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2013 Acura RDX Problems & Owner Complaints

162 NHTSA owner complaints
6 crash 2 fire 4 injury

Age-normalised, this year draws ~11.6 complaints per year on the road — ranking 6 of 15 Acura RDX years we track (1 = most complaints per year).

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What owners report

Exterior Lighting is the most-reported problem area on the 2013 Acura RDX, cited in 89 of 162 filed complaints (55%).

Air Bags is next (36 complaints, 22%), followed by Visibility/Wiper (8), Electrical System (7), Power Train (7).

Across all complaints, 6 report a crash, 2 report a fire, 4 report injuries.

The most safety-critical cluster is Seats: 2 fire, 1 injury report(s).

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2013 Acura RDX, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 162.

Exterior Lighting 89 2 crash

“Low beam headlight projector reflectors deteriorate making the low beam headlights unusable for safe driving. Entire assembly has to be replaced to remedy. Extremely common in this generation of Acura RDX based on internet searches.”
NHTSA complaint #11716792, 2025 · crash

“Exterior Lighting. Low beam headlights/assy. are too dim. Due to the flawed design the reflective film backing material inside the projector lens for the low beam, the headlights delaminates. This is in the projector/reflective and has nothing to do with the bulbs, which have been replaced multiple times. It is so dim that I did run off of the road into a ditch, but due to the low speed, there was no injury or damage. People flash me that the lights are not on, but they are and I have to drive with the high beams on to be able to see the road. Acura may have skated out of recalling this vehicl…”
NHTSA complaint #11572527, 2024 · crash

“The headlight housings on this generation of 2013 Acura MDXs completely fail due to a design flaw that causes the housing to overheat and dim the lights to a dangerous level. At night, you would be safer if you were driving with flashlights taped to the hood of the vehicle. I’m sure this has caused numerous wrecks for 2013-2015 MDX owners as it is a widely reported issue that needs to be fixed asap before more people perish. Please do something about this as it is not just a select few lemons but it is nearly every 2013 Acura MDX out there with the same OEM housings. Lives could depend on fixi…”
NHTSA complaint #11742536, 2026

Air Bags 36 1 crash 1 injury

“TAKATA RECALL. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER A FRONT END COLLISION BY HITTING A CONCRETE BLOCK LIGHT POST WHICH OCCURRED ON A CITY STREET WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. RESULTING IN SEVERE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE”
NHTSA complaint #11044919, 2017 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“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 repeate…”
NHTSA complaint #11751750, 2026

“I have a code on my Acura regarding the driver side airbag. The code is 11-10, covered under service bulletin: 18-020, noting defects in the driver side air bag module. I brought my vehicle in to Hall Acura in November 2025 where this was officially diagnosed and a order was placed for a part on back order (Part Number: 77810-tx4-a40za). To this date, the part continues to be on "critical back order". I have escalated this to Honda Corporation and opened up a case with their office (Case Number: XXX). I receive weekly emails stating that they are working on this but the part is still on critic…”
NHTSA complaint #11735888, 2025

Visibility/Wiper 8 1 fire

“THE BRAND NEW CAR WAS ON FIRE BY ITSELF ON OCTOBER 30, 2012. IT WAS AFTER THE HURRICANE SANDY. MY FAMILY WOKE UP BECAUSE OF SMELLING GAS FROM DOWNSTAIRS WHICH WAS THE ATTACHED GARAGE TO THE KITCHEN. WHEN MY HUSBAND OPENED THE KITCHEN DOOR TO THE GARAGE, HE COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING BUT SMOKES. WE CALLED 911 AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS FIRE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THE FIRE STARTED INTERNALLY AND SPREAD OUT TO THE GARAGE. THERE WAS SIGN OF WATER THAT GOT INTO THE GARAGE. HOWEVER, WHEN FIRE FIGHTER OPENED THE GARAGE DOOR, THERE WAS NO WATER IN THE GARAGE. THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS FINE. THE DRIVER'S…”
NHTSA complaint #10485884, 2012 · fire

