10084336Jun 28, 2016Service news article - while driving under steady cruise (between 30 and 65 mph) or light acceleration, does the engine intermittently rattle or runs rough with the mil blinking?…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 3% |
| 2024 | 1 | 8% |
| 2023 | 4 | 17% |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 23 | 20% |
| 2020 | 55 | 16% |
| 2019 | 90 | 20% |
| 2018 | 11 | 14% |
| 2017 | 11 | 14% |
| 2016 | 7 | 17% |
| 2015 | 3 | 1% |
| 2014 | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% |
| 2012 | 1 | 7% |
| 2010 | 2 | 9% |
| 2008 | 1 | 3% |
| 2007 | 4 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2016 Acura RDX
9 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsForward collision avoidance
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsLane departure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Acura RDX
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology