Model year guide

2016 Acura rlx

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2016 Acura rlx is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 8 on record.

2016 Acura rlx — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2016 Acura rlx at a glance

Safety recallsNone
Owner complaints6
Overall safety5 / 5 ★
Combined23 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2016 Acura rlx recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 2016 Acura rlx.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2016 Acura rlx common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Wheels
Inspect wheels for bends, cracks and curb rash, and feel for vibration at highway speed.

2016 Acura rlx safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★
Side — front seat★★★★★
Side — rear seat★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★

Rollover risk: 9.7% — NHTSA's estimated chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash (dynamic test: no tip).

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2016 Acura RLX 4 DR FWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2016 Acura rlx MPG & running costs

Combined23 mpg
City20 mpg
Highway30 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,550
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic (S6)
Passenger volume102 cu ft
Cargo volume15 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$5,750 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2016 Acura rlx costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,750
Fuel only$17,750
Per mile$0.24

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
196.5 in
Width
74.8 in
Height
57.5 in
Wheelbase
112.2 in
Curb weight
4,365 lb
Front track
64.2 in
Rear track
64.2 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2016 Acura rlx. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 2

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture Open

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 deploymen…

NHTSA #EA21002 · Air Bags · opened Sep 2021

Electrical overstress Closed

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 wi…

NHTSA #EA19001 · Air Bags · opened Apr 2019 · closed Sep 2024

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 97

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 97.

Service Bulletin - Drivers may experience a chirping sound coming from the engine area with the engine warmed up due to the high pressure fuel pump is making a chirp.

Bulletin B16-008 · Engine · Sep 2024

Warranty Extension - Under certain circumstances, abnormal noise may be heard from the rear when driving straight or making small side-to-side turning movements with the steering wheel. The P-AWS indicator or warning light may also illuminate with certain diag…

Bulletin ONL6R508212023 · Steering, Equipment · Aug 2023

Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, abnormal noise may be heard from the rear when driving straight or making small side-to-side turning movements with the steering wheel. The MIL may also illuminate with certain DTC codes.

Bulletin ONL6R507142023 · Steering, Electrical System, Structure · Jul 2023

Dealer Message - Due to manufacturing errors, abnormal noise may be heard from the rear when driving straight or making small side-to-side turning movements with the steering wheel. The MIL may also illuminate with DTC C1600-94 (PAWS unexpected behavior) and/o…

Bulletin BBOM06092023901 · Steering · Jun 2023

Service Bulletin - Due to manufacturing errors, abnormal noise may be heard from the rear when driving straight or making small side-toside turning movements with the steering wheel. The MIL may also illuminate with DTC C1600-94 (PAWS unexpected behavior) and…

Bulletin B23-022 · Steering · Jun 2023

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RLXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0171 & P0174 (Rear/Front Bank Fuel System Too Lean),…

Bulletin BTI&05102022901 · Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2022

ServiceNews Article - Do you have a slow tire leak, but there are no signs of sidewall damage or anything stuck in the tread? While you're checking for leaks, check the valve stem; it could have oxidation buildup from road salt. This buildup can cause a poor s…

Bulletin B15090E · Wheels · Jan 2021

Service Bulletin - The timing belt area chirps after the engine warms up.

Bulletin B14-025 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2020

Service Bulletin - The timing belt area makes a chirping noise after the engine warms up.

Bulletin B14-025 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2020

Service Bulletin - The blower motor makes excessive noise, runs slowly, or intermittently stops working.

Bulletin B20-020 · Visibility · Jun 2020

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the RLX FWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Acura rlx

The Acura RLX is a mid-size luxury car manufactured by Honda and produced under their Acura division since March 2013 for the 2014 model year, replacing the RL. The RLX was discontinued in 2020 after the 2020 model year.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2016 Acura rlx trims & engines on record

Trims
Advance Package
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl 310 hp

2016 Acura rlx vehicles on record

Other Acura rlx model years

2016 Acura rlx — frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 Acura rlx have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 2016 Acura rlx. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Acura rlx?

Across all 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are suspension, structure, fuel/propulsion system.

What is the 2016 Acura rlx safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2016 Acura rlx an overall crash-test rating of 5 out of 5 stars (frontal 5★, side 5★, rollover 5★).

What gas mileage does the 2016 Acura rlx get?

The 2016 Acura rlx has a U.S. EPA estimate of 23 mpg combined (20 city / 30 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.