2021 Acura RDX Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
73/100
#5 most-complained of 16 RDX years
The 2021 Acura RDX ranks 5th worst of 16 model years with a Complaint Index of 73 and a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 112 complaints, 3 recalls, 3 crashes, and 1 injury, with Engine problems as the top complaint area at 20% of reports.
- Complaints
- 112
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23.5
- 21.5 city / 27 hwy
Top 2021 Acura RDX problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other30 (27%)
- Engine22 (20%)
- Brakes16 (14%)
- Structure & Body16 (14%)
- Visibility & Wipers14 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain13 (12%)
- Airbags11 (10%)
- Electrical System10 (9%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras7 (6%)
- Fuel System4 (4%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden loss of engine power while accelerating to pass, sometimes triggering a check engine light and limp mode.
- Some describe the vehicle surging forward unexpectedly while parking, resulting in a collision.
- Drivers heard clunking or rattling noises from the front passenger wheel well during acceleration and braking.
- One owner reported a rear tire shredding off the rim after a rapid pressure loss while driving on the interstate.
- Others heard loud knocking or popping sounds from the panoramic sunroof area, including on a nearly new vehicle.
- The collision mitigation braking system reportedly activated without warning on a clear road, causing an abrupt stop.
2021 Acura RDX recalls
3 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 21V939000Dec 2, 2021Transmission & Powertrain279 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Acura RDX and 2022 CR-V Hybrid vehicles. A component in the right or left front driveshaft may have been improperly heat-treated, which could result in driveshaft failure.
Risk: Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, or cause the vehicle to roll away when parked if the parking brake is not applied. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the right or left front driveshaft as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BBY, NBW, and OBX.
2021 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.
2021 compared with other RDX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Acura RDX reliable?
- Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 RDX has a Complaint Index of 73 and ranks 5th worst among 16 RDX model years, earning a Caution verdict relative to other years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Acura RDX?
- Engine complaints lead at 20% of the 112 total complaints, followed by Brakes and Structure & Body issues, each at 14%.
- Does the 2021 Acura RDX have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2021 RDX, covering airbags and a transmission/powertrain driveshaft issue, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2021 RDX compare to other RDX years?
- The 2021 RDX's Complaint Index of 73 is worse than most other years but better than the 2019 (100) and 2020 (93) model years, which carry Avoid verdicts.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Acura RDX?
- EPA rates the 2021 RDX at 23.5 mpg combined (21.5 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,375.