Acura RDX Complaints

2,183 consumer complaints on file.

#11753866July 30, 2026
POWER TRAIN
I own an Acura RDX that experienced a sudden failure of the transfer case. Prior to the failure, there was little or no warning that a major drivetrain component was about to fail. When the transfer case failed, the vehicle lost its normal all-wheel-drive operation and required expensive repairs. I believe this is a safety defect because the transfer case is a critical drivetrain component. A sudden failure can reduce traction and vehicle control, especially when driving at highway speeds or on wet, snowy, or icy roads. Drivers may not expect the loss of power to the rear wheels, which could increase the risk of skidding, loss of stability, or being unable to safely accelerate into traffic or avoid a hazard. In addition, there are numerous reports from other Acura RDX owners describing similar transfer case failures, suggesting this may not be an isolated incident but a recurring problem. A critical drivetrain component should not fail prematurely under normal use without adequate warning. I believe this issue warrants investigation because it has the potential to affect vehicle safety and place drivers and passengers at unnecessary risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753865July 30, 2026
POWER TRAIN
I own an Acura RDX that experienced a sudden failure of the transfer case. Prior to the failure, there was little or no warning that a major drivetrain component was about to fail. When the transfer case failed, the vehicle lost its normal all-wheel-drive operation and required expensive repairs. I believe this is a safety defect because the transfer case is a critical drivetrain component. A sudden failure can reduce traction and vehicle control, especially when driving at highway speeds or on wet, snowy, or icy roads. Drivers may not expect the loss of power to the rear wheels, which could increase the risk of skidding, loss of stability, or being unable to safely accelerate into traffic or avoid a hazard. In addition, there are numerous reports from other Acura RDX owners describing similar transfer case failures, suggesting this may not be an isolated incident but a recurring problem. A critical drivetrain component should not fail prematurely under normal use without adequate warning. I believe this issue warrants investigation because it has the potential to affect vehicle safety and place drivers and passengers at unnecessary risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753864July 30, 2026
POWER TRAIN
I own an Acura RDX that experienced a sudden failure of the transfer case. Prior to the failure, there was little or no warning that a major drivetrain component was about to fail. When the transfer case failed, the vehicle lost its normal all-wheel-drive operation and required expensive repairs. I believe this is a safety defect because the transfer case is a critical drivetrain component. A sudden failure can reduce traction and vehicle control, especially when driving at highway speeds or on wet, snowy, or icy roads. Drivers may not expect the loss of power to the rear wheels, which could increase the risk of skidding, loss of stability, or being unable to safely accelerate into traffic or avoid a hazard. In addition, there are numerous reports from other Acura RDX owners describing similar transfer case failures, suggesting this may not be an isolated incident but a recurring problem. A critical drivetrain component should not fail prematurely under normal use without adequate warning. I believe this issue warrants investigation because it has the potential to affect vehicle safety and place drivers and passengers at unnecessary risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753840July 30, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The panoramic roof frame assembly on my 2022 Acura RDX exhibits the exact condition described in Acura Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 23-004. The panoramic roof produces loud popping and creaking noises during normal driving over uneven pavement and driveway entrances because the roof frame mounting system loses clamp force, allowing the roof frame to shift. The condition was confirmed by an authorized Acura dealership, which determined that my vehicle matches the condition described in TSB 23-004. The dealer submitted the repair request to an Acura field representative. American Honda acknowledged the condition by approving only partial goodwill assistance, requiring me to pay approximately $800 to repair what Acura has already identified as a manufacturing defect. The defect has therefore been confirmed by both the dealer and the manufacturer, but the manufacturer has refused to fully repair it. My concern is that this is more than a warranty issue. Acura has acknowledged that the panoramic roof frame can shift during normal vehicle operation due to loss of clamp force. I have also become aware of numerous reports of Acura RDX panoramic sunroofs unexpectedly shattering or exploding while driving. While I cannot determine whether these events are directly related, I believe a roof frame that is known to move during normal operation may place additional stress on the panoramic glass and could create a potential safety hazard if glass failure occurs while the vehicle is in motion. There were no warning lights or diagnostic messages before the condition appeared. The popping noise was present immediately after I purchased the vehicle with fewer than 6,000 miles. The condition is reproducible during normal driving and remains present. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate whether the condition described in Acura TSB 23-004 represents a safety-related defect and whether it may be associated with reports.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753242July 28, 2026
VISIBILITY
The contact owns a 2023 Acura RDX. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and retrieving an item from the front driver’s side door; after closing the door, the rear glass exploded without impact. The dealer was notified of the failure, and an appointment was scheduled. Upon investigation, the contact discovered an undisclosed Technical Service Bulletin that was associated with the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the model of vehicle was not included in a TSB for the failure. A case was filed with the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 30,100.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752557July 24, 2026
ENGINE, SUSPENSION
Premature valve cover gasket oil leak and rear shock absorber oil leak at 43,818 miles At 43,818 miles on 04/25/2026, Acura dealer documented on RO XXX: "Valve cover gasket leaking - Recommend replacement $500+Tax" and "Rear Shock/Strut starting to leak oil residue $435.64". This is premature failure. Valve cover oil leak can cause engine fire hazard - oil leaking onto hot exhaust. Rear shock oil leak causes loss of stability and increased stopping distance. Dealer quoted over $3,500. Repaired at independent shop with OEM parts for $1,670. Honda Case #XXX denied goodwill citing out of warranty. VIN: [XXX], 44k miles, well maintained. Request investigation for 2019 RDX premature oil leaks. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751826July 21, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
There is a defect in my headlights, too dim to drive at night, have to engage high beams to see. This is a safety hazard. I believe this should be repaired by the manufacturer
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751750July 21, 2026
AIR BAGS
