Head-to-head reliability
Acura RDX vs FORD F 150
How the Acura RDX and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Acura RDX vs FORD F 150: The RDX averages 114.7 complaints per year with 22 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,162.1 complaints and 151 recalls. Power train issues dominate F-150 reports, while RDX issues include roof noises and window shattering. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Acura RDX or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Acura RDX
The Acura RDX is a compact luxury SUV that averages about 115 complaints per year over the past decade, with 22 recalls. The most common owner-reported issues involve unknown or other problems, visibility and wiper failures, and engine concerns. While the overall complaint volume is relatively low, specific problems like panoramic roof noises, rear window shattering, and wiper seizure can be frustrating and costly. Buyers should expect a generally manageable ownership experience but be aware of these recurring trouble spots.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that generates a much higher volume of complaints—about 1,162 per year—and has 151 recalls over the same period. Power train and electrical system issues dominate the reports, with many owners describing transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and rear window defroster shorts that can shatter glass. These problems can leave drivers stranded or create safety hazards. The F-150's popularity means parts and service are widely available, but the frequency of serious complaints is notable.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Acura RDX | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,147 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 22 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 28 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 114.7 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 23 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Acura RDX
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER311
- 02VISIBILITY/WIPER205
- 03ENGINE193
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM115
- 05POWER TRAIN111
Owners report issues like the panoramic roof frame making loud popping and creaking noises over uneven pavement, and some say the car can be started and driven without a key inside. These problems can be annoying and may point to security or structural concerns.
Complaints include the rear hatch window spontaneously shattering while parked, and windshield wipers suddenly seizing during heavy rain. Both can impair visibility and create safety risks, especially in bad weather.
Some owners describe engine-related incidents, such as a complaint from a driver on Interstate 10 in light fog after heavy rain. While details are limited, engine problems can be serious and expensive to repair.
Multiple reports describe vehicles being stolen despite keys being with the owner, with evidence of forced entry at the driver-door key cylinder. This suggests potential anti-theft weaknesses that buyers should consider.
“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 drivewa…”
“Highlight: The car was able to be started with a button press and driven away without any key inside the car. (Also, some side information that the car had it's annual check-up on the Saturday before this incident). Normally my wife keeps her purse in the hou…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners frequently report transmission problems, including limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause near-collisions. These issues can leave the truck undrivable and are a major reliability concern.
The same lead frame issue also appears under electrical complaints, along with output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. A short in the rear window defroster has been reported to cause the back window to explode outward.
A reported short in the rear window defroster led to the back window shattering outward within minutes of use. This is a safety hazard and a costly repair that owners should be aware of.
Although specific complaint text is not provided, exterior lighting is a top component with 1,224 complaints. Lighting failures can affect visibility and safety, and may be a recurring issue on this model.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Acura RDX — 22 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Odyssey and 2024 Acura RDX vehicles. The steering gear box assembly may not have been tightened properly, allowing water to enter the assembly and cause corrosion and binding gears.
The risk: Corroded and binding steering gears can result in a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the electric power steering rack, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are LHU and FHT.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022…
The risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH,…
The defect: Honda (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 Civic, Acura RDX, Acura Integra, and 2022 Honda Accord vehicles. A ball valve in the vehicle stability assist (VSA) modulator may leak brake fluid, which can result in unintended vehicle movement when the brake hold feature is engaged or an…
The risk: Unintended vehicle movement or an unexpected increase in brake pedal travel can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the VSA modulator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are OEJ, XEK, AEY, XEX and OEW.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022…
The risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH,…
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
Acura RDX or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Acura RDX has far fewer complaints per year (about 115) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,162), and also fewer recalls (22 vs. 151). In practice, this means RDX owners are less likely to face frequent repair visits, while F-150 owners may deal with more persistent power train and electrical problems. However, both vehicles have their own specific issues that buyers should inspect.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has about ten times more complaints per year than the Acura RDX, with power train issues like limp mode and lead frame failures being especially common.
- Acura RDX owners report visibility problems such as rear window shattering and wiper seizure, while F-150 owners report rear window shattering due to defroster shorts.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 22 for the RDX, covering areas like engine, seat belts, and air bags.
- Acura RDX electrical complaints often involve theft vulnerability, whereas F-150 electrical complaints are tied to transmission and sensor failures.
- Listen for popping or creaking noises from the panoramic roof over bumps, which may indicate a frame issue described in a technical service bulletin.
- Check the rear hatch window for any signs of stress or previous shattering, and test the windshield wipers to ensure they do not seize.
- Test drive the truck and watch for transmission shuddering, delayed engagement, or limp mode; ask if the lead frame or output speed sensor has been replaced.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for proper function and look for any cracks or signs of overheating that could lead to shattering.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the transmission (F-150) or panoramic roof and wipers (RDX).
- For the F-150, ask for service records related to the lead frame, output speed sensor, and any transmission repairs.
- For the RDX, test the keyless entry and start system to ensure it does not start without a key present, and check for any theft-related damage.
- During the test drive, listen for unusual noises from the roof (RDX) or transmission (F-150) and test all electrical features including windows and defroster.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Acura RDX | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 35 |
| 2025 | 30 | 345 |
| 2024 | 11 | 638 |
| 2023 | 23 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 31 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 114 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 346 | 44 |
| 2019 | 437 | 52 |
| 2018 | 77 | 79 |
| 2017 | 77 | 59 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Acura RDX or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Acura RDX vs FORD F 150
- Acura RDX total complaints
- 1,147
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Acura RDX total recalls
- 22
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Acura RDX avg complaints/year
- 114.7
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Acura RDX
- Acura RDX top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN