Are Acuras Reliable? [Here’s What We Think!] | FINN (2024)

• Acura ranks high in reliability, with notable safety and fuel efficiency ratings and low average repair costs for a luxury brand.
• RepairPal places Acura second among car brands for reliability, highlighting its low chance of severe repairs and lower-than-average repair costs, making it a cost-effective luxury option.
• Common issues with Acura models include engine troubles, transmission failure, Takata airbag recalls, and auto idle stop malfunctions, yet Acura offers solid warranty coverage to mitigate these concerns.

When it comes to vehicles, defining “reliability” can be a challenge, especially with a luxury brand. Sometimes, luxury and reliability don’t integrate well, whether due to advanced or unproven technological features. However, the following sources can help shed light on the overall reliability of brands like Acura:

• J.D. Power dependability rewards
• FuelEconomy.gov’s fuel efficiency ratings
• Safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
• Average repair costs reported by RepairPal
• Kelley Blue Book’s (KBB) 5-Year ownership costs

You can also use the same sources to measure the reliability ratings of any other brand besides the Acurabrand. For example, if you’re interested in Ford, Lexus, or MINI Cooper reliabilityratings, each site above remains an authority on various aspects of the brand that inform its reliability.

Based on the above sources, the following areas highlight various aspects of Acura’s reliability, from safety and fuel efficiency ratings to cost of ownership and average repair costs.

1. Average repair costs

RepairPal ranks Acura second out of 32 bestcarbrands, with a reliability rating of four out of five. Average annual repair costs are $501, with 0.4 visits to the shop yearly. Acura maintains an 8% chance of a severe repair, which is respectably low for a luxury brand.

2. Safety features and ratings

The IIHS and NHTSA rank the following Acuramodels accordingly:

• 2024 AcuraIntegra: “Good” ratings (2023 Top Safety Pick+) and a five-star overall safety rating
• 2024 AcuraMDX: “Good” ratings in all but Moderate overlap front: updated test (“Acceptable” rating) (2023 Top Safety Pick+) and a five-star overall safety rating
• 2024 AcuraRDX:“Good” ratings (2023 Top Safety Pick+) and a five-star overall safety rating
• 2024 AcuraTLX:“Good” ratings in all categories and a five-star overall safety rating

Acura performs well in equipping its models with advanced safety features to match the technology that characterizes it as a luxury automotive brand.

3. Fuel efficiency

While luxury brands like Acura lose some fuel efficiency due to higher-output motors, both luxury sedans and SUVs from this imported brand perform respectably, according to FuelEconomy.gov:

• 2023 AcuraTLX AWD: 21 city and 29 highway miles-per-gallon (MPG)
• 2024 AcuraIntegra:30 city and 37 highway MPG
• 2024 AcuraRDX AWD:21 city and 27 highway MPG
• 2024 AcuraMDX AWD: 19 city and 25 highway MPG

With anywhere from 21 to 33 combined MPG across these models, Acura stays true to its Honda roots by sipping fuel.

4. Dependability

Acura’s latest award from J.D. Power recognized the brand for the highest quality small premium reliable car. The 2018 AcuraILX competed against the BMW 2 Series, Audi A3, and Mercedes-Benz CLA of the same year. However, the 2023 AcuraIntegra also won the 2023 North American Car of the Year award, and Newsweek recognized the AcuraTLX as the Best Premium Car. The 2023 Integrasports car also earned the title of Best Sport Sedan, awarded by the MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Awards.

5. Cost of ownership

KBB recognized the following Acuramodels for their low cost of ownership:

• 2023 AcuraTLX: Third in entry-level luxury car at $54,353
• 2024 AcuraMDX: Third in luxury mid-size SUV/crossover, with $63,634
• 2023 AcuraRDX:Fourth in luxury compact SUV/crossover at $58,248

For a luxury brand, the Japaneseautomaker does well in terms of cost of ownership. It seems Honda lays a solid foundation upon which the Acura can shine.

While you can buy a car with a credit card (if you have the available funds), you may want to reconsider purchasing an Acura with this payment method after reviewing the common issues that plague this luxury brand.

1. Engine troubles

The 2019 AcuraTLX recently had two recalls regarding engine stalling, but additional engine issues apply to earlier generations. For instance, the 2010 to 2013 MDX models experienced excessive oil consumption due to clogged piston rings. AcuraTL models from the early 2000s also experienced engine trouble, whether from a failed in-tank fuel pump or fuel pump relay. Clutch issues also plague several Acuramodels.

2. Transmission failure

Similar to concerns regarding engine troubles, transmission failure remains a rampant problem on several Acuramodels. Several early-2000s MDX models suffered from shuddering, failing to shift, hard shifts, slipping, and lack of acceleration. The 2015 TLX and early-2000s TL models also experienced these same issues. The 2015 AcuraTLX had four recalls and a class action lawsuit regarding the shortcomings of the transmission.

3. Takata airbags

Although it’s now old news, the Takata airbag recall issued by the NHTSA remains in effect for several Acuramodels. Ensure that this recall has been performed before purchasing a usedAcura affected by the notice. You can find evidence of the completed recall on the vehicle history report listed under the dealership responsible for the repair.

4. Auto idle stop malfunction

Several Acuramodels come equipped with a fuel-efficiency-specific feature that kicks in when you’re idling at a light. However, this feature can malfunction and shift the car into neutral without shifting it back into drive once you’re ready to move through the light. MDX models from 2016 and 2015 TLX models suffer from this issue, which may be resolvable by replacing the battery.

One of the first steps in tackling a new car purchase is calculating the debt-to-income (DTI) for a car loan if you want to finance the deal. When you know your DTI ratio, you can look further into the following high-endAcuramodels that rank among the most reliable:

AcuraILX

RepairPal ranks the ILX second out of 17 luxury compact cars, with a $435 average annual repair cost. The model earns 4.5 out of five stars for reliability. With only 0.3 visits to the shop every year and an 11% chance that repairs are severe, the ILX does the Acura name proud in reliability ratings.

AcuraMDX

The AcuraMDX follows suit with four out of five stars from RepairPal for reliability, putting it second among 14 luxury midsize SUVs. This Acura SUV costs $571 annually to maintain. Average repair shop visits total 0.4 times yearly, with an 11% chance of severe repair.

AcuraTLX

You’d only need to spend about $440 annually to maintain an AcuraTLX, which earns a 4.5 out of five-star reliability rating from RepairPal. Luxury midsize cars in the segment cost $739 annually on average to repair, but the TLX only visits the shop about 0.2 times per year, with a 12% chance of severe repairs.

AcuraRDX

The smaller of the Acura SUVs, the RDX earns first place among luxury compact SUVs with a 4.5 out of five-star rating from RepairPal. Annual repair costs of $497 and 0.4 shop visits are average for the segment, but the severity of repairs is only 6%, compared to 10% for luxury vehicles and 12% for all models.

Is Acura a luxury car?

How much does an Acura cost?

What is the average lifespan of an Acura vehicle?

Is Acura as reliable as Honda?

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