YearToAvoid

2021 Acura RDX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2021 Acura RDX has 112 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 78, and ranks 5th worst out of 19 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Engine problems are the top complaint area, and NHTSA lists 3 recalls including a driveshaft issue specific to this model year.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
78/100
#5 of 19 RDX years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
112
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
3
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2012
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
23.5
21.5 city / 27 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Top 2021 Acura RDX problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Other30 (27%)
  2. Engine22 (20%)
  3. Brakes16 (14%)
  4. Structure & Body16 (14%)
  5. Visibility & Wipers14 (13%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain13 (12%)
  7. Airbags11 (10%)
  8. Electrical System10 (9%)
  9. Collision Avoidance & Cameras7 (6%)
  10. Fuel System4 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report sudden loss of engine power while accelerating to pass, sometimes with the check engine light on and the car dropping into limp mode.
  • Some describe the vehicle surging forward unexpectedly at low speed, including one case that ended in a collision with a building.
  • Drivers heard loud knocking or popping sounds from the front passenger wheel area during turning or acceleration.
  • A rear tire reportedly blew out on the highway after a rapid pressure loss with no visible puncture.
  • The panoramic sunroof area reportedly produces a loud knock or pop when entering or leaving driveways, described by multiple owners.
  • The collision mitigation braking system reportedly activated without warning, causing an abrupt stop while cruise control was set.
2021 Acura RDX complaints: complaints filed per quarter102020 Q42021 Q32022 Q22023 Q12023 Q42024 Q32025 Q22026 Q1
112 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2020 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2026 Q3 (10).

2021 Acura RDX recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Avoid94438523.5
2020Avoid100345523.5
2021Avoid78112323.5
2022Caution5031223.5
2023Good2822223.5

All Acura RDX years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Acura RDX reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 RDX ranks 5th worst among 19 model years with a complaint index of 78, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other RDX years.
What problems does the 2021 Acura RDX have?
NHTSA data shows Engine complaints lead at 22 reports (20% share), followed by Brakes and Structure & Body at 16 complaints each. Owners also reported issues with visibility/wipers and transmission.
Does the 2021 Acura RDX have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2021 RDX, including a driveshaft recall specific to this model year and two airbag seat-weight-sensor recalls shared with other Honda/Acura models.
How does the 2021 RDX compare to other RDX years?
The 2021 RDX's complaint index of 78 is worse than most other years; only 2019 (94) and 2020 (100) score higher, both also rated Avoid.
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.

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.