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2018 Acura Rlx
Limited data: few reports on file, read the verdict loosely
Too few owner complaints are on file to affirm this car. Treat it as unproven, not endorsed, and lean hard on a professional pre-purchase inspection.
6 owner complaints · 1 recalls · data verified July 21, 2026 · source: NHTSA
What the record shows so far
Only 6 owner complaints on file for this exact model year, too few to judge long-term reliability. Treat this as unproven, not endorsed, and lean on a professional inspection.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
5/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2018 Acura RLX 4 DR FWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 10%
1 open NHTSA defect investigation on file, separate from the recalls above.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2018 Acura Rlx, plotted where owners report it happening.
Engine
33%2 complaints · 2 in the last 2 years
“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-lite…”
Electrical system
33%2 complaints · 2 in the last 2 years
“The contact owns a 2018 Acura RLX. The contact stated while driving her vehicle at an undisclosed speed, stated that the vehicle would not start up, and noticed every …”
Engine & cooling
33%2 complaints · 2 in the last 2 years
“The contact owns a 2018 Acura RLX. The contact stated while driving her vehicle at an undisclosed speed, stated that the vehicle would not start up, and noticed every …”
Fuel system
17%1 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“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 re…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
Too few owners named a mileage on this model to place issues against an odometer yet.
Recalls (1)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Fuel System, Gasoline · 23V858000
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.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Acura before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2018 Acura Rlx. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Verify the recall work was done
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2018 Acura RLX beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2018? See how every Rlx model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2018 Acura Rlx against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.