Bought a brand new 2018 Acura RDX with Advance package with 16 miles on it in December 2017. This is my second Acura -- my first RL was a dream, smooth, luxurious, quiet, reliable, no major problems to speak of, drove it for 12 years and 190,000 miles. I was in love with Acuras due to this terrific experience.
This second Acura though, the RDX, has been another story altogether. Within 2000-2500 miles, it developed a squealing sound coming from the rear passenger side brake every time even light braking was applied, which is all the time in city traffic. It is loud and obnoxious, noticeable enough to make pedestrians turn their head to look to see what godawful vehicle is coming down the road.
First time in at Acura for it: Ma'am, we cleaned up the brake, must just be brake dust. Patted on the head and sent down the road. The squealing continued all the way home.
Second time in at Acura for it: Replaced brake pads and a caliper. Eureka, they said, we've fixed the problem. Squealing started up again 8 blocks from home.
Third time in at Acura for it: Ma'am, we don't know why it's doing that, everything looks fine. We've called Acura Technical Service, and it could be 30 days before we hear anything back from them and, even then, they may have no suggestions. Take the car home and we'll call you (yeah, sure you will). Squealed all the way home, loud as ever. I expect to hear nothing, but will give them a couple weeks to update me. We have entered lemon law territory now.
If I purchase a brand new $40,000 "luxury" vehicle, I have expectations that it won't sound like a 2010 Chevy Impala with 100,000 miles on it (no offense intended to Impala owners). The aesthetic of this car is totally ruined by this defect, and I have no idea if these brakes are safe -- it makes me doubt it. The squealing sounds like metal on metal, high-pitched, starts with light braking and continues on until each and every stop. Every single time. I wanted to love this vehicle, but I now hate it. And can't wait to get rid of it and purchase something other than Acura.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Bought a brand new 2018 Acura RDX with Advance package with 16 miles on it in December 2017. This is my second Acura -- my first RL was a dream, smooth, luxurious, quiet, reliable, no major problems to speak of, drove it for 12 years and 190,000 miles. I was in love with Acuras due to this terrific experience.
This second Acura though, the RDX, has been another story altogether. Within 2000-2500 miles, it developed a squealing sound coming from the rear passenger side brake every time even light braking was applied, which is all the time in city traffic. It is loud and obnoxious, noticeable enough to make pedestrians turn their head to look to see what godawful vehicle is coming down the road.
First time in at Acura for it: Ma'am, we cleaned up the brake, must just be brake dust. Patted on the head and sent down the road. The squealing continued all the way home.
Second time in at Acura for it: Replaced brake pads and a caliper. Eureka, they said, we've fixed the problem. Squealing started up again 8 blocks from home.
Third time in at Acura for it: Ma'am, we don't know why it's doing that, everything looks fine. We've called Acura Technical Service, and it could be 30 days before we hear anything back from them and, even then, they may have no suggestions. Take the car home and we'll call you (yeah, sure you will). Squealed all the way home, loud as ever. I expect to hear nothing, but will give them a couple weeks to update me. We have entered lemon law territory now.
If I purchase a brand new $40,000 "luxury" vehicle, I have expectations that it won't sound like a 2010 Chevy Impala with 100,000 miles on it (no offense intended to Impala owners). The aesthetic of this car is totally ruined by this defect, and I have no idea if these brakes are safe -- it makes me doubt it. The squealing sounds like metal on metal, high-pitched, starts with light braking and continues on until each and every stop. Every single time. I wanted to love this vehicle, but I now hate it. And can't wait to get rid of it and purchase something other than Acura.
- Michelle S., Omaha, US