Diagsheet

Third generation

2021 Acura RDX

  • 111owner complaints
  • 3recalls
  • 3involved a crash
  • 30,000median miles at failure

Newest report Aug 22, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

miles

2021 Acura RDX
Photo: Kevauto, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

When each problem shows up

Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: brakes grind, pulse or wear early, 16 complaints.

0k25k50k75k100k125k150kyou

middle half of reports, median tick. Darker bars have 75 or more reports.

Behind you

    Around your mileage

      Ahead of you

        How this compares

        2021 Acura RDX111
        Median 2021 model here (79 vehicles)188
        Median 2021 SUV here (50)211

        111 complaints is 1.7 times fewer than the median 2021 model on this site and 1.9 times fewer than the median 2021 SUV. Among the 5 RDX model years here it ranks 5th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.

        Complaints filed by year

        220
        1721
        1322
        1023
        2224
        2725
        2026

        27 complaints came in 2025. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.

        Recalls that include the 2021 Acura RDX

        Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

        26V-332May 21, 2026
        Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger

        Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

        Risk and remedy
        Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
        Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
        24V-064Feb 1, 2024
        Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger

        Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.

        Risk and remedy
        Risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
        Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
        21V-939Dec 2, 2021
        Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft

        Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Acura RDX and 2022 CR-V Hybrid vehicles. A component in the right or left front driveshaft may have been improperly heat-treated, which could result in driveshaft failure.

        Risk and remedy
        Risk: Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, or cause the vehicle to roll away when parked if the parking brake is not applied. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
        Remedy: Dealers will replace the right or left front driveshaft as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BBY, NBW, and OBX.

        Other model years