Are Acuras Reliable? Acura Reliability by Model
Across the 5 most-documented Acura models, CarWhere's analysis of 4,779 NHTSA complaints finds 4 carry at least one model year to avoid; the cleanest federal records belong to the RL. Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume. Data as of July 2026.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall campaigns · Data as of July 2026 · How we rate model years
4,779 NHTSA complaints
model years flagged on federal data
RL
What Acura owners report most
The vehicle systems drawing the most federal service-bulletin activity across the 5 Acura models we analyze — a signal of where problems concentrate.
Acura reliability by model
| Model | Complaints | Years to avoid | Best years | Worst year vs. its avg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acura MDX | 1,969 | 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2025 | 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013 | 4.1× |
| Acura RDX | 2,052 | 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 | 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2016 | 6.9× |
| Acura TL | 458 | 2008 and 2012 | 2011 and 2014 | 2.8× |
| Acura RL | 36 | None | — | — |
| Acura ILX | 264 | 2016 | — | 1.9× |
Counts are raw federal filings (NHTSA owner complaints), not adjusted for sales volume. A model year is flagged when its severity-weighted complaint rate is among the highest within that model's own history — never a comparison against other brands. Follow any model for its full year-by-year verdict. Full methodology.
Where Acura owners report the most trouble
Acura RDX: 6 model years flagged to avoid (2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021) — the worst logged up to 6.9× the model's own average complaint rate. See the year-by-year verdict →
Acura MDX: 8 model years flagged to avoid (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2025) — the worst logged up to 4.1× the model's own average complaint rate. See the year-by-year verdict →
Acura TL: 2 model years flagged to avoid (2008 and 2012) — the worst logged up to 2.8× the model's own average complaint rate. See the year-by-year verdict →
Cleanest Acura records: the RL carries no model year flagged to avoid in the current federal data.
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FAQ
Are Acuras reliable?
Acura reliability varies sharply by model and year, not by brand. Across the 5 most-documented Acura models, 4 carry at least one model year we flag to avoid on NHTSA complaint and recall data. The RL carries no year we flag to avoid. These are raw federal complaint counts, not adjusted for how many vehicles Acura sold, so they can't be read as a single cross-brand reliability score — use the per-model verdicts below.
What is the most reliable Acura?
Among the Acura models we analyze, the RL carries no model year flagged to avoid in the current federal data — the cleanest record in the lineup. Reliability still comes down to the specific model year, so check the year-by-year verdict before buying.
Which Acura models have the most years to avoid?
The Acura models carrying the most flagged years are the RDX (6 years flagged, worst up to 6.9× its own average), the MDX (8 years flagged, worst up to 4.1× its own average), the TL (2 years flagged, worst up to 2.8× its own average). A flag means that model year has one of the highest severity-weighted complaint rates within that model's own history — it is not a comparison against other brands.
How do I check a specific Acura before buying?
Start with the free Acura window sticker lookup at carwhere.com/window-sticker/acura to confirm the exact trim and factory options, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for that VIN — it includes the recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for the exact model year plus a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & data notes
All figures are drawn from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Office of Defects Investigation — owner-filed complaints and recall campaigns — across the 5 most-documented Acura models and every model year on record for each. Retrieved July 2026. Counts are raw federal filings and are not adjusted for the number of vehicles sold or registered, so they cannot be read as a single cross-brand reliability ranking; each model year's verdict compares it only against the rest of that model's own history. Full scoring at the methodology page.