“In the headlight assembly the main headlight bowls are deteriorated/defective. The amount of light that the regular low beams or high beams provide at night is insufficient. This makes driving at night with the factory assembly lights highly dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #11632494, 2024

“After 10 years, the low beam headlights have become very dim to the point that it’s difficult and unsafe for myself and other drivers for me to drive this car at night, especially in the fog or rain. Apparently this won’t be fixed by simply replacing the bulbs and will be a costly repair at no fault of the owners. I agree with many others that this needs to be a recall fix.”
NHTSA complaint #11623380, 2024

Electrical System 7 2 fire

“THE BRAND NEW CAR WAS ON FIRE BY ITSELF ON OCTOBER 30, 2012. IT WAS AFTER THE HURRICANE SANDY. MY FAMILY WOKE UP BECAUSE OF SMELLING GAS FROM DOWNSTAIRS WHICH WAS THE ATTACHED GARAGE TO THE KITCHEN. WHEN MY HUSBAND OPENED THE KITCHEN DOOR TO THE GARAGE, HE COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING BUT SMOKES. WE CALLED 911 AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS FIRE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THE FIRE STARTED INTERNALLY AND SPREAD OUT TO THE GARAGE. THERE WAS SIGN OF WATER THAT GOT INTO THE GARAGE. HOWEVER, WHEN FIRE FIGHTER OPENED THE GARAGE DOOR, THERE WAS NO WATER IN THE GARAGE. THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS FINE. THE DRIVER'S…”
NHTSA complaint #10485884, 2012 · fire

“MY NEW 2013 RDX CAUGHT ON FIRE AT MY GARAGE IN THE DAY AFTER HURRICANE SANDY. ACURA AND AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY(PROGRESSIVE) INSISTS THAT THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE BY FLOODING. HOWEVER, CAR BATTERY AND ENGINE ARE FINE. ONLY FRONT SEAT, DASHBOARD, AND NAVIGATION SYSTEM WERE BURNED AND THE FIRE DAMAGED MY GARAGE TOO. FURTHERMORE IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE THAT FLOODING CAUSED FIRE AT ALL. I SHOWED MY RDX TO ACURA TECHNICIANS, BUT SILENT. ISN'T IT A DEFECT OF NEW MODEL? *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10485859, 2012 · fire

“On 3/26/2026 a symbol of an engine appeared on my dash. Then several minutes later the car began running very rough and numerous warnings signs came on including Check Engine, Check AWD System, Check Power Steering System, Check Uphill Assist system and others. I took the car to my mechanic this morning and after checking various systems he determined the Cylinder Deactivation system was not performing properly. He replaced the spark plug for cylinder 3 and confirmed the ignition coil is functioning properly. He was not able to correct the problem and said I should contact the dealer as he tho…”
NHTSA complaint #11727590, 2026

Power Train 7 1 crash 1 injury

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID BUT BURNED HIMSELF IN THE PROCESS. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED THAT WAY AND THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,300.”
NHTSA complaint #10512592, 2013 · 1 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA RDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SECURING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND EXITING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ROLL AWAY AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE BEFORE TRAVELING ACROSS AN INTERSECTION AND CRASHING INTO A HOT DOG STAND. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V143000 (POWER TRAIN) BUT DID NOT CONFIRM WITH…”
NHTSA complaint #10554147, 2013 · crash

“I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH WHEN YOU ACCELERATE, THE TRANS JERKS & FLUTTERS, WHICH IS QUITE DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. I WOULD LIKE THIS CHECKED INTO & SOMETHING DONE ABOUT IT, AS I LOVE MY CAR, BUT THAT IS A DANGER NOT ONLY ME & MY FAMILY BUT OTHERS AS WELL. THERE IS ALSO A LOUD CLANGING NOISE IN THE REAR, LIKE SHOCKS. I DO NOT LIVE OR GO DOWN BUMPY DIRT ROADS OR MESSED UP ROADS WITH POT HOLES. BUT FOR MY CAR TO BE THIS NEW, IT SHOULD NOT HAVE BAD SHOCKS ALREADY. AS THIS IS CONCERN OF MINE & BY READING OTHERS AS WELL.”
NHTSA complaint #11180265, 2018

