The Acura RDX is an old dog in the compact SUV segment and has been there since the 2007 model year. Though the car is a bit old, it does have superb sales figures with nearly 52,000 units sold in 2016 alone. The sales have translated into a happy report but have raised quite a lot of issues as well. The owners have reported issues with the odometer and the brakes. There have been complaints about the infotainment system losing connection from the smartphones. Apart from this, there is one recall issued under the car’s name along with one investigation. Let’s read more about the issues and see how the RDX fare against its rivals like the Audi Q5, the BMW X3, and the Volvo XC60.
2017 Acura RDX Problems
Electrical issues:
- Infotainment system connection disruption: People have reported that the infotainment system drops any connection made with a smartphone, be it an Android one or an iOS one. The system randomly drops connections and disconnects any media playing. This also causes a lot of distraction to the driver.
- Odometer issues: Many reports have flown in stating that the odometer of the shows increased mileage more than actual. People have found the discrepancy to arise when the car is given to the dealership for any work. One complainant notes that the odometer gauge failed at 9,995 miles and jumped to 10,231 within five miles of driving.
- Battery drain due to handsfree link: The Acura handsfree system drains the car’s battery even when the car is turned off and parked. The issue has been reported several times to the dealerships and to the manufacturer but no action has been taken. People have come back to the car only to find the battery drained and the car not being able to start up.
Mechanical issues:
- Unintended acceleration: Many people say that the Acura RDX surges forward at slow speeds without any apparent input. This surge makes it very dangerous for the people around the car at the time. The surges have happened when the car is either at a standstill or is moving at slow speeds. Some people have reported the surges when the cruise control is engaged at highway speeds.
- Brake issues: The brakes of the 2017 RDX have been a pain for the owners. Some people report the brake pedal vibrating a lot while applying the brakes. In these cases, the dealerships had to get the rotors changed due to warping. There have been reports of the brakes failing and returning no response when the pedal is pressed to the floor. The issue has caused collisions and resulted in injuries.
- Steering wheel seizures: A handful of people have complained of the steering wheel seizing when the car is moving at slow speeds. The issue came to light when the car is driving at slow speeds and one has turned the car. The steering wheel dies and is immovable without using a lot of force.
2017 Acura RDX Recalls
|
S. No |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
April 18, 2017 |
17V256000 |
Equipment |
An inadvertently wiped ink on the Certification Labels of the affected vehicles may cause the driver to unintentionally overload the vehicle. This increases the risk of a crash. The affected units also fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, “Certification”. |
Honda and Acura issued a recall in June 2017. The owners are notified and the dealers will replace the Certification Labels free of charge. |
Should you buy the 2017 Acura RDX?
The 2017 Acura RDX has some grave issues up its sleeve. The brakes of the crossover have been reported faulty and need frequent checks to ensure smooth operations. The infotainment system is shoddy in keeping a stable connection. There have been reports of unintended acceleration as well which causes the driver to lose control. The fixes have been prescribed by internal communications and the resolution rate is impressive. People have praised the car manufacturer for the prompt resolutions as well. The promptness and responsible approach make the Acura RDX a good bet in its segment. If one wants to go for a used RDX, keep a close check on the electrical problems the car may have had before.
