Which Acura RDX years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2014, 2015, 2019, and 2020 as Avoid years for the RDX, with 2019 posting the highest complaint index at 100 and 438 complaints, mostly tied to the electrical system and visibility/wipers.

Which Mazda CX-30 years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2021 and 2024 as Avoid years. The 2021 CX-30 has the highest complaint index of any year for the model at 100, with 101 complaints, 10 crashes, and 13 injuries reported, mostly linked to the engine.

Does the Acura RDX or Mazda CX-30 have more complaints?

The RDX has 2,050 total complaints over 16 model years (128 per year) while the CX-30 has 248 over 6 model years (41 per year). These totals are not adjusted for sales volume, so they aren't a direct apples-to-apples comparison.

Which model gets better fuel economy?

The Mazda CX-30 averages 26.7 MPG combined across its model years versus 22.4 MPG combined for the Acura RDX, based on EPA figures.

How many recalls does each model have?

NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns for the Acura RDX across 16 model years and 7 recall campaigns for the Mazda CX-30 across 6 model years.

Acura RDX vs Mazda CX-30: Which Years to Avoid

Acura RDX years to avoid are 2014, 2015, 2019, and 2020; Mazda CX-30 years to avoid are 2021 and 2024. RDX logs 2,050 total complaints across 16 model years (128 per year) versus CX-30's 248 across 6 years (41 per year), though totals aren't sales-normalized. CX-30 also averages better fuel economy at 26.7 MPG combined versus 22.4 for RDX.

Head to head

Acura RDX

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 2,050
Per model year: 128
Recall campaigns: 15
Years to avoid: 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020
Best years: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2023
Top problem area: Electrical System
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 22.4
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 5.0 ★

Mazda CX-30

Model years: 2020–2025 (6)
NHTSA complaints: 248
Per model year: 41
Recall campaigns: 7
Years to avoid: 2021, 2024
Best years: 2020, 2022
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 26.7
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 5.0 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	RDX				CX-30
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Best	22	2	20	—	—	—	—
2011	Best	16	2	20	—	—	—	—
2012	Best	15	2	20	—	—	—	—
2013	Caution	162	3	22.5	—	—	—	—
2014	Avoid	242	3	22.5	—	—	—	—
2015	Avoid	411	3	22.5	—	—	—	—
2016	Good	40	2	22.5	—	—	—	—
2017	Caution	76	1	22.5	—	—	—	—
2018	Good	77	1	22.5	—	—	—	—
2019	Avoid	438	5	23.5	—	—	—	—
2020	Avoid	345	5	23.5	Best	33	3	27.5
2021	Caution	112	3	23.5	Avoid	101	2	26
2022	Good	31	2	23.5	Best	33	1	25.5
2023	Best	22	2	23.5	Good	24	1	27
2024	Good	11	2	23	Avoid	31	2	27
2025	Caution	30	1	23	Caution	26	1	27

Complaint Index by year

Acura RDX

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Mazda CX-30

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

Which Acura RDX years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2014, 2015, 2019, and 2020 as Avoid years for the RDX, with 2019 posting the highest complaint index at 100 and 438 complaints, mostly tied to the electrical system and visibility/wipers.
Which Mazda CX-30 years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2021 and 2024 as Avoid years. The 2021 CX-30 has the highest complaint index of any year for the model at 100, with 101 complaints, 10 crashes, and 13 injuries reported, mostly linked to the engine.
Does the Acura RDX or Mazda CX-30 have more complaints?: The RDX has 2,050 total complaints over 16 model years (128 per year) while the CX-30 has 248 over 6 model years (41 per year). These totals are not adjusted for sales volume, so they aren't a direct apples-to-apples comparison.
Which model gets better fuel economy?: The Mazda CX-30 averages 26.7 MPG combined across its model years versus 22.4 MPG combined for the Acura RDX, based on EPA figures.
How many recalls does each model have?: NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns for the Acura RDX across 16 model years and 7 recall campaigns for the Mazda CX-30 across 6 model years.