Suspension 6

“I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH WHEN YOU ACCELERATE, THE TRANS JERKS & FLUTTERS, WHICH IS QUITE DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. I WOULD LIKE THIS CHECKED INTO & SOMETHING DONE ABOUT IT, AS I LOVE MY CAR, BUT THAT IS A DANGER NOT ONLY ME & MY FAMILY BUT OTHERS AS WELL. THERE IS ALSO A LOUD CLANGING NOISE IN THE REAR, LIKE SHOCKS. I DO NOT LIVE OR GO DOWN BUMPY DIRT ROADS OR MESSED UP ROADS WITH POT HOLES. BUT FOR MY CAR TO BE THIS NEW, IT SHOULD NOT HAVE BAD SHOCKS ALREADY. AS THIS IS CONCERN OF MINE & BY READING OTHERS AS WELL.”
NHTSA complaint #11180265, 2018

“I AM A VERY CAREFUL DRIVER WHO DRIVES MOSTLY LOCAL DRIVING. WITHOUT ANY WARNING I SUDDENLY STARTED HEARING A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM BY BACK DRIVERS SIDE. THEN NOTICING A ROUGH DRIVE AND HARD KNOCKING SOUND WHEN DRIVING EVEN OVER SMALL BUMPS IN THE ROAD. I HAD TO REPLACE THE BACK SHOCKS! WHICH WAS QUIT EXPENSIVE!! MY CAR ONLY HAS 55 THOUSANDS MILES. I FIND THAT TO BE VERY UNUSUAL ON A 5 YEARS OLD CAR WITH ON 55 THOUSAND MILES. IS THIS NORMAL”
NHTSA complaint #11151583, 2018

“PREMATURE FAILURE (50K MILES) OF REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS. RESULTS IN EXTREMELY ROUGH RIDE AND POTENTIAL HANDLING PROBLEM.”
NHTSA complaint #11172291, 2017

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Unknown Or Other 6 1 crash 1 injury

“OUR PARKING PAWL MAYBE DEFECTIVE. WE ALWAYS ENGAGE OUR EMERGENCY BRAKE WHEN PARKING IN OUR DRIVEWAY; TODAY WAS NO DIFFERENT, BUT WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO RE-ENTER MY CAR IT STARTED ROLLING BACK BY ITSELF EVEN WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED. I TRIED TO STOP THE CAR FROM ROLLING BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY IN FEAR FOR MY 2 YOUNG CHILDREN STILL IN THE CAR. IN THAT ATTEMPT, I ENDED UP BREAKING MY HAND AND HAD TO GO THE THE ER. EVENTS: 1. PULLED UP INTO DRIVEWAY AND STOPPED COMPLETELY 2. ENGAGED EMERGENCY BRAKE 3. PUT SHIFTER IN PARK POSITION 4. STEPPED OUT TO OPEN GARAGE 5. ATTEMPTED TO RE-E…”
NHTSA complaint #11020009, 2017 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“Three different times, when accelerating, my car looses all power, will not accelerate, looses power steering, and different warning lights flash, such as check AVS system, check ABS system, and check charging system. I navigate to the side of the road and turn it off and on again and”
NHTSA complaint #11636798, 2025

“In April 2022, Acura of Ellicott City diagnosed that my 2013 Acura RDX needed a new Tire Pressure Monitor Sensor, but has been unable to fix due to the part being on back ordered. And today Acura of Naples, Florida also diagnosed same issue (but different part) and same back order. Please investigate since lack of sensor affects safety of the vehicle. Thanks. ---------------------- PARTS Diagnosis per Acura of Ellicott City - need Part # 38320-TX4-A01 Diagnosis per Acura of Naples - need Part # 39350-TX4-A01”
NHTSA complaint #11497625, 2022

