Hello, I’m looking into puchasing a 2016 RLX Sport Hybrid Advance package used with 51,000 miles on it. It sparked my interest as I was previously an owner of a 4th Gen TL SH-AWD and miss my Acura on a regular basis. Since the RLX is an uncommon car, I’m having trouble finding information about the car online and have a few questions.

Since the car is now approaching the 10 year mark, I’m skeptical about the health of the lithium ion battery pack. I am well aware of how expensive hybrid battery packs can be and I do not want to go out and spend a bunch of money on a car only to turn around in a year or two and have to spend upwards of $5,000 on a new battery. How can I tell if the pack is still good? Have any of you owners of the pre-facelift RLXs had any issues with the battery packs?

How is the 7 speed DCT? As far as my general knowledge of dual-clutch gearboxes goes, they’re more complex than torque converter units and usually cannot go as far without extensive maintenance/repair as compared to TQ units. I’d imagine the gearbox is pretty smooth and responsive, but as far as longevity goes, how are they?

Being a 2016 but only having 51,000 miles, how long until the factory timing belt needs to be replaced? I’ve heard mixed things about mileage vs. age, with some people saying that it should be done every 8 years regardless of age, with other saying that it should be done around 100,000 miles. Thoughts on this?

Valve adjustments? Being an owner of a previous J series car, I know at some point valve adjustments need to be done. I’m assuming RLX has the regular J35 used in most Honda products of the time? Mileage wise this should be done around 120,000 miles correct?

Last thought: the RLX is/was not a common vehicle so I’m worried that parts availability is already poor and will continue to get harder. Is this something to worry about? I know some manufacturers are better at keeping up with parts for vehicles that have been discontinued better than others.
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Do you have any other thoughts about the RLX or anything else you think I might need to know before making the decision to purchase one?

Lastly, here is the CarFax for the specific car I’m looking at. Maintenance looks pretty decent but I don’t see fluid changes for the electric motors. https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/p/Report.cfx?partner=AUB_0&vin=JH4KC2F99GC000331

 

I have a 2016 RLX-SH, and in short summary, it’s a fantastic car. 377 HP and 28+ MPG. I’ve got a few threads in this forum on my experience with this car, but I can tell you it’s been reliable, comfortable, economical and a pleasure to drive. I would buy it again in an instant. The only downside for me is the lack of Apple CarPlay. I understand there’s an aftermarket accessory available to incorporate CarPlay but I’ve not looked into it yet. Driving experience is superb - for me it’s the perfect combination of powerful and comfortable.

I’ve got 83,000 miles on mine and have had only 2 problems: the motor in the steering wheel column (to adjust position) got noisy but worked. Acura replaced it under warranty. This was a few years ago. Now the drive gear for motor in the driver’s side sideview mirror is failed, and I’m working thru getting that fixed. The camera and sensors in the mirror still work but it won’t adjust position automatically. Parts availability is an issue - the replacement mirror is on back order. But I’ve never gotten the sense that I won’t be able to get anything I need. I’ve had zero engine, transmission, suspension, infotainment, chassis, or hybrid electric motor issues.

I changed out the timing belt on time at 6 years and 52,000 miles. That was early but our long-time service advisor recommended it and we trust her. It cost $1420 back in 2022. In retrospect I’d have waited another year or two but if yours has original timing belt I would go ahead and get it changed out. I’d also want to understand the service history on the rear differential and twin motor unit along with the rest of the normal fluid changes. Do you have access to service records?

Overall I can’t say enough good things about this car. I was thinking of jumping in on the good lease deals for the electric ZDX-S earlier this year but after several test drives decided to keep driving this car for another few years.

Sounds like you’ve found a good one. Here’s mine, this evening.

 

I just scanned the CarFax on the 2016 you are considering and it looks great to me. All fluids changed regularly and all dealer service.

Just curious - how much?

 

What he said!! ^^
My 2018 is a great buy and I love it....55,000 miles+.....all the same positive comments. Only consistent complaint you'll hear is the "Car Play" bitch. I'm too old and decrepit for that to matter.

 

The dealership is asking $22,000 U.S. - I'm going to call the local Acura dealership (the one the car was serviced at its whole life) and inquire about the timing belt. If it hadn't been done, I'm going to give them the VIN and have them quote me how much the service would be with parts and labor and then use that as a negotiation tool. I am also going to see if the Acura dealer can do a PPI on the car before I purchase it. The car is being sold by Genesis of Buffalo and they are offering a "powertrain warranty" included in the purchase price, to what that includes I have no idea ~ but it's worth looking into. Here is the link to the listing so you can get an idea of its condition, it looks like it needs a paint correction and the rear bumper looks to have a small scuff on it. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1428834071605517/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3Afabe12ad-ca98-4cd7-9200-a2a6ecfee2aa

 

I have an 18 RLX SH and 19 MDX SH. Not sure if the larger MDX Sport Hybrid would also be considered along with the RLX Sport Hybrid? The 17 MDX Sport Hybrid would have a similar info-tainment as the RLX. Acura added Carplay and an updated info-tainment system for the 18-20 MDX Sport Hybrid. My 19 MDX Sport Hybrid does handle the curves better than my 18 RLX. I find the MDX front seats bit more comfy for long drives, extra space for 4 adults, I added a hitch for bikes/cargo carrier, and the MDXs 19.4 gallon gas tank for 425-450 mile range city/combined/hwy does come in handy out west. The RLX has a better sound system (Krell), love the HUD, mpgs always 27-32 range, more comfy rear seats, pinch flats/bent rims is a concern with the RLX, and 377hp/341tq on tap is a very nice bonus.

