2020
New 2021
Used 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007

Acura RDX Change Vehicle

Unlock Ratings
Acura's third-generation RDX impressed us on our test track and on the road. It has agile handling, a powerful turbocharged engine, a modern interior, and standard advanced safety features. But Acura missed the mark with the RDX’s annoyingly complex controls. In addition, we are not enthusiastic about the luxury compact SUV's fuel economy. The RDX’s pushbutton gear selector is the least of its problems.
Alerts
There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.
2020
New 2021
Used 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007

Acura RDX

Reliability

Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting how the vehicles will hold up in the year ahead. These charts provide the most comprehensive reliability information available to consumers. Based on information received from our latest subscriber survey, our reliability history charts give you a rundown on how used vehicles are holding up in 17 potential trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, and brakes to power equipment and the electrical system.

Overall Reliability
Most Common Trouble Spots
Common Trouble Spot
Common Trouble Spot
See all 2020 Potential Trouble Spots
The 2020 Acura RDX has been recalled 1 time by NHTSA. View Recalls
Research Years * Redesign year
Worse Better
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07*
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13*
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19*
20
Overall Reliability Verdict
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
POTENTIAL TROUBLE SPOTS
Engine Major
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Engine Minor
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Engine Cooling
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Transmission Major
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Transmission Minor
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Drive System
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Fuel System
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Electric System
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Climate System
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Suspension
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Brakes
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Exhaust
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Paint/Trim
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Body Integrity
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Body Hardware
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Power Equipment
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
In-car Electronics
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
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Show Fewer Trouble Spots
Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting how the vehicles will hold up in the year ahead. These charts provide the most comprehensive reliability information available to consumers. Based on information received from our latest subscriber survey for about 329,000 vehicles, our reliability history charts give you a rundown on how 2000 through 2020 vehicles are holding up in 17 potential trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, and brakes to power equipment and the electrical system. NA indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.

Learn more about car Reliability.

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2020 Acura RDX owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

Brakes

Antilock system (ABS), parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, rotors, pulsation or vibration, squeaking, brake failure or wear.

What Owners Say

Premature brake wear

"It started with 200 or so miles"

Anonymous, NJ (2020 Acura RDX Tech 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Pulsation or vibration

"Pulsating happens periodically. Dealer is aware, common problem with RDX, with no solution."

Anonymous, (2020 Acura RDX Advance 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"They replaced brake pads"

Anonymous, NJ (2020 Acura RDX Tech 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"Left front brake developed a grinding sound. Took to dealer they replaced pads and rotors. Came back after another 1200 miles. Took to dealer the replaced pads with ceramic pads,came back again after another 1000 miles. Dealer now wants to trying scuffing rotors This affects 2019 and 2029 RDX, Acura changed rotor material in 2019. Problem has not been solved."

Anonymous, FL (2020 Acura RDX A-Spec 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Squeaking

"Same as other"

Anonymous, (2020 Acura RDX Advance 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"The squeaking only happens when it is 50° or below. It is so loud I compare it to a New York City bus. I don't feel that $50,000 car should sound this way in any temperature. Acura has been trying to come up with a remedy for over a year now. Apparently it was a problem in 2019 as well. The dealerships say there's nothing they can do. I've spoken to corporate who said the engineers are working on a fix. my first call to corporate was in November 2019 and now it is May. Now corporate is completely ignoring my calls and according to the dealers still have not figured out how to fix the problem. Anybody I know that has this car has the same problem. People have written about it all over the Internet. How could a company such as Acura not know how to fix a squeaking break. I'm so disappointed. This is my second Acura and I planned on it being my last for at least the next 10 years. I don't have faith in them because they can't fix this problem. I'm embarrassed to drive the car and also worried that this can become worse of a problem. It is a problem with the brakes and I am driving my children around all the time in it. If they can't fix it then how do I know that it's not a problem that could get worse. On behalf of all owners of the Acura RDX 2019 and later ...we want some answers from them"

Anonymous, NY (2020 Acura RDX Tech 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"brakes work and stop quickly, but when you apply pressure it makes a strange squealing noise with sight vibrations"

Anonymous, HI (2020 Acura RDX Tech 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"It's all part of the same brake issue"

Anonymous, FL (2020 Acura RDX A-Spec 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
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Body Integrity

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, loose or cracked seals and/or weather-stripping, air and water leaks.