Seats 3 2 fire 1 injury

“MY TRUCKS HEADRESTS ARE TILTED SO FAR FORWARD THAT IT CAUSES SIGNIFICANT PAIN IN MY NECK. THEY CAME THIS WAY FROM THE FACTORY. I HAVE TO TURN THE HEADREST AROUND TO RELIEVE THE PAIN, WHICH THEN EXPOSES ME TO AN EVEN HIGHER RISK OF WHIPLASH. YOU IDIOTS AT NHTSA WHO CHANGED THE REGULATIONS SO THAT CAR MANUFACTURERS HAD TO BUILD THEM THIS WAY NEED TO REPEAL THE LAW.”
NHTSA complaint #10824984, 2016 · 1 injury(ies)

“THE BRAND NEW CAR WAS ON FIRE BY ITSELF ON OCTOBER 30, 2012. IT WAS AFTER THE HURRICANE SANDY. MY FAMILY WOKE UP BECAUSE OF SMELLING GAS FROM DOWNSTAIRS WHICH WAS THE ATTACHED GARAGE TO THE KITCHEN. WHEN MY HUSBAND OPENED THE KITCHEN DOOR TO THE GARAGE, HE COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING BUT SMOKES. WE CALLED 911 AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS FIRE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THE FIRE STARTED INTERNALLY AND SPREAD OUT TO THE GARAGE. THERE WAS SIGN OF WATER THAT GOT INTO THE GARAGE. HOWEVER, WHEN FIRE FIGHTER OPENED THE GARAGE DOOR, THERE WAS NO WATER IN THE GARAGE. THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS FINE. THE DRIVER'S…”
NHTSA complaint #10485884, 2012 · fire

“MY NEW 2013 RDX CAUGHT ON FIRE AT MY GARAGE IN THE DAY AFTER HURRICANE SANDY. ACURA AND AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY(PROGRESSIVE) INSISTS THAT THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE BY FLOODING. HOWEVER, CAR BATTERY AND ENGINE ARE FINE. ONLY FRONT SEAT, DASHBOARD, AND NAVIGATION SYSTEM WERE BURNED AND THE FIRE DAMAGED MY GARAGE TOO. FURTHERMORE IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE THAT FLOODING CAUSED FIRE AT ALL. I SHOWED MY RDX TO ACURA TECHNICIANS, BUT SILENT. ISN'T IT A DEFECT OF NEW MODEL? *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10485859, 2012 · fire

Service Brakes 3

“On 3/26/2026 a symbol of an engine appeared on my dash. Then several minutes later the car began running very rough and numerous warnings signs came on including Check Engine, Check AWD System, Check Power Steering System, Check Uphill Assist system and others. I took the car to my mechanic this morning and after checking various systems he determined the Cylinder Deactivation system was not performing properly. He replaced the spark plug for cylinder 3 and confirmed the ignition coil is functioning properly. He was not able to correct the problem and said I should contact the dealer as he tho…”
NHTSA complaint #11727590, 2026

“THE BRAKES MAKE A HIGH-PITCHED SQUEAL WHEN AT LOW SPEEDS WITH LIGHT PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES. MOSTLY OCCURS GOING DOWN A SLOPE(PARKING GARAGE), DOWN A DRIVEWAY, AND SOMETIMES RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING ON FLAT ROADS. THE BRAKES ON THE ACURA RDX CONTINUE TO SQUEAL AFTER BEING "FIXED" TWICE. IN THE DEALER-PERFORMED SERVICES, THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED AND THE ROTORS WERE RESURFACED. WHEN CONTACTING THE DEALER ABOUT THE ISSUE AGAIN, THE DEALER STATED THAT ACURA WAS WORKING ON A SOLUTION. WHEN CONTACTING ACURA CLIENT RELATIONS, THEY ADVISED ME TO SPEAK TO MY DEALERSHIP WHICH WAS NO HELP.”
NHTSA complaint #10745496, 2013

Engine 2

“On 3/26/2026 a symbol of an engine appeared on my dash. Then several minutes later the car began running very rough and numerous warnings signs came on including Check Engine, Check AWD System, Check Power Steering System, Check Uphill Assist system and others. I took the car to my mechanic this morning and after checking various systems he determined the Cylinder Deactivation system was not performing properly. He replaced the spark plug for cylinder 3 and confirmed the ignition coil is functioning properly. He was not able to correct the problem and said I should contact the dealer as he tho…”
NHTSA complaint #11727590, 2026

