The Most Common 2016 Acura RDX Problems

Before you buy an Acura RDX, you should be familiar with its common problems, including electrical system issues and short-lived brakes.
Written by Samuel Todd
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
background
Common problems with the 2016 Acura RDX include issues with the electrical system (like Bluetooth pairing) and brakes that are quick to wear down.
All in all, the Acura RDX is a fantastic one-two punch of style and performance. Its luxurious, spacious cabin has enough tech bells and whistles to impress even the sternest of critics, and the SUV’s 279-horsepower V6 engine is a dream to drive.
Even a stellar car like the RDX can’t be perfect all the time, though!
Jerry
, the #1-rated app that saves you money on
car insurance
, is here to walk you through the RDX’s most common problems. Plus, if you stick around, we’ll show you how to find the most affordable
Acura RDX insurance cost
for your vehicle!
Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
Get ahead of my car maintenance
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

The most common 2016 Acura RDX problems

Fortunately, the Acura RDX is a super reliable car—it’s based on the superb engineering of the
Honda CR-V
, so dependability issues are few and far between. Still, in the six years that the 2016 RDX has been on the market, customers have lodged 29 formal complaints.
These complaints fall into three main buckets: glitches in the electrical system, sub-par brake durability, and the occasional acceleration defect. Let’s take a look at each one:
  • Electrical system (7 complaints): One of the main qualms of RDX owners concerned the vehicle’s electrical system. In particular, the front parking sensors occasionally went off without detecting an object and the auto collision system stopped working properly. In most cases, though, the problems could be fixed quickly and easily.
  • Brakes (5 complaints): Here’s another big one—for some drivers, the RDX’s brakes wore down faster than they’d expected. Specifically, the SUV’s
    brake calipers
    showed signs of wear and sometimes needed replacement. From time to time, faulty RDX brakes even screeched during use! 
  • Engine (6 complaints): Last (but definitely not least), all RDX models released between 2016 and 2020 were part of a class-action lawsuit, claiming that there was a dangerous defect in the vehicle’s acceleration. Though the issue has only plagued a few vehicles, it might be enough to dissuade cautious buyers.
Finally, two formal recalls have been submitted for the 2016 Acura RDX, both focused on the Driver Frontal Airbag Inflator. When the airbag is deployed on certain models, it’s at risk of rupturing, which could cause serious harm to the driver. If you’re thinking about buying a 2016 RDX, be sure that you’re purchasing one with a working airbag system!

Is the 2016 Acura RDX reliable?

Even with these issues, the 2016 Acura RDX still earns above-average reliability scores as a luxury crossover. 
RepairPal bestowed a fantastic reliability rating of 4.5/5.0 on the RDX, and J.D. Power gave it a strong 83/100 rating (just one point lower than the ultra-reliable CR-V!). If you’re looking for a crossover that’s renowned for its dependability, you could check out the
Kia Sorento
or
Subaru Forester
—but, as a deluxe crossover, the Acura RDX won’t disappoint.
As icing on the cake, the average 2016 Acura RDX will set you back $429 each year in
car repair
costs, which is way less expensive than the typical crossover!

How to simplify car insurance shopping (and still optimize coverage!) 

Experts recommend drivers to
shop for car insurance every 6 months
—and that includes you! In the past, that might have been a time-consuming ordeal, but with
Jerry
, finding fantastic savings on your
Acura insurance cost
has never been easier.
It’s this simple: just download Jerry’s insurance shopping super app, sign up in 45 seconds, and let Jerry get you the best prices from more than 55 top insurers. Best of all, we’ll even help you switch policies once you’ve chosen your favorite company—no headache or hassle!
Oh yeah, and what about those savings? On average, Jerry drivers save over $800 on insurance. For cost-savvy Acura owners like yourself, the choice is a no-brainer. Give Jerry a try today!
“I thought my previous insurance rate was the best I could get, since I have a luxury SUV. After
Jerry
found me quotes, I ended up paying only $80 a month for the same exact coverage. I’ll be shopping for auto insurance through Jerry from now on!” —Petra S.
Are you overpaying for your car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms · No fees
icon4.717k Ratings
5M+Drivers Joined
7M+Cars Garaged
Estimate your repair costs for free with GarageGuard™
Simplify your car maintenance with Jerry.
Try GarageGuard™

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings