Has anyone noticed any quality issues with new Acura vehicles?
I just purchased a 2015 RDX and noticed that the hood fit is uneven. On one side, the hood floats ~0.25 inches above the headlight.


On the other side, the hood hits the headlight.


I took the car back to the dealer but they didn't seem to be able to do much adjustment to it. Has anyone had similar issues? Any suggestions on how to handle something like this?
Thanks for any suggestions.

 

Yep.

Too many problems with the wife's 2013 RDX Tech and the dealership service sucked horribly, too. I hated that effing car and Acura so much now that we just got rid of it this past weekend. We are never buying another Acura.

 

it's a shame. the new rdx is replacing a 20 year old integra which I loved. I returned to acura because the integra held up so well for such a long time (it still drives well and would probably last another 20 years with some work but I wanted an upgrade) but I am severely disappointed with the fit and finish of the rdx. the quality is not what you should expect from acura. the next time I am in the market for a new car, it absolutely won't be an automatic acura purchase.

 

made in america/canada/mexico. instead of exclusively from japan

 

I've had numerous Hondas and Acuras made in Japan, Canada and the US.

They've all been rock solid

 

I've owned an Integra, a TSX V6 and 3 TLs and all have been perfect. My current TL is a '12 Advance and I've had zero problems with it.

 

I was done with Acura after my TL. I was even hesitant to buy the 2014 Hondra CRV for my wife but I did anyways. No issues so far and it got good reviews.

 

Why don't you just trade the car back in?

 

I'd drive back to the dealer, find the same example, then ask yourself if that's just how it is or are you nit picking. If it's obvious that yours is not how it should be compared to the other then I wouldn't leave until it was corrected.

 

Current Hondas are better and more worth the asking price than current Acuras. They do not make a single Acura that I'd buy over a competitor. However, I'd buy most Honda models before I bought a competitor. This is, however, a personal opinion.

 

My 2008 RDX hood is uneven in a similar manner to what you describe. Other than that it's been rock solid and a blast to drive. Not gonna sweat it in my case.

 

Looks more like shipping damage to me.

 

2002 cl type S performance oriented car... 30k.... Simple piston calipers, thin easily worn leather on steering wheel

2003 Subaru Legacy special edition $20k... Dual piston calipers ... Thick hard wearing leather on steering wheel


You do the math...overall the Subaru is much more solid

 

Hood position can be adjusted at the hinges - after a minor front end collision, which actually bent the hinges on my 09 RDX, but not the hood, new hinges and the body shop adjusted the hood better than upon original delivery. I would not allow the dealer to adjust the hood position - only a body shop (but perhaps one recommended by the dealer).

 

I too have noticed my hood is not the greatest fitting however not as bad as yours. I also find the fit is lacking in my Wifes 2011. That said I have always found this with Hondas and Acuras, but they are reliable as hell. Toyotas and Lexus on the otherhand is usually panel perfect. Still I lve my Hondas.

 

I just had my 2015 at the dealer twice because the paint around the taillights started to chip from the taillights started rubbing up against them. Happened again, just got it back yesterday so hopefully it's fixed properly this time because my dealership is 2 hours away.

 

14 RDX Tech AWD, only issues have been the rear shocks, I noticed paint chipped at door edge that I am sure they would blame on us, even though we never park near anything where the door could touch anything. I am happy with quality overall, but realize the competitive nature of this business is such that the makers are trying to drive every penny out of the cost to remain price competitive. Acura more so than others since they main selling point remain value.

 

In-laws bought a Camry built in Indiana. The gap spacing is almost comical how uneven it is. My 15 year old 4runner built in Japan was built much tighter.

 

I agree in some cases. I do think the MDX is worth the cost and significantly nicer than the Pilot. I do still think the RDX is a nice option for the price, even with these issues. The cars though, I absolutely agree. The Accord is an absolute steal compared to the TLX and the ILX is an overpriced joke until they actually let you get the 2.4 and tech at the same time

 

I haven't seen any newer Toyotas that could compare to a Toyota of 15 years ago. Their race to be the biggest has cost them dearly quality and feature-wise. It's a shame really having spent decades to build a reputation only to pi$$ it away.

I had a 1981 Celica GT that was a fabulous car (wimpy sports car though, lol). It was dead on reliable, comfortable with nice interior appointments, and the 22R engine was smoother than warm butter. It was better built and had better interior quality than average Toyota you can find on the lot today.

My hope is that Honda/Acura doesn't also lose its way similarly.

 

I know what you mean. I am struggling to part with 2000 Tacoma 4x4. There is literally not one thing that has ever gone wrong with it in 14 years, and it still feels like new. Mostly I want to move on because it will outlast me and I'm getting bored with it!

 

i wound up taking the rdx back to the dealer to inspect. they adjusted the hood as best they could and while not perfect, it is more acceptable than it was originally. still some asymmetry but nothing i can't live with. so far, i do enjoy the car, but since the experience with the hood, i do notice the manufacturing faults on this car a little more. i understand there need to be some tolerances when assembling a vehicle but i still am a little disappointed that the acura name does not imply the same level of quality as it used to. i live in nyc where the traffic, roads and weather take a toll on vehicles. if the rdx holds up half as well as my 20-year old integra did, i'll be a happy camper.

 

After having over a dozen honda products, i think we are through with honda/acura. the paint has gotten too thin, the brakes suck, fitment is terrible and they simply don't make any exciting cars.