“WHEN VEHICLE IS BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR GOING AT A CONSISTENT SPEED THERE IS A VIBRATION. VIBRATION GOES AWAY UPON ACCELERATION. IT DOES THIS AS WELL BETWEEN 4TH & 5TH GEAR. AFTER 55MPH IT DOESN'T HAPPEN. CALLED CREST ACURA AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS THE "DEACTIVATION OF CYLINDERS AND THAT IS WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO DO." I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC WHO STATED IT SHOULD NOT DO THAT. TOOK VEHICLE TO CREST ACURA ON 2/13/14 TO ADDRESS THE BLUE TOOTH THAT IS AWFUL AND HAD A TECHNICIAN RIDE WITH ME TO FEEL THE VIBRATION. THE TECH SAID THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE V…”
NHTSA complaint #10565823, 2013

Steering 2 1 fire

“MY NEW 2013 RDX CAUGHT ON FIRE AT MY GARAGE IN THE DAY AFTER HURRICANE SANDY. ACURA AND AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY(PROGRESSIVE) INSISTS THAT THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE BY FLOODING. HOWEVER, CAR BATTERY AND ENGINE ARE FINE. ONLY FRONT SEAT, DASHBOARD, AND NAVIGATION SYSTEM WERE BURNED AND THE FIRE DAMAGED MY GARAGE TOO. FURTHERMORE IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE THAT FLOODING CAUSED FIRE AT ALL. I SHOWED MY RDX TO ACURA TECHNICIANS, BUT SILENT. ISN'T IT A DEFECT OF NEW MODEL? *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10485859, 2012 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA RDX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE EPS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE EPS UNIT AND THE POWER STEERING GEAR BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,559.”
NHTSA complaint #10650650, 2014

Structure 2

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA RDX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, A LOUD EXPLOSION WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE SUN ROOF HAD DISLODGED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (ACURA OF LIMERICK, 77 AUTOPARK BLVD, LIMERICK, PA) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED THE SUNROOF EXPLODED UNEXPECTEDLY. ITW WS REPLACED BY WISMERS AUTO INTERIORS - RECOMMENDED BY ERIE INS. CO. INSURANCE PAID EXCEPT FOR $50.00 DEDUCTIBLE. UPDATED 10/19/18*JB”
NHTSA complaint #11124484, 2018

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA RDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS LOOSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 TO 50 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW GLASS CLICKED AND MOVED BACK AND FORTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THERE WAS NO DIAGNOSIS. THE WINDOW WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10883573, 2015

Vehicle Speed Control 2 1 crash

“ACURA RDX TECH VEHICLE VIOLENTLY UPSHIFTS WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. IT STARTED INTERMITTENTLY (TWICE BEFORE BUT NOT AS VIOLENT).ON INCLINES (LIVE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA). YESTERDAY, WHILE GOING UP AN INCLINE TO PARK VEHICLE, CAR VIOLENTLY SHIFTED AND HIT A BUILDING RESULTING IN CRASHING INTO A BUILDING, DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG AND SOFT TISSUE INJURY OF DRIVER'S CHEST. VEHICLE IS WITH BALL ACURA AND IS BEING INVESTIGATED. CAR IS ONLY 1 MONTH OLD AND WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW (80 MILES). ACURAZINE COMMUNITY FORUM HAS ANOTHER INCIDENT THAT IS 100% SIMILAR TO WHAT OCCURRED WITH MY VEHICLE.…”
NHTSA complaint #10510220, 2013 · crash

