YearToAvoid

2020 Acura RDX Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 64 engine complaints for the 2020 Acura RDX, 19% of its 345 total complaints. The dominant pattern is sudden power loss into 'limp mode' with a blinking check-engine light, often while accelerating on the highway, with a median failure mileage of 5,450. No related recall is on file for this issue.

Engine complaints
64
19% of 345
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
5,450 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Sudden loss of engine power while accelerating or passing on the highway, often at speeds between 45 and 75 mph.
  • Vehicle drops into 'limp mode' and will not accelerate even with the pedal pressed to the floor.
  • Check engine light flashes at the same time the power loss occurs.
  • Engine sometimes resumes normal operation after the vehicle is pulled over and restarted.
  • Some owners report the same power-loss event happening more than once on the same vehicle.
  • One case involved a sudden jerk of the wheel and unexpected acceleration up to about 100 mph after the initial power loss, resulting in a crash.

When 2020 Acura RDX engine complaints were filed

First complaint Oct 31, 2019, latest Aug 22, 2026.

2020 Acura RDX engine complaints: complaints filed per month6Oct 2019Aug 2020Mar 2021Aug 2021Jul 2022May 2023Dec 2024Jul 2026
64 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2019 to Aug 2026; peak Nov 2020 (6).

Engine recalls for the 2020 Acura RDX

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by RDX model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20103 (14%)
  2. 20112 (13%)
  3. 20122 (13%)
  4. 20134 (2%)
  5. 20145 (2%)
  6. 20154 (1%)
  7. 20167 (18%)
  8. 201714 (18%)
  9. 201817 (22%)
  10. 201999 (23%)
  11. 202064 (19%)
  12. 202122 (20%)
  13. 20222 (6%)
  14. 20234 (18%)
  15. 20241 (9%)
  16. 20252 (7%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does NHTSA have for the 2020 Acura RDX?
NHTSA lists 64 engine complaints for the 2020 RDX, which is 19% of the 345 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2020 Acura RDX engine power loss?
No. The data shows no related recalls listed for this engine issue on the 2020 RDX.
At what mileage do 2020 Acura RDX engine problems usually happen?
The median mileage at failure among reported cases is 5,450 miles, and several individual complaints occurred well under 7,000 miles.
What does the engine problem feel like on the 2020 RDX?
Owners describe sudden power loss during acceleration, often on the highway, accompanied by a flashing check engine light and the vehicle entering limp mode.
Did the 2020 RDX engine issue cause any crashes or fires?
The data lists 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries associated with reported engine-area complaints for the 2020 RDX.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.