2020 Acura RDX Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
93/100
#2 most-complained of 16 RDX years
NHTSA data ranks the 2020 Acura RDX 2nd worst out of 16 model years, with a complaint index of 93 and 345 complaints. Visibility & wipers issues lead at 29% of complaints, followed by engine problems at 19%, plus 5 recalls including fuel pump and seat belt buckle issues.
- Complaints
- 345
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 4 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23.5
- 21.5 city / 27 hwy
Top 2020 Acura RDX problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden loss of power or 'limp mode' at highway speed, sometimes tied to humid conditions or dash wiring harness faults.
- Some describe the engine losing power and jerking the wheel while accelerating unexpectedly, with a strange noise from the engine compartment.
- Several drivers report unintended acceleration in parking lots with unresponsive brakes and locked steering, in some cases resulting in a crash.
- Owners note brakes squeaking or scraping shortly after purchase, sometimes attributed by dealers to wet conditions or factory defects.
- Some report the passenger airbag indicator light intermittently showing off when a passenger is seated, suggesting the seat weight sensor is not detecting occupancy.
- A few mention the power liftgate making a popping noise when opening.
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?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 RDX ranks 2nd worst among 16 model years of the RDX, with a complaint index of 93 and 345 complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other RDX years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Acura RDX?
- Visibility & Wipers issues make up 29% of complaints, followed by Engine problems at 19% and Fuel System issues at 11%, according to NHTSA data.
- Does the 2020 Acura RDX have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2020 RDX, covering airbags, fuel system, and seat belts, though none are do-not-drive recalls.
- What is the median mileage for reported failures on the 2020 RDX?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage at failure of 6,200 miles for the 2020 RDX overall, with the Engine problem area showing a median of 5,450 miles.
- How does the 2020 RDX compare to the 2019 RDX?
- The 2019 RDX has a higher complaint index of 100 with 438 complaints and is also rated Avoid, while the 2020 RDX follows closely with a complaint index of 93 and 345 complaints.