2013 Acura RDX Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
72/100
#6 most-complained of 19 RDX years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2013 Acura RDX has 162 owner complaints and 3 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 72 out of 100 — #6 highest of 19 RDX model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is electrical system (96 complaints, 59% of the total). Complaints report 6 crashes, 2 fires, and 4 injuries.
- Complaints
- 162
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 6 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 19.5 city / 27.5 hwy
Top 2013 Acura RDX problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System96 (59%)
- Airbags36 (22%)
- Visibility & Wipers10 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (5%)
- Other7 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (4%)
- Structure & Body5 (3%)
- Engine4 (2%)
- Brakes3 (2%)
- Steering2 (1%)
2013 Acura RDX recalls
3 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.
- NHTSA 13V143000Apr 15, 2013Transmission & Powertrain204,169 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 CR-V, Odyssey, and model year 2013 Acura RDX vehicles. During sub-freezing temperatures, the brake-shift interlock blocking mechanism may become slow and allow the gear selector to be moved from the Park position without pressing the brake pedal. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk: If the gear selector is moved from the park position without pressing the brake pedal it can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated brake shift interlock blocking mechanism free of charge. The recall began on May 13, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's campaign recall numbers are S96, S97, and S98.
2013 Acura RDX fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19.5 MPG
- Highway
- 27.5 MPG
- Combined
- 22.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,550
- 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.
2013 compared with other RDX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Acura RDX a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 Acura RDX ranks #6 of 19 among RDX model years (Complaint Index 72/100, verdict: Caution). It has 162 complaints and 3 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Acura RDX?
- The most reported problem areas are electrical system (96 complaints), airbags (36 complaints), and visibility & wipers (10 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 47,500 miles.
- Does the 2013 Acura RDX have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2013 Acura RDX, most recently reported 2019, covering airbags and transmission & powertrain.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Acura RDX?
- EPA rates the 2013 Acura RDX at 22.5 MPG combined (19.5 city / 27.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.