Acura

RDX (TB3)

2013-2018 · Compact SUV · 2 engines
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (2.7)
971 NHTSA Complaints
6 Recalls
6 Fire Reports
30 Crash Reports
View all 3 generations of the Acura RDX → 📋 Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (15.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (16.4% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (15.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (16.4% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (15.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (16.4% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (15.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (16.4% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (15.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (16.4% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No

Engine Reliability Ratings

Acura RDX Unidentified Engine

⚠️ Caution (2.7)
29 complaints 4.8 per year
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
11
transmission
4
other
4
body
3
electrical
2

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (11 complaints)
Transmission Issues (4 complaints)
Body/Trim Issues (3 complaints)

J35Z2

3.5L 6-cyl / 273 hp
Avoid (1.9)
941 complaints 156.8 per year Gasoline
5 fire reports 1 fatality
View details

Complaint Breakdown

exterior
573
safety systems
112
electrical
54
other
50
fuel system
47

Known Issues

Exterior Issues (573 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (112 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (54 complaints)
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

K23A1

2.3L 4-cyl / 240 hp
Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
1

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (1 complaints)

Same engine used in

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Acura RDX regardless of engine variant.

Exterior Issues (573 complaints)
exterior serious
Safety Systems Issues (124 complaints)
safety_systems critical
Electrical System Issues (54 complaints)
electrical serious

Recalls (6)

23V858000Dec 17, 2023serious
Fuel System

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

19V500000Jun 26, 2019critical
Air Bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

19V182000Jun 2, 2019critical
Air Bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.

17V256000Apr 17, 2017serious
Equipment

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017 CR-V and Acura RDX vehicles. The Certification Labels on the affected vehicles were printed with ink that may be inadvertently wiped away with an alcohol solvent. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

16V061000Mar 1, 2016critical
Air Bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

13V143000Apr 14, 2013serious
Powertrain

Honda is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 CR-V, Odyssey, and model year 2013 Acura RDX vehicles. During sub-freezing temperatures, the brake-shift interlock blocking mechanism may become slow and allow the gear selector to be moved from the Park position without pressing the brake pedal. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2013-2018 Acura RDX problems?

The 2013-2018 Acura RDX has accumulated 971 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Exterior, Safety Systems, Electrical System. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Acura RDX engine is most reliable?

The 2013-2018 Acura RDX was offered with 3 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.5L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2013-2018 Acura RDX a good used car?

The 2013-2018 Acura RDX can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 971 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2013-2018 Acura RDX have?

The 2013-2018 Acura RDX has 971 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2013-2018 Acura RDX?

There are 6 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2013-2018 Acura RDX vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Acura RDX?

Before buying a used Acura RDX, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Exterior, Safety Systems, Electrical System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the RDX?

The 2018 Acura RDX received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 5 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (15.5% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Optional. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 971 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.

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