Model-year record
2015 Acura RLX
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Complaints filed
11
Reports to NHTSA, 2015
Safety recalls
3
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
23
EPA estimate
Known issues
Steering issues lead owner complaints (64% of 11 reports), followed by engine (9%).
Share of all 11 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11539084, ODI 11480309, ODI 11431979, ODI 11420323, ODI 11396056.
Individual complaint reports(11)
Showing the 11 most recent reportsStructureAug 2025 · ODI 11684182Details +Close −
The paint job on my car is fading on the hood, roof top and tail gate.
- Reported
- Aug 2025
- Incident date
- May 2025
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Exterior LightingJun 2025 · ODI 11664973Details +Close −
Component: Headlight Light blew out probably due to the moisture in the headlight assembly The Exterior lighting on 2014-2015 Acura RLX has a recall NHTSA ID Number 10106777, 10108484 & 10115754 for film backing material inside the headlights may delaminate, which may result in the vehicle no longer conforming to Federal Motor vehicle safety standards. However, my vehicle VIN number is not showing up as a recall. I believe that it should be. Manufactured 09/14
- Reported
- Jun 2025
- Incident date
- Jan 2025
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
SteeringAug 2023 · ODI 11539084Details +Close −
I have a 2015 Acura RLX equipped with precision all wheel steer(PAWS). According to Acura, PAWS allows the rear wheels to move independently of the front wheels for better control and handling. The system often malfunctions and moves the vehicle in a path other than what is intended based on my steering wheel input. It is very dangerous as I do not know when the system will malfunction and I have to quickly adjust the steering wheel to correct the PAWS malfunctioning. I have brought this to the attention of my local Acura dealer and American Honda. I now understand there is a known defect with the PAWS systems but Honda does not deem this a safety issue. There is a national backorder to have the appropriate part(s) in to remedy the issue. I do not feel safe driving the vehicle due to it's unpredictable nature and risk of causing a collision.
- Reported
- Aug 2023
- Incident date
- Jun 2023
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
SteeringAug 2022 · ODI 11480309Details +Close −
When you are driving the steering wheel is jerked out of your hand causing the vehicle to change lanes. The problem happens intermintently. Date the issue started was around 7/15/2022 and has continued since. Our vehicle has been taken to Acura of Baton Rouge but they are unable to get a fault code on the computer to know what to fix. Please note this is note the first issue with this so called all wheel steering system. See Acura service bulletin 13-041. Your agency has addressed this issue in the past but did not go far enough. We have contacted Acura customer service and have been advised that without a diagnosis code, they cannot help. In my research it appears there is a constant issue with this "all wheel steering system". Most can be seen at: https://www.carproblemzoo.com/acura/rlx/steering-problems.php and https://www.cars.com/articles/2014-16-acura-rlx-steering-wheel-issue-1420682714078/d There are numerous complaints about this all wheel steering system and as most have posted, Acura/Honda has refused to address the issue. These vehicles are a hazard to drive and are going to get someone seriously injured. My wife nearly missed a head on collision the other day. Time to re-open the investigation on all of Acura's "all wheel drive systems" before deaths occur.
- Reported
- Aug 2022
- Incident date
- Jul 2022
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
SuspensionJul 2022 · ODI 11475973Details +Close −
The contact owns a 2015 Acura RLX. The contact stated while switching lanes to the left, the vehicle started fishtailing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated the failure recurred and the vehicle was taken to the dealer a second time. The contact was informed that the RTC actuators needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle could not be repaired under Technical Service Bulletin: 13-041 because the vehicle was over the mileage. The failure mileage was 63,000. The consumer stated the vehicle was repaired on 7/28/2022 at the cost of $4821.79, and requesting reimbursement for the repairs.
- Reported
- Jul 2022
- Incident date
- Jun 2021
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
SteeringSep 2021 · ODI 11431979Details +Close −
The contact owns a 2015 Acura RLX. The contact stated while driving 38 MPH, the rear-end of the vehicle was fishtailing and the steering wheel was turning towards the left. The contact stated that the vehicle would not accelerate above 50 MPH. Several unknown warning lights illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and called and informed the local dealer about the failure. The contact stated that the steering was previously repaired by the dealer. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the driver’s and passenger’s side rear tow actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,386.
- Reported
- Sep 2021
- Incident date
- Sep 2021
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
SteeringJun 2021 · ODI 11420323Details +Close −
I have 2014 built, 2015 registered Acura rlx. Problem is when I make left turn all warning yellow lights on, like X-mas trees and shows all faults like traction control, brake, steering ...etc. Around 45 degrees angle to my right hand side on steering wheel if I control my car to go straight. (Cars tail swings to right hand side line) Max speed is around 50mph. This problem disappears after turns off engine and wait for while. It have happened for several times since 2019. I believe this is related with rear steering or actuator. Bad PAWS (rear steering) system. ):
- Reported
- Jun 2021
- Incident date
- Jun 2019
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
SteeringFeb 2021 · ODI 11396056Details +Close −
I HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME EXPERIENCE AS #11246196. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN, MY CAR STEERING LOSES CONTROL, FISH TAILS, THEN ALL DASHBOARD ERRORS LIGHT UP. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN CHANGING LANES ON A HIGHWAY AND ON CITY STREETS ALSO. THE CAR GOES INTO LIMP MODE, WITH ALL ERRORS FLASHING. STEERING WHEEL IS IN A TURNED POSITION WHEN MOVING FORWARD, BROUGHT IT TO A FRIEND WHO HAD A CODE READER, TWO CODES WERE FOUND, 27-21 STEERING ANGLE SENSOR INTERNAL FAILURE AND 86-23 F-CAN COMMUNICATION WITH ACC (ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL) MALFUNCTION. THIS CAN ONLY BE CLEARED IF BATTERY IS DISCONNECTED FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN THE CAR RETURNS TO NORMAL AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET ON THIS SUBJECT AND HAVE FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE INCLUDING #11246196. SEE ATTACHED ERROR CODES. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON 7 OR 8 OCCASIONS. THE FISHTAILING THAT OCCURS CAN BE SCARY ON THE HIGHWAY!
