2016 Acura RDX Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 22%of 41 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,544miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Acura RDX, 22% of the 41 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,544 miles.
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“I purchased a 2016 Acura RDX with 995 miles on 1/21/2016. On the drive home, and several times since (the latest being earlier this week) while making a left turn at slow speed (after stopping or slowing) the vehicle dies and I keep pushing on the accelerator and after 20 seconds or so, it grabs and I can continue on. Current mileage on the vehicle is 1739. I called gettel Acura in sarasota fl and was told that the vehicle has to learn my driving habits and my driving style. Per gettel service manager, this should be self-correcting at about 2000 miles. (?)”
NHTSA complaint #10855475, filed 2016-04, 1,000 miles“From the time purchased there has been a hesitation/sputtering during acceleration. I took the car in during the warranty period and they said nothing could be found. It has continued for 6 years. I have read of similar problems with this model and year.”
NHTSA complaint #11472142, filed 2022-07“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 2026-06“While driving in the left of I20 East's two lanes on a descending hill with 5 cars ahead and an unknown number of cars behind at 70+ mph and all cars packed in close to the car ahead, I saw the lane had no real shoulder before a drop-off and the right lane had a narrow shoulder before it dropped off into woods and brush. The right lane was packed with 18-wheelers. In order to avoid constantly breaking the full length of the hill, I shifted into manual mode and a lower gear, but the car ahead began to brake suddenly and hard. …”
NHTSA complaint #11533433, filed 2023-07Related service bulletins
- 10133012Mar 9, 2018Service bulletin - After the software update, some vehicles based on how they are driven (extreme conditions) may still experience ATF deterioration after updating the PGM-FI or…
- 10133011Mar 9, 2018Service bulletin - A judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60 mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque…
- 10129342Feb 14, 2018Dealer message - Every Service Bulletin requires you to take an HDS snap shot and use the job aid or Tech2Tech to confirm the judder/shudder is coming from the torque converter.
- 10118001Sep 6, 2017Service bulletin - Clients receive excessive notifications for a low power mode through AcuraLink®. There is a false CAN signal transmitted through the telematics control unit.
- 10098871Apr 4, 2017"service bulletin - after the software update, some vehicles based on how they are driven (extreme conditions) may still experience atf deterioration after updating the a/t or…
- 10098870Apr 4, 2017"service bulletin - a judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60 mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque…
- 10098869Apr 4, 2017Service bulletin - this bulletin is replaced by 17-017, 2013-17 rdx: judder from the torque converter lock-up
- 10085025Aug 3, 2016Service bulletin - a judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque converter…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 | 2 | 8% |
| 2021 | 13 | 11% |
| 2020 | 22 | 6% |
| 2019 | 37 | 8% |
| 2018 | 13 | 17% |
| 2017 | 24 | 30% |
| 2016 | 9 | 22% |
| 2015 | 4 | 1% |
| 2014 | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 | 7 | 4% |
| 2012 | 2 | 13% |
| 2011 | 2 | 13% |
| 2010 | 2 | 9% |
| 2009 | 1 | 7% |
| 2008 | 2 | 6% |
| 2007 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2016 Acura RDX
8 complaintsEngine
7 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 31, 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