Why it's a good car
The 2016 RDX (second generation) pairs a strong, proven 3.5-liter V6 (timing chain, long-lived) with a conventional six-speed automatic — notably not the troublesome nine-speed used in some larger Acuras — under a comfortable, well-equipped luxury body. It has a reputation for enduring, low-drama ownership, and there is no systemic drivetrain failure hanging over it. A few minor items are worth checking.
Does it have a timing belt or a timing chain?
A timing chain on the 3.5-liter V6, so there is no timing-belt interval or scheduled timing service to budget for.
What actually goes wrong
- VCM oil consumption The V6's Variable Cylinder Management (which shuts down cylinders to save fuel) is tied to some oil consumption and, occasionally, spark-plug fouling. Check the oil level and condition and ask about consumption.
- Climate system A/C compressor, blower, condenser, and climate-control complaints show up; test the air conditioning and heat.
- Minor transmission / electrical Occasional 1–2 shift hesitation and minor electrical quirks; feel the shifts and test the electronics.
Open recalls — check the VIN, it's free
The main recall to confirm is a Takata driver-airbag inflator item. Recalls are VIN-specific — you cannot assume the status from the model year. Look up any 2016 RDX's open recalls free by VIN at the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); an Acura dealer completes any open recall at no charge.
What a history report tells you — and what it doesn't
On a car like this, the individual car's history is most of the decision. A history report is a record of what got reported — title brands, reported accidents and damage, odometer readings over time, and service records where they exist. That is what separates a clean, maintained example from a salvage-title or flood car wearing the same badge.
What a history report is not is a forecast, and an absence of records is not proof of a clean past — plenty happens to a car that never gets reported. That is why the honest answer is always the pair: the documented history and an in-person inspection by a mechanic you trust, on the specific car.
The things to check before you buy
- VCM / oil Check the oil level and condition; ask about consumption and watch for misfires.
- Air conditioning Confirm the A/C blows cold and holds.
- Recall status Confirm the Takata airbag and any other recalls are completed on this VIN.
- Transmission Feel for clean shifts, especially 1–2.
- Accident and rust Sight down panels; on salt-belt cars, look underneath.
What would make you walk
- Poorly repaired structural damage Mismatched paint, uneven gaps, or ripples in the roof or pillars.
- Heavy oil use with fouling and no records VCM-related consumption plus misfires and no maintenance history.
- An uncompleted Takata airbag recall the seller won't resolve This is a safety item.
- Structural rust Perforation at the subframe or floor pans on a salted car.