Acura RDX Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Acura RDX years to avoid are 2014, 2015, 2019, and 2020, based on NHTSA complaint data. 2019 has the highest complaint index (100) and 411 complaints hit the 2015 model, mostly tied to electrical and visibility problems. The best years, with far fewer reported issues, are 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2023.
Avoid 2014Avoid 2015Avoid 2019Avoid 2020Best 2010Best 2011Best 2012Best 2023
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 2,050
- Recall campaigns
- 15
- Crashes reported
- 48
- Fires reported
- 10
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
RDX Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Acura RDX problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Best | 13 | 22 | 1 | 2 | 2 | Airbags | 20 | — |
| 2011 | Best | 7 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Airbags | 20 | — |
| 2012 | Best | 0 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Airbags | 20 | — |
| 2013 | Caution | 67 | 162 | 6 | 2 | 3 | Electrical System | 22.5 | — |
| 2014 | Avoid | 80 | 242 | 2 | 1 | 3 | Electrical System | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 87 | 411 | 7 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Good | 27 | 40 | 3 | 2 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 53 | 76 | 7 | 1 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Good | 47 | 77 | 5 | 0 | 1 | Fuel System | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Avoid | 100 | 438 | 3 | 0 | 5 | Visibility & Wipers | 23.5 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Avoid | 93 | 345 | 4 | 1 | 5 | Visibility & Wipers | 23.5 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 73 | 112 | 3 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 23.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Good | 40 | 31 | 4 | 0 | 2 | Visibility & Wipers | 23.5 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Best | 20 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 23.5 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Good | 33 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Brakes | 23 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Caution | 60 | 30 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Steering | 23 | 5★ |
RDX years to avoid: what went wrong
2019 Acura RDX Index 100 · 438 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2019 RDX has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, with 438 total complaints. Visibility & Wipers issues lead at 26% of complaints with a median mileage at failure of 58,500, followed closely by Engine problems at 23% with a much lower median mileage of 8,300. Five recall campaigns apply to this year, covering seat weight sensors, fuel pump modules, and seat belt buckles. Owners describe steering control loss, airbag non-deployment in crashes, and tailgate malfunctions.
2019 visibility & wipers problems →2019 engine problems →2019 fuel system problems →
2020 Acura RDX Index 93 · 345 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2020 RDX recorded 345 complaints and a complaint index of 93. Visibility & Wipers problems lead at 29% of complaints with a median mileage at failure of 47,524, while Engine issues follow at 19% with a much lower median mileage of 5,450. Five recalls apply to this model year, including seat weight sensor and fuel pump module campaigns. Owners describe electrical dash and infotainment failures, sudden loss of power, and unintended acceleration incidents.
2020 visibility & wipers problems →2020 engine problems →2020 fuel system problems →
2015 Acura RDX Index 87 · 411 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2015 RDX drew 411 complaints, the highest raw count of any year, with a complaint index of 87. Electrical System problems make up 84% of complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 75,000. Airbags follow at 8% of complaints, failing at a much lower median mileage of 16,500. Recalls for this year involve Takata airbag inflators. Owners describe headlight and wiring faults along with airbag deployment and non-deployment incidents in crashes.
2015 electrical system problems →2015 airbags problems →2015 visibility & wipers problems →
2014 Acura RDX Index 80 · 242 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2014 RDX logged 242 complaints with a complaint index of 80. Electrical System issues dominate, making up 69% of complaints for the year, with a median mileage at failure of 86,000. Airbags account for another 17% of complaints, with failures reported at a much lower median mileage of 20,000. NHTSA recalls tied to this year cover fuel system and airbag components, including Takata inflator replacements. Owners describe headlight and wiring problems along with airbag-related concerns.
Most common Acura RDX problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Electrical System745 (36%)
- Other344 (17%)
- Visibility & Wipers293 (14%)
- Engine252 (12%)
- Airbags178 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain138 (7%)
- Fuel System136 (7%)
- Brakes121 (6%)
- Structure & Body105 (5%)
- Steering51 (2%)
Frequently asked questions
- Which Acura RDX years should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2014, 2015, 2019, and 2020 Acura RDX model years are flagged to avoid. The 2019 model has the highest complaint index (100), and the 2015 model has the most total complaints (411).
- What are the best Acura RDX years?
- The 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2023 Acura RDX model years are rated Best, based on NHTSA data. The 2012 model has a complaint index of 0, the lowest of any year.
- What is the most common problem area for the Acura RDX?
- Across all model years, the Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 745 complaints, or 36% of the total 2,050 complaints logged with NHTSA.
- Does the Acura RDX have recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns across Acura RDX model years from 2010 to 2025, covering areas including airbags, fuel system, and seat belts.
- Is the 2019 Acura RDX reliable?
- The 2019 Acura RDX has the highest complaint index (100) among all RDX model years and is rated Avoid relative to other RDX years, with 438 total complaints and 5 recall campaigns.