Most common 2016 Acura RDX problems
Share of the 41 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Acura RDX complaints by model year
Best RDX years: 2011, 2012, 2010. Years to avoid: 2019, 2015, 2020, 2014, 2021. Compare all years →
2016 Acura RDX recalls (2)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011…
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2016 Acura RDX:
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.
What 2016 Acura RDX owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
The contact owns a 2016 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 25 MPH, there was a loud clicking sound coming from underneath the vehicle on the front passenger side of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact's wife took the vehicle to the local independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the front passenger's side axle was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,495.
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.
Electrical system
On several occasions, the car alarm starts randomly sounding. When my son went to the vehicle, the lights on the dash board were flashing on and off and there was a clicking sound. We replaced the batteries in the key fobs. The battery was low so we had that recharged but the problem continued. We replaced the car battery and that appeared to solve the problem for about 6 months. The same problem occurred again. The only way to stop the alarm from going off is to disconnect the battery. Leaving the door unlocked does not stop this from happening. When we searched online, it is clear this is a common problem with this car, but there have been no recalls or TSB issued. This is a safety issue because we need to disconnect the battery and leave the car unlocked when we leave the vehicle. This has not been inspected by any service center. …
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. The vehicle was nonoperational and was towed to los gatos Acura and with unclear cause as to the electrical and engine failure and initial inspection suggested a "residue" around the engine compartment and a subsequent factory service representative inspected the vehicle and reported, "no factory defect." however, this is without the benefit of removing and inspecting any components other than the opening of the hood of the vehicle and removal of the engine compartment under panel that protects objects from being drawn into the engine compartment. …
Engine & cooling
Vehicle constantly surges during acceleration, seems as if the transmission is bad however, it also feels as if the fuel filter is clogged. This sputter occurs at various speed. Vehicle has less than 64,000 miles. Is there a fix to this issue?
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. The vehicle was nonoperational and was towed to los gatos Acura and with unclear cause as to the electrical and engine failure and initial inspection suggested a "residue" around the engine compartment and a subsequent factory service representative inspected the vehicle and reported, "no factory defect." however, this is without the benefit of removing and inspecting any components other than the opening of the hood of the vehicle and removal of the engine compartment under panel that protects objects from being drawn into the engine compartment. …
2016 Acura RDX engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 28 / 23 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 19 / 27 / 22 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Acura RDX a good car?
Based on 41 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 RDX rates average: 1.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the RDX at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Acura RDX?
The transmission & drivetrain — 9 complaints, 22% of all complaints for this model year, most often about axle assembly. Next are the electrical system (8) and engine & cooling (7).
How many recalls does the 2016 Acura RDX have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2016 Acura RDX, the most recent from March 6, 2019 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Acura RDX?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2012 and 2010. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2015, 2020, 2014 and 2021. See the full Acura RDX years comparison.
At what mileage do 2016 Acura RDX problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 27,000 miles; 85% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.