2012 Acura RDX Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
0/100
#16 most-complained of 16 RDX years
The 2012 Acura RDX ranks 16th out of 16 model years by NHTSA complaint volume, with only 15 complaints, a complaint index of 0, and 2 recalls. It carries a "Best" verdict relative to other RDX years, mainly tied to Takata airbag recalls rather than mechanical failures.
- Complaints
- 15
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 18 city / 23 hwy
Top 2012 Acura RDX problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Owners report a Takata airbag recall notice arriving but the replacement inflator part being unavailable for an extended period.
- One owner described an engine oil leak traced to a casting defect near the front of the engine block, discovered around 6,500 miles.
- A steering rack-and-pinion issue produced a noise when turning the wheel that grew louder and made steering harder, reported at 50,100 miles.
- One owner noticed vibration during acceleration that turned out to be worn front axle assemblies needing replacement.
- An electrical complaint described headlights fogging with moisture, which the owner said the dealer attributed to a factory design without a warranty fix.
- A separate report described discovering the vehicle's true mileage was far higher than shown at time of purchase, after an oil change revealed 248,553 miles versus the 148,000 shown.
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?
- Among RDX model years, 2012 ranks best, with only 15 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 0, compared to much higher totals in years like 2015 (411 complaints) and 2019 (438 complaints).
- Does the 2012 Acura RDX have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2012 RDX, both related to Takata airbag inflators (campaigns 19V182000 and 16V061000).
- What is the top complaint area for the 2012 Acura RDX?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 6 of 15 complaints (40%), mostly tied to the Takata recall and parts availability delays.
- 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.
- How does 2012 compare to other RDX years to avoid?
- 2012 is rated "Best," while 2014, 2015, 2019, and 2020 are rated "Avoid" due to complaint indexes of 80, 87, 100, and 93 respectively.