Which Acura RDX years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020 and 2021 as Avoid years for the RDX, with 2020 having the highest complaint index at 100 and top problems in Electrical System and Visibility & Wipers.

Which Mazda CX-30 years should I avoid?

2021 and 2024 are the CX-30's Avoid years. 2021 has the highest complaint index (100) among CX-30 years, driven mainly by Engine complaints, while 2024's top issue is Collision Avoidance & Cameras.

Which model has more total complaints?

The Acura RDX has 2,151 total complaints across 19 model years (113 per year on average), while the Mazda CX-30 has 248 total complaints across 6 model years (41 per year). Totals are not sales-normalized.

Which has better fuel economy, RDX or CX-30?

The Mazda CX-30 averages 26.7 mpg combined versus the Acura RDX's 21.9 mpg combined, and CX-30's annual fuel cost figures run as low as $2,350 compared to the RDX's figures as high as $4,200.

Does either model have a Good or Best year?

Yes. The RDX has Best years in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and Good years elsewhere, while the CX-30 has Best years in 2020 and 2023.

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

Acura RDX years to avoid are 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020 and 2021; Mazda CX-30 years to avoid are 2021 and 2024. RDX averages 113 complaints per model year across 19 years versus CX-30's 41 per year across 6 years, and CX-30 gets better fuel economy (26.7 mpg combined vs 21.9 mpg).

Head to head

Acura RDX

Model years: 2007–2025 (19)
NHTSA complaints: 2,151
Per model year: 113
Recall campaigns: 16
Years to avoid: 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021
Best years: 2010, 2011, 2012
Top problem area: Electrical System
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 21.9
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, 2023
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
2007	Good	53	2	19	—	—	—	—
2008	Good	33	3	19	—	—	—	—
2009	Good	15	2	19	—	—	—	—
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	Caution	77	1	22.5	—	—	—	—
2019	Avoid	438	5	23.5	—	—	—	—
2020	Avoid	345	5	23.5	Best	33	3	27.5
2021	Avoid	112	3	23.5	Avoid	101	2	26
2022	Caution	31	2	23.5	Good	33	1	25.5
2023	Good	22	2	23.5	Best	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, 2020 and 2021 as Avoid years for the RDX, with 2020 having the highest complaint index at 100 and top problems in Electrical System and Visibility & Wipers.
Which Mazda CX-30 years should I avoid?: 2021 and 2024 are the CX-30's Avoid years. 2021 has the highest complaint index (100) among CX-30 years, driven mainly by Engine complaints, while 2024's top issue is Collision Avoidance & Cameras.
Which model has more total complaints?: The Acura RDX has 2,151 total complaints across 19 model years (113 per year on average), while the Mazda CX-30 has 248 total complaints across 6 model years (41 per year). Totals are not sales-normalized.
Which has better fuel economy, RDX or CX-30?: The Mazda CX-30 averages 26.7 mpg combined versus the Acura RDX's 21.9 mpg combined, and CX-30's annual fuel cost figures run as low as $2,350 compared to the RDX's figures as high as $4,200.
Does either model have a Good or Best year?: Yes. The RDX has Best years in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and Good years elsewhere, while the CX-30 has Best years in 2020 and 2023.