NHTSA Safety Complaint – Acura RDX Driver-Side Airbag Module Availability Vehicle: 2013 Acura RDX VIN: [XXX] Component: Driver-Side Airbag Module Part Number: 77810-TX4-A40ZA-MOD My 2013 Acura RDX was vandalized in January 2026, and the driver-side airbag module was stolen. My mechanic contacted Rallye Acura to obtain the required replacement OEM part. The required component is the Driver Side Air Bag Module, Part No. 77810-TX4-A40ZA-MOD. The replacement part was ordered, but it has remained on critical back order for more than six months. Acura opened Case No. XXX; however, despite repeated communications, Acura has been unable to provide any estimated availability date or a timeline for resolution. Because this is a safety-critical component, the vehicle cannot legally be driven without the required airbag module. As a result, my vehicle has remained unusable for more than six months while I continue to incur insurance and ownership costs. I have repeatedly contacted Acura regarding this matter, including escalating the issue directly to the President and CEO of American Honda Motor Co. Despite this escalation, I continue to receive the same response that there is no estimated availability date for the part. I have also found similar complaints from other Acura RDX owners involving the same driver-side airbag module and the same part number, reporting prolonged delays and critical back-order status. I am concerned that owners of affected Acura RDX vehicles are unable to obtain a critical safety component within a reasonable timeframe. I request that NHTSA review whether this represents a broader safety-related issue involving the availability of replacement driver-side airbag modules for these vehicles. Thank you for reviewing this complaint. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751325July 18, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
GPS has stopped working. This affects navigation safety. Also, creates clock error and compass error. It's dangerous to get lost and disoriented. This is a common problem in many Acuras. Needs to be a recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751315July 18, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving only at 35 miles per hour down the XXX in [XXX] my panoramic sunroof suddenly bursts. A loud pop sound. This would have popped all over my body if I didn’t have cover up. This is an extreme problem as someone can die from this. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751030July 17, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER:INTERCOOLER
The contact owns a 2020 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH in inclement weather, moisture entered the turbocharger, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over, restarted the vehicle, and drove to a local dealer. A technician confirmed that the failure was caused by moisture entering the turbocharger and referenced an unknown Technical Service Bulletin associated with the repair for the vehicle. The dealer stated that the vehicle was safe to operate. There were no further issues with the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751130July 17, 2026
ENGINE
Vehicle lost all coolant and could be smelled. Vehicle was towed to dealership before it could overheat. Diagnosed with a cracked cylinder head at 88,000 miles. Vehicle has never been modified, tracked, nor has it ever overheated. All service has been performed on time and at Acura dealership since I purchased the vehicle brand new. Vehicle is still at dealership. I've researched and found many other owners experiencing the same problem with the crack occurring in the exact same spot on the cylinder head.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751085July 17, 2026
AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2024 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The vehicle failed to stop and crashed into the rear driver’s side of another vehicle. 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. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 28,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11750876July 16, 2026
ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
On or about XXX, my 2021 Acura RDX, with approximately 121,078 miles, suddenly displayed multiple dashboard warning lights and system-failure messages while I was driving. These included the check-engine light, Road Departure Mitigation System Problem, steering, stability-control, braking-assistance and other driver-assistance warnings. Earlier, the tire-pressure monitoring system had also indicated a malfunction even though the tire pressures were correct. The vehicle initially continued to drive and the conventional brakes appeared to function normally. However, it then began hesitating when I attempted to accelerate. The vehicle would eventually gain speed, but the initial hesitation created a serious safety concern when pulling into traffic or attempting to accelerate. The check-engine light remained solid while the vehicle was stopped but flashed whenever I began driving and accelerating again. No crash, fire or injury occurred. The vehicle had undergone a full diagnostic inspection approximately two weeks earlier, and I was informed that everything checked out properly. There were no known drivability problems before this incident, and the vehicle has been maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule. The vehicle was subsequently inspected by Elite Acura, an authorized Acura dealership in [XXX]. The dealership confirmed a head-gasket failure and a problem with the rear differential left-side actuator. The dealer recommended replacing the head gasket, four spark plugs, coolant, oil and filter, as well as replacing the rear differential left-side actuator and changing the differential fluid. The estimated head-gasket repair was $5,391.46, and the estimated rear differential actuator and fluid service was $813.85. The dealer also recommended rear brake pads and rotors. The head-gasket and rear differential actuator problems were confirmed by the authorized Acura dealership. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750536July 15, 2026
SUSPENSION
I took the car in to get new tires. Both rear coil springs are broke. The driver side is broke in 2 places.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750607July 15, 2026
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2018 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the driver’s side air bag needed to be replaced; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact researched and was made aware of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750714July 15, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Headlight reflector assemblies have delaminated causing headlight output to be very dim to the point that driving at night is not safe.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748435July 6, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The low beam headlight projector lens has degraded to the point of being extremely unsafe and therefore unable to drive at night. Repair for the defective headlight is costly and should be addressed by Honda/Acura as it is a HUGE safety concern. Acura recalled/replaced the defective lens on the 2014-2015 RLX model but has chose not to do so on the RDX with the exact same problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748469July 6, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Head Gasket failure. Design failure there are grooves holding coolant on the block making the coolant leak into cylinders heads
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748536July 6, 2026
ENGINE
There was head gasket failures around cylinders 2 and 3. This allows small amounts of coolant to leak into the engine, causing a distinct startup sputter or a choppy shudder as turbo boost climbs. This is a reoccurring issue with 2019 Acura RDX the vehicle ran hot while driving and was instructed to turn the vehicle off also the check engine light began to flash on and off.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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