2012 Acura RDX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2012 Acura RDX ranks as a Best year among 19 model years, with a complaint index of 0 and 15 total complaints. Its top issue is Airbags (40% of complaints, mainly Takata recall-related), covered by 2 recall campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 0/100
- #19 of 19 RDX years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 15
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- 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 2012 Acura RDX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags6 (40%)
- Electrical System3 (20%)
- Engine2 (13%)
- Other2 (13%)
- Steering2 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (13%)
- Structure & Body1 (7%)
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 an oil leak at the front of the engine block traced to a casting defect, occurring at low mileage.
- Some report the moonroof imploding without warning shortly after other engine problems appeared.
- Drivers noticed a growing noise from the steering wheel that got harder to turn, eventually requiring rack-and-pinion attention around 50,100 miles.
- Several owners describe receiving Takata airbag recall notices but being told replacement parts were unavailable for an extended period.
- One owner reported vibration during acceleration traced to worn front axle assemblies.
- Another described both headlights fogging up internally, which the dealer attributed to a manufacturer specification issue.
2012 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.
2012 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.
2012 compared with other RDX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Acura RDX reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 RDX is rated Best among RDX model years, with only 15 complaints and a complaint index of 0.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2012 Acura RDX?
- Airbags are the top complaint area, making up 40% of complaints, largely tied to Takata inflator recalls.
- Does the 2012 Acura RDX have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2012 RDX, both related to Takata airbag inflators, neither marked do-not-drive.
- How does the 2012 RDX compare to other RDX years?
- The 2012 RDX ranks 19th out of 19 in complaint volume when sorted worst-first, meaning it has the fewest reported problems, unlike later years such as 2019 and 2020 which are rated Avoid with complaint indexes of 94 and 100.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Acura RDX?
- EPA rates the 2012 RDX at 20 mpg combined (18 city / 23 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,000.