2011 Acura RDX Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
7/100
#15 most-complained of 16 RDX years
The 2011 Acura RDX ranks 15th of 16 model years, with a low Complaint Index of 7 and just 16 NHTSA complaints. It carries a 'Best' verdict among RDX years, with airbags as the top reported problem area (63% of complaints).
- Complaints
- 16
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 18 city / 23 hwy
Top 2011 Acura RDX problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags10 (63%)
- Electrical System4 (25%)
- Engine2 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (13%)
- Brakes1 (6%)
What owners report
- Owners report the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated or revved during a low-speed turn with the brake depressed, leading to a crash into an embankment.
- Some describe the passenger-side headlight flickering on and off repeatedly, both while parked and while driving.
- Several owners received the airbag inflator recall notice but reported dealers had no replacement parts available for extended periods.
- One owner described a low growl and vibration or shudder starting around 40-50 mph that worsened with speed or acceleration, suspected to involve the torque converter.
- Another owner reported the gear shifter would not move out of gear and the key would not release from the ignition, traced to a failed shifter cable.
- One owner reported the turbo failed with no warning lights, at high mileage, and noted it was tied to a recall.
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?
- Compared with other RDX model years, 2011 ranks 15th out of 16 with a Complaint Index of 7 and only 16 NHTSA complaints, earning a 'Best' verdict relative to other RDX years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Acura RDX?
- NHTSA data shows airbags are the top problem area, making up 63% of complaints, followed by electrical system issues (25%) and engine and transmission issues (13% each).
- Does the 2011 Acura RDX have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2011 RDX, both involving airbags, including a driver's airbag inflator replacement campaign.
- What mileage do 2011 RDX problems typically appear at?
- The median mileage at failure across all reported issues is 65,335 miles, though airbag-related complaints had a lower median mileage of 35,050 miles.
- How does the 2011 RDX compare to later RDX years?
- The 2011 RDX's Complaint Index of 7 is far lower than later 'Avoid' years like 2015 (87), 2019 (100), and 2020 (93), making 2011 one of the better RDX years by this measure.