VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Acura RLX2014–2020
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Acura RLX
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Acura RLX Years to Avoid
3 recalls · 67 complaints
Top issue: STEERING
1 recall · 10 complaints
Top issue: STEERING
0 recalls · 7 complaints
3 reported injuries
Top issue: STRUCTURE:BODY
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 2 past investigations into the RLX became recalls.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 28, 2026.
Acura RLX — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 3 | — | — | 98 | 94 | 97 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 92 | 90 | 91 | Good |
| 2018 | 1 | 3 | — | — | 98 | 84 | 93 | Excellent |
| 2017 | 0 | 2 | — | — | 100 | 77 | 92 | Excellent |
| 2016 | 0 | 7 | 3 | — | 84 | 70 | 79 | Good |
| 2015 | 1 | 10 | — | — | 84 | 63 | 77 | Good |
| 2014 | 3 | 67 | — | — | 75 | 57 | 69 | Avoid |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Acura RLX Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the RLX compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2020 (Buyer Score 97).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year RLX to buy?+
The 2020 Acura RLX scores highest on our Buyer Score (97/100) — combining a reliability score of 98/100 with a value score of 94/100. It has 1 recall and 3 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which RLX years have the most problems?+
The 2014, 2015, 2016 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2014 RLX leads with 3 recalls and 67 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common RLX problems?+
The most frequently reported Acura RLX issues involve: STEERING, SUSPENSION, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.