Are Acuras Reliable? Reasons for Their Reliability
Acura is a brand that seems to get drowned out by all the others, not falling to the top or the bottom of the list on many consumer reports.
Known for their overall look, many drivers looking at the Acura are left wondering, are Acuras reliable? They handle well, perform well, and don’t cost a fortune, three things consumers love, but is it worth it to purchase one? Let’s find out.
Are Acuras Reliable?
When looking at 32 different car brands on RepairPal, the Acura scores second place. That’s a huge score for the brand, as the rating looked at more than 345 other models. They scored an overall 4.0 out of 5.0, which not many cars of their type do. Among the main reasons why the brand scored so high was that there were little to no meaningful reports regarding repairs, and the cost of repairs was reasonably low.
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Acura Ownership Cost
When looking at the reliability of a model or brand, it’s good to look at the cost and frequency of repairs. Though Acura is known for its low-frequency repair rate, they do have a higher rate than some of the competition. For luxury cars, they do fall on the lower scale of repair costs, but because the parts of durable and well-made, they cost more to fix.
As you’ll see below, many of the issues present in Acuras are minor, so the average repair cost per year is relatively low. Large issues will cost more to repair, but luckily, they don’t come around often.
The Most Reliable Acura Models
The Integra Type-R
The Type-R hit the scene in the 80s and got its lift-off in 1997. It was the perfect mix of sport and muscle cars, giving drivers something fun to drive and easy to handle. With 195 horses under the hood, this model is known to be one of the best and continues to be a top seller for the brand.
The Acura TSX Sport
This model is part of the carmaker SUV and crossover line. It’s most known for its solid engineering, killer sound system, and 2.4L inline V6 engine. Because the Acura car was such a hit, the SUVs followed suit, catching the eye of many that needed both space and performance.
The Acura RDX
Known as the brand’s most compact SUV, the RDX quickly became a consumer favorite for more reasons than one. It’s affordable, has excellent gas mileage, and has a smaller price tag for a luxury SUV. On top of that, the model won a ton of awards back in 2016 as one of the safest and most reliable models on the market.
The Least Reliable Acuras
Are Acuras reliable? Yes, but some models don’t perform as well as others. Though the brand is solid and known for its innovative and durable design, they are still known for a few flaws, which are linked to being the least reliable of the bunch.
The Acura TL
A lagging transmission, an airbag recall, and shifting all out of whack gave this model a bad name. Among the terrible things that have been said about the model, critics have ranked it with the Buick, even saying that the Acura is much noisier.
The Acura ZDX
Among the things that Acura lovers and other consumers seemed to hate was the lack of space with the hatchback design. Among the worst comments, you’ll find about the model is that ZDX stands for “zero demand expected.” sales were significantly low even though there were no major issues with the electrical or drivetrain.
Acura TLX
This model was tainted by a recall on the transmission, which led a lot of consumers to ignore the model later altogether. The top issue was that the transmission would suddenly switch to neutral, which was very dangerous for drivers in many driving conditions.
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Common Issues of Acura Cars
Though the Acura brand scores high in many areas, there are a few where they still need to. There are common problems associated with the brand and different models. Though the Acura has a higher rating than most, they are still not without issues, a few of which include:
- Faulty check engine light – Many Acura owners have complained about their vehicles’ checking engine light that tends to illuminate even without apparent issues. There are various reasons for this, such as a loose gas cap or a faulty catalytic converter.
- Engine shudder between 35-40 mph – Reported shudders could range from a slight shimmy to violent vibrations and are commonly experienced in the MDX model. According to experts, this may be due to a failed automatic transmission torque converter.
- Issues with SRS light – According to frustrated owners, the Acura’s Airbag (SRS) warning light may illuminate for seemingly no reason. Expert technicians believe this may be because of one or more failed sensors.
- Transmission failure – While many Acura models have issues with the transmission, this problem was widely reported by 1st generation ILX and TLX models. One of the main complaints was about the 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that refuses to shift or slips.
- Excessive oil consumption – Acura models with the V6 J37 engine were reported to consume more excessive oil than usual. Acura tried to shift the blame to owners by citing poor driving performance and maintenance routines. Owners had to top off sooner or risk damaging the engine.
As you can see, most of the issues listed are not major and don’t cost much to repair. The only problem that could cost more is the transmission, which is part of why the brand extended its warranty. Still, it’s good to know the top issues before purchasing a new or used Acura.
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What Reddit Says About the Acura’s Reliability:
Acura is known to be the luxury arm of Honda, but does it offer the same renowned reliability? Let’s check out some opinions from various automotive community subreddits:
A Redditor shares their viewpoint on the most reliable Acuras:
Comment
byu/Ok_Pattern_4748 from discussion
inAcura
Apparently some folks are not thrilled with the Acura’s infotainment system (a common complaint):
Comment
by from discussion
inAcura
On how Acuras and Hondas are similar:
Comment
byu/deeply_maladjusted from discussion
inMechanicAdvice
Like Hondas, Acuras can run for many years with proper maintenance:
Comment
by from discussion
inaskcarsales
Ultimately, people have a high opinion regarding Acura vehicles. Some are not fans of the infotainment system and other electronics, but that’s to be expected with luxury vehicles.
So, Are Acuras Reliable?
When putting all the puzzle pieces together, the Acura is reliable overall. Like all brands, a few issues pop up, though you won’t see them coming around often. On top of that, they are minor and don’t come with high repair costs, something everyone can be comfortable with when looking for a new car.
According to consumer reports, the car ranks high in most areas, knocking out the competition in several places. Still, that doesn’t mean that all models are perfect, and a few have more issues than others.
It can be a good choice if you’re in the market for an Acura. They have a low yearly repair rate, an excellent reputation regarding looks and performance, and little to no major issues noted across all models. Be sure to go with some of the most reliable models, and if you choose a less reliable model, do your research first so that you don’t have any unforeseen costs.
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