What Owners Say

Air or water leaks

"Noticed I had a problem when I went through the car wash and saw water leaking inside the back of the vehicle. I check the seal on the hatch and noticed it was not installed properly. Took it to the dealer and the rubber seal around the rear hatch had to be completely replaced. Very disappointing that a brand new vehicle had this kind of a leak on the first time I took it through a car wash."

Anonymous, IN (2020 Acura RDX A-Spec 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Squeaks or rattles

"The sunroof wind deflector Rattles, I think it's loose. It always has rattled. It happens when the sunroof is fully open, especially if it's windy outside."

Anonymous, CO (2020 Acura RDX A-Spec 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"Rattles developed early, and the dealer said it was due to a multi-part dashboard construction. They fixed it, so the problem was resolved, but should have been anticipated in the engineering of the vehicle."

Anonymous, AZ (2020 Acura RDX Advance 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"Took 2 trips to the dealership to find and correct the rattles."

Anonymous, PA (2020 Acura RDX Tech 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"I have had a few rattling concerns, the big one was the roof panels not fitting properly by the sunroof. I was able to fix it myself, the panels needed to be pushed into place, unfortunately they work themselves out time to time."

Anonymous, IN (2020 Acura RDX A-Spec 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"Weather strip on driver side door squeaked when opening. Front brakes give high pitched squeel."

Anonymous, PA (2020 Acura RDX Tech 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
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In-car Electronics

CD or DVD players, radio, speakers, GPS, communication system (e.g., OnStar), display screen freezes or goes blank, phone pairing (e.g. Bluetooth), voice control commands, steering wheel controls, portable music device interface (e.g., iPod/MP3 player), backup or other camera/sensors.

What Owners Say

Backup or other camera/sensors

"The front camera was " not plugged in" when I drove the car home after buying the car. Fixed the next day. All resolved."

Anonymous, (2020 Acura RDX Advance 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
In-dash navigation system (GPS)

"The track pad used for input is difficult to use"

Anonymous, AZ (2020 Acura RDX Advance 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"The system is very oblique -- hard to understand"

Anonymous, NJ (2020 Acura RDX Tech 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Phone pairing (e.g., Bluetooth)

"my wife's phone is paired no problem however when i hard connect my i phone to the car it does not recognize it."

Anonymous, NY (2020 Acura RDX Tech 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Radio

"Music, radio etc are in one gizmo."

Anonymous, NJ (2020 Acura RDX Tech 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Load more

Body Hardware

Power or manual windows, locks and latches, tailgate, hatch or trunk, doors or sliding doors, mirrors, seat controls, safety belts, sunroof, convertible top.

What Owners Say

Sunroof

"structural issue, sunroof made a popping flexing noise when backing up on uneven surface such as driveway apron. Dealer replaced roof rails under warranty"

Anonymous, FL (2020 Acura RDX A-Spec 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Tailgate, hatch or trunk

"The tailgate would bind on the roof while opening or closing. The dealership fixed it under warranty but took 3 weeks to fix it"

Anonymous, IL (2020 Acura RDX Advance 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Transmission Minor

Gear selector or linkage, leaks, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission.

Fuel System

Check engine light, sensors (includes O2 or oxygen sensor), emission control devices (includes EGR), engine computer, engine computer, fuel cap, fuel gauge/sender, fuel injection system, fuel pump, fuel leaks, stalling or hesitation.

Climate System

Blower (fan) motor, A/C compressor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate control, refrigerant leakage, electrical failure.

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, leaks.

Paint/Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling), loose interior and exterior trim or moldings, rust.

Power Equipment

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, remote engine start, alarm or security system

Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.

Suspension

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, 4WD/AWD components, driveline vibration, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), electrical failure.

Electric System

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery and related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, distributor or rotor failure, spark plugs and wires failure.

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This score shows whether the model had more or fewer problems overall than the average model of that year, calculated from the total number of problems reported by subscribers in all 17 trouble spots.
Recalls
PROVIDED BY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Mar 25, 2021
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Read Recall Details
Summary:
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
What should you do:
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 21V215000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 628124
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