2017 Acura Rdx Safety Report

The 2017 Acura RDX presents a mixed safety picture. While it boasts excellent crash test performance with 5-star overall, frontal, and side ratings from NHTSA, and a 4-star rollover rating, its complaint data reveals several concerning patterns. With 71 total complaints, including 7 crashes, 1 fire, 6 injuries, and 1 death, there are clear areas of concern. The most frequently reported issues revolve around the POWER TRAIN (10 complaints), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (9 complaints), and SERVICE BRAKES (8 complaints). These components are critical for vehicle operation and safety, and their high complaint volume suggests potential reliability issues that could impact safety. The recall history for the 2017 RDX is minimal, with only one recall related to 'EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS' where the certification labels' ink could be wiped away, potentially leading to overloading if operators cannot refer to the information. This recall, while important for compliance, does not address the more severe mechanical or electrical issues highlighted in the complaint data. Specific complaints detail issues like unexpected sputtering and transmission warning lights (DTC: P0741), complete electrical reboots while driving, random alarm activations, and premature torque converter failures, some at mileages as low as 83,000 miles. There are also reports of ADAS and emission systems malfunctioning and going offline, which directly impacts active safety features. Crash test performance indicates strong passive safety, meaning the vehicle performs well in protecting occupants during a collision. However, the complaint data points to potential active safety failures (e.g., brake issues, ADAS malfunctions) and reliability concerns that could lead to dangerous situations. For instance, reports of 'brakes failed at 17,649' miles and 'transmission was replaced by a dealer' after jerking while in motion are significant. The discrepancy between high crash test ratings and a notable number of complaints regarding critical component failures suggests that while the RDX is structurally sound in a crash, its operational reliability and active safety systems may not always perform as expected, potentially contributing to incidents.

Our recommendation: While the 2017 Acura RDX offers strong crash protection, potential buyers should be aware of recurring powertrain, electrical, and brake issues; a pre-purchase inspection focusing on these areas is highly recommended.