2017 Acura RDX Engine Problems

ENGINEN BRAKE DON

NHTSA ID

11713107

Incident

Jan 17, 2026

The engine upper magnesium intake manifold is spider cracked around several mating half bolts causing an engine emission warning light to illuminate for bank #2 lean code. I believe the part number for the upper intake manifold is P/N 17160-5G0-A00. 2017 Acura RDX with 84,000 miles. The Acura mechanic knew what the issue was right away stating that it’s known problem with the magnesium intake manifold, but Acura doesn’t have a recall.

NHTSA ID

11694335

Incident

Aug 20, 2025

If the vehicle goes over 65 mph the transmission light starts blinking on the dashboard.

NHTSA ID

11658415

Incident

Feb 8, 2025

Premature defective hydraulic timing belt tensioner similarly to the 2018 and 2019 RDX under recall. The seal in the tensioner prematurely aged causing hydraulic leakage making it unable to maintain timing belt tension. If the tensioner fail at highway speed causing the timing belt to skip leading to out of timing and major engine malfunction.

NHTSA ID

11625027

Incident

Nov 9, 2024

Vehicle began jerking while in motion, and all error messages the vehicle has ability to display rotated across the screen, including PO848. Transmission was replaced by a dealer. Vehicle would not start two weeks later. Vehicle towed to dealer. Dealer stated battery and starter were bad. Both of those components replaced by Acura dealer. Within one week, alarm was sounding randomly and clicking noise coming from dash. Dealer is now replacing a control module. This is a safety issue because as it was jerking, I lost control of the vehicle. The car alarm going off for a prolonged time at high decibels puts the hearing of bystanders at risk. Seems the car poses a fire risk as well.

NHTSA ID

11598612

Incident

Apr 25, 2024

I am writing to report a concerning issue with my Acura RDX 2017, which I believe poses a significant safety risk and requires immediate attention from your organization. The problem I encountered while driving jeopardizes the safety of both myself and others on the road. About five days ago, while driving at approximately 20 mph, my vehicle began emitting loud, thunderous sounds, accompanied by intense vibrations that shook the entire car. Additionally, it seemed to struggle when shifting gears, particularly into second or third gear. Despite my careful and gradual acceleration, the car exhibited signs of a malfunction within its transmission system. Furthermore, at around 35 mph, the engine suddenly revved to over 3000 rpm, causing the vehicle to accelerate without any input from me. This acceleration occurred even though my foot was not on the gas pedal, making the car difficult to control and putting me at risk of colliding with other vehicles or objects. The unpredictability of these incidents is deeply alarming and could lead to serious accidents if not addressed promptly. I purchased this vehicle in December 2023 and have maintained it according to the manufacturer's recommendations. However, when I inquired about the timing belt at the dealership, I was assured that it had passed inspection. Despite this, the recent malfunctions suggest a more serious underlying issue that needs immediate attention. Crucially, there were no warning lights, messages, or other indications of a problem prior to these incidents, underscoring the sudden and unexpected nature of the issue. I urge the NHTSA to investigate this matter urgently and thoroughly. I request that you initiate a recall of affected vehicles and implement necessary repairs to address the identified defects. Swift action is essential to ensure the safety of all motorists who may be affected by this issue.

NHTSA ID

11579723

Incident

Mar 24, 2024

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 ACURA RDX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND LOSS MOTIVE POWER. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND OPERATED AS DESIGNED FOR LESS THAN ONE MINUTE BEFORE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SCHALLER ACURA (345 CENTER ST, MANCHESTER, CT 06040, (860) 647-7077) WHO WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE REOCCURRED AT 35-40 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,800.

NHTSA ID

11365183

Incident

Sep 1, 2020

Mileage

37,800 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 ACURA RDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABRUPTLY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RESTARTED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KEY ACURA OF GAINESVILLE (3435 N MAIN ST, GAINESVILLE, FL 32609) ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

NHTSA ID

11329513

Incident

Dec 15, 2019

Mileage

22,000 mi

DURING MORNING COMMUTE ON HIGHWAY MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, INCLUDING ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EMISSIONS, LANE DEPARTURE, AND POWER STEERING. ON RAPID ACCELERATION VEHICLE HAD PRONOUNCED POWER LOSS, WHICH OBVIOUSLY COULD BE DANGEROUS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS VERY THING HAS HAPPENED TO THE VEHICLE. IT'S AT LEAST THE 4TH TIME MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS HAVE COME ON, AND THE SECOND FOR THE LOSS OF POWER ON ACCELERATION. THE DEALERSHIP CONSULTED ACURA TECHNICAL SUPPORT THE LAST TIME AND SAID THEY HAD IDENTIFIED AND FIXED THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11257617

Incident

Sep 24, 2019

I REQUESTED FREE DIAGNOSTIC FROM ACURA AND THEY DENIED DUE TO INVOLVEMENT OF ACCIDENT ON 2/27/2018(REAR-END). BUT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN THE BODY SHOP CERTIFIED BY ACURA AND I MADE CLAIM AGAIN TO GEICO INSURANCE COMPANY TO FIGURE OUT. THE SUBJECT VEHICLE HAVE THE FUEL CONSUMPTION DROPPED FROM 25 MILES/GALLON TO 20 MILES/GALLON AND SMELL GASOLINE WHEN TURN ON THE ENGINE. ACURA CASE# IS 09121073 AND MR. AMARY TALKED ME ABOUT THEIR WAY TO DEAL WITH CUSTOMER. THE SUBJECT VEHICLE IS LEASED AND WE HAVE STILL 2 YEARS TERM LEFT ON IT. ACURA IS TRYING TO IGNORE A POTENTIAL HAZARD AND SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE HELP US OUT...THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME READING THIS.

NHTSA ID

11151490

Incident

Nov 14, 2018

Mileage

14,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 ACURA RDX. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO QUICKLY SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED AND A GREEN LIGHT WITH THE WORD "MAIN" WAS DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CHAPMAN ACURA (4600 E 22ND ST, TUCSON, AZ 85711, (520) 445-4061), BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED BRAKES DID NOT WORK, CAR ONLY STOPPED WHEN CONSUMER RAN OVER CURB- UP A HILL AND HIT SOME BOULDERS 1 HAVE NEVER USED CRUISE CONTROL - CAR WOULD NOT STOP IN REVERSE OR GOING FORWARD REPAIR DAMAGES $1,105.62. HAPPENED AGAIN IN 6/17/18 UPDATED 9/26/18*JB

NHTSA ID

11102817

Incident

Jun 14, 2018

Mileage

20,000 mi