Acura RDX Best and Worst Years (2007–2025)
Avoid the 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020, and 2021 Acura RDX, which carry complaint indexes of 83, 89, 94, 100, and 78 and multiple recalls. The 2010, 2011, and 2012 model years are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 22, 6, and 0.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2014Avoid 2015Avoid 2019Avoid 2020Avoid 2021Best 2010Best 2011Best 2012
- Model years
- 19
- 2007–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 2,151
- Recall campaigns
- 16
- Crashes reported
- 57
- Fires reported
- 11
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Good | 44 | 53 | 7 | 1 | 2 | Airbags | 19 | — |
| 2008 | Good | 17 | 33 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Airbags | 19 | — |
| 2009 | Good | 11 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Airbags | 19 | — |
| 2010 | Best | 22 | 22 | 1 | 2 | 2 | Airbags | 20 | — |
| 2011 | Best | 6 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Airbags | 20 | — |
| 2012 | Best | 0 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Airbags | 20 | — |
| 2013 | Caution | 72 | 162 | 6 | 2 | 3 | Electrical System | 22.5 | — |
| 2014 | Avoid | 83 | 242 | 2 | 1 | 3 | Electrical System | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 89 | 411 | 7 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Good | 33 | 40 | 3 | 2 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 67 | 76 | 7 | 1 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 56 | 77 | 5 | 0 | 1 | Fuel System | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Avoid | 94 | 438 | 3 | 0 | 5 | Visibility & Wipers | 23.5 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Avoid | 100 | 345 | 4 | 1 | 5 | Visibility & Wipers | 23.5 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Avoid | 78 | 112 | 3 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 23.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Caution | 50 | 31 | 4 | 0 | 2 | Visibility & Wipers | 23.5 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Good | 28 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 23.5 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Good | 39 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Brakes | 23 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Caution | 61 | 30 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Steering | 23 | 5★ |
RDX years to avoid: what went wrong
2020 Acura RDX Index 100 · 345 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2020 RDX carries the highest complaint index in the lineup, 100, based on 345 complaints. Visibility & Wipers problems lead at 29% of complaints with a median mileage of 47,524, while Engine complaints follow at 19% occurring much earlier, at a median of 5,450 miles. Five recall campaigns apply, including two separate seat weight sensor airbag recalls and a fuel pump module recall. Owners described sudden unintended acceleration and electrical dash harness failures.
2020 visibility & wipers problems →2020 engine problems →2020 fuel system problems →
2019 Acura RDX Index 94 · 438 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2019 RDX has a complaint index of 94, the second-highest of any year, from 438 complaints. Visibility & Wipers issues lead at 26% of complaints with a median mileage of 58,500, followed by Engine problems at 23% occurring much earlier, at a median of 8,300 miles. NHTSA recorded five recall campaigns for this year, covering seat weight sensors, fuel pump modules, and seat belt buckle assemblies. Owners also reported steering control loss events in this model year.
2019 visibility & wipers problems →2019 engine problems →2019 fuel system problems →
2015 Acura RDX Index 89 · 411 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2015 RDX ranks third-worst overall with a complaint index of 89 across 411 complaints. Electrical System issues are heavily concentrated, at 84% of all complaints, with a median failure mileage of 75,000. Airbag complaints follow at 8% with a much lower median mileage of 16,500. Three recall campaigns apply to this year, two covering Takata airbag inflators and one for driver frontal air bag inflators. Owners frequently describe headlight and dashboard electrical problems alongside the airbag concerns.
2015 electrical system problems →2015 airbags problems →2015 visibility & wipers problems →
2014 Acura RDX Index 83 · 242 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2014 RDX has a complaint index of 83 with 242 complaints logged. Electrical System problems dominate, making up 69% of complaints for the year, with owners reporting failures around a median of 86,000 miles. Airbags account for another 17% of complaints at a much lower median mileage of 20,000. NHTSA lists three recall campaigns for this year, including a fuel pump replacement campaign and two separate airbag inflator recalls tied to the Takata issue.
2021 Acura RDX Index 78 · 112 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2021 RDX has a complaint index of 78 from 112 complaints. Engine problems are the top concern at 20% of complaints, followed by Brakes and Structure & Body issues each at 14%, with brake complaints reported at a median of just 200 miles. Three recall campaigns cover this year, including a driveshaft replacement recall specific to 2021 models due to improper heat treatment. Owners reported sudden surging and clunking noises from the front suspension.
2021 engine problems →2021 brakes problems →2021 structure & body problems →
Most common Acura RDX problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Electrical System754 (35%)
- Other352 (16%)
- Visibility & Wipers299 (14%)
- Engine266 (12%)
- Airbags230 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain143 (7%)
- Fuel System137 (6%)
- Brakes130 (6%)
- Structure & Body111 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires55 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Acura RDX should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020, and 2021 Acura RDX are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes ranging from 78 to 100, the highest in the model's history.
- What is the best year for the Acura RDX?
- The 2010, 2011, and 2012 Acura RDX are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 22, 6, and 0 respectively, the lowest across all 19 model years covered.
- Why is the 2020 Acura RDX rated so poorly?
- The 2020 RDX has the highest complaint index of any year, 100, from 345 complaints, with Visibility & Wipers and Engine issues leading, plus five separate recall campaigns.
- Does the Acura RDX have electrical problems?
- Electrical System complaints are the top issue across all RDX years, totaling 754 complaints and 35% of all complaints, with 2014 and 2015 hit hardest at 69% and 84% of their respective year's complaints.
- How many recalls does the Acura RDX have overall?
- Across all 19 model years covered, NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for the Acura RDX, with the 2019 and 2020 model years each carrying five.