Is the 2017 Acura RDX reliable?

The 2017 Acura RDX has 107 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2017 Acura RDX?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (21 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (17 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (11 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2017 Acura RDX?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS. Contact any Acura dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2017 Acura RDX?

The 2017 Acura RDX gets 22 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2182. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Is the 2017 Acura RDX often stolen?

Theft risk tier for the Acura RDX: low. HLDI insurance loss data suggests lower-than-average theft claims for this model.

How much does it cost to insure a 2017 Acura RDX?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2017 Acura RDX is approximately $1,912/year (suv-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2017 Acura RDX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2017 Acura RDX has 107 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 97. The most common issue is transmission problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: i purchased the 2017 acura rdx, on march 20, 2017 with 20 miles. i noticed this past saturday, june 24, 2017, that is rust in the exhaust area, around the wheels and other areas underneath the auto.. There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 6 crash reports 4 injuries

107

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

21 complaints

20%

• I PURCHASED THE 2017 ACURA RDX, ON MARCH 20, 2017 WITH 20 MILES. I NOTICED THIS PAST SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 2017, THAT IS RUST IN THE EXHAUST AREA, AROUND THE WHEELS AND OTHER AREAS UNDERNEATH THE AUTO.
• 1) HARSH TRANSMISSION SHIFTS THE TRANSMISSION'S GEAR SHIFTS (BOTH UP AND DOWN) ARE JERKY, AND IT'S VERY OBVIOUS & UNPLEASANT WHEN COMPARED TO DRIVING OTHER CARS (EVEN TO A 2005 TOYOTA COROLLA). THE SHIFTS SEEM MUCH HARSHER ESPECIALLY WHEN DOWNSHIFTING. WHEN THE CAR SLOWS DOWN, THERE IS A SUDDEN J
• WHEN THE ENGINE DOES NOT RESPOND TO THE THROTTLE, YOU CONTINUE TO DEPRESS THROTTLE, THEN THE ENGINE BEGINES TO JERK AND SLOWLY ACCELERATE. ENGINE APPEARS TO DIE WHEN YOU ARE IN THE SLOW DOWN SITUATION. I HAVE TO PRESS ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR TO GET THE CAR GOING. GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY, IS VERY

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“I PURCHASED THE 2017 ACURA RDX, ON MARCH 20, 2017 WITH 20 MILES. I NOTICED THIS PAST SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 2017, THAT IS RUST IN THE EXHAUST AREA, AROUND THE WHEELS AND OTHER AREAS UNDERNEATH THE AUTO.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2017 Acura RDX

Based on 41 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 14K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 9K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 22K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 50K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (1)

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS18/04/2017

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017 CR-V and Acura RDX vehicles. The Certification Labels on the affected vehicles were printed with ink that may be inadvertently wiped away with an alcohol solvent. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

Risk: If the label information can be wiped away, the operator may not be able to refer to the information, possibly resulting in the vehicle being overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Honda and Acura will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Certification Label, free of charge. The recall began June 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KF3 (CR-V)and KF4 (RDX).

Low theft risk

Low theft rates typically correlate with lower comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2017 Acura RDX

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,182

Per month

$182

Per mile

18.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,527/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,778/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2017 Acura RDX

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,912

Full coverage / month

$159

Liability only / year

$688

vs US avg

+14%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-luxury)1.35x

× theft risk0.90x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1912

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Acura RDX Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Uses Maintenance Minder — actual intervals adjust based on driving conditions. Values shown are typical.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Acura New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / 50K mi

Includes 3 years complimentary maintenance for 2025+

These are the terms for a new Acura. If you're buying a used 2017 RDX, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Acura dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 107 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: I PURCHASED THE 2017 ACURA RDX, ON MARCH 20, 2017 WITH 20 MILES. I NOTICED THIS PAST SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 2017, THAT IS RUST IN THE EXHAUST AREA, AROUND THE WHEELS AND OTHER AREAS UNDERNEATH THE AUTO.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 ACURA RDX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER AND THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER W
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: VEHICLE SHAKES AT HIGH SPEED WHEN THE BREAK IS APPLIED. CAUSE BY ROTOR WARPING. THE DEAL HAD RE-SURFACE THE ROTOR AND REPLACED BREAK PAD ONE ALREADY. BUT IT STILL DOES SAME THING.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Acura dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)