 

In my apartment complex parking lot,I saw my first TLX today.A beautiful black one.Then giving it a look over, sigh...the drivers door bright metal trim strip and black panels of the door frame don't match up,like on my RDX.Mine is a little better than the TLX's,though.Passenger side's are perfect.

How can that pass as acceptable though all the QC stages,on such an expensive car is what I ask?

Like mine,all the other matchup points in the door skin itself match up good,just not from the window-up.You really notice it from about 10 feet away,not so much up close,because the bright trim lines the door glass.

 

looks like you bought a wrecked RDX? I don't understand why peeps don't inspect something they spend upwards of $40,000.

 

Nope,it's a good one.There's a new 2-door Accord in the lot that the driver side trims crooked,same thing but on the passenger side of a CRV in the lot.My FIL"s Odyssey passenger door's worse than mine.

I love the way it closes,with no wind noise,so I don't want them to "adjust" it.

I'll admit that I didn't closely inspect it.I had a special set of circumstances,and It wasn't until a couple days later that I noticed it.

 

I have driven Acura's and Honda's close to one million miles and IMO think they are the most reliable of any vehicle. The J D Power results below addresses your concern and I am wondering if this concerns Acura. The 2014 results really surprised me because Acura had always been near the top. Interesting if someone from Acura would respond. In 2013, Acura was 6th, 2012 6th, 2011 3rd and 2010 2nd. This is in Initial quality not reliability where Acura still ranks strong.

 

i agree i should have inspected the vehicle closer when i picked it up but the weather was bad that day and the bad fit wasn't so blatant that i could notice it while standing a few feet from the car in the rain. it was only a few days later that i noticed it. lesson learned.

 

Dealers love to deliver cars in the rain or at night. That covers up small flaws that you might complain about and make them fix before you pick the car up but that you'll live with once you have it home.

Never, ever, pick up your new car when you are in a hurry or the dealership is getting ready to close. Give yourself at least two hours after the paperwork is done to inspect the car and go over features. Let the dealer show you features even if you know the car better than they do. That gives you an opportunity to better inspect the car and point out issues. Get all promises to remedy defects in writing and don't accept less than perfect.

 

Totally agree with you

 

I haven't been in the newest Acuras, but i have driven some new hondas extensively, 2013 civic and 2014 crv and I've been very impressed

 

The point of this thread as I interpret is....Acuras WERE the most reliable of any vehicle...not so much anymore. At least relative to their past. Looking at your fleet...I can understand your opinion based on your experience. I am newbie to this forum...doing my research before a planned MDX purchase next spring. In less than a week perusing these forums....seems the tide is ...if not "has already" ...turned on Acura quality? Hoping not...or that at least they can turn it back around. A lot of that depends on whether problems are design flaws or more manufacturing/assembly QA issues...the latter being easier to correct. And even with all that...relative to the competition...Acuras may still stand above the competition. Toyota has totally gone to crap.

 

Internet forums are worth only what you think it is. But you get the expert opinion of very learned members. Just keep in mind that mostly people who have problems only post in these forums and it will likely show a disproportionate amount of problems per car if you go by these. Compare these minor cosmetic defects with the major transmission / engine problems with some other cars and you'll get the picture.

 

I watched my son (who does body work) at a car show lightly running his fingers down the seams of some cars. Asked him what he was doing. He said "feeling to see how perfectly together they lined up the lines of the car". Learned my lessons from him. Dealerships give me the evil eye when I look so closely at the lines. Too bad. I expect perfection from a new car.

 

The reason I'm driving Acura is because my $60k BMW went through 4 fuel pumps in 28k miles - with the first leaving me stranded in the middle of an intersection at 2800 miles. I can live with a bit lesser tech in a car that won't leave me waiting on roadside assistance.

 

My wifes 14' RDX Tech has been very solid. We've had it for little over a year now and with just under 6k miles on it, our only complaint is with the crappy brakes. 6k miles and feels like rotors are warped, needless to say, its not covered under warranty. Hopefully, in the long-term, it will be our only complaint...we shall see!

 

I can't believe that acura would put shitty brakes on a 2014 model. My 01 tl used to go thru brakes and rotors like crazy.

 

My inlaws had an '08 Highlander and the airbag cover on the steering wheel was off center by a 1/4", 1/4" gap on one side, 3/8" on the other. Caught your eye every time you sat behind the wheel. Terrible, terrible fit and finish in that car.


The only real problem I've had with my TSX in 65k miles is the dying Bluetooth microphone that the dealer could never fix and always blamed on my phone. Oh well, I'll cough up the $90 and fix it myself.

 

Can you try another dealer? I've had a couple of dealers comp the first turning of rotors to clear up warping. At 6000 miles they should.

 

I remember early Acura where 'precision engineering' was the mantra. There were commercials where a ball bearing rolled down panel gaps to highlight the tight fit. Calipers morphed into the Acura 'A'.

After examining new Acura's at the auto show, I'd say those days are gone. I saw misaligned panels either interior or exterior on every Acura model on display. I very much hate to say it but in this price point the Hyundai Genesis had tighter panel fit (interior and exterior), looked and felt well screwed together. Interior door cards did not flex, kick plates were more substantial, and the infotainment was fast, simple to use and attractive. Driving dynamics and efficiencies aside, I was impressed in the details.

Not an excuse, but Acura has now revised the entire model line up in under 3 years including shifts of assembly plants. Still, I expect more from the brand of late.