- Reported
- Feb 2021
- Incident date
- Feb 2021
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
EngineNov 2020 · ODI 11374818Details +Close −
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 ACURA RLX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE STALLING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DUVAL ACURA LOCATED AT 11225 ATLANTIC BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32225; WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING TENSIONER FAILED, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT YET NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,600.
- Reported
- Nov 2020
- Incident date
- Nov 2020
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
SteeringAug 2019 · ODI 11252353Details +Close −
A MOANING OR RUBBING NOISE IS HEARD FROM THE REAR WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT AND MAKIN SMALL SIDE-TO-SIDE TURNING MOVEMENTS AND WHEN YOU MAKE A SMALL TURN IT FISH TAIL SO U HAVE TO SLOW DOWN AND LET THE WHEELS CATCH UP. WITH THE REAR P-AWS ACTUATORS. I FELL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR 2015 ACURA RLX. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN JACKSON MS AND THEY SAY THE ACTUATORS IS BAD. THEY TOLD ME THAT EVERYONE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. HOW CAN I GET THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX MY CAR. HOW CAN I SEND YOU MY COPY.
- Reported
- Aug 2019
- Incident date
- Jul 2019
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
SteeringAug 2019 · ODI 11246196Details +Close −
WHEN I MAKE A LEFT TURN, MY WHEELS AND STEERING WHEEL GET OUT OF SYNC AND THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO TEMPORARILY BECOME HARD TO STEER. AT THIS POINT, THE CAR DOESN'T RESPOND TO NORMAL STEERING GESTURES. IT FEELS AS IF THE CAR IS GOING TO VEER OUT OF THE LANE AND IT DOESN'T RESPOND FOR ME TO CORRECT IT FROM VEERING OFF UNLESS I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY TOWARDS THE LEFT HAND TRAFFIC WHICH IS VERY UNUSUAL AND VERY SCARY. WHEN TO CORRECT ITSELF, THE CAR JERKS ITSELF AS THE STEERING WHEEL AND TIRES RE-ALLIGN THEMSELVES. THIS MAKES THE CAR SWERVE TOWARDS THE OTHER LANE AND I THEN HAVE TO VIOLENTLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WITH THE OPPOSITE WAY TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR. JUST SEEM TO ONLY HAPPEN WHEN I MAKE LEFT TURNS. THE DEEPER THE LEFT TURN THE MORE NOTICEABLE IT IS. I HAVE NOT SEEM TO NOTICE IT WHEN I MAKE RIGHT TURNS. THIS SEEMS TO BE WEARING OUT THE TREAD ON THE LEFT REAR TIRE. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING, THE ALL-WHEEL STEERING OR COMPUTER CALCULATIONS. I'M GOING TO TAKE IT TO YOU LOOKED AT THIS WEEK. THIS JUST BECAME MORE NOTICEABLE THIS PAST WEEK. PRIORITY IS I ASSUMED THAT THERE WERE SOME IMPERFECTIONS ON THE STREET THAT CAUSES THIS LIKE A SMALL SINKHOLE OR AN UNEVEN SECTION OF THE ROAD. I'VE OWNED TWO TLS, AND I OWN A RL AND THIS RLX, AND I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE OR ANYTHING LIKE THIS.
- Reported
- Aug 2019
- Incident date
- Aug 2019
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Recalls(3)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Exterior Lighting · 14V792000Details +Close −
American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured November 22, 2012, to January 30, 2014, 2015 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured June 4, 2014, to November 18, 2014, and 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid vehicles manufactured November 5, 2013, to July 25, 2014. An aluminum film applied to the inner reflector of the headlight may experience adhesion issues causing the film to delaminate. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Risk: Delamination of the aluminum film may diminish output of the headlight, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace both of the headlights, free of charge. The recall began February 2, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-310-783-2000. Honda's number for this recall is JN2.
Open full NHTSA recall record →Forward Collision Avoidance · 15V301000Details +Close −
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX 2WD and AWD, RLX and 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid vehicles. In certain driving conditions, the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) may incorrectly interpret certain roadside objects such as metal fences or metal guardrails as obstacles and unexpectedly apply the brakes.
Risk: If the CMBS unexpectedly applies emergency braking force while driving, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the CMBS software, free of charge. The recall began on July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's numbers for this recall is JQ4, JQ5 and JQ6.
Open full NHTSA recall record →Fuel System · 23V858000Details +Close −
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Open full NHTSA recall record →A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
2 NHTSA investigations on record
Investigations are agency reviews, not findings that a vehicle is defective.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications. The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU. In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment. FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle. Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW. These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes. An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time. In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU. This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners. Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW. The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation. The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage. There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation. The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU. If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC. Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC. All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled. In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024. With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
Crash-test ratings
2015 Acura RLX 4 DR FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RLX | 3.5L 6-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 20 | 30 | 23 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
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2015 Acura RLX: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2015 Acura RLX?
Owners filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the 2015 Acura RLX. This is raw owner-reported complaint volume with no production or exposure normalization, so it is not a reliability score or a best/worst-year ranking.
What are the most common problems on the 2015 Acura RLX?
The most-reported problem areas are Steering (64% of complaints) and engine (9%).
How many recalls does the 2015 Acura RLX have?
3 recalls have been issued that affect the 2015 Acura RLX, covering components such as exterior lighting. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2015 Acura RLX get?
The EPA rates the 2015 Acura RLX at 23 mpg combined.