Skip to content

FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH

The 2016 Acura RDX has 2 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 40 owner complaints, and gets about 23 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.

FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA

2016 Acura RDX

  • Engine 6-cyl 3.5L
  • Drive Front-Wheel Drive
  • Fuel Premium
  • Body Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

Should you worry?

Look closer

Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.

Caution

Are there open safety recalls?

2 open

Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.

Caution

What do owners report?

3 injuries reported

3 of 40 reports (~8%). On a high-volume model that alone isn’t unusual — look for patterns below.

Good

How did it score in crash tests?

5 out of 5 stars

5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.

Open recalls · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2016.

  • 20143recalls
  • 20153recalls
  • 2016 · this car2recalls
  • 20171recall

Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 27, 2026.

SAFETY

Will it protect people in a crash?

These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.

Overall
5 / 5 stars
Frontal
5 / 5 stars
Side
5 / 5 stars
Side pole
5 / 5 stars
Rollover
4 / 5 stars

Factory safety & driver-assist equipment

Stability control
Standard
Forward collision warning
Optional
Lane-departure warning
Optional
Government crash-test photo
Photo from a government crash test of this model

Tested as: 2016 Acura RDX SUV AWD · 2 versions tested

Open safety recalls

2 open

A recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.

  1. Air Bags

    06/03/2019

    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 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.

    How they fix it: 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. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.

  2. Air Bags

    03/02/2016

    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. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

    How they fix it: 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.

The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.

From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 27, 2026.

OWNERS

What problems do owners report?

People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.

Owner reports · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2016.

  • 2014241reports
  • 2015409reports
  • 2016 · this car40reports
  • 201774reports

40 owner reports on file

3 crash mentions 2 fire mentions 3 injury mentions

Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 40 total reports.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8 of 40

    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

  • POWER TRAIN 6 of 40

    A judder from the torque converter is felt when driving between 20 and 60 mph

  • STEERING 4 of 40

    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 sa

  • SERVICE BRAKES 4 of 40

    THE AUTOMATIC BRAKE MITIGATION SYSTEM HAS DEPLOYED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. EACH TIME I WAS DRIVING ON A CLEAR ROAD WITH NO OBSTRUCTIONS OR TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE WHEN THE SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND BEGAN BRAKING

  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER 3 of 40

    The transmission is Jerky and has a rough up and down shift. Vehicle has stalled and shut off without warning. My wife says the vehicle acts as though its about to die when ac compressor/blower kicks on.

  • STRUCTURE 3 of 40

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 ACURA RDX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM UNDER THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR CONDITIONING WOULD NO LONGER BLOW COOL AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BRADSHAW ACU

Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.

From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 27, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.

FUEL COST

What does it cost to drive?

EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.

Sold in 2 versions

They range from 22 to 23 mpg combined. Figures below are the base version. Pick yours to see its own numbers.

Combined MPG · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2016.

  • 201423mpg
  • 201523mpg
  • 2016 · this car23mpg
  • 201722mpg

$3,300

estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles

Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.

City driving 20 mpg
Highway driving 28 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 23 mpg

Over 5 years, compared to an average new car

This model is estimated to cost about $5,500 more on fuel.

Spends more Saves more

From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 27, 2026.

HOW IT WAS BUILT

Factory details

What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.

Engine

6-cyl 3.5L

Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Transmission

Automatic (S6)

Fuel

Premium

See all factory details (7)
Engine
6-cyl 3.5L
Cylinders
6
Displacement
3.5 L
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (S6)
Body
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel
Premium

From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 27, 2026.

What this free check does not include

We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.

BEFORE YOU BUY

What to check on this car

Confirm the recalls were fixed

This model has 2 open NHTSA recalls (including the air bags). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.

Watch for a pending investigation

NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.

  • Test-drive the basics

    Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.

  • Check the title and the VIN

    Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.

  • Ask the seller the right questions

    Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.

See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.

FOR SALE NEAR YOU

2016 Acura RDX listings

    Quick answers

    What is recalled on the 2016 Acura RDX? +

    NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2016 Acura RDX, including the air bags. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.

    What gas mileage does the 2016 Acura RDX get? +

    The EPA rates the 2016 Acura RDX at 23 mpg combined (20 city / 28 highway), about $3,300 a year in fuel.

    How safe is the 2016 Acura RDX? +

    NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2016 Acura RDX 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.

    What do owners complain about on the 2016 Acura RDX? +

    Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA for the 2016 Acura RDX, including 3 involving a crash. The most-reported area is electrical system.

    OTHER RDX YEARS

    MORE ACURA RESEARCH

    FREE IN THE APP

    Comparing a few cars? Save the 2016 Acura RDX and line it up against the others in the app.

    No account. Saving and comparing cars is free.

    FREE ON iOS

    Shopping for a 2016 Acura RDX?

    Scan any VIN with your camera, save cars you’re comparing, and browse listings near you. All free. Same NHTSA and EPA data you see here, plus a camera-first VIN scanner.

    Research another car → Have the VIN? Decode it free →