2018 Acura Rlx Safety Report
2018 Acura RLX Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Acura Rlx
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Acura Rlx. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (4) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Electrical System | Compare electrical system issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2017 | Compare against the 2017 Acura Rlx with 1 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 Acura Rlx before buying across this generation. |
Acura Rlx Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Acura Rlx years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Acura Rlx | 1 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Acura Rlx | 1 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Acura Rlx | 4 | 0 | Use as a comparable safety baseline. |
| 2015 Acura Rlx | 11 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2018 Acura Rlx Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Acura Rlx, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Electrical System
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Acura onlyEngine And Engine Cooling
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine And Engine Cooling issues Acura onlyFuel System, Gasoline
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel System, Gasoline issues Acura onlyEngine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Acura onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Acura Rlx
Reliability Score
The 2018 Acura Rlx receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2018 Acura Rlx
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2018 Acura Rlx
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Acura Rlx:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery: Fuel Pump Honda has recalled certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, and Acura RLX due to potential fuel pump failure. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Headlight failure messages have been reported, but no specific recall has been issued for this issue. |
Low | Common | 0 miles |
| Engine And Engine Cooling Oil change and tire rotation messages have been reported, but no specific recall has been issued for this issue. |
Medium | Common | 0 miles |
| Engine No specific issues have been reported for the engine. |
Low | Common | 0 miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Acura Rlx:
23% of reported issues are related to the fuel pump.
Recall Details for the 2018 Acura Rlx
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2018 Acura Rlx by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Acura Rlx
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Acura Rlx with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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 repaired. The contact stated that the failure started occurring in 2023. The manufacturer was notified of ...
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 was knocking. The contact received a call notification from the dealer two days after the vehicle was...
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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distributio...
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 full diagnosis and estimate from Acura ENGINE REPLACEMENT
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2018 Acura Rlx
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module
Opened 2019-04-19 · Closed 2024-09-19
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) Elec...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Acura Rlx
Has the 2018 ACURA RLX been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 ACURA RLX has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2018 ACURA RLX have?
The 2018 ACURA RLX has 4 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 ACURA RLX?
The 2018 ACURA RLX received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 5/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 ACURA RLX?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 ACURA RLX involve electrical system (1 complaints), engine and engine cooling (1 complaints), fuel system, gasoline (1 complaints). Other affected components include engine.
How many crash reports does the 2018 ACURA RLX have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2018 ACURA RLX in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2018 ACURA RLX have?
There are no fire reports for the 2018 ACURA RLX in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 ACURA RLX?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 ACURA RLX.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 ACURA RLX?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 ACURA RLX.
Should I buy a 2018 ACURA RLX?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 ACURA RLX is generally recommended. It has 4 complaints, 1 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2018 ACURA RLX?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 ACURA RLX are: 1. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1 complaints), 2. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (1 complaints), 3. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE (1 complaints), 4. ENGINE (1 complaints). ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the single most-reported problem area with 1 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 ACURA RLX?
Be aware of potential fuel pump issues and check for recalls. The 2018 ACURA RLX has 4 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2018 ACURA RLX?
The 2018 ACURA RLX receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 4 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery: Fuel Pump and Electrical System.
What are the known issues with the 2018 ACURA RLX?
Known issues with the 2018 ACURA RLX include: Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery: Fuel Pump, Electrical System, Engine and Engine Cooling, Engine. These are based on patterns found across 4 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Is the 2018 Acura RLX on any recalls?
Yes, certain models are on recall due to a fuel pump issue.
What are the common issues with the 2018 Acura RLX?
Common issues include headlight failure messages and oil change/tire rotation messages.
How can I check if my 2018 Acura RLX is affected by the fuel pump recall?
Check with your dealer or visit Honda's recall website for information.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential fuel pump issues and check for recalls.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Acura Rlx
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Acura Rlx. The data includes 4 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 Acura Rlx an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 5 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-13