“ON MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2020 I WAS DRIVING MY 2013 ACURA RDX AND EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER TRAIN. I CAME TO A RED LIGHT ON A TOWN STREET IN MIDDLEBURY, VT AND LET THE CAR NATURALLY DECELERATE. AS I APPROACHED THE CAR AHEAD OF ME, MY RDX VERY SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD AND ACCELERATED. IT ACCELERATED VERY NOTICEABLY. FORTUNATELY, I BRAKED AND SWERVED IN TIME SO AS TO NOT REAR-END THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THAT MY CAR HAS DONE THIS. HOWEVER, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT I WAS NEARLY IN AND JUST AVOIDED A COLLISION. I LOVE MY CAR. HOWEVER, I AM FRIGHTENED THAT I MAY IN…”
NHTSA complaint #11328180, 2020

Visibility 2

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA RDX. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE REARVIEW MIRROR AND PART OF THE WINDSHIELD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THOMAS ACURA (LOCATED AT 580 S CITRUS AVE, COVINA, CA 91723, (626) 915-1602), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11229059, 2019

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA RDX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, A LOUD EXPLOSION WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE SUN ROOF HAD DISLODGED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (ACURA OF LIMERICK, 77 AUTOPARK BLVD, LIMERICK, PA) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED THE SUNROOF EXPLODED UNEXPECTEDLY. ITW WS REPLACED BY WISMERS AUTO INTERIORS - RECOMMENDED BY ERIE INS. CO. INSURANCE PAID EXCEPT FOR $50.00 DEDUCTIBLE. UPDATED 10/19/18*JB”
NHTSA complaint #11124484, 2018

Equipment 1

“OPERATION OF GPS VOICE ACTIVATION SYSTEM CAUSES SIGNIFICANT DRIVE DISTRACTION AND IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. FRIENDS WITH THE SAME MODEL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. SPECIFICS OF PROBLEM IS LISTED BELOW IN COMMUNICATION WITH HONDA. THIS IS PROBLEM IS SO POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS MY WIFE AND I DON'T USE THE SYSTEM ANY MORE. IN CONVERSATIONS WITH HONDA THEY WON'T RECOGNIZE THE SAFETY ASPECT OF THE PROBLEM SEE BELOW. ACR@AHM.ACURA.COM BACKGROUND: I CURRENTLY OWN TWO ACURA VEHICLES, A 2008 TL AND A 2013 RDX. I HAVE OWNED A TOTAL OF 4 ACURA VEHICLES AND THERE ARE CURRENTLY 5 HONDA VEHICLES IN MY I…”
NHTSA complaint #10573577, 2014

Seat Belts 1

“PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT LATCH INTO PLACE.”
NHTSA complaint #11373138, 2020

Tires 1

“MICHELIN PRIMACY MXM4 P235/60R18 TIRES WITH A LITTLE OVER 13000 MILES THAT CAME NEW ON 2013 ACURA RDX. WOULD NOT STOP ON A SLIGHT DOWN HILL ROAD THAT WAS DAMP. STARTING STOPPING AT A SAFE DISTANCE BUT ALL THEY WOULD DO WAS SLIDE AND SKID. STOPPED FINALLY WITH FRONT OF CAR SLIGHTLY IN ONCOMING LANE. JUST AS I GOT STOPPED A DUMP TRUCK WENT ACROSS IN THAT LANE RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. NOT THE FIRST TIME I HAVE HAD TRACTION PROBLEMS BUT THE FIRST TIME I ALMOST GOT IN SERIOUS TROUBLE. THESE TIRES ARE NOT SAFE ON WET OR DAMP ROADS. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10653371, 2014

Wheels 1

“THE CAR NOW HAS HAD TO GET TWO DIFFERENT WHEEL BEARINGS CHANGED (UNDER WARRANTY). PER DEALERSHIP, ITS A "KNOWN PROBLEM" WITH THE RDX. WHAT CONCERNS ME IS THAT 2 OUT OF THE 4 HAVE BEEN REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND SOON I WILL BE OUT OF WARRANTY, WHAT IS MY RECOURSE AFTER THIS WHEN THIS A SUPPOSEDLY A "KNOWN PROBLEM" WITH THE 2013 RDX. *JS”
NHTSA complaint #10669407, 2014

How we read this (methodology)

How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2013 Acura RDX draws about 11.6 complaints per year on the road, ranking 6 of 15 among the Acura RDX model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

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