2018 Acura RDX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2018 Acura RDX has a Complaint Index of 56, ranking 9th worst out of 19 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. Fuel System complaints make up 44% of reports, with 1 recall on file.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 56/100
- #9 of 19 RDX years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 77
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Fuel System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 19.5 city / 27.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2018 Acura RDX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System34 (44%)
- Engine17 (22%)
- Transmission & Powertrain12 (16%)
- Electrical System10 (13%)
- Other7 (9%)
- Brakes5 (6%)
- Structure & Body5 (6%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras4 (5%)
- Airbags3 (4%)
- Lane Departure3 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Automatic emergency braking has failed to release during wet-weather braking, causing the vehicle to hydroplane and spin out.
- Owners describe unexpected vehicle rollaway after the driver exits with the engine still running, in one case pushing the vehicle into a tree.
- Some report the vehicle lurching forward or stalling on its own while parking or cornering at low speed.
- Seatback failure has been reported in a rear-end collision, allowing the occupant to slip under the seatbelt.
- Rodents reportedly chewed wiring harnesses and battery cables under the hood while the vehicle was parked, requiring wiring replacement.
- Brake lights have failed to function due to a missing relay power connection.
2018 Acura RDX recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V858000Dec 18, 2023Fuel System2,490,460 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
2018 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.
2018 compared with other RDX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Acura RDX reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2018 RDX a Complaint Index of 56 and a Caution verdict, ranking 9th worst among 19 model years of the RDX. Fuel System complaints account for 44% of reports for this year.
- What is the biggest problem area for the 2018 Acura RDX?
- Fuel System complaints lead with 34 reports, 44% of all complaints, at a median mileage of 46,750 miles. Engine complaints follow at 22% with a much lower median mileage of 9,250 miles.
- Does the 2018 Acura RDX have a recall?
- Yes, one recall (campaign 23V858000) covers a fuel pump module replacement across multiple Honda and Acura models including the 2018 RDX. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2018 RDX compare to other RDX years?
- The 2018 RDX's Complaint Index of 56 is worse than earlier years like 2011 and 2012, which earned Best verdicts with indexes of 6 and 0. It is better than 2019 and 2020, which rank as Avoid with indexes of 94 and 100.
- What mileage do problems tend to show up on the 2018 RDX?
- Overall median mileage at failure is 6,500 miles, but Fuel System issues show up later at a median of 46,750 miles while Brakes issues show up early at 1,600 miles.