2018 Acura RLX
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2018 Acura RLX has 7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 9. The most common issue is engine problems (57% of all complaints), specifically: my vehicle has the same 3.5 liter naturally aspirated v6 that comes in the acrua mdx which is currently on recall for connecting rod bearings on vehicles with 3.5-liter v6 engines can fail, leading to complete engine failure. my car has the excact same engin with the exact same problem. i have the f. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.
7
Total Complaints
1
Recalls Issued
5/5
Safety Stars
0.8x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 3 of 3)
ENGINE
4 complaints- • My vehicle has the same 3.5 liter naturally aspirated V6 that comes in the Acrua MDX which is currently on recall for connecting rod bearings on vehicles with 3.5-liter V6 engines can fail, leading to complete engine failure. my car has the excact same engin with the exact same problem. i have the f
- • The contact owns a 2018 Acura RLX. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the oil change and tire rotation messages were displayed. The contact stated that a dealer was contacted. The contact stated that an oil change and tire rotation were performed, and the contact was informed that the engine w
- • The contact owns a 2018 Acura RLX. The contact stated while driving her vehicle at an undisclosed speed, stated that the vehicle would not start up, and noticed every single waring light illuminated up on her dash. The vehicle was taken to a dealer twice, first time it was diagnosed to have a crank
“My vehicle has the same 3.5 liter naturally aspirated V6 that comes in the Acrua MDX which is currently on recall for connecting rod bearings on vehicles with 3.5-liter V6 engines can fail, leading to complete engine failure. my car has the excact same engin with the exact same problem. i have the f”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Recalls (1)
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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Acura RLX
Live EIA pricesBased 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 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Acura RLX
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Acura RLX Service Intervals
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
Includes 3 years complimentary maintenance for 2025+
These are the terms for a new Acura. If you're buying a used 2018 RLX, 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
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 7 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: My vehicle has the same 3.5 liter naturally aspirated V6 that comes in the Acrua MDX which is currently on recall for connecting rod bearings on vehicles with 3.5-liter V6 engines can fail, leading to complete engine failure. my car has the excact same engin with the exact same problem. i have the f
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: The contact owns a 2018 Acura RLX. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the headlight failure message was displayed. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the A/C compressor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repair
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐FUEL SYSTEM: The contact owns a 2018 Acura RLX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The ma
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)
Acura RLX — Year Comparison
How does 2018 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 7
- Recalls
- 1
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 0
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 9
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2018 Acura RLX