2021 Acura RDX problems
The 2021 Acura RDX has 168 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (14%) concerns engine. Next are brakes (10%) and wipers, windshield & visibility (9%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 168 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 14% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 8 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 30,000 miles 17 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 8 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 3 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 2 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 3 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 0 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 0 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 17 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 30,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 8 complaints mention a crash; 2 injuries reported. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 84% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2021 ranks 3rd most-complained-about out of 15 model years of the Acura RDX with enough data (168 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
The panoramic sunroof exploded on our Acura RDX model 2021. Me, my wife and our 3 month old son were returning from dinner, we took the ramp and about to merge on a highway then we heard a loud and sudden explosive noise which scared all of us. Thank God we had the sunroof blind partially closed over the real infant seat, so the glass shatters left some minor cuts on my left forearm and back (glass pieces got between my back and driving seat). Also, the glass pieces did cut the sunroof blind/rolling cloth screen.
While sitting in a long row of stopped vehicles at a traffic light for an extended amount of time due to an accident I had the Automatic Brake Hold feature activated { I did not have to have my foot on the brake while sitting still) as well as the Auto Idle Stop OFF button meaning {the engine shuts down when you come to a stop.} Apparently, the Brake Hold feature timed out with no warning whatsoever and because the vehicle moved forward the Auto Start Stop feature activated at the same time and the vehicle lurched…
Both myself and husband have heard knock or loud pop sound. One loud knock or two with slight level change such as entering or leaving driveway. Many other acura rdx owners have reported same issue. Appears to be flexing of panoramic sunroof. My vehicle is one week old (was courtesy vehicle) 2021 acura rdx. In shop now. Many have reported service issues with no resolution through dealership or acura. Several owners have added issues with sunroof leaking and even blow out of sunroof window.
The contact owns a 2021 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the front headlights and instrument panel lights started blinking off and on. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the body control module had malfunctioned due to water intrusion from the moon roof seals. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,000.