2011 Acura RDX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2011 Acura RDX has a complaint index of 6, the second-lowest among 19 model years, and earns a Best verdict. It has 16 complaints and 2 recalls, both tied to airbags, with no fires or deaths reported.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 6/100
- #18 of 19 RDX years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 16
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 18 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2011 Acura RDX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags10 (63%)
- Electrical System4 (25%)
- Engine2 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (13%)
- Brakes1 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe the vehicle lurching or accelerating unexpectedly at low speed while turning, leading to a crash into a curb or embankment.
- Passenger-side headlights reportedly flicker on and off repeatedly, both while parked and while driving at night.
- Several owners with the airbag recall said replacement inflator parts were unavailable at dealers, leaving the recall unfinished for extended periods.
- Owners report a low growl or shudder between 40 and 50 mph that continues under acceleration, suspected to involve the torque converter.
- One owner reported the gear shifter would not come out of gear and the key would not release from the ignition switch, traced to a failed shifter cable.
- A turbo failure was reported at high mileage with no warning lights beforehand.
2011 Acura RDX recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V182000Mar 6, 2019Airbags1,101,534 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
- NHTSA 16V061000Feb 3, 2016Airbags2,232,187 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.
2011 Acura RDX fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,000
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other RDX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Acura RDX reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2011 RDX ranks among the better years for this model, with a complaint index of 6 and a Best verdict, 18th out of 19 model years in terms of worst-to-best ranking.
- What are the main problems with the 2011 Acura RDX?
- Airbags account for 63% of complaints, followed by electrical system issues at 25%, and smaller shares for engine, transmission, and brakes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls, both airbag-related.
- Does the 2011 Acura RDX have an airbag recall?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 16V061000 covers airbag inflator replacement, and campaign 19V182000 also addresses driver's airbag inflators. Neither recall carries a do-not-drive warning.
- How does the 2011 RDX compare to other RDX years?
- The 2011 model's complaint index of 6 is much lower than later years like 2014 (83), 2015 (89), 2019 (94), and 2020 (100), all rated Avoid, making 2011 one of the stronger years for this model.