Acura Years to Avoid by Model
Acura years to avoid: the 2019 RDX (430 complaints), 2016 MDX (357 complaints), 2012 TL (130 complaints) and 2016 ILX (51 complaints). 5 of the 6 Acura models we track have at least one avoid-rated year; the cleanest records include the 2008 MDX and 2009 RDX. Based on 4,779 NHTSA owner complaints, rated model year by model year.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, recall campaigns & service bulletins · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
Acura years to avoid, model by model
| Model | Years to avoid | Best years | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acura MDX | 20142016201720182019202020222025 | 20082009201020112013 | 1,969 (2008–2025) |
| Acura RDX | 201420152018201920202021 | 200820092010201120122016 | 2,052 (2008–2025) |
| Acura TLX | 201520162017 | 20142025 | 0 (2014–2025) |
| Acura TL | 20082012 | 20112014 | 458 (2008–2025) |
| Acura RL | None rated avoid | — | 36 (2008–2025) |
| Acura ILX | 2016 | — | 264 (2013–2025) |
Verdicts are each model’s own, rated against that model’s history (see the methodology); counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume.
The worst year for each Acura model
2019 Acura RDX: 430 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 · Full RDX breakdown →
2016 Acura MDX: 357 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2025 · Full MDX breakdown →
2012 Acura TL: 130 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2008 and 2012 · Full TL breakdown →
2016 Acura ILX: 51 NHTSA owner complaints · Full ILX breakdown →
2015 Acura TLX: 0 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2015, 2016 and 2017 · Full TLX breakdown →
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Frequently asked questions
What Acura years should you avoid?
By model: MDX 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2025; RDX 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021; TLX 2015, 2016 and 2017; TL 2008 and 2012; ILX 2016. Each verdict matches that model's own years-to-avoid page, built from NHTSA owner-complaint and recall records.
What are the best Acura years to buy?
The cleanest federal records by model: MDX 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013; RDX 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2016; TL 2011 and 2014; TLX 2014 and 2025.
Which Acura model has the most years to avoid?
The Acura MDX, with 8 avoid-rated model years (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2025) across 18 years on record (2008–2025).
How are Acura years to avoid rated?
Each model year's NHTSA owner complaints are weighted for severity, converted to a rate per year on the road, compared with the rest of that model's own history and adjusted for recalls. Models not yet scored that way are ranked by combined NHTSA complaint and manufacturer service-bulletin volume. Full method at /research/years-to-avoid/methodology.
Where does the Acura data come from?
Federal records: 4,779 NHTSA owner complaints across 6 Acura models, plus NHTSA recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins filed with NHTSA. Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume.