Acura RDX Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data

The contact owns a 2024 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while the child was seated in the rear driver's seat, the seatbelt buckle locking mechanism had malfunctioned. The contact was unable to unlatch the seat belt buckle and eventually scissors were used to cut the the seat belt strap in order to free the child. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 5,000.

This issue involves the decorative aluminum trim on the steering wheel. The aluminum trim is highly reflective and installed at an angle on the steering wheel spokes. In bright sunlight and at certain angles of the sun there is a very strong light reflection into the drivers eyes. This has caused temporary blindness until the position of the car changes or you put a hand over that part of the trim. The lower spoke (at about the 6 o'clock position) is the worst. Since it is a design flaw, I have not reported it to the dealer.

Interstate 10 near Live Oak, Florida. Conditions were light fog and roads were dry. The previous day we drove about six hours, two or three times in very heavy rain. We were driving eastbound (two eastbound lanes) in the right lane. We were approaching a Semi-trailer followed by a medium-sized box truck and switched to the left lane to pass both vehicles. Another vehicle was approaching from behind in the left lane and I "floored" the accelerator pedal to quickly pass the two trucks. The RDX downshifted as expected and the engine revs increased briefly, but suddenly the Check Engine light started blinking and the car lost power and went into Limp Mode. Pressing the accelerator to the floor made little difference. Instead of quickly passing I was only able to get past the two trucks at a slow rate with a line of vehicles growing behind me. Eventually I was able to get past the trucks, switch lanes and quickly move over to the breakdown lane. If there had been heavier traffic, this could have easily resulted in a serious accident. I restarted the vehicle and resumed our trip without further incident. This is a known issue supposedly addressed by Acura via TSB 20-053 for some model years and reported on Acura enthusiast web sites. I had the same experience with my previous 2020 RDX after having the TSB completed, I filed an report for that incident under NHTSA ID Number: 11522688. There are hundreds of reports for this issue for all 3rd Generation RDX model years, 2019-2024, on the NHTSA site I brought the vehicle to a dealer on July 5, 2024. Unable to duplicate. No codes stored (as has been stated on other reported incidents). No water intrusion to coil packs or plugs and no fouling or damage to plugs. I cannot trust a vehicle if I have to be concerned about whether or not I should pass another vehicle and how hard I can press the accelerator. This is an ongoing issue with the RDX that should be investigated.

Driver side mirror is vibrating while driving- more noticeable at speeds above 35 mph. Took into the dealer for replacement. After ride with tech, tech confirmed issue. Dealer replaced driver side mirror but still shakes/vibrates while driving. Vibration causes distortion of vehicles and other surrounding items in driver side mirror. Also, vibration causes distraction to driver.

I *think* this may be an Acuralink issue, but here is what happened. While working in my front yard, my car's headlamps suddenly flashed 3 times, and then the cars engine started. My car does not have remote start, my key and my phone were inside the house. Nobody else has access to the keys. On an new car, you get a trial subscription to Acuralink. One of it's features is "Remote Start" via a phone App. I bought the car on 12/22/23. On 12/26/23, I tried the Acuralink App and tried to remote start my car....it did not work, so I deleted the App from my phone. Today, 1/5/24, 11 days later, my car starts on its own out of the blue even though I deleted the App from my phone on 12/26/23. It's just hunch, that this issue is related to the Acuralink service, but I cannot think of any other way this car could just suddenly start on its own. This is very un-nerving and very-very concerning! Very Best, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

On September 3, 2026 at approximately 1 AM, my 2023 Acura RDX A-Spec was stolen from my residence while both of my authorized keys were in my possession. The exterior driver-door key cylinder showed evidence of forced manipulation/damage. Despite the vehicle being locked, the factory theft-deterrent alarm did not activate and I did not receive an AcuraLink theft/alarm notification. The vehicle was successfully entered, started, and driven away without an authorized key in the thief’s possession. After the vehicle was recovered, I contacted Acura Client Relations because I am concerned that the factory theft-deterrent/immobilizer system did not prevent the vehicle from being started and the alarm did not activate during the unauthorized entry. Acura has not identified the method by which the vehicle was started or provided an explanation for the reported non-activation of the alarm. I am reporting this because I am concerned there may be a vulnerability involving the door-lock, alarm, immobilizer, and other related electronic security systems that could allow unauthorized entry and theft. I am requesting that NHTSA evaluate whether similar incidents have been reported involving 2023 Acura RDX vehicles or other vehicles manufactured by American Honda Motor Co. including Honda and Acura vehicles.

On 8-20-26, my RDX was stolen while legally parked in front of our home, only 10 days after I traded in my previous 2017 RDX for this vehicle. I am a repeat Acura RDX owner, having also previously owned a 2008 RDX. I did not experience or become aware of this vulnerability on either of those earlier generation vehicles; it appears specific to the current (third) generation RDX's door/window electrical architecture. The method used to steal the vehicle exploited what appears to be a design vulnerability in the driver's door: the offender(s) forcibly broke/punched through the exterior door handle assembly to gain direct physical access to the internal door wiring harness located behind it. Using that access, they manually activated the power window motor circuit to lower the driver's side window, then reached through the opening to unlock and open the door — completely bypassing the vehicle's locking and anti-theft system. Component that failed: The driver's door window motor control circuit / door control module wiring. The circuit appears to respond to direct voltage/signal applied to the wiring without any authentication, verification of key fob presence, or confirmation that a legitimate occupant is issuing the command. This means physical access to the wiring — obtainable simply by breaking the exterior handle housing — is sufficient to defeat the entire vehicle security system. The vehicle itself is no longer available for inspection in its as-stolen condition, as it was recovered by police in a different location and condition; the damaged handle and wiring may still show evidence of the breach method. Safety risk: This defect allowed an unauthorized individual to gain full entry to and control of the vehicle in under a minute, without needing a key, fob, or any electronic bypass tool, defeating the purpose of the vehicle's locking system entirely. This creates both a theft risk and a broader safety risk, since anyone with knowledge of this meth

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.

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.

The contact owns a 2023 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while driving in a heavy rain storm the windshield wipers was activated and suddenly seized. The contact was able to drive and park on the shoulder and the local police were contacted. After the rain storm passed the vehicle was safely driven home. The cause of the failure not determined. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 37,850.

The rear windshield shattered with no incident happening to cause this. I returned home, parked in the garage, closed the garage door. 20 minutes later I opened the garage door, and when I opened the trunk, I noticed glass everywhere and the rear window shattered.

The brakes squeaks all the time and makes a grinding noise. I have been at the dealership several times for the same issue. The sensor also hit brakes on its own sometimes when nothing is in front of the car!!! Very dangerous!!!!

Transfer case is defective and Acura is refusing to fix it under warranty. Says it’s’normal’ for the AWD system to leak causing destruction.

Back windshield exploded.