Head-to-head reliability
Acura RDX vs Honda Accord
How the Acura RDX and Honda Accord 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 Honda Accord: The RDX averages 114.7 complaints per year and has 22 recalls, while the Accord averages 452.4 complaints per year and has 38 recalls. The RDX also has fewer crash-related reports (28 vs 162). Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Acura RDX or Honda Accord 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 with a relatively low complaint volume: about 115 per year over a decade, plus 22 recalls. Owners often report annoying but non-catastrophic issues like panoramic roof noises, rear window shattering, and wiper failure. However, there are also serious theft-related complaints and some engine and electrical problems. Overall, it appears to have fewer reported problems per year than the Honda Accord, but buyers should still check for specific trouble spots.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize sedan with a much higher complaint rate: roughly 452 per year, along with 38 recalls. Owners frequently report engine stalling or loss of power, electrical glitches like power steering and braking failure, and forward collision avoidance system errors. There are also fuel/propulsion issues and even reports of tire failure after service. This suggests the Accord may require more attention and could have more frequent safety-related problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Acura RDX | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,147 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 22 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 28 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 114.7 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 23 Better | 146 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 Better | 3 |
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 panoramic roof frames making loud popping and creaking noises over bumps, and some say the car can be started and driven without a key inside. These issues are annoying and could point to security or structural concerns.
Several owners report rear hatch windows shattering spontaneously while parked, and windshield wipers seizing during heavy rain. Both can impair visibility and create safety risks in bad weather.
Complaints include engine problems that may cause loss of power or stalling, sometimes in highway conditions. This could leave a driver stranded or in a dangerous situation.
Multiple owners report their RDX was stolen, with evidence of forced entry at the driver-door key cylinder. This suggests a vulnerability to theft that buyers should be aware of.
“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…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners describe sudden loss of speed, multiple warning lights (brake, hill descent, ABS), and rattling noises during acceleration. These symptoms can lead to reduced power and unsafe driving conditions.
Reports include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, and tire failure shortly after a TPMS repair. Such failures can cause loss of control and crashes.
Owners report the system braking unexpectedly or failing to intervene, sometimes under adaptive cruise control. This can cause near-collisions or rear-end accidents.
Complaints include persistent rotten-egg sulfur odors and potential fuel pump issues. These may indicate fuel delivery problems that could lead to stalling or fire risk.
“Vehicle drove normally in the morning commute. In the afternoon commute it started normally and as i approached highway speeds the alarms started showing up. the Brake, hill descent system, abs, critical failure. the vehicle started losing speed and could not…”
“Vehicle makes rattling noises while accelerating similar to a diesel engine also rough transitions between EV mode and Gas mode also when you press the charge button the engine makes a very noticeable jerk once it’s on ,Honda does not want to fix my issue and…”
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,…
Honda Accord — 38 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the integrated control module (ICM) central processing unit (CPU) may reset while driving, causing a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the ICM CPU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is TN2. Vehicle Identificati…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2026 CR-V Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and 2025-2026 CR-V Fuel Cell EV vehicles. When using the tire repair kit, pressure may build within the sealant bottle, causing the bottle cap to detach.
The risk: A detached bottle cap can become a projectile and strike the user or others nearby, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the tire repair kit nozzle or sealant bottle, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipat…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint sys…
The risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the second-row center seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura R…
The risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls ar…
Buyer analysis
Acura RDX or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Acura RDX has far fewer complaints per year (about 115 vs. 452 for the Honda Accord) and fewer recalls (22 vs. 38). In practice, this means the RDX may be less likely to leave you dealing with frequent repairs or safety notices, though both have serious issues that require careful inspection.
Key differences
- The Honda Accord has about four times as many complaints per year as the Acura RDX (452 vs. 115).
- Accord owners report sudden power loss and simultaneous steering/braking failure, while RDX complaints often involve roof noises, window shattering, and theft.
- The Accord has more recalls (38 vs. 22) and more crash-related complaints (162 vs. 28).
- RDX complaints include keyless start without a key and rear window shattering; Accord complaints include forward collision avoidance errors and fuel odors.
- Listen for popping or creaking from the panoramic roof over uneven pavement, and check for any signs of water leaks around the roof frame.
- Inspect the rear hatch window for cracks or previous replacement, and test the windshield wipers to ensure they don't seize.
- Test drive at highway speeds and watch for warning lights related to brakes, ABS, or hill descent, and listen for engine rattles.
- Check for rotten-egg sulfur odors and ask if the fuel pump or forward collision avoidance software has been updated.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed, especially for airbags, fuel pumps, and electrical systems.
- Have a mechanic inspect the panoramic roof (RDX) or test the forward collision avoidance and braking systems (Accord).
- Check for any signs of theft or forced entry, particularly on the RDX driver-door key cylinder.
- Ask for service records to see if engine, electrical, or fuel system issues have been addressed.
- During a test drive, pay attention to unusual noises, warning lights, and any loss of power or braking performance.
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 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 10 |
| 2025 | 30 | 109 |
| 2024 | 11 | 219 |
| 2023 | 23 | 226 |
| 2022 | 31 | 252 |
| 2021 | 114 | 234 |
| 2020 | 346 | 362 |
| 2019 | 437 | 691 |
| 2018 | 77 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 77 | 537 |
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 Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Acura RDX vs Honda Accord
- Acura RDX total complaints
- 1,147
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Acura RDX total recalls
- 22
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Acura RDX avg complaints/year
- 114.7
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Acura RDX
- Acura RDX top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE