AI DamageAcura RDX: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Acura RDX across 11 model years: 1,199 owner complaints and 482 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Visibility 21% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 17% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 9% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 7% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 6% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 5% of all complaints
- Visibility: 253 complaints (21% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 262.
- Engine: 204 complaints (17% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 27.
- Electrical system: 124 complaints (10% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 289.
- Powertrain: 120 complaints (10% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 44.
- Service brakes: 105 complaints (9% of all), 11 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 67.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2019–2026named in 1 complaints
- 2.3 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2007–2012
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2013–2018
- automatic, 5-speed 2007–2012
- automatic, 6-speed 2013–2018
- automatic, 10-speed 2019–2026
Drive: AWD, FWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 1,199 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 253 | 1 | 262 |
| Engine | 204 | 2 | 27 |
| Electrical system | 124 | 3 | 289 |
| Powertrain | 120 | 2 | 44 |
| Service brakes | 105 | 11 | 67 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 82 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 72 | 1 | 203 |
| Vehicle speed control | 61 | 5 | 5 |
| Fuel system | 45 | 0 | 106 |
| Air bags | 42 | 10 | 35 |
| Steering | 42 | 7 | 26 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 33 | 3 | 6 |
| Lane departure | 27 | 2 | 1 |
| Suspension | 18 | 0 | 49 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Two low-speed sudden unintended acceleration events while parking a 2021 Acura RDX. Incident 1 (July 2026): While parking at low speed, the car unexpectedly surged forward. Flew up the curb and hit a restaurant window, causing massive undercarriage damage.
During the crash, the braking system malfunctioned, and the air bag failed to deploy as needed. The contact sustained an injury to the back but had not yet sought medical assistance. The driver of the second was transported to the hospital with a shoulder injury. A police report was filed.
While driving on a congested highway, my steering wheel lost power making it impossible to control the truck's steering. The truck spun around multiple times before crossing lanes of traffic and hitting a guardrail head on. Thankfully, others avoided hitting my vehicle which would have caused more serious injuries.
The driver side airbag. And yes, it can be inspected. I was involved in a low impact accident, where I struck a minor curb. The airbag deployed in my face, causing a loss of consciousness and ongoing concussion. No warning signs at all. Not yet, the vehicle is being looked at on Monday.
As the breaking system turned on, the steering wheel locked and did not allow for the driver to steer in order to not avoid a collision. This happened in the streets. It is currently under investigation with insurance.
Drove into parking lot and as I was pulling into the parking spot next to the building, the vehicle started to surge forward as if I had my foot on the gas instead of the brake. The sudden surge caused the vehicle to plow into a brick building causing about $10K damage to the vehicle and $5K to the building.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Over The Air Update - Vehicles equipped with the System Updates application are capable of downloading and…
- Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension
- Over the Air System Update - System updates contain upgrades that fix operational errors and/or provide a…
- "Service Bulletin - A pop noise can occur from the rear roof area when turning into driveways, bumps, or…
- Service Bulletin - Oil leak at the cam chain tensioner inspection cover due to and insufficient sealant…
- Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, the torque converter lock-up clutch cannot…
- Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, the torque converter lock-up clutch cannot…
- Service Bulletin - The front and/or rear brakes make a high-pitched squeal when the brakes are lightly…
- Service Bulletin - The front and/or rear brakes make a high-pitched squeal when the brakes are lightly…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- I Bought A Salvage Auction Acura RDX I’m Going To Rebuild 🚗🔩🚗 #shorts #vehicles #mechanic
- Rebuilding A Wrecked Acura RDX With Less Than 20k Miles From A Salvage Yard (Part 4 - Paint)
- I Bought A Salvage Auction Acura RDX I’m Going To Rebuild (Full Video)
- 2019 Acura rdx front end crashed damaged Part 2
- 2019 Acura rdx crashed damaged quick repair
- Rebuilding a TOTAL LOSS Acura RDX ADVANCE /Ремонт переда и лонжерона .
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.