Are Acuras Reliable?

• 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.

Acuras qualify as good cars, given the proper care. This well-equipped luxury brand earns high marks for style and dependability, and it’s no slouch regarding safety and fuel efficiency ratings. Among luxury brands, Acura also encounters fewer issues due to the solid base Honda provides. 

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 Acura brand. For example, if you’re interested in Ford, Lexus, or MINI Cooper reliability ratings, 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 best car brands, 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 Acura models accordingly: 

• 2024 Acura Integra: “Good” ratings (2023 Top Safety Pick+) and a five-star overall safety rating
• 2024 Acura MDX: “Good” ratings in all but Moderate overlap front: updated test (“Acceptable” rating) (2023 Top Safety Pick+) and a five-star overall safety rating 
• 2024 Acura RDX: “Good” ratings (2023 Top Safety Pick+) and a five-star overall safety rating
• 2024 Acura TLX: “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 Acura TLX AWD: 21 city and 29 highway miles-per-gallon (MPG) 
• 2024 AcuraIntegra: 30 city and 37 highway MPG 
• 2024 Acura RDX AWD: 21 city and 27 highway MPG
• 2024 Acura MDX 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 Acura ILX competed against the BMW 2 Series, Audi A3, and Mercedes-Benz CLA of the same year. However, the 2023 Acura Integra also won the 2023 North American Car of the Year award, and Newsweek recognized the Acura TLX as the Best Premium Car. The 2023 Integra sports car also earned the title of Best Sport Sedan, awarded by the MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Awards. 

5. Cost of ownership 

KBB recognized the following Acura models for their low cost of ownership: 

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

For a luxury brand, the Japanese automaker 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 Acura TLX 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. Acura TL 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 Acura models. 

2. Transmission failure

Similar to concerns regarding engine troubles, transmission failure remains a rampant problem on several Acura models. 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 Acura TLX 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 Acura models. Ensure that this recall has been performed before purchasing a used Acura 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 Acura models 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. 

New Acuras come with a limited warranty of four years or 50,000 miles and a powertrain limited warranty of six years or 70,000 miles. Acura also offers additional warranty coverage for certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles, including the Precision Certified and Precision Used car warranties. These warranties can help offset routine maintenance costs, although at roughly $500 annually to maintain, Acuras are affordable luxury vehicles to own. 

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-end Acura models that rank among the most reliable: 

Acura ILX

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. 

Acura MDX

The Acura MDX 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. 

Acura TLX

You’d only need to spend about $440 annually to maintain an Acura TLX, 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. 

Acura RDX

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.  

Acuras rank high in reliability, from fuel efficiency and safety ratings to low cost of ownership and repair costs. Many Acura models have their Honda counterparts to thank for paving the road ahead, but it’s the additional styling, features, and design of the Acura lineup that draw customers from the more affordable brand. Acura SUVs are among the most reliable luxury crossovers, including more expensive variants.