AcuraRDX2016Overview/acura/rdx/2016/base/

2016 Acura RDX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 RDX.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2016 Acura RDX is an SUV featuring an Automatic (S6) transmission and an EPA fuel economy rating of 20/28/23 mpg. This model year reported 40 total owner complaints and 2 recalls, with the Electrical System identified as the top complaint area. Within the model's 2007-2025 history, these figures place the 2016 version well below the 431 complaints recorded for the 2019 model and above the 10 complaints seen in 2024.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192016

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy20/28/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 550 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235/60R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length183.5 in
Overall width73.6 in
Overall height66.5 in
Wheelbase105.5 in
Curb weight3856 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 63.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 28 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the RDX of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.2–6.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.20 sec — 2016 Advance Package
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2016Advance Package 3.5L V66.20 sec14.80 sec279 hpAWD
2016Advance Package 3.5L V66.20 sec14.80 sec279 hpAWD
2016Advance Package 3.5L V66.50 sec15.00 sec279 hpAWD
20143.5L V6 Technology Package6.20 sec14.80 sec273 hpAWD
20133.5L V6 Technology Package6.20 sec14.80 sec273 hpAWD
20133.5L V6 Technology Package6.30 sec14.90 sec273 hpAWD
20133.5L V6 Technology Package7.00 sec15.40 sec273 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine Acura All Wheel Drive Fluid in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.3
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilAcura All Wheel Drive Fluid
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.0-4.8
Engine CoolantUse Honda Type 2 anti-freeze/coolant,
Engine Coolant Capacity7.8 qt
Power Steering FluidHonda part number 082069002

Engine torques

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)68.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts24
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts24
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Driveshaft Flange to Transmission53.0 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts40.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug33.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub242.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub131.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650-750 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap1.0 - 1.1 in
Spark Plug Torque16 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing5 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.95-1.10 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity2.33 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)56-64 psi
Engine Compression135 min psi
Intake Valve Lash0.008-0.009 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.011-0.013 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 37; Rear: 17 /; Front: 37; Rear: 17
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 101; Rear: 80 /; Front: 101; Rear: 80
ABS Sensor Torque7.5 / NS
Minimum Pad Thickness0.063 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .906; Rear: .295
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0006
Maximum Rotor Runout.0016
Maximum Drum Diameter7.913 Parking Brake Drum.

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

At 160,000 miUniversal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2016 Acura RDX represents a dramatic inflection point in the model's federal record: complaints plummeted from 406 in 2015 to just 40 in 2016, suggesting a significant quality improvement following the 2013–2015 spike that included one NHTSA investigation. However, that investigation remained open into 2016, and the 157 TSBs issued for this model year—the highest count up to that point—indicates ongoing dealer-level fixes for persistent issues. The top complaint areas (electrical system, service brakes, power train) align with the types of problems that often emerge as vehicles age, and the presence of 3 crash-related and 2 fire-related complaints warrants attention. Compared to the subsequent 20192020 surge (431 and 338 complaints, 5 recalls each), the 2016 model sits in a relatively quiet window before the next wave of problems. The takeaway: the 2016 RDX is a defensible buy IF a comprehensive pre-purchase inspection confirms the electrical and brake systems are sound and all open recalls have been addressed, but the lingering investigation and high TSB volume mean buyer caution is still advised.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
157
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
40
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 40 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System6
Service Brakes4
Power Train3
Unknown Or Other3
Air Bags2
Engine2
Steering,Power Train,Engine1
Steering,Suspension1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V182000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 06/03/2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may…

16V061000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 03/02/2016

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 157 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B18-0212026-02-28Air BagsService Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Driver's Airbag…
BPO050220229012022-05-02EquipmentDealer message - American Honda is investigating a potential quality concern with RDX…
BTI&041320229012022-04-13Engine And Engine CoolingDealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020…
BTI&032820229032022-03-28Fuel System, GasolineDealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020…
BTI&031120229042022-03-11Fuel System, GasolineDealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RDX. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2016 RDX have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the RDX get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined mpg.