The changes between the 14-17 and 18-20 RLX are:
- exterior updates on +18 RLX
- softer suspension on +18 RLX
- wider seats for +18 RLX
- slightly updated and lighter 1.3kWh battery pack
- Traffic Jam Assist added to Acurawatch (ACC+LKAS at below 25 mph)

I'm at low mileage on my RLX at around +55,000. I was planning to change out my timing belt before the year 9 is over. Not sure if I will do the timing belt only or the full TB belt service (timing belt kit, spark plugs, dual coolant, valve adjustment, etc...). The RLX/MDX doesn't have a serpentine belt, second coolant system for the DC inverter, and electric water pump.

The 7DCT has been buttery smooth and zero issues with both RLX and MDX (+77,000 miles). My dealership charges around $205 for a 7DCT service and around $140 for the rear sh-awd Twin Motor Unit (TMU). I'm sticking with fresh DW-1 fluid for both units every 30,000 miles or 4 years max (7DCT/TMU get waaaaay more usage in city compared to long hwy driving).

I still on the waiting list for the RLX fuel pump recall. Zero issues with the current fuel pump. The MDX and RLX do use very similar EV components. It might be harder to get specific parts compared to having to go with an entire replacement unit. There was a member with a MDX SH that needed new 7DCT clutch plates and had to install the entire 7DCT because of lack of individual replacement parts. Never found out the reason for the replacement 7DCT other than maybe the member was towing something with the MDX Sport Hybrid?

I would sign up for the Honda/Acura Owner's site. You just need the VIN and you can get the maint history (if serviced at Honda/Acura), pdf owner's manual, TSB/recalls, navi codes, etc... It could be a quick double-check against CarFax.

 

I have a 2016 and I think it's great. 51K miles for $22K sounds like a good price to me. 51K miles on a Honda V6 is pretty close to being barely broken in. The only thing that's really gone wrong for me has been the folding mirrors.

 

I’ve reset the settings on my 2016 so that the mirrors don’t auto-retract when I lock the car. My left drivers side mirror motor gear is failed and I don’t want the right side to fail too.

 

Do it. Especially at that price. Take care of it, and it will take care of you. I’ve owned two 👍🏽.

 

This could be my car! Nice rims!

Totally agree that the value is still there, although I think you could get down to $20,000. Or have them figure the replacement of the Timing Belt in the total.

I've got a 16 RLX SH and 18 RLX SH. Both are great cars and are amazing. No major issues with either. Planning on keeping them for as long as they'll have me.

 

THANKS. Those rims are MSW Type-48 19 X 8, 5X 120.00 45 BKGL: from Discount Tire. Cost was under a grand. After almost 9 years my OEM rims were in good structural shape but a little dinged up and some curb rash. I kept the OEM rims and am going to have them sandblasted, refinished, and repainted (powdercoat) but I was happy with these. Good fit. Would buy again. In my opinion, they are modern and coordinate well >> the bright machined alloy pops the chrome on the window and headlamp surround. I also ordered 4X Acura "A" center round 2.6" diameter emblems, chrome on black, to replace the "MSW" emblem. I should be able to swap them in when I rotate tires next. Will update my other wheel thread ( Which Wheel Do You Like on Gray RLX-SH ? - AcuraZine - Acura Enthusiast Community ) with a new picture if it works out.

 

Can you give more details why you changed the timing belt at 52K miles? This car is basically an Accord (same J35Z engine) so the timing belt should be the same lifespan of 105K miles. Or am I misunderstanding something? Thanks for insights as I get used to my 2019 RLX. I'm happy to be joining the club!

 

Dealer recommended.

I struggled with 6 years 52K miles but our longtime service manager recommended it because of Acura interval was 5 years or 75K miles. I’d already stretched it a year. I would have been fine going at least another year or more towards 75K miles but I had a 7-year AcuraCare extended warranty and it wasn’t worth creating the potential for a future warranty dispute.

Now I’m approaching 9 years and 85K miles. I can’t complain about Acura reliability. Wife and I’ve never had a single problem in 4 cars (2016 RLX-SH, 2023 MDX-S, 2014 RDX-Tech, 2010 MDX-Tech-SH-AWD) that wasn’t covered by warranty. But yep, I did that RLX-SH timing belt a little early.

When do you guys think I should get my second timing belt? 125K ?