2020 Acura RDX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2020 Acura RDX has a complaint index of 100, the highest of all 19 model years, ranking it worst overall. It carries 345 complaints, 5 recalls, and 4 reported crashes, earning an Avoid verdict.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 19 RDX years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 345
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Visibility & Wipers
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23.5
- 21.5 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2020 Acura RDX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other102 (30%)
- Visibility & Wipers101 (29%)
- Engine64 (19%)
- Fuel System37 (11%)
- Structure & Body27 (8%)
- Electrical System26 (8%)
- Brakes24 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain22 (6%)
- Airbags6 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (2%)
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 loss of power and 'limp mode' triggered by dash harness electrical faults, sometimes with infotainment loss or speaker noise.
- Some drivers report sudden unintended acceleration where the vehicle veered, brakes and steering locked up, and gear buttons stopped responding, ending in a crash.
- Several complaints describe the engine losing power and the check engine light flashing while accelerating or passing, dropping the vehicle into limp mode at low speed.
- Fuel system failures are reported as sudden loss of power or stalling while driving, in one case leading to a road crash.
- Brake issues include scraping or squeaking noises shortly after purchase, sometimes tied to pad and rotor replacement.
- A front passenger airbag warning light was reported to intermittently indicate the airbag was not armed, attributed to a seat weight sensor issue.
2020 Acura RDX recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V332000May 21, 2026Airbags98,892 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
- NHTSA 24V064000Feb 1, 2024Airbags750,114 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
Risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
- 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.
2020 Acura RDX fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21.5 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 23.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,375
- 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.
2020 compared with other RDX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Acura RDX reliable?
- NHTSA data ranks the 2020 RDX worst among all 19 RDX model years, with a complaint index of 100 and 345 complaints, so it earns an Avoid verdict relative to other RDX years.
- What is the biggest problem area for the 2020 Acura RDX?
- Visibility & Wipers is the top problem area, accounting for 101 complaints, or 29% of all complaints for the year.
- Does the 2020 Acura RDX have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2020 RDX, covering airbags, fuel system, and seat belts, though none are do-not-drive recalls.
- At what mileage do 2020 RDX problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure across complaints is 6,200 miles, though specific problem areas vary, such as engine issues at a median of 5,450 miles and structure/body issues at 667.5 miles.
- How does the 2020 RDX compare to the 2019 RDX?
- Both are rated Avoid, but the 2019 RDX has a higher complaint index of 94 versus 100 for 2020, and more total complaints at 438 versus 345.